Vented Deck Fill Single Valve and Low-Profile Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deck fills for marine vehicles require excessive engine work to regulate pressure due to multiple small valves, and their installation is cumbersome, especially with the traditional two-hole method, and they have bulky, protruding fuel caps that are aesthetically unpleasing and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A vented deck fill with a single large pressure regulating valve and a non-vented deck fill with a floating puck assembly, both utilizing a single-hole installation method and featuring a low-profile design with a push button assembly and hinge clearance scallops, reducing the need for multiple valves and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple small valves are used to regulate pressure in the fuel system, then pressure regulation reliability is improved, but the engine workload increases due to higher pressure requirements to open the valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small valves into a single large valve assembly. The valve body includes a first valve member for vapor venting and a second valve member for air inlet, both integrated into one structure. This merging reduces the total circumferential surface area in contact with the valve housing, thereby reducing the pressure required to open the valves and decreasing engine workload while maintaining pressure regulation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single large valve assembly is segmented into multiple functional valve members within one body. The first valve member regulates vapor flow and the second valve member regulates air flow, allowing independent control of different functions while benefiting from the reduced pressure requirements of a larger integrated structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If a two-hole installation method is used for vented deck fills, then proper positioning of fuel throat and vent throat is achieved, but installation time and labor expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel throat and vent throat into a single integrated deck fill assembly that can be installed through one hole. The valve body includes both the fuel throat extending downward and the vent throat extending laterally, allowing both functions to be installed simultaneously through a single opening in the deck, thereby reducing installation time and labor while maintaining proper positioning.
3Reliability
If traditional fuel caps are used, then complete coverage of the deck fill is achieved, but the caps become bulky and protruding, creating safety hazards and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic low-profile cap design that rotates about a hinge axis. The cap can be in a closed position flush with the deck surface for safety and aesthetics, or an open position for refueling. The hinge mechanism allows the cap to pivot between these positions, providing both safety when closed and accessibility when open, while maintaining a low profile that reduces the risk of toe injuries and entanglement.
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 reduces engine workload by minimizing pressure required to operate the valve, simplifies installation with a single-hole method, and provides a low-profile, aesthetically pleasing design that reduces safety hazards and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring positioned within the button housing and having a distal end engaged with the button. The compression spring is compressed between the proximal end of the button and an abutment surface of the button housing
Implementation Method 2
a hinge clearance scallop defined in the flange and extending into the fuel cap. The hinge clearance scallop allows the fuel cap to rotate about a hinge pin positioned within the hinge clearance scallop
Data Source
AI summary
An improved deck fill for use according to the present invention comprises a vented deck fill with a body, a fuel throat, a vent throat, and a single pressure regulating valve. Use of the single pressure regulating valve increases engine performance by reducing a pressure necessary to push the single pressure regulating valve into an open configuration. This disclosure additionally relates to a method for the installation of the vented deck fill by way of a single hole installation. This is facilitated by an elliptical circumference of the vent throat and fuel throat, thereby allowing the vent throat and fuel throat to be closer together, reducing the necessary size for the single installation hole. This disclosure relates to non-vented deck fills utilizing a floating puck assembly, and to a low-profile fuel cap for vented and non-vented deck fills utilizing a push button latch and hinge clearance scallops.