Fuel Cap and Filler Neck

Abstract

A fuel cap is disclosed that contains a flexible hemispherical closure member which is substantially compressible and resilient with a form approximating half of a sphere. The circular face of the hemispherical sealing member is coupled to the underside of the fuel cap. Sealing of the fuel tank is obtained where the flexible member contacts the inner surface of the filler neck. The flexible sealing member includes a section of rigid tubing aligned coaxially to the axis of the fuel cap to serve as a vent tube for safety. The vent tube penetrates the flexible sealing member, and the upper portion of the vent tube penetrates the top portion of the cap. Inset into the cap top portion and covering the end of the tube section is a meltout plug. The cap may alternately include a compression washer mounted to the end of the vent tubing, for use with filler necks where the inside circumference contains a ridge. Where the washer contacts the filler neck ridge when the cap is installed, it is pushed up against and compresses the flexible sealing member when installed in the filler neck. The compression of the flexible sealing member provides additional sealing of the fuel cap against the filler neck inside surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,040 entitled “Cap for Fuel Inlet” issued on Apr. 11, 1995 and to U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,089 entitled “Anti-siphon Fuel Cap and Filler Tube Assembly” issued on Dec. 4, 2007 both in the name of the same inventor as the present patent application and both incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]This invention relates generally to fuel caps for commercial vehicles and, more specifically, to an improved fuel cap which provides an improved seal between the fuel cap and a filler neck to an attached fuel tank.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]Large trucks and other heavy duty vehicles powered by diesel engines carry fuel in one or more tanks. Fuel is admitted to a fuel tank through a fuel filler neck or tube. The fuel filler neck is normally clo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The improved fuel cap of the present invention comprises a fuel cap having a flexible ball sealing member mounted to the underside of the cap to engage with the upper end of a fuel filler neck to provide an improved seal between the fuel cap and the fuel filler neck.

[0017]The fuel cap of the present invention may optionally include a compression washer mounted about the vent tube, and secured loosely thereto by a pin or similar device mounted through the vent tube. This may be used with fuel filler necks made according to the present invention which include a ridge located circumferentially along the inner surface of the fuel filler neck. When the fuel cap fitted with the compression washer is installed on the fuel filler neck, the washer rests against the ridge of the fuel filler neck and is pushed up so that it compresses the flexible ball sealing member. The flexible ball sealing member expands radially against the inside surface of the fuel filler neck under the axial compression imparted by the washer. This radial expansion substantially improves the sealing properties of the fuel cap.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018]It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel cap that provides superior sealing, and security in the event of an accident.

[0019]It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel cap that provides for inexpensive and simplified manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

However, during refueling of the fuel tanks, many people are extremely rough in their handling of placing the fuel nozzle in the inlet of the fuel filler neck.

Thus, damage may occur to the lip area of the neck portion of the fuel filler neck.

The damage may compromise the seal between the fuel cap and the fuel filler neck.

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