FR2490162A1 - Anti-leak filler for vehicle petrol tank - has spherical float acting as non return valve in filler pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

Two half spheres are welded together at their equators, and are open at their poles so that they can be fitted to the free ends of the petrol tank supply pipe. Before the two halves are welded together small vanes are placed in the lower half sphere to provide a seat for a spherical float, stopping the float closing the bottom half feed pipe. Smaller vanes are placed in the top half sphere that guide the float up to the pole of the top half sphere, providing a sealed seat stopping petrol entering the vented filler cap.

Description

Anti-leak device for fuel tank.

The present invention relates to an anti-leak device for a fuel tank, in particular for those which are mounted with a ventilated cap.
The architecture of motor vehicles does not allow the filling cap to be kept in all circumstances out of contact with the gasoline being transported. In particular, in the case of turns (transverse accelerations) and braking (longitudinal accelerations) the fuel level during these maneuvers can be established above that of the cap.

If these are ventilated, which is the most common case, a fuel leak to the outside will then occur.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome this drawback it will be illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 7 attached, given by way of non-limiting example, and respectively represent - Figures 1 and 2, the fuel level in a tank at
resting and being turned to the left of the vehicle.

FIG. 3, a longitudinal section of the device according to the invention
inserted in the filling pipe.

FIGS. 4 and 5, a section along AÂ 'and BB' in Figure 3.

FIG. 6, a cross section of the tank equipped with the device
according to the invention - at rest.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but represents the device
in function during a left turn.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a fuel tank 1, its contents 4, the level 7 of which is stabilized, the vehicle being horizontal, a filling pipe 2, a ventilated plug 3, a degassing pipe 5 comprising a calibrated vent hole 6, causing its flow reduces the triggering of the filling gun and the limitation of filling of the tank.

FIG. 2 shows the same tank, in which the level 7 is stabilized, the vehicle being overturned, the fuel being subjected to transverse acceleration; the plug is then completely submerged and leaks occur.

FIGS. 3 and 6 represent the device according to the invention intended to avoid these leaks, included in the filling pipe 2.

 I1 is made up of two half-spheres in tamboutie 20-21 welded to the equator and joined by their pole, open at the free ends of the pipe 2.

Fins 22-23-24-25 constitute a seat 26 for a spherical float 27, and provide between them free spaces to allow the filling of the reservoir 1.

Other fins 28-29-30-31 are arranged in the other hemisphere 21 in order to allow the guidance of the float 27 to its blade. Passages are as previously formed between said fins for the passage of fuel. Note that the float 27, introduced between the hemispheres 20-21 before their welding, can move from positions 32 to 33, the latter being shown in dotted lines.

In operation, when the fuel level 7 is stabilized horizontally, the float 27 is not stressed and rests on its seat 260
On the contrary, in the case of FIG. 7, the fuel is subjected to acceleration which tends to bring it into contact with the plug 3.

 In this case, by rapidly mounting in the pipe 2, it centers the float 27, guided by the fins 28 to 31, in its position 33 where it rests on a seat 3 provided for this purpose on the pale of the sphere 21 , thus constituting a tight seal preventing any fuel leakage at the cap.

This latter position is unstable, and as soon as the level of petrol in the tank approaches horizontal, the float 27 falls by gravity onto its seat 26. It will be noted in this regard that the end of the degassing pipe 5 is placed so that the vent hole 6 is never submerged, regardless of the position of the vehicle.

Claims (1)

1- Anti-leakage device for fuel tank1 in particular intended for those which have a ventilated cap, characterized by the fact that interposed slr the filling pipe an assembly made up of two hemispheres 20-21 welded to the equator and open to their pole by which they are fixed to the free ends of said pipe, fins 22 to 25 being arranged inside the lower hemisphere 20 so as to constitute a seat for a spherical float 27 arranged inside the device before its welding, other fins 28 to 31 being provided inside the other half-sphere 21, forming between them a conduit of sufficient diameter to allow the displacement of the float 27 to the pole of said sphere 21 which constitutes a watertight seat 34 at the location of its contact with the float.