Patent ID: 8752568
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: B60K,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A draw and return tube fuel assembly, comprising: a flange including a raised lip surrounding an aperture that extends through said flange, said raised lip including a smooth interior surface having an absence of a discontinuity therein and said raised lip including an upper surface positioned outwardly from a remainder of said flange; an adapter tube secured to said flange and extending completely through said aperture and said raised lip, said adapter tube defining a smooth exterior surface having an absence of a discontinuity therein completely throughout a region of said adapter tube that extends through said aperture and said raised lip, and said adapter tube defining a smooth interior surface having an absence of a discontinuity therein completely throughout a region of said adapter tube through which a fuel tube is secured, said adapter tube extending from said flange outwardly from said upper surface of said raised lip to define a fuel tube connection region of said adapter tube positioned outwardly from said upper surface of said raised lip; and said fuel tube having an end region including a uniform and consistent thickness, a uniform and consistent outer diameter completely throughout said end region, a smooth interior surface having an absence of a discontinuity therein, and a smooth exterior surface having an absence of a discontinuity therein, said end region of said fuel tube secured within said fuel tube connection region of said adapter tube such that said fuel tube is positioned completely outwardly of said upper surface of said raised lip of said flange and is completely positioned on the same side of said flange as the majority of said adapter tube, and wherein said outer diameter of said end region of said fuel tube is less than said inner diameter of said adapter tube.