Method and structure for prevention of incorrect fueling operations
First Claim
1. An apparatus for alerting a refueler to the attempted introduction of an incorrect liquid into a tank for storing the liquid, the tank having a filler neck through which the liquid enters the tank, comprising:
- a ring having a diameter suitable for being disposed around the filler neck of a tank;
multiple displaceable mechanical elements disposed around the ring such that the physical elements are displaced when a nozzle is introduced into the filler neck;
a switch associated with each of the multiple displaceable mechanical elements, each switch having a state that is changed when the physical element is displaced;
an indicator to indicate to a user when a nozzle having a diameter smaller than a specified value is inserted; and
a circuit to activate the indicator when at least one of the displaceable mechanical elements is displaced and fewer than all of the displaceable mechanical elements are displaced.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and structure are described for preventing the accidental introduction of an incorrect liquid into a tank, such as the introduction of gasoline into the fuel system of a diesel-powered vehicle. In a first embodiment, the entrance to a fill tube of a diesel-powered vehicle is configured with a sensor ring. When an incorrect fueling operation is attempted, such as the introduction of gasoline into the fuel tank of a diesel-powered vehicle, at least one but fewer than all of displaceable mechanical elements are displaced, and the sensor ring alerts the operator visually and/or audibly before fueling starts, thereby preventing incorrect fueling.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for alerting a refueler to the attempted introduction of an incorrect liquid into a tank for storing the liquid, the tank having a filler neck through which the liquid enters the tank, comprising:
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a ring having a diameter suitable for being disposed around the filler neck of a tank; multiple displaceable mechanical elements disposed around the ring such that the physical elements are displaced when a nozzle is introduced into the filler neck; a switch associated with each of the multiple displaceable mechanical elements, each switch having a state that is changed when the physical element is displaced; an indicator to indicate to a user when a nozzle having a diameter smaller than a specified value is inserted; and a circuit to activate the indicator when at least one of the displaceable mechanical elements is displaced and fewer than all of the displaceable mechanical elements are displaced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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14. A method of preventing the accidental introduction of gasoline into the fuel tank of a vehicle having a diesel engine, comprising:
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providing a ring on a filler neck of the fuel tank; inserting a nozzle through the filler neck, the nozzle displacing displaceable mechanical elements; if the nozzle displaces at least one but fewer than all of the displaceable mechanical elements, activating an indicator to signal to a user that an incorrect nozzle size is being inserted into the filler neck. - View Dependent Claims (15, 20, 21)
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Specification