Laminated fuel line and connector

• US 5,611,373 A
• Filed: 04/27/1995
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Handy & Harman Automotive Group, Inc. (Handy & Harman)
• Inventors: Ashcraft, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hook, James F.
• Application Number:
  US08/430,038
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 138/111, 138/113, 138/137, 138/141, 138/148, 138/DIG. 3
• US Class Current: 138/113
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 2200/9038 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 2200/9046 Multi-layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 2200/956 Ethanol
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0017 related to fuel pipes or their connections, e.g. joints or sealings F02M55/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 55/002 Arrangement of leakage or drain conduits in or from injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/22 Multi-channel hoses
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/005 for concentric pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 9/18 Double-walled pipes; Multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 138/03 Polytetrafluoroethylene, i.e. PTFE

Abstract

A laminated fuel line has an inner layer of a synthetic material such as Nylon, an intermediate vapor barrier layer that contains a polyethylene terephathalate material (such as MYLAR), and an outer layer preferably of a high temperature resistant thermoplastic material such as a polyamide or VICHEM olefinic/PVC. A channeled fuel tube has an inner fuel jacket concentrically formed within and spaced from a relatively larger outer jacket, each of which can be formed with the laminated structure above. A connector for the channeled fuel line has a tubular end connecting element for connecting between the inner and outer fuel lines, a tubular inner connecting element for connecting to the inner line through the end connecting element, and a tubular outer connecting element connecting over both the end connecting element and the inner connecting element. The outer connecting element has a first passageway for communicating with the inner line and a second passageway for communicating with the outer line. The first and second passageways are formed perpendicular to each other.

Claims

1. A fuel line comprising:

a tubular inner layer of a petroleum resistant material having a central bore forming an inner passageway for fluid;

a vapor barrier layer comprising at least one of a metal coated polyethylene terephthalate polyvinyl fluoride or a metal coated polyethylene terephthalate polyvinyl difluoride concentrically formed around said inner layer; and

an outer layer concentrically formed around said barrier layer, wherein said barrier layer minimizes permeation of fuel components to said outer layer to minimize escape of fuel components into the environment.

2. A fuel line according to claim 1, wherein said barrier layer is composed of aluminum coated polyethylene terephthalate.

3. A fuel line according to claim 1, wherein said petroleum resistant material is a polyamide.

4. A fuel line according to claim 1, wherein said outer layer is composed of a thermoplastic material.

5. A fuel line according to claim 4, wherein said thermoplastic material of said outer layer is polyamide or an olefinic polyvinyl chloride material.

6. A fuel line according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate layer concentrically formed between said inner and outer layers, said intermediate layer having a plurality of elongated channels defined by an outer side of said inner layer and inner sides of said intermediate layer, forming a discrete outer fluid communication passageway.

7. A fuel line according to claim 6, wherein said intermediary layer includes a plurality of radially extending spacers to maintain said intermediary layer concentrically spaced away from said inner layer.

8. A fuel line comprising:

a tubular inner layer of a petroleum resistant material defining a first passageway for fluid communication;

an outer jacket of a substantially larger size positioned about said inner layer; and

means for maintaining said inner layer.spaced from said outer jacket, wherein the space between said outer jacket and said inner layer defines an outer fluid communication passageway, wherein said radially extending spacers are integrally formed with said inner layer; and

a vapor barrier layer surrounding said fluid passageways to block fuel components from permeating therethrough.

9. A fuel line according to claim 8, wherein said inner layer, intermediary layer and said outer layer are composed of polyamide.

10. A channeled fuel line comprising:

a tubular inner layer of a petroleum resistant material defining a first passageway for fluid communication;

an outer jacket of a substantially larger size positioned about said inner layer;

means for maintaining said inner layer spaced from said outer jacket, wherein the space between said outer jacket and said inner layer defines an outer fluid communication passageway; and

a vapor barrier layer comprising at least one of a metal coated polyethylene terephthalate polyvinyl fluoride or a metal coated polyethylene terephthalate polyvinyl difluoride surrounding said fluid passageways to block fuel components from permeating therethrough.

11. A channeled fuel line according to claim 10, wherein said barrier layer is composed of aluminum coated polyethylene terephathalate.

12. A channeled fuel line according to claim 10, wherein said petroleum resistant material is a polyamide.

13. A channeled fuel line according to claim 10, wherein said outer jacket comprises a first layer of a petroleum resistant material and a second layer, wherein said barrier layer is sandwiched between said first and second layers.

14. A channeled fuel line according to claim 13, wherein said second layer is formed of a polyamide or an olefinic polyvinyl chloride-material.

15. A channeled fuel line according to claim 13, wherein said means for maintaining said outer jacket spaced from said inner jacket comprises a plurality of radially extending spacers formed integrally with said first layer.

16. A multi-channeled fuel line comprising:

a tubular inner liner of a petroleum resistant material having inner and outer circumferential surfaces with the inner surface defining a first passageway for fluid movement therethrough;

an outer jacket concentrically positioned around the outer surface of the inner liner, the outer jacket having outer and inner circumferential surfaces;

means for maintaining the inner liner spaced from the outer jacket to define a second passageway between the outer surface of inner liner and the inner surface of the outer jacket for fluid movement therethrough, wherein said means for maintaining said outer jacket spaced from said inner jacket comprises a plurality of radially extending spacers formed integrally with said first layer; and

a vapor barrier layer positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the outer jacket to prevent fluids in the first and second passageways from permeating through the outer jacket, said vapor barrier comprising at least one of a metal coated polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate polyvinyl fluoride or polyethylene terephthalate polyvinyl difluoride.

17. A channeled fuel line according to claim 16, wherein said barrier layer is composed of aluminum coated polyethylene terephthalate.

18. A channeled fuel line according to claim 16, wherein said petroleum resistant material is a polyamide.

19. A channeled fuel line according to claim 16, wherein said outer jacket comprises a first layer of a petroleum resistant material and a second layer, wherein said barrier layer is sandwiched between said first and second layers.

20. A channeled fuel line according to claim 19, wherein said second layer is formed of a polyamide, a conductive polyamide or an olefinic polyvinyl chloride material.