FUEL TANK FILLER NECK AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME
A filler neck assembly includes a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body. The nozzle receptor positions a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.
1 . A filler neck assembly comprising:
a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and
a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body and operable to position a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.
2 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fuel from the nozzle is directed toward the transition portion.
3 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening is larger than the outlet opening and the transition portion is disposed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.
4 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the funnel member induces a swirling motion to fuel from the nozzle during fueling.
5 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing surface formed of the tubular body about the inlet opening.
6 . The filler neck assembly of claim 5 , wherein the inlet opening is rolled over to create the sealing surface.
7 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outlet opening is barbed.
8 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a hose bead formed about the outlet opening.
9 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a hose, wherein the outlet opening is attached to the hose.
10 . The filler neck assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a vent hole formed on the tubular body.
11 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 0 , further comprising a vent tube connected to the tubular body about the vent hole.
12 . The filler neck assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a fuel tank, the vent tube and the hose connecting the tubular body and the fuel tank.
13 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle receptor is disposed proximate to the inlet opening.
14 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a hose and a fuel tank, the hose connecting the outlet opening and the fuel tank.
15 . The filler neck assembly of claim 14 , wherein the transition portion includes an elliptically-shaped junction between a first portion of the tubular body including the inlet opening and a second portion of the tubular body includes the outlet opening.
16 . The filler neck assembly of claim 15 , wherein the elliptically-shaped junction lies on a plane inclined at an angle to an axis of at least one of the inlet opening and outlet opening.
17 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening has a diameter D 1 , the outlet opening has a diameter D 2 , and D 1 is at least one and a half times D 2 .
18 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the funnel member is seamless and is formed from a single piece of material.
19 . The filler neck assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening and outlet opening are axially offset.