Abstract:
Automobile fuel system pressurization apparatuses include systems that are positionable against or insertable into a filler neck of a fuel tank to provide quicker methods of recharging a fuel pump and a fuel line in an automobile without having to run a starter motor for an extended period. One embodiment of the automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus includes an air pump and an inflatable bladder coupled to the air pump, which is deformable between an expanded state and a deflated state. Another embodiment of the automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus includes an air pump coupled to a filler neck sealing element. The air pump directly provides compressed air to the fuel tank, after compressed air is routed through a centrally positioned thru-hole of the filler neck sealing element. Methods of pressurizing an automobile fuel tank to prime a fuel pump, using automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/180,828, filed on Feb. 14, 2014, entitled “Automobile Fuel System Pressurization Apparatus and Method,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/781,339, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, entitled “Automobile Fuel System Pressurization Apparatus and Method.” The entire contents of each priority application are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to apparatuses and methods for pressurizing an automobile fuel system, and more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for pressurizing an automobile fuel system, using systems that are insertable into or positionable against a filler neck of a fuel tank. 
     Prior to fuel injection becoming the primary method for admitting fuel to an automotive engine, automobiles were typically equipped with a carburetor and mechanical fuel pump mounted on the engine. Upon initiation of operation of the engine by the starter or while the engine was running, the fuel pump would draw fuel (e.g., gasoline) from the fuel tank into a fuel line for use in the carburetor. Under typical operating conditions, the fuel line and fuel pump remained primed such that a subsequent start-up of the engine could be accomplished quickly and efficiently. 
     However, if the automobile remains idle for a period of several weeks or more, or runs out of fuel, the fuel pump and fuel line must be recharged with fuel. In small engine equipment, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, or the like, a primer button is provided to feed fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor prior to actuating the engine. No such configuration, however, is provided for automobile engines. The only way to recharge the fuel pump and the fuel line is by running the engine with the starter motor for possibly several minutes or more. Typically, however, a long fuel line from the fuel tank that extends to the fuel pump is primed before the fuel pump. Recharging the fuel pump and fuel line in this manner can be difficult, particularly where an automobile has remained idle for an extended period of time. Under these conditions, a car battery may not have enough charge to sustain actuation of the starter motor long enough to adequately recharge the fuel system. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide quicker methods of recharging the fuel pump and a fuel line in an automobile without having to run the starter motor for an extended period of time. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus, including an air pump and an inflatable bladder, having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, and an inlet, accessing an interior of the bladder. The inflatable bladder is deformable between an expanded state and a deflated state. In the expanded state, the exterior surface of the inflatable bladder is configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal in a filler neck of a fuel tank. The air pump is coupled to the inlet of the inflatable bladder and configured to supply compressed air to the interior of the inflatable bladder. A pressure relief valve is disposed at the distal end of the inflatable bladder and is in fluid communication with the interior of the inflatable bladder. When the inflatable bladder is in the expanded state, the pressure relief valve is configured to release a portion of the compressed air from the interior of the inflatable bladder into the fuel tank. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of pressurizing an automobile fuel tank to prime a fuel pump using an apparatus, including an inflatable bladder deformable between an expanded state and a deflated state, a pump coupled to an inlet of the inflatable bladder, and a pressure relief valve at a distal end of the inflatable bladder and in fluid communication with an interior of the inflatable bladder. The method includes inserting the inflatable bladder in the deflated state into a filler neck of the fuel tank. The pump provides a first amount of compressed air to the interior of the inflatable bladder to deform the inflatable bladder to the expanded state such that an exterior surface of the inflatable bladder forms a substantially air-tight seal in the filler neck of the fuel tank. The pump can also provide a second amount of compressed air to the interior of the inflatable bladder. The pressure relief valve releases a portion of the first and/or second amount of air from the interior of the inflatable bladder to the fuel tank. 
     A third embodiment of the present invention comprises an automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus, including an air pump coupled to a filler neck sealing element. The filler neck sealing element is configured to be positioned against a filler neck coupled to a fuel tank. The filler neck sealing element includes a substantially rigid body and a substantially deformable body disposed on an inner element of the substantially rigid body. The substantially rigid body includes a centrally positioned thru-hole for coupling with an outlet of the air pump. Upon assembly of the filler neck sealing element with the air pump, the air pump is configured to supply compressed air to the interior of the fuel line through the centrally positioned thru-hole of filler neck sealing element. The filler neck sealing element sufficiently seals the fuel line, by providing a substantially air-tight seal against the filler neck of the fuel tank. The air pump is coupled to the filler neck sealing element to directly provide compressed air to the fuel tank, after compressed air is routed through the centrally positioned thru-hole of the filler neck sealing element. 
     A fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of pressurizing an automobile fuel tank to prime a fuel pump, using an automobile fuel system pressurization apparatus, including a filler neck sealing element and a pump coupled to an inlet of the filler neck sealing element. The method includes positioning the filler neck sealing element of the apparatus against a filler neck of a fuel tank, substantially sealing the filler neck sealing element against the filler neck of the fuel tank, and supplying compressed air from the air pump to the interior of the fuel line through a centrally positioned thru-hole in the filler neck sealing element. As such, the pump provides compressed air directly to the fuel tank through the centrally positioned thru-hole of the filler neck sealing element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an air pump for use in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in use with the bladder in a deflated state; 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in use with the bladder in an expanded state; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side perspective view of an apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a partially exploded side perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4  in use with the apparatus being in a first position against a filler neck of a fuel tank; 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4  in use with the apparatus being in a second position against a filler neck of a fuel tank; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5A  or  5 B positioned against a filler neck of a fuel tank. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the apparatus and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, mean “at least one.” 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals may indicate like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an apparatus  10  for pressurizing an automobile fuel system in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus includes an inflatable bladder  12  having a proximal bladder end  12   a  and a distal bladder end  12   b  and an exterior bladder surface  12   c . The inflatable bladder  12  is preferably formed of rubber or other type of elastic elastomeric material. The inflatable bladder  12  further includes a hollow interior  13  (represented schematically by dashed lines in  FIG. 3B ) configured to retain air, that may be received through an inlet  14  in fluid communication with the interior  13  of the inflatable bladder  12 , where the inlet  14  is preferably disposed at the proximal bladder end  12   a.    
     The inflatable bladder  12  is preferably deformable between a deflated state, such as that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3A , and an expanded state, such as that shown in  FIG. 3B . Referring particularly to  FIG. 1 , in the deflated state, little air contained within the inflatable bladder  12 . As such, the exterior bladder surface  12   c  is generally formless (i.e., the exterior surface  12   c  does not define a definite shape and is easily stretched, bent, twisted, manipulated, or the like). With respect to the first preferred embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  schematically show at least a portion of a fuel system  50  of an automobile, which includes a fuel tank  52  and a filler neck  54  in fluid communication therewith for delivery of fuel  56  from an external source (not shown). As referred to herein, the filler neck  54  extends from an entry opening  55   a  to an exit opening  55   b  in the fuel system  50 . The filler neck shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  includes an optional flared end  53 . In the deflated state, as particularly shown in  FIG. 3A , the inflatable bladder  12  is insertable at least partially into the filler neck  54 . 
     In the expanded state, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the exterior surface  12   c  of the inflatable bladder  12  is pulled taut by the compressed air contained in the interior  13  of the inflatable bladder  12 , and preferably is spherical or ovoid in shape when unconstrained and filled with compressed air. A maximum outer diameter D, measured generally perpendicular to an axis of insertion a to the filler neck  54  (i.e. parallel to a central axis of the filler neck), of the exterior surface  12   c  of the inflatable bladder  12  in the expanded state is preferably slightly larger than an inner diameter of the filler neck  54  of the automobile fuel system. Accordingly, when the inflatable bladder  12  is in the expanded state and disposed within the filler neck  54  as shown in  FIG. 3B , the exterior surface  12   c  of the inflatable bladder  12  may contact and fit tightly with a press fit against a contour of the inner wall  57  of the filler neck  54  to create a substantially air-tight seal  59 . The substantially air-tight seal  59  is effectively used to cut off the fuel tank  52  from the external environment E. 
     An air pump  16  is provided for supplying compressed air to the interior  13  of the inflatable bladder  12 . The air supplied into the interior  13  of the inflatable bladder may be pressurized to a pressure of 8 psi (pounds per square inch), for example. The air pump  16  is preferably of a manually operated type, since there may be a danger of an electrical or motorized air pump over-inflating and damaging the inflatable bladder  12  and/or the fuel tank  52 . One preferred type of air pump  16 , shown in  FIG. 2 , is a handheld piston-type air pump. This type of air pump is advantageous in that it is lightweight and portable, and unlikely to over-pressurize the inflatable bladder  12 . 
     As shown particularly in  FIG. 2 , the air pump  16  preferably includes a hollow cylinder  20 , housing an axially movable piston rod  22  coupled to a hand grip  24 . The hand grip  24  may have a hand gripping surface  26  with a plurality of finger slots or grooves  28  formed therein to receive the fingers of the user&#39;s hand, which enables a better grip on the air pump  16  to ease the manual actuation of the piston rod  22  within the cylinder  20 . At an end of the hand grip  24  opposite to the piston rod  22  is an outlet nozzle  29 , having an outlet  30  in fluid communication with an interior of the cylinder  20 . As the piston rod  22  is retracted into the cylinder  20 , compressed air is forced out of the cylinder  20  through the outlet  30 . The air pump  16  shown in  FIG. 2 , therefore, preferably is configured for use in two positions, a first position where the pump is primed (i.e. filled with compressed air) and a second position where the compressed air is forced out of the cylinder  20  through the outlet. The second position, with respect to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     Although the air pump  16  shown in the drawings and described above is of a particular design, other types of pumps may be used as well. For example, other manual piston type pumps, such as a bicycle air pump or the like, may be used. Rubber bulb-type manual air pumps may also be used. In its broadest sense, the invention is not limited by the type of air pump  16  utilized to provide compressed air or other type of gas to the inflatable bladder  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , during operation of the apparatus  10 , the pump  16  is preferably coupled to the inlet  14  of the inflatable bladder  12  by a hose  18  or other type of conduit, which is preferably flexible. Other methods of coupling the inflatable bladder  12  to the air pump  16  may be used, however. The hose  18  includes a first end  18   a  that is coupled to the outlet  30  of the air pump  16  and a second end  18   b  that is coupled to the inlet  14  of the inflatable bladder  12 . The hose  18  is preferably detachable from one or both of the air pump  16  and inflatable bladder  12 . For example, in  FIG. 1 , the flexible hose  18  is integrally formed with or fixedly attached to the inlet  14  of the inflatable bladder  12 . The first end  18   a  of the hose  18 , however, is detachable from the outlet of the air pump  16 . It is also contemplated that the flexible hose  18  may be permanently affixed to or integrally formed with both the air pump  16  and inflatable bladder  12 . In one configuration, the hose  18  is preferably about twelve inches in length and about ¼ inch in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the air pump  16  and the inflatable bladder  12  each include a ¼ inch barbed hose fitting (not shown) for connection to the hose  18 . 
     A pressure relief valve  32  is disposed at the distal end  12   b  of the inflatable bladder  12  and is in fluid communication with the interior thereof. When the inflatable bladder  12  is in the expanded state and the interior thereof is driven beyond a predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve  32  is configured to release a portion of the compressed air stored in the inflatable bladder  12  into the fuel tank  52 . The addition of air pressure to the fuel tank  52  forces fuel  56  into a fuel line  58  toward a fuel pump  60  coupled to a carburetor  62  at the engine (not shown). Thus, it is the air pressure released by the pressure relief valve  32  on the inflatable bladder  12  that primes the automobile fuel system  50  with fuel  56 . 
     An exemplary process for using the apparatus  10  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The first end  18   a  of the hose  18  is preferably coupled to the outlet  30  of the air pump  16 , and the inflatable bladder  12 , in the deflated state, is inserted into the filler neck  54  of the fuel tank  52 . It should be noted that connection of the hose  18  to the air pump  16  may be made after insertion of the inflatable bladder  12  into the filler neck  54 , if desired. Of course, in embodiments where the hose  18  and the air pump  16  are integrally or fixedly connected, no prior attachment is necessary. 
     Grasping the cylinder  20  of the air pump  16  in one hand and the grip portion  24  in the other hand, the user U alternately withdraws and retracts the piston rod  22  in the cylinder  20  to supply a first amount of compressed air to the interior of the inflatable bladder  12  to reach the expanded state ( FIG. 3B ), thereby sealing the filler neck  54 . As additional air pressure is added by the air pump  16  to the interior of the inflatable bladder  12 , pressure inside of the inflatable bladder  12  is increased, thereby triggering the pressure relief valve  32  to release some of the compressed air into the fuel tank  52 . 
     When an adequate amount of fuel  56  has been received in the fuel line  58  to prime the fuel pump  60 , and fill the float bowl of the carburetor, the inflatable bladder  12  may be allowed to vent at least some of the gas remaining in the interior thereof in order to return to the deflated state to enable withdrawal of the inflatable bladder  12  from the filler neck  54 . This may be accomplished, for example, by detaching the air pump  16  from the first end of the hose  18 . Venting preferably occurs either just before or after the engine is started. The compressed air in the inflatable bladder  12  can then pass through the hose  18  and vent to atmosphere, thus collapsing the exterior surface  12   c  of the inflatable bladder  12 . In embodiments where the hose  18  cannot be detached from the air pump  16 , the air pump  16  may be provided with a release valve (not shown) that can be selectively actuated upon completion of the pressurizing process. 
     As a safety precaution, in the event the air pump  16  is capable of producing a sufficient amount of pressure to threaten damage to the inflatable bladder  12  and/or the fuel tank  52 , the air pump  16 , or some other portion of the apparatus  10  may be provided with a safety relief valve  40  to vent excess air pressure to atmosphere and maintain a safe pressure within the inflatable bladder  12  and fuel tank  52 . 
       FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B, and  6  show an apparatus  100  for pressurizing an automobile fuel system  150  in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the apparatus  100  is shown coupled to an automobile fuel system  150 . Reference numerals of the automobile fuel system  150  used with respect to the third preferred embodiment are distinguishable from those of the first preferred embodiment by a factor of one-hundred ( 100 ), but otherwise indicate the same elements as indicated in the first preferred embodiment, except as otherwise specified. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the apparatus  100  includes an air pump  116  (also shown in  FIG. 2 ) coupled to a filler neck sealing element  170  via a thru-hole  182  centrally positioned in the filler neck sealing element  170 . The outlet nozzle  129  of the air pump  116  fits at least partially within thru-hole  182 . Preferably, the nozzle  129  of the air pump  116  is removably coupled to the thru-hole  182  of the filler neck sealing element  170 . 
     The filler neck sealing element  170  includes a substantially rigid body  172  and a substantially deformable body  174  coupled to an inner element  176  of the substantially rigid body  172 . As shown schematically in  FIG. 6 , a top surface  175  of the substantially deformable body  174  is configured for positioning against an outer edge  153  of a filler neck  154  to create a substantially air-tight seal  159 . The substantially air-tight seal  159  is effectively used to cut off the fuel tank  152  from the external environment E. 
     As with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus  100  includes an air pump  116  used for supplying compressed air  190  (represented by the arrow shown in  FIG. 5B ). Reference numerals of the air pump  116  used in the third preferred embodiment of the apparatus  100  are distinguishable from those of the first preferred embodiment by a factor of one-hundred (100), but otherwise indicate the same elements as indicated in the first preferred embodiment, except as otherwise specified. When used in this embodiment, the air pump  116 , however, supplies compressed air directly to the filler neck  154  such that the air pump  116  releases a portion of compressed air  190  from the interior I (represented by dashed lines shown in  FIG. 4A ) of the cylinder  120  into the fuel tank  152 . The air pump  116  is preferably a manually operated, handheld piston-type air pump. 
     The air pump  116 , when used in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, is configured for use in at least two positions, as shown respectively in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In  FIG. 5A , the air pump  116  is shown in a first pump position where the pump is primed (i.e. filled at least partially with compressed air). In this position, the piston rod  122  has been at least partially extracted from the hollow cylinder  120 . In  FIG. 5B , the air pump  116  is shown in a second position, where the compressed air (represented by arrow  190 ) is forced out of the cylinder  120  through the outlet  130  of the air pump  116  and the piston rod  122  (compare  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) has been at least partially retracted into the hollow cylinder  120 . 
     Although the air pumps  16 ,  116  shown in the drawings for the embodiments described herein are of a particular design, other pump types may be used as well. For example, other manual piston type pumps, such as a bicycle pump or the like, may be used. Rubber bulb-type manual pumps may also be used. In its broadest sense, the invention is not limited by the pump type utilized to provide compressed air. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the air pump  116  is configured to pump compressed air  190 , which is routed through the thru-hole  182  of filler neck sealing element  170  and thereafter into the automobile fuel system  150 . Specifically, the compressed air  190  is routed such that the fuel tank  152  forces fuel  156  into the fuel line  158  towards the fuel pump  160 . The fuel pump  160  is coupled to a carburetor  162  at the engine (not shown). Thus, the compressed air released by the air pump  116  routed through the fuel line sealing assembly  170  such that the automobile fuel system  150  is primed with fuel  156 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the substantially rigid body  172  of the filler neck sealing element  170  further includes an inner element  178  coupled to a disc-shaped bottom portion  180 . The outer surface  174  of the substantially rigid body  172  is formed on the disc-shaped bottom portion  180 . The thru-hole  182  is centrally routed through both the disc-shaped bottom portion  180  and the inner element  176 . The inner element  176  is preferably integral with the bottom portion  180  such that the substantially rigid body  172  is formed as one piece. In this one-piece configuration, the substantially rigid body  172  is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, having substantial corrosion resistance. Such materials include, but are not limited to, stainless steels, galvanized aluminum, composite materials, etc. The substantially deformable body  174  is preferably shaped as a ring and configured to seat on an interior surface  184  of the filler neck sealing element  170 . Preferred materials for the substantially deformable body  174  include, but are not limited to foam-based materials, such as polyurethane foams, for example. 
     An exemplary process for using the apparatus  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The outlet  130  of the air pump  116  is preferably coupled to the thru-hole  182  of the filler neck sealing element  170 , and the filler neck sealing element  170  is positioned against the filler neck  154  of the fuel tank  152 . It should be noted that connection of the thru-hole  182  of the filler neck sealing element  170  to the pump  16  may also be integrally or fixedly connected. 
     During use of the apparatus  100 , a user U will alternately extract and retract the piston rod  122  in the cylinder  120  to supply a first amount of compressed air  190  to substantially seal the filler neck  54 . A user U may, for example, extract and retract the piston rod  122 , by grasping the cylinder  120  of the pump  116  in one hand and the grip portion  124  of the pump  116  in the other hand. As a safety precaution, in the event the pump  116  is capable of producing a sufficient amount of pressure to threaten damage to the fuel tank  152 , the pump  116  may be provided with a safety relief valve  140  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ) to vent excess air pressure to atmosphere and maintain a safe pressure within the fuel tank  152 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.