U.S. patent application number 14/478181 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-14 for automobile fuel system pressurization apparatuses and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Michael W. Shore. The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Wayne Shore. Invention is credited to Ronald J. SHORE.
Application Number | 20160010608 14/478181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55069606 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160010608 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHORE; Ronald J. |
January 14, 2016 |
AUTOMOBILE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURIZATION APPARATUSES AND METHODS
Abstract
Automobile fuel system pressurization apparatuses include
systems that are positionable against or insertable into a filler
neck of a fuel tank to provide quicker methods of recharging a fuel
pump and a fuel line in an automobile without having to run a
starter motor for an extended period. One embodiment of the
automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus includes an air
pump and an inflatable bladder coupled to the air pump, which is
deformable between an expanded state and a deflated state. Another
embodiment of the automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus
includes an air pump coupled to a filler neck sealing element. The
air pump directly provides compressed air to the fuel tank, after
compressed air is routed through a centrally positioned thru-hole
of the filler neck sealing element. Methods of pressurizing an
automobile fuel tank to prime a fuel pump, using automobile fuel
system pressurization apparatus are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
SHORE; Ronald J.; (Longview,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shore; Michael Wayne |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Shore; Michael W.
Dallas
TX
|
Family ID: |
55069606 |
Appl. No.: |
14/478181 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14180828 |
Feb 14, 2014 |
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14478181 |
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61781339 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/53 ;
417/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 37/18 20130101;
B60K 15/04 20130101; F02M 37/0076 20130101; F04B 33/00 20130101;
F04B 37/10 20130101; F02M 37/0082 20130101; F02M 37/12 20130101;
F02M 59/42 20130101; F02M 37/16 20130101; B60K 2015/03243 20130101;
F02M 69/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F02M 59/42 20060101
F02M059/42; F04B 37/10 20060101 F04B037/10; F04B 33/00 20060101
F04B033/00 |
Claims
1.-10. (canceled)
11. An automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus, comprising:
a filler neck sealing element, comprising: a substantially rigid
body having a bottom portion, an inner element extending from the
bottom portion, and a thru-hole centrally disposed therein, and a
substantially deformable body coupled to the bottom portion and the
inner element, wherein the filler neck sealing element is
configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal against an
outer edge of a filler neck of a fuel tank; and an air pump, having
a portion, connected to a hand grip, that fits at least partially
within the thru-hole of the substantially rigid body such that a
surface of the handgrip abuts the substantially rigid body, the air
pump being configured to supply compressed air through the filler
neck sealing element and release a portion of the compressed air
from the interior of the air pump into the fuel tank.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the air pump is a hand-held
piston pump.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a hand gripping surface is
disposed on the hand grip.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the filler neck sealing
element is detachably coupled to the air pump.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bottom portion is
disc-shaped.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the substantially deformable
body is configured to sit on an interior surface of the
bottom-portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the substantially deformable
body is configured as a ring.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the substantially deformable
body comprises a foam-based material.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the air pump comprises a
nozzle that fits at least partially within the thru-hole of the
substantially rigid body.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the nozzle is coupled to the
thru-hole of the substantially rigid body.
21. An automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus, comprising:
a filler neck sealing element, comprising: a substantially rigid
body, having a thru-hole centrally disposed therein, and a
substantially deformable body that sits on an interior surface of
the substantially rigid body, the substantially deformable body
being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal against
an outer edge of a filler neck of a fuel tank; and an air pump,
comprising a cylinder with an interior for housing compressed air
and a nozzle, coupled to the interior and connected to a hand grip,
that fits at least partially within the thru-hole of the
substantially rigid body such that a surface of the handgrip abuts
the substantially rigid body, the air pump being configured to
supply compressed air through the filler neck sealing element and
release a portion of compressed air from the interior of the air
pump into the fuel tank.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the air pump further
comprises an axially movable piston rod configured to configured to
partially retract into the cylinder.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the filler neck sealing
element is fixed onto the air pump.
24. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the substantially deformable
body comprises a foam-based material.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the substantially deformable
body is configured as a ring.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/180,828, filed on Feb. 14, 2014, entitled
"Automobile Fuel System Pressurization Apparatus and Method," which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/781,339,
filed on Mar. 14, 2013, entitled "Automobile Fuel System
Pressurization Apparatus and Method." The entire contents of each
priority application are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
apparatuses and methods for pressurizing an automobile fuel system,
and more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for pressurizing
an automobile fuel system, using systems that are insertable into
or positionable against a filler neck of a fuel tank.
[0003] Prior to fuel injection becoming the primary method for
admitting fuel to an automotive engine, automobiles were typically
equipped with a carburetor and mechanical fuel pump mounted on the
engine. Upon initiation of operation of the engine by the starter
or while the engine was running, the fuel pump would draw fuel
(e.g., gasoline) from the fuel tank into a fuel line for use in the
carburetor. Under typical operating conditions, the fuel line and
fuel pump remained primed such that a subsequent start-up of the
engine could be accomplished quickly and efficiently.
[0004] However, if the automobile remains idle for a period of
several weeks or more, or runs out of fuel, the fuel pump and fuel
line must be recharged with fuel. In small engine equipment, such
as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, or the like, a primer button is
provided to feed fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor prior to
actuating the engine. No such configuration, however, is provided
for automobile engines. The only way to recharge the fuel pump and
the fuel line is by running the engine with the starter motor for
possibly several minutes or more. Typically, however, a long fuel
line from the fuel tank that extends to the fuel pump is primed
before the fuel pump. Recharging the fuel pump and fuel line in
this manner can be difficult, particularly where an automobile has
remained idle for an extended period of time. Under these
conditions, a car battery may not have enough charge to sustain
actuation of the starter motor long enough to adequately recharge
the fuel system.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide quicker methods of
recharging the fuel pump and a fuel line in an automobile without
having to run the starter motor for an extended period of time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, a first embodiment of the present invention
comprises an automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus,
including an air pump and an inflatable bladder, having a proximal
end, a distal end, an exterior surface, and an inlet, accessing an
interior of the bladder. The inflatable bladder is deformable
between an expanded state and a deflated state. In the expanded
state, the exterior surface of the inflatable bladder is configured
to provide a substantially air-tight seal in a filler neck of a
fuel tank. The air pump is coupled to the inlet of the inflatable
bladder and configured to supply compressed air to the interior of
the inflatable bladder. A pressure relief valve is disposed at the
distal end of the inflatable bladder and is in fluid communication
with the interior of the inflatable bladder. When the inflatable
bladder is in the expanded state, the pressure relief valve is
configured to release a portion of the compressed air from the
interior of the inflatable bladder into the fuel tank.
[0007] A second embodiment of the present invention comprises a
method of pressurizing an automobile fuel tank to prime a fuel pump
using an apparatus, including an inflatable bladder deformable
between an expanded state and a deflated state, a pump coupled to
an inlet of the inflatable bladder, and a pressure relief valve at
a distal end of the inflatable bladder and in fluid communication
with an interior of the inflatable bladder. The method includes
inserting the inflatable bladder in the deflated state into a
filler neck of the fuel tank. The pump provides a first amount of
compressed air to the interior of the inflatable bladder to deform
the inflatable bladder to the expanded state such that an exterior
surface of the inflatable bladder forms a substantially air-tight
seal in the filler neck of the fuel tank. The pump can also provide
a second amount of compressed air to the interior of the inflatable
bladder. The pressure relief valve releases a portion of the first
and/or second amount of air from the interior of the inflatable
bladder to the fuel tank.
[0008] A third embodiment of the present invention comprises an
automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus, including an air
pump coupled to a filler neck sealing element. The filler neck
sealing element is configured to be positioned against a filler
neck coupled to a fuel tank. The filler neck sealing element
includes a substantially rigid body and a substantially deformable
body disposed on an inner element of the substantially rigid body.
The substantially rigid body includes a centrally positioned
thru-hole for coupling with an outlet of the air pump. Upon
assembly of the filler neck sealing element with the air pump, the
air pump is configured to supply compressed air to the interior of
the fuel line through the centrally positioned thru-hole of filler
neck sealing element. The filler neck sealing element sufficiently
seals the fuel line, by providing a substantially air-tight seal
against the filler neck of the fuel tank. The air pump is coupled
to the filler neck sealing element to directly provide compressed
air to the fuel tank, after compressed air is routed through the
centrally positioned thru-hole of the filler neck sealing
element.
[0009] A fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a
method of pressurizing an automobile fuel tank to prime a fuel
pump, using an automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus,
including a filler neck sealing element and a pump coupled to an
inlet of the filler neck sealing element. The method includes
positioning the filler neck sealing element of the apparatus
against a filler neck of a fuel tank, substantially sealing the
filler neck sealing element against the filler neck of the fuel
tank, and supplying compressed air from the air pump to the
interior of the fuel line through a centrally positioned thru-hole
in the filler neck sealing element. As such, the pump provides
compressed air directly to the fuel tank through the centrally
positioned thru-hole of the filler neck sealing element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the
drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an apparatus according
to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an air pump for use in
accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in
use with the bladder in a deflated state;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in
use with the bladder in an expanded state;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of an apparatus according
to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a partially exploded side perspective view of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 4A;
[0017] FIG. 5A is a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in
use with the apparatus being in a first position against a filler
neck of a fuel tank;
[0018] FIG. 5B is a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in
use with the apparatus being in a second position against a filler
neck of a fuel tank; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 5A or 5B positioned against a filler neck of a fuel tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right", "left",
"lower", and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to
directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center
of the apparatus and designated parts thereof. The terminology
includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of
similar import. Additionally, the words "a" and "an", as used in
the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification,
mean "at least one."
[0021] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference
numerals may indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an
apparatus 10 for pressurizing an automobile fuel system in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The apparatus includes an inflatable bladder 12 having a
proximal bladder end 12a and a distal bladder end 12b and an
exterior bladder surface 12c. The inflatable bladder 12 is
preferably formed of rubber or other type of elastic elastomeric
material. The inflatable bladder 12 further includes a hollow
interior 13 (represented schematically by dashed lines in FIG. 3B)
configured to retain air, that may be received through an inlet 14
in fluid communication with the interior 13 of the inflatable
bladder 12, where the inlet 14 is preferably disposed at the
proximal bladder end 12a.
[0022] The inflatable bladder 12 is preferably deformable between a
deflated state, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, and an
expanded state, such as that shown in FIG. 3B. Referring
particularly to FIG. 1, in the deflated state, little air contained
within the inflatable bladder 12. As such, the exterior bladder
surface 12c is generally formless (i.e., the exterior surface 12c
does not define a definite shape and is easily stretched, bent,
twisted, manipulated, or the like). With respect to the first
preferred embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 3A and 3B
schematically show at least a portion of a fuel system 50 of an
automobile, which includes a fuel tank 52 and a filler neck 54 in
fluid communication therewith for delivery of fuel 56 from an
external source (not shown). As referred to herein, the filler neck
54 extends from an entry opening 55a to an exit opening 55b in the
fuel system 50. The filler neck shown in FIG. 3A and 3B includes an
optional flared end 53. In the deflated state, as particularly
shown in FIG. 3A, the inflatable bladder 12 is insertable at least
partially into the filler neck 54.
[0023] In the expanded state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the exterior
surface 12c of the inflatable bladder 12 is pulled taut by the
compressed air contained in the interior 13 of the inflatable
bladder 12, and preferably is spherical or ovoid in shape when
unconstrained and filled with compressed air. A maximum outer
diameter D, measured generally perpendicular to an axis of
insertion a to the filler neck 54 (i.e. parallel to a central axis
of the filler neck), of the exterior surface 12c of the inflatable
bladder 12 in the expanded state is preferably slightly larger than
an inner diameter of the filler neck 54 of the automobile fuel
system. Accordingly, when the inflatable bladder 12 is in the
expanded state and disposed within the filler neck 54 as shown in
FIG. 3B, the exterior surface 12c of the inflatable bladder 12 may
contact and fit tightly with a press fit against a contour of the
inner wall 57 of the filler neck 54 to create a substantially
air-tight seal 59. The substantially air-tight seal 59 is
effectively used to cut off the fuel tank 52 from the external
environment E.
[0024] An air pump 16 is provided for supplying compressed air to
the interior 13 of the inflatable bladder 12. The air supplied into
the interior 13 of the inflatable bladder may be pressurized to a
pressure of 8 psi (pounds per square inch), for example. The air
pump 16 is preferably of a manually operated type, since there may
be a danger of an electrical or motorized air pump over-inflating
and damaging the inflatable bladder 12 and/or the fuel tank 52. One
preferred type of air pump 16, shown in FIG. 2, is a handheld
piston-type air pump. This type of air pump is advantageous in that
it is lightweight and portable, and unlikely to over-pressurize the
inflatable bladder 12.
[0025] As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the air pump 16 preferably
includes a hollow cylinder 20, housing an axially movable piston
rod 22 coupled to a hand grip 24. The hand grip 24 may have a hand
gripping surface 26 with a plurality of finger slots or grooves 28
formed therein to receive the fingers of the user's hand, which
enables a better grip on the air pump 16 to ease the manual
actuation of the piston rod 22 within the cylinder 20. At an end of
the hand grip 24 opposite to the piston rod 22 is an outlet nozzle
29, having an outlet 30 in fluid communication with an interior of
the cylinder 20. As the piston rod 22 is retracted into the
cylinder 20, compressed air is forced out of the cylinder 20
through the outlet 30. The air pump 16 shown in FIG. 2, therefore,
preferably is configured for use in two positions, a first position
where the pump is primed (i.e. filled with compressed air) and a
second position where the compressed air is forced out of the
cylinder 20 through the outlet. The second position, with respect
to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3B.
[0026] Although the air pump 16 shown in the drawings and described
above is of a particular design, other types of pumps may be used
as well. For example, other manual piston type pumps, such as a
bicycle air pump or the like, may be used. Rubber bulb-type manual
air pumps may also be used. In its broadest sense, the invention is
not limited by the type of air pump 16 utilized to provide
compressed air or other type of gas to the inflatable bladder
12.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, during operation of the
apparatus 10, the pump 16 is preferably coupled to the inlet 14 of
the inflatable bladder 12 by a hose 18 or other type of conduit,
which is preferably flexible. Other methods of coupling the
inflatable bladder 12 to the air pump 16 may be used, however. The
hose 18 includes a first end 18a that is coupled to the outlet 30
of the air pump 16 and a second end 18b that is coupled to the
inlet 14 of the inflatable bladder 12. The hose 18 is preferably
detachable from one or both of the air pump 16 and inflatable
bladder 12. For example, in FIG. 1, the flexible hose 18 is
integrally formed with or fixedly attached to the inlet 14 of the
inflatable bladder 12. The first end 18a of the hose 18, however,
is detachable from the outlet of the air pump 16. It is also
contemplated that the flexible hose 18 may be permanently affixed
to or integrally formed with both the air pump 16 and inflatable
bladder 12. In one configuration, the hose 18 is preferably about
twelve inches in length and about 1/4 inch in diameter. In a
preferred embodiment, the air pump 16 and the inflatable bladder 12
each include a 1/4 inch barbed hose fitting (not shown) for
connection to the hose 18.
[0028] A pressure relief valve 32 is disposed at the distal end 12b
of the inflatable bladder 12 and is in fluid communication with the
interior thereof. When the inflatable bladder 12 is in the expanded
state and the interior thereof is driven beyond a predetermined
pressure, the pressure relief valve 32 is configured to release a
portion of the compressed air stored in the inflatable bladder 12
into the fuel tank 52. The addition of air pressure to the fuel
tank 52 forces fuel 56 into a fuel line 58 toward a fuel pump 60
coupled to a carburetor 62 at the engine (not shown). Thus, it is
the air pressure released by the pressure relief valve 32 on the
inflatable bladder 12 that primes the automobile fuel system 50
with fuel 56.
[0029] An exemplary process for using the apparatus 10 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The first end 18a of
the hose 18 is preferably coupled to the outlet 30 of the air pump
16, and the inflatable bladder 12, in the deflated state, is
inserted into the filler neck 54 of the fuel tank 52. It should be
noted that connection of the hose 18 to the air pump 16 may be made
after insertion of the inflatable bladder 12 into the filler neck
54, if desired. Of course, in embodiments where the hose 18 and the
air pump 16 are integrally or fixedly connected, no prior
attachment is necessary.
[0030] Grasping the cylinder 20 of the air pump 16 in one hand and
the grip portion 24 in the other hand, the user U alternately
withdraws and retracts the piston rod 22 in the cylinder 20 to
supply a first amount of compressed air to the interior of the
inflatable bladder 12 to reach the expanded state (FIG. 3B),
thereby sealing the filler neck 54. As additional air pressure is
added by the air pump 16 to the interior of the inflatable bladder
12, pressure inside of the inflatable bladder 12 is increased,
thereby triggering the pressure relief valve 32 to release some of
the compressed air into the fuel tank 52.
[0031] When an adequate amount of fuel 56 has been received in the
fuel line 58 to prime the fuel pump 60, and fill the float bowl of
the carburetor, the inflatable bladder 12 may be allowed to vent at
least some of the gas remaining in the interior thereof in order to
return to the deflated state to enable withdrawal of the inflatable
bladder 12 from the filler neck 54. This may be accomplished, for
example, by detaching the air pump 16 from the first end of the
hose 18. Venting preferably occurs either just before or after the
engine is started. The compressed air in the inflatable bladder 12
can then pass through the hose 18 and vent to atmosphere, thus
collapsing the exterior surface 12c of the inflatable bladder 12.
In embodiments where the hose 18 cannot be detached from the air
pump 16, the air pump 16 may be provided with a release valve (not
shown) that can be selectively actuated upon completion of the
pressurizing process.
[0032] As a safety precaution, in the event the air pump 16 is
capable of producing a sufficient amount of pressure to threaten
damage to the inflatable bladder 12 and/or the fuel tank 52, the
air pump 16, or some other portion of the apparatus 10 may be
provided with a safety relief valve 40 to vent excess air pressure
to atmosphere and maintain a safe pressure within the inflatable
bladder 12 and fuel tank 52.
[0033] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6 show an apparatus 100 for
pressurizing an automobile fuel system 150 in accordance with a
third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 5A
and 5B, the apparatus 100 is shown coupled to an automobile fuel
system 150. Reference numerals of the automobile fuel system 150
used with respect to the third preferred embodiment are
distinguishable from those of the first preferred embodiment by a
factor of one-hundred (100), but otherwise indicate the same
elements as indicated in the first preferred embodiment, except as
otherwise specified.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the apparatus 100 includes an
air pump 116 (also shown in FIG. 2) coupled to a filler neck
sealing element 170 via a thru-hole 182 centrally positioned in the
filler neck sealing element 170. The outlet nozzle 129 of the air
pump 116 fits at least partially within thru-hole 182. Preferably,
the nozzle 129 of the air pump 116 is removably coupled to the
thru-hole 182 of the filler neck sealing element 170.
[0035] The filler neck sealing element 170 includes a substantially
rigid body 172 and a substantially deformable body 174 coupled to
an inner element 176 of the substantially rigid body 172. As shown
schematically in FIG. 6, a top surface 175 of the substantially
deformable body 174 is configured for positioning against an outer
edge 153 of a filler neck 154 to create a substantially air-tight
seal 159,. The substantially air-tight seal 159 is effectively used
to cut off the fuel tank 152 from the external environment E.
[0036] As with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, the
apparatus 100 includes an air pump 116 used for supplying
compressed air 190 (represented by the arrow shown in FIG. 5B).
Reference numerals of the air pump 116 used in the third preferred
embodiment of the apparatus 100 are distinguishable from those of
the first preferred embodiment by a factor of one-hundred (100),
but otherwise indicate the same elements as indicated in the first
preferred embodiment, except as otherwise specified. When used in
this embodiment, the air pump 116, however, supplies compressed air
directly to the filler neck 154 such that the air pump 116 releases
a portion of compressed air 190 from the interior I (represented by
dashed lines shown in FIG. 4A) of the cylinder 120 into the fuel
tank 152. The air pump 116 is preferably a manually operated,
handheld piston-type air pump.
[0037] The air pump 116. when used in accordance with the third
embodiment of the present invention, is configured for use in at
least two positions, as shown respectively in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In
FIG. 5A, the air pump 116 is shown in a first pump position where
the pump is primed (i.e. filled at least partially with compressed
air). In this position, the piston rod 122 has been at least
partially extracted from the hollow cylinder 120. In FIG. 5B, the
air pump 116 is shown in a second position, where the compressed
air (represented by arrow 190) is forced out of the cylinder 120
through the outlet 130 of the air pump 116 and the piston rod 122
(compare FIGS. 5A and 5B) has been at least partially retracted
into the hollow cylinder 120.
[0038] Although the air pumps 16, 116 shown in the drawings for the
embodiments described herein are of a particular design, other pump
types may be used as well. For example, other manual piston type
pumps, such as a bicycle pump or the like, may be used. Rubber
bulb-type manual pumps may also be used. In its broadest sense, the
invention is not limited by the pump type utilized to provide
compressed air.
[0039] Referring back to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the air pump 116 is
configured to pump compressed air 190, which is routed through the
thru-hole 182 of filler neck sealing element 170 and thereafter
into the automobile fuel system 150. Specifically, the compressed
air 190 is routed such that the fuel tank 152 forces fuel 156 into
the fuel line 158 towards the fuel pump 160. The fuel pump 160 is
coupled to a carburetor 162 at the engine (not shown). Thus, the
compressed air released by the air pump 116 routed through the fuel
line sealing assembly 170 such that the automobile fuel system 150
is primed with fuel 156.
[0040] Referring back to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the substantially rigid
body 172 of the filler neck sealing element 170 further includes an
inner element 178 coupled to a disc-shaped bottom portion 180. The
outer surface 174 of the substantially rigid body 172 is formed on
the disc-shaped bottom portion 180. The thru-hole 182 is centrally
routed through both the disc-shaped bottom portion 180 and the
inner element 176. The inner element 176 is preferably integral
with the bottom portion 180 such that the substantially rigid body
172 is formed as one piece. In this one-piece configuration, the
substantially rigid body 172 is preferably formed of a
substantially rigid material, having substantial corrosion
resistance. Such materials include, but are not limited to,
stainless steels, galvanized aluminum, composite materials, etc.
The substantially deformable body 174 is preferably shaped as a
ring and configured to seat on an interior surface 184 of the
filler neck sealing element 170. Preferred materials for the
substantially deformable body 174 include, but are not limited to
foam-based materials, such as polyurethane foams, for example.
[0041] An exemplary process for using the apparatus 100 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The outlet 130 of the
air pump 116 is preferably coupled to the thru-hole 182 of the
filler neck sealing element 170, and the filler neck sealing
element 170 is positioned against the filler neck 154 of the fuel
tank 152. It should be noted that connection of the thru-hole 182
of the filler neck sealing element 170 to the pump 16 may also be
integrally or fixedly connected.
[0042] During use of the apparatus 100, a user U will alternately
extract and retract the piston rod 122 in the cylinder 120 to
supply a first amount of compressed air 190 to substantially seal
the filler neck 54. A user U may, for example, extract and retract
the piston rod 122, by grasping the cylinder 120 of the pump 116 in
one hand and the grip portion 124 of the pump 116 in the other
hand. As a safety precaution, in the event the pump 116 is capable
of producing a sufficient amount of pressure to threaten damage to
the fuel tank 152, the pump 116 may be provided with a safety
relief valve 140 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) to vent excess air
pressure to atmosphere and maintain a safe pressure within the fuel
tank 152.
[0043] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *