Fuel tank filler neck and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A method of forming a gas tank filler neck includes configuring at least a portion of a one-piece seamless tubular member such that the seamless configuration induces a sufficient swirl to create a hollow passage for venting vapors from the gas tank during fuel filling. A method of forming the filler neck includes deep drawing a seamless funnel member having an elongated tubular body, forming a relatively large inlet at one end of the seamless funnel member, the inlet having a first axis, and forming a relatively small outlet at the opposite end of the seamless funnel member, the inlet having a second axis axially offset from said first axis. A filler neck includes a one-piece seamless funnel member having a tubular body defining a relatively large inlet opening adapted to receive fuel from a nozzle and relatively small necked down outlet opening in communication with the fuel tank, the positioning of the inlet opening relative the outlet opening inducing a swirl to the fuel being supplied to the motor vehicle fuel tank.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.