Tank Filler Neck With Annular Separator for Leak-Free Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank filler sockets struggle with efficiently separating liquid fuel from air-fuel mixtures, leading to incomplete fueling and potential fuel leakage during refueling.
Innovation Solution
A compact liquid separator with a circular ring cylindrical design is integrated at the upper end of the filler tube, featuring a side connection for the ventilation line to create a vertebral flow, effectively separating liquid fuel from the air-fuel mixture using centrifugal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional liquid separator design is used, then the separation of liquid fuel from air-fuel mixture can be achieved, but the separation efficiency is insufficient leading to incomplete fueling and potential fuel leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vortex flow generated by tangential inlet of the air-fuel mixture into the separation chamber. The curved flow path creates centrifugal forces that enhance the separation of liquid fuel droplets from the gas phase, improving separation efficiency and preventing fuel leakage during refueling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid separator utilizes fluid dynamic principles by creating a vortex flow pattern through its inlet design. The hydraulic structure of the separation chamber leverages the kinetic energy of the incoming air-fuel mixture to generate rotational flow, which enhances liquid-gas separation through centrifugal effects without requiring additional power input.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact liquid separator design is implemented, then space efficiency is improved, but the separation chamber volume may be reduced affecting separation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex flow design creates an efficient use of space by generating rotational motion within a compact cylindrical separation chamber. The curved flow paths maximize the utilization of available volume, allowing effective separation performance in a reduced footprint compared to traditional linear flow separators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by inducing rotational motion through tangential inlet. This parameter change from linear to rotational flow allows the separator to achieve effective separation in a more compact volume by enhancing the separation mechanism through centrifugal forces rather than relying solely on chamber volume.
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 achieves highly effective separation of liquid fuel from air-fuel mixtures, ensuring complete fueling and preventing fuel leakage during refueling, while also allowing for a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
a lateral off-center connection for the vent line is also provided, so that a vortex flow can form in the circular ring cylindrical separation chamber
Implementation Method 2
effectively separating liquid fuel from the air-fuel mixture using centrifugal forces
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tank filler neck (100) located at the upper end of a filling pipe (110) that leads to a fuel tank, said tank filler neck comprising a liquid separator (140) which is attached to the upper end of the filling pipe (110) and has a separation chamber (146) which is fluidically connected to the filling pipe (110) and to which a ventilation line of the fuel tank is connected. The separation chamber (146) of the liquid separator (140) is of annular cylindrical design and has a lateral eccentric connection (141) for the ventilation line, meaning that a vortex flow (T) can form in the annular-cylindrical separation chamber (146).