Fuel fill system
AssigneeDayco Products, Inc.
InventorJeffrey A. Swane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel fill system includes an outer funnel and one or more components, each formed from a thermoplastic material. The components, which may include a flange, a tube, and a vapor recirculation fitting, are in fluid communication with the outer funnel via welded joints. The welded joints may be formed by at least one of: spin welding, hot plate welding, laser welding, vibration welding, and ultrasonic welding. The plastic to plastic weld provides an electrically conductive, substantially seamless, vapor permeation resistant joint between each of the components and the outer funnel.
Claims25
A fuel fill system comprising:
- an outer funnel formed from a thermoplastic material;
- a component formed from a thermoplastic material and in fluid communication with the outer funnel via a joint, wherein the outer funnel is welded to the component to form the joint, the component being selected from at least one of a flange, a tube, and a vapor recirculation fitting;
- an inner funnel disposed within the outer funnel and secured within the outer funnel by the flange, the flange being welded to the outer funnel;
- and
- a means for preventing axial rotation of the inner funnel within the outer funnel.
A method of assembling a fuel fill system comprising:
- a providing a thermoplastic outer funnel;
- welding a thermoplastic component to the outer funnel to provide a joint between the outer funnel and the component, the component being selected from at least one of a flange, a tube, and a vapor recirculation fitting;
- inserting an inner funnel within the outer funnel;
- welding the flange to the outer funnel to secure the inner funnel within the outer funnel;
- and
- preventing axial rotation of the inner funnel within the outer funnel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.