Device for filling a tank by gravity or under pressure

1. A filler device for filling a tank equally well by gravity or under pressure, the filler device being provided with a gravity filler spout including a hollow tube, wherein the filler device includes a pressure filler spout inserted in the gravity filler spout and reversibly fastened thereto, said pressure filler spout including end-of-filling control means that co-operate with a pressure connector of said gravity filler spout when said pressure filler spout is fastened to said gravity filler spout, wherein a closure of the pressure connector activates the end-of-filling control means to co-operate with and close a filler orifice in the pressure filler spout to finish a pressure refueling;

wherein the filler device includes an inlet chamber through which a fluid penetrates into the pressure filler spout during a filling stage, said filler device being provided with an intermediate chamber separated from said inlet chamber by a stationary wall, said stationary wall including the filler orifice connecting said inlet chamber to said intermediate chamber, said intermediate chamber being provided with at least one filler channel suitable for directing said fluid towards a tank, said pressure filler spout being provided with control means for closing said filler orifice at the end of a pressure filling stage.

2. A filler device according to claim 1 , wherein said pressure filler spout includes a connection coupling suitable for being locked to a catch wheel by applying a first clamping torque, and fastener means of the device include at least one bayonet stud that co-operates with a groove and with resilient pressure means for reversibly fastening said pressure filler spout to said gravity filler spout by applying a second clamping torque, greater than said first clamping torque.

3. A filler device according to claim 2 , wherein said bayonet stud is secured to an outside face of said pressure filler spout, and said groove is provided in an inside face of said gravity filler spout facing said outside face, said resilient pressure means blocking said bayonet stud in a retaining zone of said groove.

4. A filler device according to claim 1 , wherein said control means include a control chamber permanently connected with said inlet chamber via a first control orifice provided in said stationary wall that co-operates with a hollow rod that is movable in said intermediate chamber.

5. A filler device according to claim 4 , wherein a first end of said hollow rod is provided with a first head and wherein a second end of said hollow rod is provided with a second head, said second head hydraulically separating said control chamber from said intermediate chamber, said first head being capable of closing said filler orifice and having a second control orifice co-operating with said first control orifice to provide a permanent hydraulic connection between said inlet chamber and said hollow rod, said second head having a third control orifice putting said hollow rod into communication with said control chamber.

6. A filler device according to claim 5 , wherein said pressure filler spout includes resilient return means urging said first head to be pressed against the stationary wall so as to close the filler orifice.

7. A filler device according to claim 4 , wherein said pressure filler spout includes an escape channel suitable for hydraulically connecting said control chamber to a pressure connector of said gravity filler spout when said pressure filler spout is fastened to said gravity filler spout.

8. A filler device according to claim 1 , including a pipe opening out into a level detector, said pipe being fastened to said pressure connector.

9. A filler device according to claim 1 , including a solenoid valve fastened to said pressure connector.

10. A filler device according to claim 5 wherein the stationary wall is generally planar and defines the filler orifice and the first control orifice extending therethrough.

11. The filler device according to claim 10 wherein the first head is configured to be spaced apart from the stationary wall in a first position, and wherein the first head is configured to be pressed against the stationary wall in a second position with the first and second control orifices in coincidence and the first head closing and blocking the filler orifice.

12. A filler device for filling a tank equally well by gravity or under pressure, the tank being provided with a gravity filler spout including a hollow tube, wherein the device includes a pressure filler spout inserted in the gravity filler spout and reversibly fastened thereto, said pressure filler spout comprising:

end-of-filling control means that co-operate with a pressure connector of said gravity filler spout when said pressure filler spout is fastened to said gravity filler spout;

an inlet chamber through which a fluid penetrates into the pressure filler spout during a filling stage;

an intermediate chamber separated from said inlet chamber by a stationary wall, said stationary wall including a filler orifice connecting said inlet chamber to said intermediate chamber, said intermediate chamber being provided with at least one filler channel suitable for directing said fluid towards a tank; and

control means for closing said filler orifice at the end of a pressure filling stage, wherein said control means include a control chamber permanently connected with said inlet chamber via a first control orifice provided in said stationary wall that co-operates with a hollow rod that is movable in said intermediate chamber.

13. A filler device for filling a tank by gravity or under pressure, the device comprising:

a pressure filler spout having:

a body defining an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a control chamber,

a stationary wall separating the inlet chamber and the intermediate chamber, the wall defining a filler orifice and a first control orifice, the filler orifice and the first control orifice providing fluid communication between the inlet chamber and the intermediate chamber, and

a hollow rod having a first head extending from a first end and a second head extending from a second end, the first head defining a second control orifice, the second head defining a third control orifice, wherein the hollow rod is positioned within the intermediate chamber, the second head separating the intermediate chamber from the control chamber, the hollow rod configured to move between a first position with the first head spaced from the stationary wall and a second position with the first head pressed against the stationary wall to (i) close the filler orifice to prevent fluid communication between the inlet chamber and the intermediate chamber and (ii) provide fluid communication from the inlet chamber to the control chamber via the first, second, and third control orifices.

14. A filler device according to claim 13 , further comprising a gravity filler spout having a hollow tube, wherein the pressure filler spout is adapted to be received within the gravity filler spout and reversibly fastened thereto.

15. A filler device according to claim 14 wherein the gravity filler spout has a pressure connector in fluid communication with the control chamber of the pressure filler spout, wherein closing the pressure connector causes the hollow rod to move to the second position, and wherein opening the pressure connector allows the hollow rod to move to the first position.

16. A filler device according to claim 13 wherein the pressure filler spout includes a resilient member positioned within the control chamber and configured to bias the hollow rod towards the stationary wall.

17. A filler device according to claim 13 wherein the stationary wall has an outer periphery adjacent to the body, and a central region, the filler orifice positioned between the outer periphery and the central region, and the first control orifice positioned between the filler orifice and the central region.

18. A filler device according to claim 13 wherein the body of the pressure filler spout includes an annular filler channel surrounding the control chamber, the annular filler channel configured to be directed towards a fuel tank for filling.

19. A filler device according to claim 13 wherein the pressure filler spout includes a check valve having a plate positioned within the inlet chamber and a spring positioned between the plate and the stationary wall.