Radial Fin Anti-Siphon Structure for Low-Pressure Fuel Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-siphon devices in vehicle fuel systems cause excessive pressure drop and flow restriction during refueling, leading to increased refueling time and potential fuel backflow, which results in customer frustration and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An anti-siphon device with radially aligned fins that are unsupported at one end, integrated into the fuel filler pipe downstream of the filler port, reduces pressure drop and flow restriction by varying radial lengths and hydrofoil shapes, preventing siphoning while maintaining efficient fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bars are arranged in a grid to prevent siphoning, then siphoning protection is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the filler pipe interior into multiple flow channels using radially arranged fins instead of a continuous grid. This segmentation allows fuel to flow through multiple paths simultaneously, reducing pressure drop while maintaining siphoning protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional grid arrangement to a three-dimensional radial fin configuration. The fins extend radially from the center, creating flow channels in the radial dimension, which reduces flow restriction compared to a planar grid while maintaining blocking effectiveness.
2Reliability
If bars fully span the filler pipe passage, then siphoning prevention is improved, but refueling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filler pipe passage is segmented into multiple radial flow channels by the fins, allowing parallel fuel flow paths. This increases the effective flow area compared to a single spanning bar structure, reducing refueling time while maintaining siphoning prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the blocking structure by using fins with varying radial lengths and hydrofoil cross-sections. This optimization balances siphoning prevention capability with flow resistance, achieving both goals simultaneously.
3Reliability
If high pressure drop is generated, then siphoning protection is improved, but fuel backflow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fin cross-section is optimized with hydrofoil geometry and varying radial lengths, creating a pressure gradient that allows sufficient flow during normal refueling while generating backpressure to prevent siphoning. This parameter optimization prevents fuel backflow during refueling.
Solution Approach 2:
The fins have asymmetric geometry with hydrofoil cross-sections and varying radial lengths, creating different flow characteristics for forward fuel flow versus reverse siphoning flow. This asymmetry allows efficient refueling while preventing backflow and siphoning.
4Volume of stationary object
If device volume is reduced, then manufacturing cost is improved, but siphoning protection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The radial fin configuration utilizes the radial dimension of the filler pipe effectively, creating blocking capability without requiring full-spanning structures. This three-dimensional arrangement achieves siphoning protection with reduced device volume compared to traditional grid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing fin parameters including radial length, spacing, and hydrofoil cross-section dimensions, the device achieves effective siphoning protection with minimized material usage and compact volume, reducing manufacturing costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively blocks siphoning tubes while minimizing pressure drop and flow restriction, reducing refueling time and manufacturing costs, and preventing fuel backflow, thus enhancing the refueling process and customer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
the flow separation of the fuel around the fins may be further reduced during refueling operation
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-siphon device and method for operation of an anti-siphon device is provided. The anti-siphon device includes a plurality of radially aligned fins that are unsupported at one end and attached to a carrier body at a second end.