US 7,360,565 B2 · Fuel overflow prevention device

Abstract

A fuel overflow prevention device for minimizing or eliminating fuel spillage during fuel storage container filling. The device may also minimize or eliminate some types of fuel spillage after filling. The device includes an overflow prevention chamber for receiving therein fluid from a fuel storage container vent tube. The overflow prevention chamber also includes a space for removably receiving and retaining therein the spout of an automatic shutoff fuel nozzle including a sensor port. A flow restriction interface is established between an interior portion of the overflow prevention chamber and the exit port of the spout. Fluid received from the vent tube into the overflow prevention chamber fills the space until covering the sensor port to a level sufficient to trigger automatic nozzle shutoff. The device optionally includes a vent tube extension to aid in regulating the fuel level within the container at which nozzle shutoff is triggered.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A fuel overflow prevention device for use in combination with a fuel storage container having a fill tube and a vent tube, and an automatic shutoff fuel nozzle having a spout with a sensor port and an exit port, the fuel overflow prevention device comprising:

an overflow prevention chamber, the overflow prevention chamber comprising:
a. a primary fill space configured for removably receiving therein the automatic shutoff fuel nozzle;
b. a fill tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the fill tube;
and
c. a vent tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the vent tube,
wherein the fill tube interface section is configured to establish a flow restricting fit between the fill tube interface section and the exit port of the nozzle restrictive enough to minimize fuel flow from within the fill tube into the primary fill space, wherein the vent tube interface section is arranged to establish a fluid passageway between the fuel storage container and the primary fill space through the vent tube, and wherein the primary fill space is arranged to receive enough fluid from the vent tube to cover the sensor port to a level sufficient to trigger automatic shutoff of the nozzle.

3 more elements

a. an overflow prevention chamber, the overflow prevention chamber including:
i. a primary fill space configured for removably receiving therein the automatic shutoff fuel nozzle;
ii. a fill tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the fill tube;
and
iii. a vent tube interface section configured for releasable attachment to the vent tube,
wherein the fill tube interface section is configured to establish a flow restricting fit between the fill tube interface section and the exit port of the nozzle restrictive enough to minimize fuel flow from within the fill tube into the primary fill space, wherein the vent tube interface section is arranged to establish a fluid passageway between the fuel storage container and the primary fill space through the vent tube, and wherein the primary fill space is arranged to receive enough fluid from the vent tube to cover the sensor port to a level sufficient to trigger automatic shutoff of the nozzle;
and
b. a vent tube extension for releasably connecting the vent tube to the fuel storage container, wherein the vent tube extension is configured to extend into the fuel storage container through the vent tube when the overflow prevention chamber is joined to the fill tube.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel overflow prevention device

Life of this patent

Fuel overflow prevention device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17