IP Library Granted Patent US 9,776,503
Granted Patent B1
US 9,776,503 · App. 15/449,344 · Granted Oct 3, 2017

Nonspill fuel filler adapter

Inventor: Robert A. Labbe (Bristol, CT)
Assignee: Underway Marine LLC
B60K15/04B60K2015/0458B60K2015/0477
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,776,503
App. No.
15/449,344
Granted
Oct 3, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A fuel filler adapter has a hollow body having a base end with a flange extending outwardly therefrom, and a forward end, and has a length of between 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches. A bore extends through the body at an angle of between 2.5° and 15° so that the adapter can be fitted onto a fuel nozzle. Fueling spitback is prevented by a helical fuel path which does not block air from venting from a fuel tank. Air venting from the fuel tank exits through the fuel filler adapter via one or more venting channels.

Claims (38)

1. A fuel filler adapter comprising:

a hollow body having a base end and a forward end, wherein the body base end has outer walls, the body base end outer walls having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape;

the body having a fuel-inlet bore extending through the body from the base end to the forward end at an angle of between 2.5° and 15° relative to a central axis of the body; and

the fuel-inlet bore having at least one vent channel provided therewith;

wherein the adapter is sized to fit into a fuel fill;

wherein the fuel inlet bore is sized to receive a fuel pump nozzle, whereby the fuel-inlet bore angle positions the fuel pump nozzle adjacent to an inner wall of a fuel pipe whereby fuel pumped into the fuel fill flows along the inner wall in a helical path with a central area in the center of the fuel pipe clear of fuel; and

wherein air flows through the central area and exits via the at least one vent channel of the body.

2. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the fuel-inlet bore extends through the body at an angle of between 5° and 10° relative to the central axis of the body.

3. The fuel filler adapter of claim 2 , wherein the fuel-inlet bore extends through the body at an angle of 7° relative to the central axis of the body.

4. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the base end of the body comprises a flange extending outwardly from the body.

5. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the body has outer walls having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape.

6. The fuel filter adapter of claim 1 , wherein the body has outer walls having a cross-sectional shape having curved areas.

7. The fuel filler adapter of claim 6 , wherein the body outer walls have a circular cross-sectional shape.

8. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the body has a cylindrical or conical forward end.

9. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the body has a length of between 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches.

10. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the body has a length of between 1.0 inch and 2.0 inches.

11. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the fuel-inlet bore has a diameter of 0.825 inch.

12. The fuel filler adapter of claim 11 , wherein the body is provided in whole or in part with a red coloration.

13. The fuel filler adapter of claim 1 , wherein the fuel-inlet bore has a diameter of 0.950 inch.

14. The fuel filler adapter of claim 13 , wherein the body is provided in whole or in part with a green coloration.

15. A fuel filler adapter comprising:

a hollow body having a base end and a forward end

the body having a bore extending through the body from the base end to the forward end at an angle of between 2.5° and 15° relative to a central axis of the body;

wherein the adapter is sized to fit into a fuel fill; and

wherein the bore is sized and shaped to receive a fuel pump nozzle, whereby the bore shape retains the fuel pump nozzle in position and the bore angle positions the fuel pump nozzle adjacent to an inner wall of a fuel pipe whereby fuel pumped into the fuel fill flows along the inner wall in a helical path with a central area in the center of the fuel pipe clear of fuel; and

wherein the bore is shaped to include a venting channel whereby air flows through the central area and exits via the venting channel to eliminate fuel spitback; and

wherein the body base end has outer walls, the body base end outer walls having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape.

16. The fuel filler adapter of claim 15 , wherein the bore extends through the body at an angle of 7° relative to the central axis of the body.

17. The fuel fill adaptor of claim 15 , wherein the body has a length of between 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches.

18. The fuel fill adaptor of claim 15 , wherein the base end of the body comprises a flange extending outwardly from the body.

19. A fuel fill, comprising:

a hollow cylindrical body having a flanged base end, the flanged base end having outer walls having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape;

a fuel inlet bore extending through the body at an angle of between 2.5° and 15° relative to a central axis of the body; and

the bore including one or more venting channels;

wherein the bore is sized to receive a fuel pump nozzle, whereby the bore angle positions the fuel pump nozzle adjacent to an inner wall of a fuel pipe whereby fuel pumped into the fuel fill flows along the inner wall in a helical path with a central area in the center of the fuel pipe clear of fuel and air exits via the central area to the venting channels.

20. The fuel fill of claim 19 , wherein the bore extends through the body at an angle of between 5° and 10° relative to the central axis of the body.

21. The fuel fill of claim 19 , wherein the bore has a diameter of 0.950 inch and at least part of the body is colored green.

22. The fuel fill of claim 19 , wherein the bore has a diameter of 0.825 inch and at least part of the body is colored red.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2017
From: LABBE, ROBERT A.
To: UNDERWAY MARINE LLC
Reel/Frame 041480/0026 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 15259989 · Sep 8, 2016