US20070084525A1

US20070084525A1 - Fuel tank valve apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20070084525A1
Application number: US11/539,146
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles McPherson
Original assignee: Stant USA Corp
Current assignee: Stant USA Corp
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2006-10-05
Publication date: 2007-04-19

Abstract

A fuel tank valve apparatus includes a fuel conductor adapted to mate with an outlet end of a fuel tank filler neck and extend into a fuel tank. The fuel conductor includes an inlet check valve.

Description

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/724,855, filed Oct. 7, 2005, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a fuel system, and particularly to a fuel-delivery control system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fuel tank valve apparatus comprising a fuel tank filler neck and an inlet check valve for regulating flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor through the fuel tank filler neck.
A filler neck is a tube which conducts liquid fuel from a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle to an interior fuel storage region in a fuel tank. Although an open passageway through the filler neck into the fuel tank is needed during refueling to conduct liquid fuel from a pump nozzle into the fuel tank, it is desirable to close the filler neck at all other times to block discharge of liquid fuel and fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the filler neck. In many cases, a fuel cap is mounted on an outer end of the filler neck to close the filler neck during the time period before and after each tank refueling activity.
It is also known to use a check valve with a fuel tank inlet neck to close the filler neck under certain circumstances. Inlet check valves for fuel systems are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,568,828 to Harris and 6,502,607 to Brown et al. and U.S. Publication No. 2005/0211311 to Gamble, which references are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a fuel tank valve apparatus includes a fuel conductor mounted to a fuel tank to extend into an interior region of the fuel tank. The fuel conductor is configured to mate with an outlet end of a fuel tank filler neck. The fuel conductor includes a fuel-transfer tube and a normally closed inlet check valve coupled to a downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube.
In illustrative embodiments, the inlet check valve is configured to include a fuel-discharge aperture that opens automatically as liquid fuel passes from the fuel tank filler neck into and through the fuel-transfer tube during fuel tank refueling so that such liquid fuel can flow into a liquid fuel reservoir provided in the interior region of the fuel tank. The fuel-discharge aperture formed in the inlet check valve closes automatically once the flow of liquid fuel discharged into the fuel tank filler neck is stopped. The inlet check valve is made of an elastic deformable material and configured to open when exposed to valve-deformation forces applied by liquid fuel moving in a liquid-conducting passageway formed in the fuel-transfer tube and the inlet check valve.
Additional features of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicle fuel tank showing a fuel conductor in accordance with the present disclosure mounted to a top wall of the fuel tank to extend through an aperture formed in the top wall of the fuel tank and showing liquid fuel discharged by a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle inserted into a filler neck terminating at the fuel conductor through a temporarily opened inlet check valve included in the fuel conductor into a liquid fuel reservoir provided in an interior region of the fuel tank;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicle fuel tank similar to FIG. 1 showing a fuel conductor in accordance with the present disclosure mounted to a side wall of the fuel tank;
FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic view of a vehicle fuel system in accordance with the present disclosure disclosing alternate elevations of the fuel conductor in the filler neck;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of the fuel conductor of FIGS. 1 and 2, with portions broken away, showing a normally closed two-section inlet check valve at a lower end of the fuel conductor;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the fuel conductor taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing the inlet check valve coupled to a fuel-transfer tube included in the fuel conductor;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing liquid fuel passing out of the fuel conductor through the fuel-transfer tube and the temporarily opened inlet check valve coupled to the fuel-transfer tube;
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the fuel conductor taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 6 showing an opened fluid-discharge slit provided in the temporarily opened two-section inlet check valve;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a fuel conductor in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure showing first mechanical retention means for coupling an inlet check valve to a fuel-transfer tube;
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the fuel conductor of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the fuel conductor of FIG. 8 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a fuel conductor in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure, with portions broken away, showing second mechanical retention means for coupling a “three-section” inlet check valve in accordance with the present disclosure to a companion fliel-transfer tube;
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the fuel conductor of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing a closed fluid-discharge slit formed in the three-section inlet check valve;
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a fuel conductor in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, with portions broken away, showing third mechanical retention means for coupling a “four-section” inlet check valve in accordance with the present disclosure to a companion fuel-transfer tube;
FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the fuel conductor of FIG. 13 taken alone line 14-14 of FIG. 13 showing a closed “plus-shaped” fluid-discharge slit formed in the four-section inlet check valve;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13 showing, for example, four circumferentially spaced-apart retention posts anchored to a lower end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to mate with a rim portion of the inlet check valve (as a result, e.g., of an insert-molding process, a multi-shot molding process, or an in-mold assembly) to retain the inlet check valve mechanically on the fuel-transfer tube;
FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a fuel conductor in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure showing a “side-discharge” two-section inlet check valve;
FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the fuel conductor of FIG. 16 taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16 showing a closed curved “C-shaped” fluid-discharge slit formed in the “side-discharge” inlet check valve;
FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a vehicle fuel tank, with portions broken away, showing yet another fuel conductor in accordance with the present disclosure retained in a mounted position on a side wall of the fuel tank;
FIG. 19 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the fuel conductor of FIG. 18 showing (from left to right) an inlet check valve, separate first and second tube sections that can be mated in telescoping relation (as shown in FIG. 18) to produce a fuel-transfer tube, and a mount flange coupled to a middle portion of the second tube section; and
FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of still another fuel conductor in accordance with the present disclosure arranged to extend through an aperture formed in a fuel tank side wall shown in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A fuel system 10 for use with a vehicle is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Fuel system 10 includes a fuel-transfer system 12 including. a filler neck 14 and a fuel conductor 16 coupled to filler neck 14. Fuel conductor 16 is coupled to fuel tank 18 in a vertical first position in FIG. 1 and in an alternative horizontal second position in FIG. 2. Fuel conductor 16 is arranged to intercept liquid fuel flowing through filler neck 14 into an interior region 20 of fuel tank 18. Fuel conductor 16 is configured to regulate flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor between filler neck 14 and interior region 20 of fuel tank 18. An illustrative second fuel conductor 216 is shown in FIGS. 8-10, an illustrative third fuel conductor 316 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an illustrative fourth fuel conductor 416 is shown in FIGS. 1-15, an illustrative fifth fuel conductor 516 is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, an illustrative sixth fuel conductor 616 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, and an illustrative seventh fuel conductor 716 is shown in FIG. 20.
Fuel conductor 16 includes an inlet check valve 24 that moves (e.g., deforms) to assume an “opened” state as shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 7, whenever liquid fuel 26 is flowing through filler neck 14 and fuel conductor 16 during fuel tank refueling as suggested in FIG. 1. Inlet check valve 24 provides an “inlet” for liquid fuel flowing into interior region 20 of fuel tank 18 during tank refueling as suggested in FIG. 1. Inlet check valve 24 moves normally to assume a “closed” state as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, before and after fuel tank refueling as suggested in FIG. 2. As suggested diagrammatically in FIG. 2A, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to locate fuel conductor 16 outside of fuel tank 18 at any suitable location (e.g., 16′, 16″, or 16′″) inside filler neck 14 and to provide a closure 114 for filler neck 14, which closure 114 is either a filler neck cap or a “capless” filler neck closure valve mechanism of any suitable design.
Fuel tank 18 includes a top wall 28, a bottom wall 30 spaced apart from top wall 28, and four side walls 31, 32, 33, 34 as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, fuel conductor 16 is arranged to extend vertically through an aperture 35 formed in top wall 28 as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, fuel conductor 16 is arranged to extend horizontally through an aperture 36 formed in side wall 31 as shown in FIG. 2.
Filler neck 14 includes a mouth 38 at an outer end and a discharge outlet 40 at an inner end as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. An outer end 42 of fuel conductor 16 is coupled to discharge outlet 40 of filler neck 14. Mouth 38 of filler neck 14 is formed to receive a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle 44 coupled to a fuel supply 45 during tank refueling as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, and a closure cap 46 at all times other than refueling as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.
During tank refueling, liquid fuel 26 flows through filler neck 14 and fuel conductor 16 and applies forces to inlet check valve 24 sufficient to deform elastic material defining inlet check valve 24 to “open” inlet check valve 24 so that liquid fuel 26 is discharged from fuel conductor 16 into interior region 20 of fuel tank 18. Once tank refueling has ended, and no more liquid fuel 26 is flowing through filler neck 14 and conductor 16, all of the “valve-deformation” forces generated by flowing liquid fuel 26 “disappear” and the elastic material defining inlet check valve 24 contracts or otherwise recovers to resume its normal state to “close” inlet check valve 24. Once closed, liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in interior region 20 of fuel tank 18 are not able to escape to the surroundings through fuel conductor 16 and filler neck 14. Either fluorosilicone, fluorocarbon, nitrile, or some other suitable flexible material may be used to provide the elastic material in inlet check valve 24.
Fuel conductor 16 is illustrated in a “closed” state in FIGS. 3-5 and in an “opened” state in FIGS. 6 and 7. Fuel conductor 16 comprises a fuel-transfer tube 50 formed to include an upstream zone 65 of a fluid-conducting passageway 52, an inlet check valve 24 coupled to a downstream end 51 of fuel-transfer tube 50, and a mount flange 54 coupled to fuel-transfer tube 50 and adapted to mate with fuel tank 18 when fuel-transfer tube 50 is arranged to pass through an aperture formed in fuel tank 18 . An upstream end of fuel-transfer tube 50 is formed to provide a spud 56 located at outer end 42 of fuel conductor 16 and adapted to be coupled to discharge outlet 40 of filler neck 14. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a monolithic base made of a plastics material is configured to provide fuel-transfer tube 50, mount flange 54, and spud 56.
When installed on fuel tank 18 as suggested, for example, in FIG. 1, fuel-transfer tube 50 passes through aperture 35 formed in top wall 28 of fuel tank 18 to locate inlet check valve 24 in interior region 20 of fuel tank 18 and mount flange 18 mates with top wall 28 to anchor fuel conductor 16 in a fixed location relative to fuel tank 18 so that spud 56 lies outside of interior region 20 of fuel tank 18 and mates with discharge outlet 40 of filler neck 14.
Inlet check valve 24 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 3-7 and comprises a mount portion 60 coupled to downstream end 51 of fuel-transfer tube 50 and a discharge portion 62 coupled to mount portion 60 and formed to include a downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 52 and an openable and closable fluid-discharge slit 64. In an illustrative embodiment, inlet check valve 24 is made of an elastic plastics material that is deformed elastically when exposed to valve-deformation forces applied by liquid fuel 26 moving in downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 52 formed in inlet check valve 24 in direction 68 to expand, widen, and otherwise enlarge fluid-discharge slit 64 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 7 so that such liquid fuel 26 can flow through the “opened” fluid-discharge slit 64 and flow into a liquid fuel reservoir 22 provided in interior region 20 of fuel tank 18 as suggested, for example, in FIG. 1. Once fluid flow ceases, inlet check valve 24 “contracts” owing to the elasticity of the material used to form at least discharge portion 62 and moves to assume the closed state shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4.
As suggested in FIGS. 3 and 4, an interior part of mount portion 60 is formed to include an aperture 61 receiving downstream end 51 of fuel-transfer tube 50 therein. An exterior part of mount portion 60 includes first and second annular rims 71, 72 located in spaced-apart relation to one another to define an annular retainer receiver channel 70 therebetween. A mechanical retainer 74 such as a “hose clamp” or other adjustable band could be placed in channel 70 and tightened or otherwise adjusted to “squeeze” mount portion 60 around downstream end 51 of fuel-transfer tube 50 so that inlet check valve 24 is retained securely in a fixed position on fuel-transfer tube 50 it is within the scope of this disclosure to use other external mechanical retainers to couple mount portion 60 to fuel-transfer tube 50.
As suggested in FIGS. 3-7, discharge portion 62 of inlet check valve 24 includes a first duckbill member 81, a second duckbill member 82 coupled to first duckbill member 81 to define an expandable and contractible fluid-discharge slit 64 therebetween, and a base 85 coupled to mount portion 60 and to first and second duckbill members 81, 82 and formed to define a downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 52 communicating with fluid-discharge slit 64. It is within the scope of the present disclosure to configure fuel conductor 16 so that fuel-conducting passageway 52 terminates at fluid-discharge slit 64 as shown or extends beyond fuel-discharge slit 64.
First and second duckbill members 81, 82 move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position as shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 7 to expand, widen, or otherwise enlarge fluid-discharge slit 64 to allow liquid fuel 26 to flow through fluid-discharge slit 64 into interior region 20 of fuel tank 18. When first and second duckbill members 81, 82 mate in a mating position as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, duckbill members 81, 82 contact one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel 26 from downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 52 through fluid-discharge slit 64. In such a mating position, liquid fuel and fuel vapor extant in interior region 26 of fuel tank 18 are unable to flow into fuel conductor 16 and filler neck 14 through fluid-discharge slit 64.
An illustrative second fuel conductor 216 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 8-10. Fuel conductor 216 comprises a fuel-transfer tube 250 formed to include an upstream zone 265 of a fluid-conducting passageway 252, an inlet check valve 224 coupled to a downstream end 251 of fuel transfer tube 250. Fuel-transfer tube 250 includes mount flange 54 and spud 56. Inlet check valve 224 includes mount portion 260 and discharge portion 62. Discharge portion 62 is formed to include a downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 252 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 10.
As suggested in FIGS. 8 and 10, an interior part of mount portion 260 is formed to include an aperture 261 receiving downstream end 251 of fuel-transfer tube 250 therein. Mechanical retention means 270 is provided for coupling inlet check valve 224 to fuel-transfer tube 250. Mechanical retention means 270 comprises a radially inwardly extending flange 271 appended to mount portion 260 and arranged to extend into a companion flange receiver channel 272 formed in an exterior surface of downstream end 251 of fuel-transfer tube 250 to establish an “interlocked” connection between inlet check valve 224 and fuel-transfer tube 250. In an illustrative embodiment, flange 271 is annular and so is companion flange receiver channel 272. It is within the scope of this disclosure to provide other internal mechanical retainers to couple mount portion 260 to fuel-transfer tube 250 as suggested, for example, in FIGS. 11 and 12.
An illustrative third fuel conductor 316 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 11 and 12. Fuel conductor 316 comprises a fuel-transfer tube 350 formed to include an upstream zone 365 of a fluid-conducting passageway 352 and an inlet check valve 324 coupled to a downstream end 351 of fuel-transfer tube 350. Fuel-transfer tube 350 includes mount flange 54 and spud 56. Inlet check valve 324 includes mount portion 360 and discharge portion 362. Discharge portion 363 is formed to include a downstream zone 366 of fluid-discharge passageway 352 as shown, for example, in FIG. 11.
As suggested in FIG. 11, an interior part of mount portion 360 is formed to include an aperture 361 receiving downstream end 351 of fuel-transfer tube 350. Mechanical retention means 370 is provided for coupling inlet check valve 324 to fuel-transfer tube 350. Mechanical retention means 370 comprises a radially outwardly extending flange 371 appended to downstream end 351 and arranged to extend into a companion flange-receiver channel 372 formed in an interior surface of mount portion 360 of inlet check valve 324 to establish an interlocked connection between inlet check valve 324 and fuel-transfer tube 350. In an illustrative embodiment, flange 371 is annular and has a somewhat circular cross-sectional shape to provide a “turned-out”, rounded rim.
As suggested in FIG. 12, discharge portion 362 includes a first duckbill member 381, a second duckbill member 382, and a third duckbill member 383. Each duckbill member 381, 382, and 383 is coupled to a base 385 for movement relative to base 384. Duckbill members 381, 382, and 383 cooperate to define a “three-pointed star”-shaped fluid-discharge slit 364 comprising three slit sections 311, 312, and 313 terminating at a single point 300 and each pair of adjacent slit sections is separated by an included angle 120 of about 120°. Duckbill members 381, 382, and 383 move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position (not shown) to expand, widen, or otherwise enlarge fluid-discharge slit 364. When duckbill members 381, 382, and 383 mate in a mating position as shown, for example, in FIG. 12, adjacent pairs of duckbill members 381, 382, and 383 contact one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel 26 from downstream zone 366 of fluid-conducting passageway 352 through fluid-discharge slit 364.
An illustrative fourth fuel conductor 416 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 13-15. Fuel conductor 416 comprises a fuel-transfer tube 450 formed to include an upstream zone 465 of a fluid-conducting passageway 452 and an inlet check valve 424 coupled to a downstream end 451 of fuel-transfer tube 450. Fuel-transfer tube 450 includes mount flange 54 and spud 56. Inlet check valve 424 includes mount portion 460 and discharge portion 462. Discharge portion 462 is formed to include a downstream zone 466 of fluid-discharge passageway 452 as shown, for example, in FIG. 13.
As suggested in FIG. 13, an interior part of mount portion 460 is formed to include an aperture 461 receiving downstream end 451 of fuel-transfer tube 450. Mechanical retention means 470 is provided for coupling inlet check valve 424 to fuel-transfer tube 450. Mechanical retention means 470 comprises, for example, four circumferentially spaced-apart, radially outwardly extending posts 401, 402, 403, and 404 “rooted” to an exterior surface of downstream end 451 of fuel-transfer tube 450 and arranged to extend into companion post receivers formed in mount portion 460 as suggested in FIGS. 13 and 15. It is within the scope of this disclosure to use more or less than four posts. In an illustrative embodiment, “insert-molding” techniques are used to mate downstream end 451 of fuel-transfer tube 450 and posts 401, 402, 403, and 404 with mount portion 460 of inlet check valve 424 in a manner shown, for example, in FIGS. 13 and 15.
As suggested in FIG. 14, discharge portion 462 includes first, second, third, and fourth duckbill members 481, 482, 483, and 484. Each duckbill member 481, 482, 483, and 484 is coupled to a base 485 for movement relative to base 485. Duckbill members 481, 482, 483, and 484 cooperate to define a “plus-shaped” fluid-discharge slit 464 comprising four slit sections 411, 412, 413, and 414 terminating at a single point 400 and each pair of adjacent slit sections is separated by an included angle 90 of about 90°. Duckbill members 481, 482, 483, and 484 move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position (not shown) to expand, widen, or otherwise enlarge fluid-discharge slit 464. When duckbill members 481, 482, 483, and 484 mate in a mating position as shown, for example, in FIG. 14, adjacent pairs of duckbill members 481, 482, 483, and 484 contact one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel 26 from downstream zone 466 of fluid-conducting passageway 452 through fluid-discharge slit 464.
An illustrative fifth fuel conductor 516 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 16 and 17. Fuel conductor 516 comprises a fuel-transfer tube 550 formed to include an upstream zone 565 of a fluid-conducting passageway 552 and an inlet check valve 524 coupled (using any suitable means, e.g., mechanical retainer, welding, adhesive, etc.) to a downstream end 551 of fuel-transfer tube 550. Fuel-transfer tube 550 includes mount flange 54 and spud 56. Inlet check valve 524 includes mount portion 560 and discharge portion 562. Discharge portion 562 is formed to include a downstream zone 566 of fluid-discharge passageway 552, as shown, for example, in FIG. 16.
As suggested in FIG. 16, an interior part of mount portion 560 is formed to include an aperture 561 receiving downstream end 551 of fuel-transfer tube 550. As suggested in FIGS. 16 and 17, inlet check valve 524 is configured to have a “side-discharge” fluid-discharge slit 564.
As suggested in FIG. 17, discharge portion 562 includes a large duckbill member 581 and a smaller duckbill member 582. Each duckbill member 581, 582 is coupled to a base 585 for movement relative to base 585. In the illustrated embodiment, base 585 has an elbow shape that curves away from the cylinder-shaped mount portion 560 to provide inlet check valve 524 with a side-discharge fluid-discharge slit 564 as suggested in FIGS. 16 and 17. As suggested in FIG. 16 (with reference to FIG. 17), first and second duckbill members 581 and 582 lie in a plane 590 at an angle 591 to a reference plane 592 established by downstream end 551 of fuel-transfer tube 550 (owing to the elbow shape of base 585) to provide fluid-discharge slit 564 with a side-discharge orientation.
Duckbill members 581, 582 cooperate to define a C-shaped or parabolic fluid-discharge slit 564. In the illustrated embodiment, large duckbill member 581 has a crescent shape. Duckbill members 581 and 582 move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position (not shown) to expand, widen, or otherwise enlarge fluid-discharge slit 564. When duckbill members 581, 582 mate in a mating position as shown, for example, in FIG. 17, duckbill members 581, 582 contact one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel 26 from downstream zone 566 of fluid-discharge passageway 552 through fluid-discharge slit 564.
An illustrative sixth fuel conductor 616 is shown, for example, in FIGS. 18 and 19. Fuel conductor 616 comprises a first tube section 601 coupled in telescoping relation to a second tube section 602 to define a fuel-transfer tube 650 formed to include an upstream zone 665 of a fluid-conducting passageway 652 extending therethrough. Fuel conductor 616 also comprises an inlet check valve 24 coupled using any suitable means to a downstream end 651 of first tube section 601 and a mount flange 654 coupled using any suitable means to an exterior surface of a middle portion of second tube section 602.
Inlet check valve 24 includes a discharge portion 62 that is formed to include a downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 652. In an illustrative embodiment, first tube section 601 is made of a plastics material while second tube section 602 and mount flange 654 are made of metal. In this embodiment, the metal mount flange 654 is spot-welded to metal side wall 31 of fuel tank 18.
One suitable means for coupling second tube section 602 to first tube section 601 is illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. An upstream part 603 of first tube section 601 is formed to include first and second notches 604, 605. A downstream part 606 of second tube section 602 is formed to include first and second radially inwardly extending tabs 607, 608. When upstream part 603 of first tube section 601 is inserted in telescoping relation into a passageway 609 formed in downstream part 606 of second tube section 602, first radially inwardly extending tab 607 extends into first notch 604 and second radially inwardly extending tab 608 extends into second notch 605 as suggested in FIG. 18 to retain first and second tube sections in coupled relation to one another to form fuel-transfer tube 650.
An illustrative seventh fuel conductor 716 is shown, for example, in FIG. 20. Fuel conductor 716 comprises an inlet check valve 24, a metal fuel-transfer tube 750, and a metal mount flange 654 coupled to a mid-portion of fuel-transfer tube 750. Fuel-transfer tube 750 is formed to include an upstream zone 765 of a fluid-conducting passageway 752. Inlet check valve 24 includes a discharge portion 62 that is formed to include a downstream zone 66 of fluid-conducting passageway 752.

Claims

1. A fuel-transfer system for a fuel system of a vehicle including a filler neck and a fuel tank having a wall, the fuel-transfer system comprising

a fuel conductor including a base adapted to pass through an aperture formed in a wall of a fuel tank to remain in a stationary position on the fuel tank and an inlet check valve formed to include a normally closed fluid-discharge slit, the base and the inlet check valve cooperating to define a fluid-conducting passageway communicating with the fuel-discharge slit, wherein the inlet check valve is made of an elastic plastics material that is deformed elastically when exposed to valve-deformation forces applied by liquid fuel moving in the fluid-conducting passageway toward the fluid-discharge slit to open the normally closed fluid-discharge slit to allow exit of liquid fuel moving in the fluid-conducting passageway into the fuel tank through the fluid-discharge slit and that contracts to close the fluid-discharge slit once movement of liquid fuel in the fluid-conducting passageway ceases owing to elasticity of the elastic plastics material.

2. The fuel-transfer system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a fuel-transfer tube formed to include spaced-apart upstream and downstream ends and an upstream zone of the fluid-conducting passageway located between the upstream and downstream ends and the inlet check valve includes a mount portion coupled to the downstream end of the base and a discharge portion formed to include a downstream zone of the fluid-conducting passageway and the fluid-discharge slit.

3. The fuel-transfer system of claim 2, wherein an interior part of the mount portion is formed to include an aperture receiving the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube therein and further comprising a mechanical retainer coupled to the mount portion to retain the mount portion of the inlet check valve securely in a fixed position on the fuel-transfer tube and tether the discharge portion to the fuel-transfer tube.

4. The fuel-transfer system of claim 3, wherein the mechanical retainer is coupled to an exterior portion of the mount portion to trap the mount portion between the mechanical retainer and the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube.

5. The fuel-transfer system of claim 3, wherein the mount portion includes a cylindrical section formed to include the aperture and first and second annular rims appended to an exterior surface of the cylindrical section and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another to define an annular retainer receiver channel therebetween and further comprising a retainer located in the annular retainer receiver channel and configured to retain the cylindrical section securely in a fixed position on the fuel-transfer tube.

6. The fuel-transfer system of claim 3, wherein the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube is formed to include a flange receiver channel in an exterior surface thereof and the mechanical retainer comprises a radially inwardly extending flange appended to the mount portion of the inlet check valve and arranged to extend into the flange receiver channel formed in the fuel-transfer tube to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

7. The fuel-transfer system of claim 3, wherein the mount portion of the inlet check valve is formed to include a flange receiver channel in an interior surface thereof and the mechanical retainer comprises a radially outwardly extending flange appended to the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to extend into the flange receiver channel formed in the mount portion of the inlet check valve to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

8. The fuel-transfer system of claim 3, wherein the mount portion is formed to include a post receiver and the mechanical retainer includes a radially outwardly extending post rooted to an exterior surface of the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to extend into the post receiver to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

9. The fuel-transfer system of claim 3, wherein the mount portion is formed to include a plurality of post receivers and the mechanical retainer includes radially outwardly extending posts rooted to an exterior surface of the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to lie in circumferentially spaced-apart relation to one another and extend into companion post receivers formed in the mount portion to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

10. The fuel-transfer system of claim 2, wherein the discharge portion includes a first duckbill member, a second duckbill member coupled to the first duckbill member to define the fluid-discharge slit therebetween, and a base coupled to the mount portion and to the first and second duckbill members and formed to include the downstream zone of the fluid-conducting passageway, the first and second duckbill members are configured to move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position to open the fluid-discharge slit and to move toward one another to mate to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel from the fluid-conducting passageway through the fluid-discharge slit.

11. The fuel-transfer system of claim 10, wherein the mount portion includes a cylindrical section formed to include the aperture and first and second annular rims appended to an exterior surface of the cylindrical section and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another to define an annular retainer receiver channel therebetween and further comprising a retainer located in the annular retainer receiver channel and configured to retain the cylindrical section securely in a fixed position on the fuel-transfer tube.

12. The fuel-transfer system of claim 10, wherein the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube is formed to include a flange receiver channel in an exterior surface thereof and the mechanical retainer comprises a radially inwardly extending flange appended to the mount portion of the inlet check valve and arranged to extend into the flange receiver channel formed in the fuel-transfer tube to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

13. The fuel-transfer system of claim 2, wherein the discharge portion includes a base coupled to the mount portion and first, second, and third duckbill members, each duckbill member is coupled to the base for movement relative to the base, the duckbill members cooperate to provide the fluid-discharge slit with three slit sections terminating at a single point to cause each adjacent pair of slit sections to be separated by an included angle of about 120°, and the duckbill members are configured to move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position to open the slit sections of the fluid-discharge slit and move toward one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel from the fluid-conducting passageway through the fluid-discharge slit.

14. The fuel-transfer system of claim 13, wherein the mount portion of the inlet check valve is formed to include a flange receiver channel in an interior surface thereof and the mechanical retainer comprises a radially outwardly extending flange appended to the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to extend into the flange receiver channel formed in the mount portion of the inlet check valve to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

15. The fuel-transfer system of claim 2, wherein the discharge portion includes a base coupled to the mount portion and first, second, third, and fourth duckbill members, each duckbill member is coupled to the base for movement relative to the base, the duckbill members cooperate to provide the fluid-discharge slit with four slit sections terminating at a single point to cause each adjacent pair of the slit sections to be separated by an included angle of about 90°, and the duckbill members are configured to move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position to open the slit sections of the fluid-discharge slit and move toward one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel from the fluid-conducting passageway through the fluid-discharge slit.

16. The fuel-transfer system of claim 15, wherein the mount portion is formed to include a post receiver and the mechanical retainer includes a radially outwardly extending post rooted to an exterior surface of the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to extend into the post receiver to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

17. The fuel-transfer system of claim 15, wherein the mount portion is formed to include a plurality of post receivers and the mechanical retainer includes radially outwardly extending posts rooted to an exterior surface of the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and arranged to lie in circumferentially spaced-apart relation to one another and extend into companion post receivers formed in the mount portion to establish an interlocked connection between the inlet check valve and the fuel-transfer tube.

18. The fuel-transfer system of claim 2, wherein the discharge portion includes a base coupled to the mount portion and first and second duckbill members coupled to the base for movement relative to the base, the duckbill members cooperate to provide the fluid-discharge slit with a curved shape, and the duckbill members are configured to move away from one another to assume a spread-apart position to open the slit sections of the fluid-discharge slit and move toward one another to establish a fluid-blocking sealed connection therebetween to block discharge of liquid fuel from the fluid-conducting passageway through the fluid-discharge slit.

19. The fuel-transfer system of claim 18, wherein the first duckbill member is larger than the second duckbill member.

20. The fuel-transfer system of claim 19, wherein the first duckbill member has a crescent shape.

21. The fuel-transfer channel of claim 18, wherein the mount portion has a cylinder shape and the base of the discharge portion has an elbow shape to orient the first and second duckbill members to lie in a plane at an angle to a reference plane established by the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube to provide the fluid-discharge slit with a side-discharge orientation.

22. The fuel-transfer channel of claim 2, wherein the fuel-transfer tube includes a first tube section coupled in telescoping relation to a second tube section, and a mount flange coupled to the second tube section, the first tube section includes the downstream end, and the second tube section includes the upstream end.

23. The fuel-transfer channel of claim 22, wherein an upstream part of the first tube section is formed to include a notch and a downstream part of the second tube section is formed to include a radially inwardly extending tab arranged to extend into the notch to retain the first and second tube sections in coupled relation to one another to form the fuel-transfer tube upon insertion of the first tube section in telescoping relation into a passageway formed in the downstream part of the second tube section.

24. The fuel-transfer channel of claim 2, wherein the base further includes a mount flange coupled to the fuel-transfer tube and adapted to mate with a fuel tank upon insertion of the fuel-transfer tube through an aperture formed in the fuel tank and a spud coupled to the upstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and adapted to be coupled to a discharge outlet of a fuel tank filler neck and the base is a monolithic element made of a plastics material.

25. A fuel-transfer system for a fuel system of a vehicle including a filler neck and a fuel tank having a wall, the fuel-transfer system comprising

a fuel conductor including a base comprising a fuel-transfer tube, a mount flange coupled to a mid-portion of the fuel-transfer tube, and a spud coupled to an upstream of the fuel-transfer tube, and an inlet check valve coupled to a downstream of the fuel-transfer tube, wherein the inlet check valve includes a mount portion coupled to the downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube and a discharge portion coupled to the mount portion and made of an elastic deformable material to define discharge means for opening automatically as liquid fuel passes through a fluid-conducting passageway defined in the fuel conductor and the inlet check valve and for closing automatically once flow of liquid fuel through the fluid-conducting passageway stops.

26. A fuel-transfer system for a fuel system of a vehicle including a filler neck and a fuel tank having a wall, the fuel-transfer system comprising

a fuel conductor including a fuel-transfer tube and an inlet check valve coupled to a downstream end of the fuel-transfer tube, wherein the fuel conductor is formed to include a fluid-conducting passageway having an upstream zone formed in the fuel-transfer tube and a downstream zone formed in the inlet check valve to receive liquid fuel discharged from the upstream zone, and wherein the inlet check valve is made of an elastic deformable material to define discharge means for opening automatically as liquid fuel passes through a fluid-conducting passageway defined in the fuel conductor and the inlet check valve and for closing automatically once flow of liquid fuel through the fluid- conducting passageway stops.