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US 8,746,479 B2Granted
Method of closing a fuel tank with a pivotal door and seal
OwnerNeal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson +1inventors
InventorsNeal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for closing a fuel tank includes providing a base sized to be received within an interior of a fuel tank filler neck, movably mounting a closure structure on the base, and securing a biasing mechanism to the base wherein the biasing mechanism biases the closure structure into a closed position on the base.
Claims8
A method of sealing a fuel filler neck assembly, comprising:
- installing an anti-siphon sleeve inside a fuel filler neck so that a flange of said anti-siphon sleeve is seated on a rim of said fuel filler neck;
- securing a base within said anti-siphon sleeve by seating an annular shoulder of said anti-siphon sleeve in an annular groove of said base, said base having an opening for the passage of fuel and a circular segment base with a recessed portion;
- providing an O-ring around said opening;
- securing a biasing structure to said recessed portion;
- pivotally attaching a hinged closure to said recessed portion, said hinged closure movable between:
- a closed position wherein said hinged closure is biased into sealing engagement with said O-ring to seal said opening and prevent fuel from escaping;
- and,
- an open position wherein said hinged closure is moved by a fuel pump nozzle to unseal said opening and allow fuel to flow through said opening.
5 more elements
A method of closing a fuel tank, comprising:
- providing an anti-siphon sleeve having an interior;
- installing an annular base entirely within said interior of said anti-siphon sleeve, said annular base comprising:
- a passage receiving a fuel pump nozzle, said passage extending between a top edge and a bottom edge;
- a cylindrical sidewall having an upper groove;
- and,
- a base protrusion extending below said bottom edge;
- surrounding said bottom edge with a seal;
- securing a pivotal door to said base protrusion, said pivotal door comprising:
- a biased hinge mechanism;
- an annular flange;
- and,
- a convex top surface;
- wherein said pivotal door pivots between:
- an open position wherein said pivotal door unseals said interior passage to allow fluid flow;
- and,
- a closed position wherein said pivotal door, biased by said biased hinge mechanism, seals against said sealing member to prevent fuel flow.
13 more elements
A method of sealing a fuel tank, comprising:
- installing an anti-siphon sleeve inside a fuel filler neck so that a flange of said anti-siphon sleeve is seated on a rim of said fuel filler neck, and a bottom of said anti-siphon sleeve extends beyond a distal end of said fuel filler neck;
- providing a base that defines an inner end wall, a cylindrical outer surface including an upper groove extending at least partially around a circumference of said cylindrical outer surface, and an inner surface that defines a circular interior opening for the passage of a fuel pump nozzle;
- movably mounting a closure structure on said inner end wall of said base via a pin, said closure structure having a central dome extending upwardly;
- securing a biasing mechanism to said base, wherein said biasing mechanism biases said closure structure into a closed position on said base such that said closure structure covers said circular interior opening of said base and said central dome extends into said circular interior opening;
- securing an annular sealing member to said base, said annular sealing member engaging with a peripheral portion of said closure structure when said closure structure is in said closed position;
- and,
- wherein insertion of a fuel pump nozzle moves said closure structure into an open position such that said central dome is substantially spaced from said circular interior opening.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.