Vehicle Fueling Apparatus

• US 20140183192A1
• Filed: 12/28/2012
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Aitken, Brian Thomas, Siddiqui, Shahid Ahmed, Chretien, Paul, Seung-Man, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/86.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0429 actuated by the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0458 Details of the tank inlet
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0461 comprising a filler pipe shutter, e.g. trap, door or flap for fuel inlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.

Claims

1. A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, including comprising:

a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a pivoting door being deflected by a filler pipe inserted in the filler canal in order to align the filler pipe; and

a conical portion for transferring fuel received from the filler pipe to a line running to a fuel tank.

2. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the non-conical portion includes an open portion.

3. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the stop is a flange formed across the non-conical portion of the nozzle.

4. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the stop is a bar extending across the non-conical portion of the nozzle.

5. The nozzle of claim 4, further comprising:

a land formed on an exterior surface of the nozzle configured to fit the bar therethru.

6. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is composed of a polymer.

7. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the conical portion defines a first diameter and a second diameter;

wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter; and

wherein the stop is formed across the first diameter, at least a 10% step into the first diameter.

8. A vehicle fueling apparatus, comprising:

a housing defining a filler canal configured to receive a filler pipe;

a pivotal door attached to the housing; and

a capless nozzle in the filler canal, having;

a semi-conical portion and an open portion configured to receive the door when the door is in an opened position; and

a stop configured to limit travel of the door to align the filler pipe when inserted in the filler canal.

10. The fueling apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stop is a flange formed across a portion of the nozzle.

11. The fueling apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stop is a bar extending across the open portion of nozzle.

12. The fueling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the nozzle comprises a land formed on an exterior surface of the nozzle configured to fit the bar therethru.

13. The fueling apparatus of claim 8, wherein the nozzle is composed of a polymer.

9. (canceled)

14. A method of manufacturing a vehicle fueling apparatus, the method comprising:

forming a housing defining a filler canal configured to receive a filler pipe;

inserting a capless nozzle in the filler canal;

attaching a pivotal door to the housing, configured to seal one end of the filler canal when closed; and

forming a stop in the capless nozzle, configured to limit travel of the filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

forming the capless nozzle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the capless nozzle is done via injection molding.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the stop includes forming a flange.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the stop includes extending a bar across a portion of the nozzle;

and

threading the bar through a land formed on an exterior surface of the nozzle.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

forming an open portion in the capless nozzle, the open portion configured to at least partially fit the pivotal door therein when the door is rotated to an open position.

20. A vehicle fueling apparatus, comprising:

a housing defining a filler canal;

a pivotal door attached to the housing and configured to open an end of the filler canal when pivoted to an open position; and

a stop formed in the housing configured to limit travel of the door when open so as to limit travel of a filler pipe when inserted in the filler canal.