OVERFLOW PREVENTION APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FUEL TANKS
Overflow prevention apparatus for use with fuel tanks are described herein. An example overflow prevention apparatus includes a fluid coupling configured to fluidly couple a fluid tank to a liquid fill passage. The fluid coupling includes a first portion configured to receive a liquid via the liquid fill passage and a second elongate portion configured to convey the liquid received via the liquid fill passage to the fluid tank. The second elongate portion has an aperture adjacent an end of the second portion. Also, the second portion is configured to extend into the fluid tank to prevent at least one of a gas or vapor from flowing between the fluid tank and the liquid fill passage when a liquid in the fluid tank is in the aperture.
1 . An overflow prevention apparatus, comprising:
a fluid coupling configured to fluidly couple a fluid tank to a liquid fill passage, the fluid coupling comprising:
a first portion configured to receive a liquid via the liquid fill passage; and
a second elongate portion configured to convey the liquid received via the liquid fill passage to the fluid tank, wherein the second elongate portion has an aperture adjacent an end of the second portion and wherein the second portion is configured to extend into the fluid tank to prevent at least one of a gas or vapor from flowing between the fluid tank and the liquid fill passage when a liquid in the fluid tank is in the aperture.
2 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a first cylindrical body and the second portion comprises a second cylindrical body.
3 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first cylindrical body coaxially aligns with the second cylindrical body.
4 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a flange between the first and second cylindrical bodies to couple the fluid coupling to the fluid tank.
5 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the flange includes apertures to receive fasteners to couple the fluid coupling to the fuel tank.
6 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first cylindrical body, the second cylindrical body, and the flange are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
7 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second portion extends in the fluid tank a distance that provides a maximum desired liquid level within the fluid tank.
8 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the fluid coupling is to be fluidly coupled to a fuel fill apparatus or an inlet valve.
9 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the fluid coupling and the fuel fill apparatus are integrally formed as a unitary piece or structure.
10 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second elongate portion further includes a bleed hole spaced away from the aperture adjacent the end of the second elongate portion.
11 . An overflow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid coupling is to be in fluid communication with a nozzle to be received by a fuel fill apparatus during a filling operation.
12 . A fuel tank, comprising:
a housing having a cavity to receive a liquid fuel; and
a fluid coupling apparatus coupled to a surface of the fuel tank and having a passageway in fluid communication with a fluid fill apparatus to fluidly couple the fluid fill apparatus and the fuel tank, the fluid coupling apparatus including at least an elongate portion configured to protrude a predetermined distance within the fluid tank to control a maximum liquid fuel level within the fuel tank during a filling event when the liquid level within the fuel tank contacts an end of the elongate portion.
13 . A fuel tank of claim 12 , wherein the elongate portion prevents at least one of a gas or a vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the fluid fill apparatus when a fluid in the fuel tank is within the passageway.
14 . A fuel tank of claim 12 , wherein the elongate portion further comprises a bleed hole having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the passageway.
15 . A fuel tank of claim 12 , wherein the fluid coupling apparatus is plastically welded to a surface of the fuel tank.
16 . A fuel tank, comprising:
a first overflow prevention apparatus coupled to a fluid tank and having a liquid fill passage to fluidly couple to a fluid fill line and the fluid tank, and wherein at least a portion of the first overflow prevention apparatus is at least partially disposed within an interior of the fluid tank a first predetermined distance to prevent at least one of a vapor or a gas from flowing to the atmosphere via the fluid fill line when a liquid in the fluid tank is within the liquid fill passage; and
a second overflow prevention apparatus coupled to the fluid tank and having a vent passage to fluidly couple the fluid tank and a vent line, and wherein at least a portion of the second overflow prevention apparatus is at least partially disposed within the interior of the fluid tank a second predetermined distance to prevent at least one of a vapor or a gas from flowing to the atmosphere via the vent line when the liquid in the fluid tank is within the vent passage.
17 . A fuel tank of claim 16 , wherein the second predetermined distance is substantially equal to the first predetermined distance.
18 . A fuel tank of claim 16 , wherein at least the portion of the first overflow prevention apparatus or at least the portion of the second overflow prevention apparatus extends within the interior of the fuel tank a predetermined distance corresponding to a maximum level of liquid fuel to be provided in the fuel tank during a filling event.
19 . A fuel tank of claim 16 , wherein at least the portion of the first or second overflow prevention apparatus extending within the fuel tank includes a bleed hole.