Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Diverse fluid containing pressure filling systems involving... – Filling with exhausting the receiver
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-06
2001-09-18
Maust, Timothy L. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Diverse fluid containing pressure filling systems involving...
Filling with exhausting the receiver
C141S285000, C141S297000, C141S300000, C141S31100A, C220S086200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289945
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel fill pipe assembly, which includes a pipe that extends from a fuel tank or other fuel reservoir to a fill pipe access area or location. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel fill pipe assembly, which includes a fuel fill pipe for an automotive vehicle wherein the pipe includes a vent passage, which may align with an aerator hole of a fuel fill nozzle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A great many tanks or other reservoirs which contain and/or store fuel include a fuel fill pipe which extends outwardly from the tank or reservoir to a location where fuel may be dispensed in the fill pipe and flow to the tank or reservoir. For example, and without limitation, automotive vehicles typically include a fuel fill pipe which extends from a gasoline tank of the vehicle to another portion or location of the vehicle where fuel (e.g., gasoline) may be dispensed or pumped into the fill pipe and flow to the gasoline tank. It is generally desirable for fuel to be dispensed in these fill pipes such that the fuel flow into and through the pipe is relatively laminar or smooth as opposed to turbulent because turbulent flow can cause vapor from the fuel to be released into the environment and turbulent flow can be slow and can undesirably increase the time required to dispense the fuel.
Furthermore, slow or turbulent fuel flow can cause additional problems for automotive vehicles. For example, and without limitation, fuel may be dispensed to automotive vehicle fill pipes or other fill pipes with a nozzle having an automatic “shut off” feature. Preferably, the automatic “shut off” is triggered when the gasoline tank of the vehicle or other reservoir is full and fuel begins to gather in the fill pipe and the fuel covers or contacts or otherwise affects an aerator hole or shutoff port of the nozzle. However, if the fuel that flows into the fill pipe is turbulent, the fuel being dispensed may flow too slowly and may gather in the pipe prematurely or may splash back upon the shutoff port and trigger the automatic shut off feature prematurely or before the tank or reservoir is full.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a fuel fill pipe, which assists in minimizing the turbulence experienced when fuel is dispensed in the pipe and/or helps minimize the potential of premature shutoffs of a fuel dispensing nozzle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a fuel fill pipe assembly. The assembly includes a pipe extending from a reservoir suitable for supporting fuel, the pipe being suitable for receiving fuel, and a vent passage structure defining a vent passage, the vent passage structure positioned on the pipe for minimizing splash back of the fuel as the fuel enters the pipe from a fuel nozzle.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a fuel fill pipe assembly for an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes a pipe extending along a length of the pipe between a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end suitably attached to a fuel tank of the vehicle, the distal end suitable for receiving a fuel nozzle for dispensing fuel, the pipe having a radius wherein the pipe includes a vent passage structure within the pipe, the vent passage structure positioned at a lower area of the pipe radius for aligning with an aerator hole of the fuel nozzle.
These and other objects, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in combination with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4759458 (1988-07-01), Fischer
patent: 4881578 (1989-11-01), Rich et al.
patent: 5282497 (1994-02-01), Allison
patent: 5363705 (1994-11-01), Nakao et al.
patent: 5673738 (1997-10-01), Spaulding
patent: 5960833 (1999-10-01), Der Manuelian
patent: 6000426 (1999-12-01), Tuckey et al.
patent: 6026853 (2000-02-01), Osterbrink
patent: 6065507 (2000-05-01), Nanaji
patent: 6172332 (2001-01-01), Tinkner et al.
General Motors Corporation
Hargitt Laura C.
Maust Timothy L.
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