Capless filler neck closure system

• US 5,730,194 A
• Filed: 03/21/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stant USA Corporation (Vapor Acquisition Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Foltz, Dean C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jacyna, J. Casimer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US08/620,001
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 141/59, 141/301, 141/302, 141/305, 141/308, 141/348, 141/349, 141/350, 141/367, 141/312, 220/86.2, 137/587, 137/588
• US Class Current: 141/301
• 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 2015/0538 with open or close mechanism automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting

Abstract

A filler neck is provided for delivering fuel in a vehicle fuel tank. The filler neck includes a conduit that formed to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet and has neck passageway. A partition unit is positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber and an inner chamber and includes a partition channel interconnecting the outer and inner chambers. A filler neck shuttle is also positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position. The shuttle has a nozzle-receiving inlet, a fuel-discharging outlet for extension through the partition channel and into the inner chamber, and a fill passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. Further, the filler neck includes a spring that yieldably urges the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position.

Claims

1. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers, the partition channel having a first lateral width adjacent the a lower end of the partition unit,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, and a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, the fill passageway having a second lateral width situated between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, the second lateral width being less than the first lateral width, and

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

2. The filler neck of claim 1, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a tube formed to include the fill passageway and a plurality of upstanding nozzle fingers appended to one end of the tube and arranged to define the nozzle-receiving inlet.

3. The filler neck of claim 2, wherein the filler neck shuttle further includes a closure cup formed to include an interior region, a top opening, and a bottom opening, the tube is appended to the closure cup at the bottom opening to position the upstanding nozzle fingers in the interior region of the closure cup, and the spring engages the closure cup to yieldably urge the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position.

4. The filler neck of claim 3, wherein the conduit further includes a shuttle guide positioned to lie in the neck passageway and a seal ring abutting the shuttle guide, the shuttle guide is formed to include a guide channel receiving the upstanding nozzle fingers therein, the conduit, shuttle guide, filler neck shuttle, and partition unit cooperate to define a vent region in the conduit, the closure cup includes an annular flange positioned to confront the seal ring, and the spring engages the annular flange to urge the annular flange toward the shuttle guide to trap the seal ring therebetween upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position to block flow of fuel vapor from the vent through the guide channel formed in the shuttle guide.

5. The filler neck of claim 4, wherein the conduit further includes means for receiving fuel vapor vented from a fuel tank in the vent region defined in the conduit.

6. The filler neck of claim 1, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a fill tube formed to include the fill passageway and a vent valve assembly appended to the fill tube to move therewith relative to the partition unit.

7. The filler neck of claim 1, wherein the fuel-discharging outlet of the filler neck shuttle is formed for extension through the partition channel and into the inner chamber.

8. The filler neck of claim 7, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a side wall extending from the nozzle-receiving inlet toward the inner chamber and the fuel-discharging outlet is formed to extend through the side wall.

9. The filler neck of claim 8, wherein the fuel-discharging outlet is configured to discharge fuel in a radially outward direction.

10. The filler neck of claim 1, wherein the partition unit further comprises a seal formed for extension into the partition channel.

11. The filler neck of claim 10, wherein the partition unit further comprises spaced-apart upper and lower seals formed for extension into the partition channel.

12. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being a nozzle formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, a tube including an annular top edge and a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, and a plurality of upstanding nozzle fingers each including an inner end cantilevered to the annular top edge and a free end, and the upstanding nozzle fingers being arranged to lie in circumferentially spaced-apart relation along the annular top edge of the tube to project toward the mouth of the conduit and to define the nozzle-receiving inlet,

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

13. The filler neck of claim 12, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a longitudinal axis extending through the fill passage and the conduit includes a shuttle guide positioned to lie in the neck passageway and formed to include means for blocking radial movement of the free ends of the nozzle fingers away from the longitudinal axis while the filler neck shuttle is in the channel-closing position and allowing radial movement of the free ends of the nozzle fingers away from the longitudinal axis during movement of the filler neck shuttle toward the channel-closing position.

14. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, a tube including a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, a plurality of upstanding nozzle fingers appended to one end of the tube and arranged to define the nozzle-receiving inlet, at least one of the upstanding nozzle fingers including a blade having an inner end cantilevered to the tube and a free end positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to the tube and in confronting relation to the mouth of the conduit and a drive lug appended to the free end of the blade and arranged to engage a fuel-dispensing nozzle inserted into the mouth of the conduit during movement of the filler neck shuttle from its channel-opening position to its channel-closing position, and

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

15. The filler neck of claim 14, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a longitudinal axis extending through the fill passage and the drive lug is arranged on the free end of the blade to project away from said free end in a radially inwardly extending direction toward the longitudinal axis of the filler neck shuttle.

16. The filler neck of claim 14, wherein the drive lug includes an inclined ramp positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit and engage a fuel-dispensing nozzle inserted into the mouth of the conduit.

17. The filler neck of claim 14, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a longitudinal axis extending through the fill passage, the conduit further includes a shuttle guide positioned to lie in the neck passageway and formed to include a guide channel receiving the filler neck shuttle therein, the shuttle guide includes means in the guide channel for blocking radial deflection of the free end of at least one of the blades away from the longitudinal axis of the filler neck shuttle during movement of the filler neck shuttle from the channel-closing position toward the channel-opening position to define an internal diameter of the nozzle-receiving inlet and allowing radial deflection of the free ends of said at least one of the blades away from the longitudinal axis of the filler neck shuttle upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position to increase the internal diameter of the nozzle-receiving inlet in the filler neck shuttle so that the drive lugs appended to the free ends of the blades move away from the longitudinal axis of the filler neck shuttle to disengage from a tip of a fuel-dispensing nozzle inserted into the nozzle-receiving inlet upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position.

18. The filler neck of claim 14, wherein the filler neck includes a longitudinal axis extending through the fill passage, the conduit further includes a shuttle guide positioned to lie in the neck passageway and formed to include a guide channel receiving the filler neck shuttle therein, the shuttle guide including an inner wall defining the guide channel and a plurality of longitudinally extending deflection blocker ribs appended to the inner wall and arranged to project into the guide channel and engage the blades of the upstanding nozzle fingers during movement of the filler neck shuttle toward the channel-opening position, and the inner wall of the shuttle guide is formed to include a blade-receiving channel underlying the deflection blocker ribs and receiving the free ends of the blades upon disengagement of the blades and the deflection blocker ribs during movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position.

19. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet, a shuttle guide positioned to lie in the neck passageway and a seal ring abutting the shuttle guide, the shuttle guide being formed to include a guide channel,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, a tube formed to include a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, a plurality of upstanding nozzle fingers appended to one end of the tube and arranged to define the nozzle-receiving inlet, and a closure cup formed to include an interior region, a top opening, a bottom opening, and an annular flange positioned to confront the seal ring, the tube is appended to the closure cup at the bottom opening to position the upstanding nozzle fingers in the interior region of the closure cup, and the conduit, shuttle guide, filler neck shuttle, and partition unit cooperate to define a vent region in the conduit, and

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit, the spring engages the annular flange of the closure cup to yieldably urge the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position and to urge the annular flange toward the shuttle guide to trap the seal ring therebetween upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position to block flow of fuel vapor from the vent region formed in the conduit to the mouth of the conduit through the guide channel formed in the shuttle guide, and

wherein the shuttle guide further includes an annular wall engaging the seal ring, a tube appended to the annular wall and arranged to project toward the partition unit, the tube is formed to include an inner wall defining the guide channel receiving the upstanding nozzle fingers therein, and a plurality of longitudinally extending deflection blocker ribs appended to the inner wall and arranged to engage the upstanding nozzle fingers until the filler neck shuttle is moved in the conduit to reach the channel-opening position.

20. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers and a frame formed to include the partition channel and a first seal ring mounted on the frame,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, and a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet,

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit, and

wherein the first seal ring is formed to engage the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block liquid and vapor flow between the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle and the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

21. The filler neck of claim 20, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a side wall formed to include the fuel-discharging outlet, the partition unit includes a second seal ring positioned to lie in axially spaced-apart relation to the first seal and mounted on the frame to engage the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position, and the frame, first seal ring, second seal ring, and filler neck shuttle cooperate to define a sealed chamber receiving liquid fuel extant in the fill passageway through the fuel-discharging outlet formed in the filler neck shuttle while the filler neck shuttle remains in the channel-closing position and discharging said liquid fuel into the inner chamber formed in the conduit during movement of the filler neck shuttle toward the channel-opening position.

22. The filler neck of claim 21, wherein the filler neck shuttle further includes means in the fill passageway for directing liquid fuel discharged from a fuel-dispensing nozzle inserted into the fill passageway into the sealed chamber through the fuel-discharging outlet.

23. The filler neck of claim 21, wherein the filler neck shuttle further includes a valve body formed to include a vent passageway having an outlet communicating with the sealed chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position and an inlet communicating with the inner chamber formed in the conduit and at least one vent valve assembly in the vent passageway formed in the valve body.

24. The filler neck of claim 20, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes pressure-relief means for venting pressurized fuel vapor from the inner chamber formed in the conduit to the fill passageway for discharge from the filler neck while the filler neck shuttle remains in the channel-closing position and in engagement with the first seal ring mounted on the frame so that excess fuel vapor extant in the inner chamber formed in the conduit is dissipated.

25. The filler neck of claim 20, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes vacuum-relief means for admitting ambient air extant in the fill passageway into the inner chamber formed in the conduit when the pressure in the inner chamber exceeds a predetermined negative pressure and while the filler neck shuttle remains in the channel-closing position and in engagement with the first seal ring mounted on the frame so that unwanted vacuum in the inner chamber is dissipated.

26. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, a fill tube formed to include a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, a vent valve assembly appended to the fill tube to move therewith relative to the partition unit, and a side wall defining the fill passageway and a bottom wall appended to the side wall and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the nozzle-receiving inlet, the vent valve assembly being appended to the bottom wall and arranged to underlie the fill tube, and

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

27. The filler neck of claim 26, wherein the side wall is formed to include the fuel-discharging outlet and to position the fuel-discharging outlet to lie in the partition channel upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position and the partition unit includes a frame defining the partition channel and a sealing ring coupled to the frame and arranged to engage the filler neck shuttle to establish a liquid fuel and fuel vapor seal therebetween upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position.

28. The filler neck of claim 26, wherein the vent valve assembly includes a valve body formed to include a first vent opening communicating with the inner chamber, a second vent opening positioned to lie in the partition channel upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position, and an interior region interconnecting the first and second vent openings, and a valve mechanism positioned in the interior region of the valve body to control air and fuel flow through the interior region and between the fill passageway formed in the fill tube and the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

29. The filler neck of claim 28, wherein the valve mechanism includes a pressure-relief valve.

30. The filler neck of claim 29, wherein the valve mechanism also includes a vacuum-relief valve.

31. The filler neck of claim 28, wherein the valve mechanism includes a vacuum-relief valve.

32. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, and a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, and

a vent valve assembly appended to the filler neck shuttle to move therewith, the vent valve assembly including means for controlling air and fuel flow between the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle and the inner chamber formed in the conduit upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position.

33. The filler neck of claim 32, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a side wall defining the fill passageway and a bottom wall appended to the side wall and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the nozzle-receiving inlet and the vent valve assembly is appended to the bottom wall and arranged to underlie the fill tube.

34. The filler neck of claim 33, wherein the side wall is formed to include the fuel-discharging outlet and to position the fuel-discharging outlet to lie in the partition channel upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position and the partition unit includes a frame defining the partition channel and a sealing ring coupled to the frame and arranged to engage the filler neck shuttle to establish a liquid fuel and fuel vapor seal therebetween upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position.

35. The filler neck of claim 33, wherein the vent valve assembly includes a valve body formed to include a first vent opening communicating with the inner chamber, a second vent opening positioned to lie in the partition channel upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position, and an interior region interconnecting the first and second vent openings, and a valve mechanism positioned in the interior region of the valve body to control air and fuel flow through the interior region and between the fill passageway formed in the fill tube and the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

36. The filler neck of claim 35, wherein the valve mechanism includes a pressure-relief valve.

37. The filler neck of claim 36, wherein the valve mechanism also includes a vacuum-relief valve.

38. The filler neck of claim 35, wherein the valve mechanism includes a vacuum-relief valve.

39. The filler neck of claim 33, wherein the side wall defines a cylindrical fill tube containing the fill passageway and the tube includes a plurality of upstanding nozzle fingers appended to one end of the cylindrical fill tube and arranged to define the nozzle-receiving inlet.

40. The filler neck of claim 39, wherein the cylindrical fill tube includes an annular top edge, the upstanding nozzle fingers each include an inner end cantilevered to the annular top edge and a free end, and the nozzle upstanding nozzle finger are arranged to lie in circumferentially space-apart related along the annular top edge of the cylindrical fill tube to project toward the mouth of the conduit.

41. The filler neck of claim 39, wherein at least one of the upstanding nozzle fingers includes a blade having an inner end cantilevered to the cylindrical fill tube and a free end positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to the cylindrical fill tube and in confronting relation to the mouth of the conduit and a drive lug appended to the free end of the blade and arranged to engage a fuel-dispensing nozzle inserted into the mouth of the conduit during movement of the filler neck shuttle from its channel-opening position to its channel-closing position.

42. The filler neck of claim 32, wherein the partition channel has a first lateral width and the fill passageway has a second lateral width that is less than the first lateral width.

43. The filler neck of claim 32, wherein the fuel-discharging outlet of the filler neck shuttle is formed for extension through the partition channel and into the inner chamber.

44. The filler neck of claim 43, wherein the fuel-discharging outlet is positioned to lie substantially perpendicular to the nozzle-receiving inlet.

45. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit including a frame formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers, a first seal ring mounted on the frame to lie in the partition channel, and a second seal ring mounted on the frame to lie in the partition channel in axially spaced-apart relation to the first seal ring, and

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle engaging the first and second seal rings upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet positioned to lie in a space in the partition channel between the first and second seal rings upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position and to communicate with the inner chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, and a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet.

46. The filler neck of claim 45, further comprising a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

47. The filler neck of claim 46, wherein the spring is positioned to lie in the neck passageway between the mouth and the second seal ring.

48. The filler neck of claim 45, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes a side wall formed to include the fuel-discharging outlet, and the frame, first seal ring, second seal ring, and filler neck shuttle cooperate to define a sealed chamber receiving liquid fuel extant in the fill passageway through the fuel-discharging outlet formed in the side wall while the filler neck shuttle remains in the channel-closing position and discharging said liquid fuel into the inner chamber formed in the conduit during movement of the filler neck shuttle toward the channel-opening position.

49. The filler neck of claim 48, wherein the filler neck shuttle further includes means in the fill passageway for directing liquid fuel discharged from a fuel-dispensing nozzle inserted into the fill passageway into the sealed chamber through the fuel-discharging outlet.

50. The filler neck of claim 48, wherein the filler neck shuttle further includes a valve body formed to include a vent passageway having an outlet communicating with the sealed chamber upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-closing position and an inlet communicating with the inner chamber formed in the conduit and at least one vent valve assembly in the vent passageway formed in the valve body.

51. The filler neck of claim 45, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes pressure-relief means for venting pressurized fuel vapor from the inner chamber formed in the conduit to the fill passageway for discharge from the filler neck while the filler neck shuttle remains in the channel-closing position and in engagement with the first seal ring mounted on the frame so that excess fuel vapor extant in the inner chamber formed in the conduit is dissipated.

52. The filler neck of claim 45, wherein the filler neck shuttle includes vacuum-relief means for admitting ambient air extant in the fill passageway into the inner chamber formed in the conduit when the pressure in the inner chamber exceeds a predetermined negative pressure and while the filler neck shuttle remains in the channel-closing position and in engagement with the first seal ring mounted on the frame so that unwanted vacuum in the inner chamber is dissipated.

53. A filler neck for use in delivering fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the filler neck comprising

a conduit including an outer end formed to include a mouth, an inner end formed to include a conduit outlet adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank inlet, and a neck passageway extending between the mouth and the conduit outlet,

a partition unit positioned in the conduit to divide the neck passageway into an outer chamber communicating with the mouth and an inner chamber communicating with the conduit outlet, the partition unit being formed to include a partition channel extending therethrough and interconnecting the outer and inner chambers,

a filler neck shuttle positioned for movement in the neck passageway and the partition channel between a channel-opening position and a channel-closing position, the filler neck shuttle being formed to include a nozzle-receiving inlet positioned to face toward the mouth of the conduit, a fuel-discharging outlet configured for extension through the partition channel and into the inner chamber to deliver fuel thereto upon movement of the filler neck shuttle to the channel-opening position, and a fill passageway extending between the nozzle-receiving inlet and the fuel-discharging outlet, and

a spring yieldably urging the filler neck shuttle in the neck passageway toward the mouth of the conduit and into engagement with the partition unit to place the filler neck shuttle in the channel-closing position to block flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in the fill passageway formed in the filler neck shuttle into the inner chamber formed in the conduit.

54. The filler neck of claim 53, wherein the fuel-discharging outlet is formed to discharge fuel into the in the inner chamber in a radially outward direction.