Fuel overflow prevention device

• US 7,360,565 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Maine System
• Original Assignee: University of Maine System
• Inventors: Peterson, Michael, Ergmann, Stephen, Dow, William, Scarks, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/471,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20070289664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 141 44- 46, 141/59, 141/285, 141/302, 141/307, 141/312, 141/326, 220/86.2, 220/203.29
• US Class Current: 141/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 17/0036 Arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents associated with cargo tanks B63B25/082
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0076 Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/20 characterised by means for preventing vapour lock

Abstract

A fuel overflow prevention device for minimizing or eliminating fuel spillage during fuel storage container filling. The device may also minimize or eliminate some types of fuel spillage after filling. The device includes an overflow prevention chamber for receiving therein fluid from a fuel storage container vent tube. The overflow prevention chamber also includes a space for removably receiving and retaining therein the spout of an automatic shutoff fuel nozzle including a sensor port. A flow restriction interface is established between an interior portion of the overflow prevention chamber and the exit port of the spout. Fluid received from the vent tube into the overflow prevention chamber fills the space until covering the sensor port to a level sufficient to trigger automatic nozzle shutoff. The device optionally includes a vent tube extension to aid in regulating the fuel level within the container at which nozzle shutoff is triggered.

Claims

1. A fuel overflow prevention device for use in combination with a fuel storage container having a fill tube and a vent tube, and an automatic shutoff fuel nozzle having a spout with a sensor port and an exit port, the fuel overflow prevention device comprising:

an overflow prevention chamber, the overflow prevention chamber comprising;

a. a primary fill space configured for removably receiving therein the automatic shutoff fuel nozzle;

b. a fill tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the fill tube; and

c. a vent tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the vent tube,

wherein the fill tube interface section is configured to establish a flow restricting fit between the fill tube interface section and the exit port of the nozzle restrictive enough to minimize fuel flow from within the fill tube into the primary fill space, wherein the vent tube interface section is arranged to establish a fluid passageway between the fuel storage container and the primary fill space through the vent tube, and wherein the primary fill space is arranged to receive enough fluid from the vent tube to cover the sensor port to a level sufficient to trigger automatic shutoff of the nozzle.

2. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 1 wherein the fill tube interface section forms part of a tapered section of the overflow prevention chamber.

3. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 2 wherein the tapered section includes a spout interface arranged to establish the flow restricting fit between an interior of the tapered section and the exit port of the nozzle.

4. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 3 wherein the interior of the tapered section is substantially cylindrical.

5. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 1 wherein the overflow prevention chamber includes a main body, the main body arranged to include therein the primary fill space, and wherein the main body includes a means for centering the spout of the nozzle within the primary fill space.

6. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 5 wherein the means for centering the spout of the nozzle within the primary fill space is a spout stabilizing flange.

7. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 1 further comprising a vent tube extension for connecting the vent tube to the fuel storage container.

8. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 7 wherein the vent tube extension includes a leg arranged to extend into the fuel storage container a selectable distance to establish a gap between an interior top wall of the fuel storage container and maximum fill level of fuel within the fuel storage container.

9. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 1 further comprising an evaporative emissions canister interface section to establish a fluid passageway between the vent tube and an evaporative emissions canister through the overflow prevention chamber.

10. A fuel overflow prevention device for use in combination with a fuel storage container having a fill tube and a vent tube, and an automatic shutoff fuel nozzle having a spout with a sensor port and an exit port, the fuel overflow prevention device comprising:

a. an overflow prevention chamber, the overflow prevention chamber including;

i. a primary fill space configured for removably receiving therein the automatic shutoff fuel nozzle;

ii. a fill tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the fill tube; and

iii. a vent tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the vent tube,

wherein the fill tube interface section is configured to establish a flow restricting fit between the fill tube interface section and the exit port of the nozzle restrictive enough to minimize fuel flow from within the fill tube into the primary fill space, wherein the vent tube interface section is arranged to establish a fluid passageway between the fuel storage container and the primary fill space through the vent tube, and wherein the primary fill space is arranged to receive enough fluid from the vent tube to cover the sensor port to a level sufficient to trigger automatic shutoff of the nozzle; and

b. a vent tube extension for releasably connecting the vent tube to the fuel storage container, wherein the vent tube extension is configured to extend into the fuel storage container through the vent tube when the overflow prevention chamber is joined to the fill tube.

11. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 10 wherein the fill tube interface section forms part of a tapered section of the overflow prevention chamber.

12. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 11 wherein the tapered section includes a spout interface arranged to establish the flow restricting fit between an interior of the tapered section and the exit port of the nozzle.

13. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 12 wherein the interior of the tapered section is substantially cylindrical.

14. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 10 wherein the overflow prevention chamber includes a main body, the main body arranged to include therein the primary fill space, and wherein the main body includes a spout stabilizing flange for stabilizing the spout of the nozzle within the primary fill space.

15. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 14 wherein the spout stabilizing flange is arranged to center the spout within the primary fill space.

16. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 11 wherein the vent tube extension includes a leg arranged to extend into the fuel storage container a selectable distance to establish a gap between an interior top wall of the fuel storage container and maximum fill level of fuel within the fuel storage container.

17. The fuel overflow prevention device of claim 11 further comprising an evaporative emissions canister interface section to establish a fluid passageway between the vent tube and an evaporative emissions canister through the overflow prevention chamber.