U.S. patent application number 11/797274 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for fuel bladder apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Rich Hahn, Norman S. Martucci.
Application Number | 20080272116 11/797274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39938826 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272116 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martucci; Norman S. ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
Fuel bladder apparatus and method
Abstract
A fuel bladder apparatus includes a fuel bladder, tank, and cap.
The fuel bladder includes an elastomeric envelope, fuel inlet, and
fuel outlet. The elastomeric envelope has an upper section, lower
section and side section. The fuel inlet is disposed at the upper
section. The fuel outlet is disposed at the lower section. The tank
includes a rigid housing, inlet port, outlet port, and air inlet.
The inlet port is disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel
inlet. The fuel inlet is sealed to the inlet port. The outlet port
is disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel outlet. The cap
is detachably secured to the inlet port. The cap detachably seals
the fuel inlet.
Inventors: |
Martucci; Norman S.;
(Clarkston, MI) ; Hahn; Rich; (Sterling Heights,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
WASHINGTON SQUARE, SUITE 1100, 1050 CONNECTICUT AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5304
US
|
Family ID: |
39938826 |
Appl. No.: |
11/797274 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02B 63/02 20130101;
F02M 37/0082 20130101; B60K 15/03 20130101; F02M 37/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A fuel bladder apparatus comprising: a fuel bladder comprising:
an elastomeric envelope having an upper section, lower section and
side section; a fuel inlet disposed at the upper section; a fuel
outlet disposed at the lower section; a tank comprising: a rigid
housing; an inlet port disposed in cooperative alignment with the
fuel inlet, wherein the fuel inlet is sealed to the inlet port; an
outlet port disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel outlet;
and an air inlet; and a cap detachably secured to the inlet port,
wherein the cap detachably seals the fuel inlet.
2. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
elastomeric envelope comprises a rubberized fabric.
3. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
elastomeric envelope comprises a rubberized fabric.
4. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
elastomeric envelope includes poly tetra fluoro ethylene.
5. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
elastomeric envelope includes poly ether ether ketone.
6. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
elastomeric envelope includes thermoplastic urethane.
7. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a tube extending inwardly with respect to the inlet
port; a float secured to the upper section of the elastomeric
envelope; and a seal configured to slidably engage the tube, the
seal being secured to the float.
8. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a series of pleats along the side section.
9. The fuel bladder apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a filter disposed within the air inlet..
10. An apparatus for supplying fuel to a yard equipment engine, the
apparatus comprising: means for disposing a fuel bladder in a tank,
the fuel bladder comprising: an elastomeric envelope having an
upper section, lower section and side section; a fuel inlet
disposed at the upper section; a fuel outlet disposed at the lower
section; the tank comprising: a rigid housing; an inlet port
disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel inlet; an outlet
port disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel outlet; and an
air port; and means for sealing the fuel inlet to the inlet port to
generate a fuel bladder volume and a tank volume, the fuel bladder
volume being fluidly isolated from the tank volume, the tank volume
being in fluid connection with the atmosphere via the air port,
wherein air from the atmosphere enters the tank volume via the air
port in response to fuel being removed from the fuel bladder and
air.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means
for threading a fuel line through the outlet port, wherein the fuel
line is in fluid connection with the fuel outlet.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: means
for fluidly connecting the fuel line to the engine.
13. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means
for slidably sealing the fuel inlet to a tube extending inwardly
from the inlet port.
14. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means
for pleating the elastomeric envelope.
15. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means
for filtering air passing through the air port.
16. A method of supplying fuel to a yard equipment engine, the
method comprising: disposing a fuel bladder in a tank, the fuel
bladder comprising: an elastomeric envelope having an upper
section, lower section and side section; a fuel inlet disposed at
the upper section; a fuel outlet disposed at the lower section; the
tank comprising: a rigid housing; an inlet port disposed in
cooperative alignment with the fuel inlet; an outlet port disposed
in cooperative alignment with the fuel outlet; and an air port; and
sealing the fuel inlet to the inlet port to generate a fuel bladder
volume and a tank volume, the fuel bladder volume being fluidly
isolated from the tank volume, the tank volume being in fluid
connection with the atmosphere via the air port, wherein air from
the atmosphere enters the tank volume via the air port in response
to fuel being removed from the fuel bladder and air.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: threading
a fuel line through the outlet port, wherein the fuel line is in
fluid connection with the fuel outlet.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: fluidly
connecting the fuel line to the engine.
19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: slidably
sealing the fuel inlet to a tube extending inwardly from the inlet
port.
20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: pleating
the elastomeric envelope.
21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: filtering
air passing through the air port.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a fuel bladder
apparatus and method. More particularly, the present invention
pertains to a low permeability fuel bladder to store and provide
fuel for an engine and method for storing and providing fuel for an
engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fuel burning engines are utilized to provide power in a vast
array of applications. Generally, a fuel tank is utilized to store
and provide a ready supply of fuel for the engine. Typically, the
fuel tank is a container with relatively rigid sides of metal or
plastic and a cap that is removed to fill the fuel tank. The cap is
vented to allow air into the tank. In use, as fuel is drawn out of
the tank to be combusted in the engine, the volume of fuel removed
is displaced by fuel vapor and air drawn in through the vent in the
cap. Without this venting, a partial vacuum may form in the tank
and fuel may cease to flow to the engine. Unfortunately, the vented
cap also allows fuel vapor to escape into the environment.
[0003] To reduce this escape of fuel, some conventional tank
systems employ a carbon filter in line with a tank vent to absorb
fuel vapors. For example, carbon filters have been utilized in the
automotive industry with some success. Compared to the cost of a
automobile, the added cost of a carbon filter or vapor recovery
system is relative low. However, compared to the cost of most yard
equipment, the added cost of a carbon filter may be relatively
expensive. In addition, although a carbon filter reduces pollution
that results from fuel vapors escaping from the tank out into the
environment via permeation or effusion through the wall of the fuel
tank, to re-fill the tank, the cap is opened and, as fuel is poured
into the fuel tank, the fuel vapor in the tank is displaced by the
added volume of fuel and expelled from the inlet.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and
apparatus capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein
at least to some extent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the
present invention, wherein in one respect a fuel bladder to store
and provide fuel for an engine and method for storing and providing
fuel for an engine is provided.
[0006] An embodiment of the present invention pertains to a fuel
bladder apparatus. The fuel bladder apparatus includes a fuel
bladder, tank, and cap. The fuel bladder includes an elastomeric
envelope, fuel inlet, and fuel outlet. The elastomeric envelope has
an upper section, lower section and side section. The fuel inlet is
disposed at the upper section. The fuel outlet is disposed at the
lower section. The tank includes a rigid housing, inlet port,
outlet port, and air inlet. The inlet port is disposed in
cooperative alignment with the fuel inlet. The fuel inlet is sealed
to the inlet port. The outlet port is disposed in cooperative
alignment with the fuel outlet. The cap is detachably secured to
the inlet port. The cap detachably seals the fuel inlet.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an
apparatus for supplying fuel to a yard equipment engine. The
apparatus includes a means for disposing a fuel bladder in a tank
and means for sealing the fuel inlet to the inlet port to generate
a fuel bladder volume and a tank volume. The means for disposing a
fuel bladder in a tank includes an elastomeric envelope, fuel
inlet, and fuel outlet. The elastomeric envelope has an upper
section, lower section and side section. The fuel inlet is disposed
at the upper section. The fuel outlet is disposed at the lower
section. The tank includes a rigid housing, an inlet port, outlet
port, and air port. The inlet port is disposed in cooperative
alignment with the fuel inlet. The outlet port is disposed in
cooperative alignment with the fuel outlet. The fuel bladder volume
is fluidly isolated from the tank volume. The tank volume is in
fluid connection with the atmosphere via the air port. Air from the
atmosphere enters the tank volume via the air port in response to
fuel being removed from the fuel bladder and air.
[0008] Yet another embodiment of the present invention pertains to
a method of supplying fuel to a yard equipment engine. In this
method a fuel bladder is disposed in a tank. The fuel bladder
includes an elastomeric envelope, fuel inlet, and fuel outlet. The
elastomeric envelope has an upper section, lower section and side
section. The fuel inlet is disposed at the upper section. The fuel
outlet is disposed at the lower section. The tank includes a rigid
housing, inlet port, outlet port and air port. The inlet port is
disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel inlet. The outlet
port is disposed in cooperative alignment with the fuel outlet. The
fuel inlet is sealed to the inlet port to generate a fuel bladder
volume and a tank volume. The fuel bladder volume is fluidly
isolated from the tank volume. The tank volume is in fluid
connection with the atmosphere via the air port. Air from the
atmosphere enters the tank volume via the air port in response to
fuel being removed from the fuel bladder and air.
[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain
embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will
be described below and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
[0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0011] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial cut-away side view of a fuel tank and
fuel bladder according to an embodiment of the invention and an
engine suitable for use with the fuel tank.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the fuel tank and fuel bladder
of FIG. 1 in a filled condition.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the fuel tank and fuel bladder
of FIG. 1 in a partially filled condition.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the fuel tank and fuel bladder
of FIG. 1 in an empty condition.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a fuel tank and fuel bladder
according to another embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away view of the fuel tank and fuel
bladder according to FIG. 5 in a partially filled condition.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of a fuel tank and fuel bladder
according to another embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away view of the fuel tank and fuel
bladder according to FIG. 7 in a partially filled condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described
with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout. As shown in FIG. 1, a
power unit 10 includes an engine 12 and a fuel apparatus 14. In a
preferred embodiment, the engine 12 is an internal combustion
engine that utilizes any suitable fuel such as gas, diesel, and/or
other such liquid fuel. In a particular example, the engine 12 is
suitable for use to power yard equipment such as a lawn mower,
tiller, chipper, snow blower, power washer, or the like. The fuel
apparatus 14 is configured to store and/or supply the fuel to the
engine 12. In one example of a preferred embodiment, the fuel
apparatus 14 includes a fuel bladder 16 and tank 18.
[0021] In general, the fuel bladder 16 includes an envelope or
container that is compatible with fuel and is impermeable or has a
low fuel permeability. In various embodiments, the fuel bladder 16
may include any suitable flexible or elastomeric material. Examples
of suitable elastomeric materials includes rubber, poly tetra
fluoro ethylene ("PTFE"), poly ether ether ketone ("PEEK"),
thermoplastic urethane, and the like. The elastomeric material may
be utilized alone or as a coating. In a particular example, the
fuel bladder 16 may include a rubber or polymer coated fabric.
Rubber or polymer coated fabric may provide improved abrasion
resistance as compared to fuel bladders without fabric
reinforcement. The fuel bladder 16 includes a fuel inlet 20 and
fuel outlet 22. The fuel inlet 20 is configured to receive fuel
that is poured or otherwise introduced to the fuel bladder 16. When
not actively being filled, the fuel inlet 20 may be sealed via a
cap 24. The fuel outlet 22 is disposed to draw fuel out of the fuel
bladder 16. In a particular example, the fuel outlet 22 is disposed
at a low portion or bottom of the fuel bladder 16.
[0022] The tank 18 may be a relatively rigid housing or container
to protect the fuel bladder 16, contain leaked fuel in the event of
damage to the fuel bladder 16, and/or secure the fuel apparatus 14
to the engine 12. To this end, the tank 18 may be fabricated from
any suitable material such as, for example, metal, plastic, or the
like. The tank 18 includes an inlet port 26, outlet port 28, and
air port 30. The inlet port 26 is secured or affixed to the fuel
inlet 20. For example, the inlet port 26 may be secured to the fuel
inlet 20 by an adhesive and/or mechanical fastener. The outlet port
28 provides access to the fuel outlet 22 and/or an opening through
which a fuel line 32 may fluidly connect the fuel bladder 16 to the
engine 12. The air port 30 is configured to facilitate an ingress
and egress of air into and out of the tank 18. That is, the air
port allows and essentially free exchange of air into and out of
the tank 18. It is an advantage of various embodiments of the
invention that fuel and fuel vapors are essentially prevented from
escaping into the environment during this free exchange of air.
That is, due to the fuel bladder 16, the tank 18 is divided into
two distinct volumes, for example, a free tank volume 34 and a
bladder volume 36. As fuel from the fuel bladder 16 is utilized by
the engine 12, the bladder volume 36 is reduced. Air enters the
free tank volume 34 via the air port 30 to offset the reduction in
the bladder volume 36. Conversely, in response to an increase in
the bladder volume 36, air may exit the air port 30. For example,
in response to introducing fuel to the fuel bladder 16 via the fuel
inlet 20, the bladder volume 36 may increase and the free tank
volume 34 may decrease as air exits via the air port 30. In this
manner, the air port 30 facilitates an ambient pressure equilibrium
in the tank 18 acting upon the fuel bladder 16.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the tank 18 and fuel bladder 16
of FIG. 1 in a filled condition. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel
bladder 16 essentially fills the tank 18 and the free tank volume
34 is relatively small. Also shown in FIG. 2, the air port 30 may
include a cover or other such structure to reduce the inflow of
contaminants such as, for example, dirt, water, insects, etc. In
other examples, the air port 30 may include a filter such as,
fabric, fibers, or the like, to reduce the inflow of contaminants
into the free tank volume 34.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the tank 18 and fuel bladder 16
of FIG. 1 in a partially filled condition. As shown in FIG. 3, the
partially filled fuel bladder 16 occupies relatively less of the
tank 18 than the filled fuel bladder 16 shown in FIG. 2. In
addition, the free tank volume 34 is relatively greater than shown
in FIG. 2. According to another embodiment, the air port 30 may be
disposed near or integrated into the inlet port 26. It is an
advantage of this embodiment that the cap 24 may partially cover
the air port 30 and thereby reduce inflow of contaminants into the
free tank volume 34.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the tank 18 and fuel bladder 16
of FIG. 1 in an empty condition. As shown in FIG. 4, the
essentially empty fuel bladder 16 occupies relatively less of the
tank 18 than the filled or partially filled fuel bladder 16 shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. In addition, the free tank volume 34 is
relatively greater than shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. According to
another embodiment, the air port 30 may be disposed near or
integrated into the inlet port 26. It is an advantage of this
embodiment that the cap 24 may partially cover the air port 30 and
thereby reduce inflow of contaminants into the free tank volume
34.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a tank 18 and fuel bladder 16
according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the inlet port
26 includes an inlet tube 38 that extends into the tank 18.
According to this embodiment, the fuel bladder 16 expands and
contracts by sliding along this inlet tube. The fuel bladder 16
includes a series of pleats 40, a float 42, and a seal 44.
[0027] The pleats 40 facilitate expansion and contraction of the
fuel bladder 16. For example, in a manner similar to the pleats in
a bellows, the pleats 40 facilitate an orderly and efficient
contraction and expansion of the fuel bladder 16.
[0028] The float 42 provides buoyancy to the top of the fuel
bladder 16 in order to keep the top of the fuel bladder 16 floating
above any fuel present in the fuel bladder 16. In this regard, the
density of the float 42 is relatively less than that of fuel. For
example, the float 42 may include air, foam, or the like.
[0029] The seal 44 is disposed at an interface between the inlet
tube 38 and the float 42. The seal 44 translates along the inlet
tube 38. The seal 44 may provide a substantially fuel impermeable
or fuel resistant interface to reduce leakage of fuel from the fuel
bladder 16 into the free tank volume 34 and/or out of the tank
18.
[0030] The fuel bladder 16 shown in FIG. 5 is essentially full of
fuel, for example. Accordingly, the free tank volume 34 is
relatively small. As shown in FIG. 6, the fuel bladder 16 is
substantially empty. As such, the pleats 40 are shown in a
relatively compressed state, the bladder volume 36 is relatively
low, and the free tank volume 34 is relatively high.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of a tank 18 and fuel bladder 16
according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel
apparatus 14 may be curved, rounded, or the like. In a particular
example, the tank 18 may include a clamshell or clamshell-like
shape and the fuel bladder 16 may be configured to substantially
fill the tank 18 when full. It is an advantage of this embodiment
that the fuel bladder 16 collapses or "pancakes" down upon itself
readily. As such, the fuel bladder 16 may modulate according to the
bladder volume 36 without the need for pleats.
[0032] In addition, the fuel apparatus 14 optionally includes a
gasket 46 to seal the fuel inlet 20 and/or the inlet port 26. If
present, the gasket 46 may include an elastomeric material disposed
between the cap 24 and the fuel inlet 20 and/or the inlet port 26,
for example. In a particular example, the gasket 46 maybe affixed
to the underside of the cap 24 and configured to engage the inlet
port 26 in response to securing the cap 24 to the inlet port
26.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away view of the tank 18 and fuel
bladder 16 according to FIG. 7 in an essentially empty condition.
As shown in FIG. 8, the fuel bladder 16 essentially collapses upon
itself in an efficient manner. As such, substantially all or most
of the fuel from the fuel bladder 16 may be utilized by the engine
12 shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the fuel bladder 16 readily
expands in response to the addition of fuel e.g., by pouring fuel
into the fuel inlet 20.
[0034] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *