Hose coupling element
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAndreas Franke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a coupling element between a hose and a further hydraulic line which may both be, for example, part of a fuel supply system. One system to couple said elements includes a hose-like element including an electrically conductive inside. Further a connecting element couples the hose-like element to the hydraulic line element, where the hose-like element includes an inverted double-walled end. In this way, electrostatic charge may be dissipated via the electrically conductive inside and fastening element.
Claims20
A coupling system, comprising:
- a hose-like element including an electrically conductive inside turning inside-out at an inverted double-walled end;
- a hydraulic line element;
- a connecting element coupling the hose-like element to the hydraulic line element the inverted double-walled end housing part of the connecting element;
- and
- an annular fastening element clamped directly around the inverted double-walled end to be in electrical contact with an outside of the inverted double-walled end.
A fuel system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a fuel tank;
- a fuel line configured to deliver fuel to an engine of the vehicle, the fuel line connected to a fuel hose of the fuel tank via an adapter, the fuel hose including an electrically conductive inside, and including an end turned inside-out to form an inverted double-walled end such that part of the electrically conductive inside is positioned on an outside of the fuel line;
- and
- a connecting branch fluidically coupling the fuel hose to the adapter, the connecting branch housed in the inverted double-walled end, the inverted double-walled end coupled to a fastening element with the fastening element in electrical contact with an outside of the inverted double-walled end of the hose-like element, the fastening element connected to a wire.
A method for dissipating electrostatic charge, comprising:
- pumping fuel from a fuel tank to an engine through a connecting branch coupled to a fuel line, the connecting branch housed in an inverted double-walled end portion of a fuel hose, the fuel hose including an electrically conductive inside turned inside-out, the inverted double-walled end portion coupled to a conductive fastening element;
- and
- directing electrostatic charge to the conductive fastening element connected to a wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.