Patent ID: 6155316
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
A filler tube assembly for preventing spray-back during refueling of a vehicle fuel tank comprising:(a) a tube structure defining a fill passage having a first end connected to the fuel tank and a second end opposite said first end open for refueling through an access port on the vehicle;(b) said tube structure also defining a vent passage disposed alongside said filler passage and having a first end communicating with the atmosphere and a second end communicating with said tank;(c) a resilient structure defining a first annular seal in said filler tube, said seal operable, upon insertion of a refueling nozzle in said tube, for sealing about said nozzle, said resilient structure defining a second annular seal disposed along said filler passage between said first seal and said tank;(d) a valve member disposed for movement with respect to said tube structure, said valve member including a first sealing surface operable to seal about said second annular seal and a second sealing surface operable to seal about said second end of said vent passage, wherein upon insertion of said refueling nozzle into said filler passage second end said nozzle initially is sealed about by said first annular seal and upon continued insertion of said nozzle in said filler passage, said valve member is moved progressively to first unseal said second annular seal and then unseal said second end of said vent passage; wherein upon filling of said tank to a full level where fuel enters said vent passage for discharge through said first end of said vent passage, wherein upon withdrawal of said refueling nozzle from said filler passage, said second sealing surface closes second end of said vent passage before said first sealing surface closes said first end of said filler passage.