초록 ▼

An improved filler neck for a fuel inlet of a vehicle fuel tank has a bend communicating with converging and diverging portions which control the flow of fuel through the filler neck to ensure that fuel flows through and downstream of the bend without backing up in the filler neck and actuating an a

An improved filler neck for a fuel inlet of a vehicle fuel tank has a bend communicating with converging and diverging portions which control the flow of fuel through the filler neck to ensure that fuel flows through and downstream of the bend without backing up in the filler neck and actuating an automatic shutoff device of a refueling nozzle received in the filler neck. The filler neck also preferably has a bypass fuel passage through which fuel flows upstream through the filler neck and out to the atmosphere if a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded within the fuel tank to limit the maximum pressure within the fuel tank and prevent it from being damaged or rupturing. Several angled ribs in the filler neck housing guide the refueling nozzle for proper positioning within the filler neck. Other ribs also provide gaps between the refueling nozzle and the filler neck housing to prevent the refueling nozzle from sealing the filler neck inlet. Slots at the nozzle interface provide a vent area to prevent a vacuum from being generated in the filler neck even when used with a refueling nozzle designed to provide a vapor tight seal at the refueling inlet to prevent liquid fuel from being drawn upstream through the filler neck and thereby prematurely activating the automatic shutoff device of the refueling nozzle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A fill pipe for a vehicle fuel tank comprising:an inlet at the upstream end of the fill pipe constructed to receive a refueling nozzle through which fuel is discharged into the fill pipe;a fuel passage defined in the fill pipe communicating the inlet with the fuel tank; anda bypass

[ We claim:] [1.] A fill pipe for a vehicle fuel tank comprising:an inlet at the upstream end of the fill pipe constructed to receive a refueling nozzle through which fuel is discharged into the fill pipe;a fuel passage defined in the fill pipe communicating the inlet with the fuel tank; anda bypass passage defined in the fill pipe and communicating the fuel tank with the exterior of the fill pipe and bypassing the outlet of the refueling nozzle when received in the fill pipe and an intermediate wall defining at least in part the bypass passage and separating the bypass passage from the outlet of a refueling nozzle received in the fill pipe, whereby if the pressure within the fuel tank reaches a predetermined maximum level during filling, fuel will flow upstream through the bypass passage which communicates with the exterior of the fill pipe to prevent the pressure in the fuel tank from exceeding said predetermined maximum level.