# US 10,479,557 B2 · Servicable draw and return tube assembly

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- Number: US 10,479,557 B2
- Document ID: US10479557B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/877,055
- Filed: 2018-01-22
- Published: 2018-06-21
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2012-10-24
- Applicants: Ken Watson; Evan Waymire; John Loffink
- Inventors: Ken Watson; Evan Waymire; John Loffink
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479557B2

## CPC

- B65D 25/10: Devices to locate articles in containers {(for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02)}
- B60K 15/01: Arrangement of fuel conduits
- B60K 15/03: Fuel tanks
- B60K 2015/03118: {Multiple tanks, i.e. two or more separate tanks}
- B60K 2015/03125: {Suction lines for dual tanks}
- B60K 2015/03453: {for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together}
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES

## Abstract

A servicable draw and return tube assembly for use in fuel tanks is disclosed. The assembly may include a draw tube and a return tube secured to a plate, wherein the plate may be removably secured to a flange, which is fixedly secured to a fuel tank. The process of removably securing the plate to the flange allows for use of different sizes and materials to be utilized in manufacture of the assembly, thereby saving installation time and manufacturing costs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel tank assembly,
comprising:
a fuel tank including a side wall having an aperture extending there through;
a flange releasably secured on said fuel tank at said aperture and forming an airtight seal between said flange and said side wall around said aperture; and
a plurality of fuel flow components releasably secured to said flange and extending into said aperture of said fuel tank;
wherein said flange includes a flange aperture extending there through, said flange aperture including a plurality of fastener apertures positioned there around, and wherein one of said plurality of fuel flow components is positioned within said flange aperture and extending through said aperture of said fuel tank, said one of said plurality of fuel flow components releasably secured to said flange by fasteners secured within said fastener apertures.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fuel flow components are chosen from the group consisting of a fuel draw tube, a fuel return tube, a fuel sender unit, an auxiliary fuel draw tube, and a vent device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 further comprising a flexible seal positioned between said flange and said fuel tank side wall around said aperture, said flexible seal defining said airtight seal between said flange and said side wall.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 wherein said flange is secured to said fuel tank by a plurality of threaded fasteners.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of fuel flow components is releasably secured to said flange with a barbed fitting.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 wherein said fuel tank and said flange are manufactured of metal and at least one of said plurality of said fuel flow components is manufactured of plastic, said plastic component releasably secured to said flange with a snap fitting.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 wherein said flange includes a bracket secured thereto, said bracket extending through said aperture of said fuel tank and into an interior of said fuel tank, said bracket supporting at least one of said plurality of said fuel flow components against movement within said fuel tank interior.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 further comprising a flexible seal positioned between said one of said plurality of fuel flow components and said flange around said flange aperture, said flexible seal defining said airtight seal between said one of said plurality of fuel flow components and said flange.