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US 6,019,348 AGranted
Quick-connection of a fuel fill pipe to a fuel tank
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorPatrick Kenneth Powell
Life of this patent
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AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorPatrick Kenneth Powell
Estimating the term…
A quick-connect coupling assembly, and method of making same, for connecting a fuel fill pipe to a fuel tank made of a polyethylene based material. A mounting bracket subassembly has a base molded of such tank-type material that is plastic welded to the tank fill opening margin. A second more stable plastic material also is used in the bracket not only to anchor the connection between the fuel tank and the fill pipe and to provide the necessary resistance to pull force against disconnection, but also to contain the polyethylene bracket material in such a way as to minimize geometric (dimensional) changes due to fuel absorption and creep in the critical region of the connection that contains the O-ring seals or like sealing elements. Use of overmold fabrication and assembly procedures is preferably employed in the connector in such a way that the sealing package seals directly to the fuel tank material (such as HDPE) and still leaves a more robust material (such as acetate) for the interface between the mechanically locking mechanisms that form the actual connection. Preferably, an integral, tubular extension of one of two selected components of the quick connect construction provides an outlet spout protruding into the tank interior and housing a back-check valve operable to prevent fuel back flow and leakage into the fill pipe in an efficient, economical and reliable manner. The coupling O-ring seals are preferably disposed internal or near internal to the tank wall for purposes of crash protection, extending the service life and improving the sealing characteristics of the fuel tank to fuel pipe connection.
A quick-connect coupling assembly adapted for connecting a fuel fill pipe to a fuel tank made of a plastic material subject to fuel absorption induced adverse effects of swelling and/or creep under load and having a fill opening formed through a wall of the tank, said assembly comprising a mounting bracket subassembly comprising a base molded of the same type of material as the fuel tank in the form of an annular flange adapted to be sealably affixed to the exterior surface of the tank wall so as to surround the tank fill opening, said base having a cylindrical sleeve extending coaxially from said base flange, a fuel supply conduit coupling comprising a hollow cylindrical coupling core made of fuel-resistant material and having an outlet end adapted to be inserted coaxially and telescopically removably assembled into said base sleeve and having an inlet end adapted to protrude therefrom away from the tank wall and adapted to be sealably coupled to a fuel fill conduit, annular seal means disposed between and slidably engaged with the exterior of said core and an interior surface of said base sleeve when said core and base sleeve are in telescopic assembly, said bracket subassembly further comprising a circumferentially continuous reinforcing member also made of fuel-resistant material and encircling said bracket base sleeve and at least coextensive axially with the region containing said annular seals when said core is assembled in said base sleeve, and a coupling clip adapted for movable interengagement between said conduit coupling and said mounting bracket for releasably retaining said fuel pipe in coupled relation to said fuel tank for fuel flow thereinto via said quick-connect coupling assembly.
A fuel fill pipe to a fuel tank quick-connect coupling arrangement comprising, in combination, a fuel tank made of a polyethylene based material such as HDPE and having a fill opening formed through a wall of said tank, a quick-connect coupling assembly comprising a mounting bracket subassembly comprising a base molded of the same type of material as the fuel tank in the form of an annular flange sealably affixed to the exterior surface of the tank wall so as to surround the tank fill opening, said base having a cylindrical sleeve extending coaxially from said base flange, a fuel supply conduit coupling comprising a hollow cylindrical coupling core having an outlet end inserted coaxially and telescopically removably assembled into said base sleeve and having an inlet end protruding therefrom away from the tank wall and sealably coupled to a fuel fill conduit, annular seal means disposed between and slidably engaged with the exterior of said core and an interior surface of said base sleeve when said core and base sleeve are in telescopic assembly, said bracket subassembly further comprising a circumferentially continuous reinforcing member encircling said base sleeve and at least coextensive axially with the region containing said annular seals when said core is assembled in said base sleeve, and a coupling clip operable for movable interengagement between said conduit coupling and said mounting bracket for releasably retaining said fuel pipe in coupled relation to said fuel tank for fuel flow thereinto via said quick-connect coupling assembly.
A method of quick-connect coupling for connecting a fuel fill pipe to a fuel tank made of a polyethylene based material such as HDPE and having a fill opening formed through a wall of the tank comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.