System and methods for delivering fuel and for aligning elements of a fuel delivery system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An alignment system, comprising:
- a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a receptacle, the receiver defining X, Y and Z axes;
a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source, the nozzle defining X′
, Y′ and
Z′
axes; and
interactive alignment structure for guiding alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis and the nozzle along the Y′
axis, the interactive alignment structure comprising;
an emitter carried by one of the receiver the nozzle for emitting a stimulus, and sensor apparatus carried adjacent the other one of the receiver and the nozzle for receiving the stimulus, the sensor apparatus comprising;
a first sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Y and Y′
axes and the Z and Z′
axes in a common two-dimensional plane in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis, and a second sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the nozzle along the Y′
axis.
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Abstract
A system for delivering fuel comprising a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a fuel tank of a vehicle, a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source and interactive alignment structure for mating the nozzle with receiver in response to movement of the receiver and the nozzle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An alignment system, comprising:
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a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a receptacle, the receiver defining X, Y and Z axes;
a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source, the nozzle defining X′
, Y′ and
Z′
axes; and
interactive alignment structure for guiding alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis and the nozzle along the Y′
axis, the interactive alignment structure comprising;
an emitter carried by one of the receiver the nozzle for emitting a stimulus, and sensor apparatus carried adjacent the other one of the receiver and the nozzle for receiving the stimulus, the sensor apparatus comprising;
a first sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Y and Y′
axes and the Z and Z′
axes in a common two-dimensional plane in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis, anda second sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the nozzle along the Y′
axis.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for delivering fuel, comprising:
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a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a fuel tank of a vehicle, the receiver defining X, Y and Z axes;
a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source, the nozzle defining X′
, Y′ and
Z′
axes; and
interactive alignment structure for aligning the Z and Z′
axes and mating the nozzle with the receiver for fuel delivery in response to movement of the receiver along the X-axis and the nozzle along the Y′ and
Z′
axes, the interactive alignment structure comprising;
an emitter carried by one of the receiver and the nozzle for emitting a stimulus, and sensor apparatus carried adjacent the other one of the receiver and the nozzle for receiving the stimulus, the sensor apparatus comprising;
a first sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Y and Y′
axes and the Z and Z′
axes in a common two-dimensional plane in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis, anda second sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the nozzle along the Y′
axis.- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of aligning elements of a fuel delivery system comprising the steps of:
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providing a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a receptacle, the receiver defining X, Y and Z axes;
providing a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source, the nozzle defining X′
, Y′ and
Z′
axes;
providing interactive alignment structure responsive to movement of the receiver along the X axis for aligning the Y and Y′
axes and the Z and Z′
axes in a common two-dimensional plane, the interactive alignment structure comprising;
an emitter carried by one of the receiver and the nozzle for emitting a stimulus, and sensor apparatus carried adjacent the other one of the receiver and the nozzle for receiving the stimulus, the sensor apparatus comprising;
a first sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Y and Y′
axes and the Z and Z′
axes in a common two-dimensional plane in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis, anda second sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the nozzle along the Y′
axis; and
moving the receiver along the X axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of engaging a fuel source with a fuel tank in liquid communication comprising the step of:
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providing a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a fuel tank of a vehicle, the receiver defining X, Y and Z axes;
providing a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source, the nozzle defining X′
, Y′ and
Z′
axes;
providing interactive alignment structure responsive to movement of the receiver along the X axis and the nozzle along the Y′ and
Z′
for aligning the Z and Z′
axes and mating the nozzle with the receiver for fuel delivery, the interactive alignment structure comprising;
an emitter carried by one of the receiver and the nozzle for emitting a stimulus, and sensor apparatus carried adjacent the other one of the receiver and the nozzle for receiving the stimulus, the sensor apparatus comprising;
a first sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Y and Y′
axes and the Z and Z′
axes in a common two-dimensional plane in response to movement of the receiver along the X axis, anda second sensor for receiving the stimulus for indicating alignment of the Z and Z′
axes in response to movement of the nozzle along the Y′
axis;
moving the receiver along the X axis; and
moving the nozzle along the Y′ and
Z′
axes.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification