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US 10,647,195 B2Granted
Filling system
AssigneeNissan North America, Inc.
InventorThomas Scott Dennis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filling system includes a pipe, a restricting member, a detector, and an actuator. The restricting member is disposed in the pipe to restrict insertion of an object into the pipe. The detector is configured to detect the presence of a metal nozzle in the pipe. The actuator is configured to move the restricting member to enable access through the pipe.
Claims19
A filling system comprising:
- a pipe having a longitudinal direction and an external opening configured to receive a metal fuel nozzle;
- a restricting member disposed in the pipe to restrict insertion of an object into the pipe, the restricting member having a circumferential periphery, a surface extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pipe and a protrusion extending from the surface and around the circumferential periphery in a direction towards the external opening in the pipe;
- an electronic detector configured to detect the presence of the metal fuel nozzle in the pipe;
- an actuator configured to move the restricting member to enable access through the pipe;
- and
- a drain disposed in the pipe, the drain being disposed such that when the metal fuel nozzle is inserted into the pipe and the restricting member enables access through the pipe, a distal end of the fuel nozzle is positioned farther from the external opening than the drain.
3 more elements
A filling system comprising:
- a pipe;
- a restricting member disposed in the pipe to restrict insertion of an object into the pipe;
- an electronic detector configured to detect the presence of a metal nozzle in the pipe;
- an actuator configured to move the restricting member to enable access through the pipe;
- and
- a drain disposed in an interior surface of the pipe, the drain being disposed such that when the metal fuel nozzle is inserted into the pipe and the restricting member enables access through the pipe, a distal end of the fuel nozzle is positioned farther from the external opening than the drain.
3 more elements
A method of passing a liquid through a pipe with a drain and an external opening configured to receive a metal fuel nozzle, the method comprising:
- detecting, with an electronic detector, a presence of the metal fuel nozzle in the pipe;
- actuating a restricting member having a protrusion, the actuating of the restricting member enabling access through the pipe while detecting the presence of the metal fuel nozzle in the pipe, such that a distal end of the metal fuel nozzle is positioned farther from the external opening than the drain the protrusion extending around a circumferential periphery of the restricting member in a direction towards the external opening in the pipe,
- preventing actuation of the restricting member without detecting the presence of the metal fuel nozzle in the pipe such that the restricting member is in a closed position causing the protrusion to substantially maintain a position adjacent an interior of the pipe;
- and
- dispensing the liquid through the pipe while detecting the presence of the metal fuel nozzle in the pipe.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.