Fuel tank

• US 20020157715A1
• Filed: 04/23/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Company KG (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Company KG (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Viebahn, Reiner
• Granted Patent: US 6,948,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/588
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/035 characterised by venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0344 comprising baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03509 with a droplet separator in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03514 with vapor recovery means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0872 Details of the fuel vapour pipes or conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0058 Returnless fuel systems, i.e. the fuel return lines are not entering the fuel tank
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0082 Devices inside the fuel tank other than fuel pumps or filters electrical pumps submerged in fuel tanks F02M37/10, jet pumps F02M37/025
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/025 Feeding by means of a liquid fuel-driven jet pump jet pumps per se F04F
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/106 the pump being installed in a sub-tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86035 Combined with fluid receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86324 Tank with gas vent and inlet or outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86372 Inlet internally extending

Abstract

A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has means for introducing air into and venting air from the tank, and a filler pipe for filling the tank with fuel. A recirculation conduit communicates with the filler pipe. The recirculation conduit is connected to the filler pipe within the volume enclosed by the tank, approximately in the region of the outlet end of the filler pipe.

Claims

1. A fuel tank for a motor vehicle, comprising

means for passing air into and venting the tank,

at least one filler pipe having an outlet end within the tank,

at least one recirculation conduit communicating with the filler pipe in such a way that hydrocarbon-bearing vapors and gases from the volume of the tank are circulatable through the filler pipe when filling the tank,

wherein the recirculation conduit is connected to the filler pipe within the volume enclosed by the tank at least substantially in the region of the outlet end of the filler pipe.

2. A tank as set forth in claim 1 and further including

a fuel vapor filter, and

a vent conduit connected upstream of the fuel vapor filter,

wherein the recirculation conduit has a first end communicating with the filler pipe and a second end remote from the first end and communicating with the vent conduit.

3. A tank as set forth in claim 1 and further including

a bead removal container, and

means connecting the recirculation conduit to the bead removal container.

4. A tank as set forth in claim 3

wherein the recirculation conduit is in the form of a discharge conduit of the bead removal container.

5. A tank as set forth in claim 3

wherein the recirculation conduit is connected between the filler pipe and the bead removal container in such a way that when the tank is being filled active emptying of the bead removal container is effected against a drop in level between the filling level of the tank and the bead removal container.

6. A tank as set forth in claim 3

wherein the recirculation conduit is connected between the filler pipe and the bead removal container in such a way that when the tank is being filled active emptying of the bead removal container is effected with a slight difference in level between the filling level of the tank and the bead removal container.

7. A tank as set forth in claim 3

wherein the recirculation conduit is arranged completely within the tank.

8. A tank as set forth in claim 3

wherein the bead removal container is arranged within the tank.

9. A tank as set forth in claim 1 and further including

means for pressurising the recirculation conduit for diagnostic purposes.

10. A tank as set forth in claim 1 and further including

a shut-off valve in the vent means.

11. A tank as set forth in claim 3 and further including

means for pressurising the recirculation conduit for diagnostic purposes, said means including a pump for checking sealing integrity and having a pump pressure side,

wherein the bead removal container is connected to the pressure side of said pump.

12. A tank as set forth in claim 3

wherein the bead removal container includes at least one outlet which opens into said tank,

and further including a check valve operable to close the outlet of the bead removal container.

13. A fuel tank comprising

means for venting the tank,

a filler pipe having an outlet end within the tank, and

a recirculation conduit having a first end communicating with the filler pipe within the volume enclosed by the tank at least substantially in the region of the outlet end of the filler pipe,

the arrangement being such that hydrocarbon-bearing vapors from the volume of the tank are circulatable to the filler pipe when filling the tank.