Fluid handling – Systems – Tank with internally extending flow guide – pipe or conduit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-12
2001-07-17
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit
C137S515500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260578
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to fuel tanks for vehicles and, more particularly, to a spud assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a fuel tank such as a plastic fuel tank in a vehicle to hold fuel to be used by an engine of the vehicle. In some vehicles, a tank filler neck tube extends between a cap and the plastic fuel tank. Typically, the filler neck includes a fill-valve insert telescoped around the exterior of a tank end of the tank filler neck tube and the fill-valve insert has an upper annular ring to receive and seal around an exterior of the tank end of the tank filler neck tube. The fill-valve insert is positively retained against outward dislodgment from a tank fill spout of the fuel tank by a lock ring collar in the event the tank filler neck tube is pulled loose from its compression seal frictional clamp retention in the collar.
Another method is to attach a spud assembly to a plastic fuel tank using a face welding such as hot plate welding, spin welding, etc. Typically, this type of weld is prone to fatigue from shear and cantilever loading due to the weld being under a shear force.
Although the above spud assembly has worked, it is desirable to provide a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle that is more robust. It is also desirable to provide a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle that eliminates a tank to spud weld zone. It is further desirable to provide a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle that incorporates a check valve and tank drain in the tank filler neck tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle that eliminates a tank to spud weld zone.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle that incorporates a check valve and tank drain in a tank filler neck tube.
To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is a spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle including a flange tower adapted to be at least partially disposed in a fill spout of a fuel tank. The spud assembly also includes a bead flange extending from the flange tower for engagement with a tank filler neck tube to retain the tank filler neck tube thereto. The spud assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the flange tower to allow fuel to enter the fuel tank from the tank filler neck tube and prevent fuel from exiting the fuel tank to the tank filler neck tube.
One advantage of the present invention is that a spud assembly is provided for a fuel tank in a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the spud assembly eliminates a tank to spud weld zone and incorporates a check valve and tank drain in the tank filler neck tube. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the spud assembly forms a flange tower or spud out of the same material for the tank when the tank is formed. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the spud assembly is simpler and more robust, reduces spit back during filling and allows the fuel tank to be drained without dropping it from the vehicle. A further advantage of the present invention is that the spud assembly is lower in cost, has improved quality and does not require high tech equipment for assembly.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4501374 (1985-02-01), Robertson
patent: 5044391 (1991-09-01), Brumfield
patent: 5568828 (1996-10-01), Harris
patent: 5660206 (1997-08-01), Neal et al.
Kuehnemund Bruce Albert
Smith Darrel B.
Stack Gary Francis
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Lee Kevin
VanOphem John A.
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