Gas Differentiating Insert for Diesel Fuel Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no cost-effective solution to prevent a diesel fuel tank from being accidentally filled with unleaded gasoline, which can cause engine damage or replacement, as existing diesel fuel nozzle restrictors are not effective in differentiating between diesel and gasoline nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A gas nozzle differentiator system comprising a carrier and an insert with specific apertures and features that allow only a diesel fuel pump nozzle to be inserted, preventing standard gasoline pump nozzles from entering, while allowing diesel fuel pumps to function normally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard fuel nozzle design is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to prevent misfueling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insert creates an asymmetric opening geometry that is specifically shaped to accommodate diesel nozzles while rejecting gasoline nozzles. The non-circular or specially contoured opening allows only nozzles with matching geometry to be inserted, providing passive mechanical differentiation between fuel types without complicating the fueling process for legitimate users.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary component installed within the fuel tank opening that mediates between the nozzle and the tank. It provides the differentiating function by having a specially shaped opening that selectively accepts or rejects nozzles based on their geometry, thereby preventing misfueling while maintaining ease of operation for correct fuel types.
2Reliability
If the opening diameter is reduced to prevent gasoline nozzle insertion, then reliability of prevention is improved, but ease of operation for diesel nozzles may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than simply reducing the opening diameter, the insert employs an asymmetric or specially contoured opening geometry that is sized and shaped to permit diesel nozzles while excluding gasoline nozzles. This geometric differentiation ensures that the opening is not merely smaller but specifically incompatible with gasoline nozzle dimensions and shape.
3Reliability
If existing nozzle restrictors are used, then some prevention capability is achieved, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The prevention system is segmented into two functional components: a carrier that attaches to the fuel tank opening and an insert that provides the differentiating opening. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual parts, easy installation, and potential reuse across different vehicle models, thereby improving cost-effectiveness compared to integrated or more complex restrictor systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas differentiating nozzle device includes a tubular housing made of a fuel resistant material having a perpendicularly positioned dowel passing through a near center portion of the device. A first half of the device above the dowel further comprises a plurality of concentric interior tubes in fluid communication with a second half of the device below the dowel which further comprises a plurality of rectangular vents disposed near the second half end of the device.