IP Library Granted Patent US 11,644,389
Granted Patent B2
US 11,644,389 · App. 17/063,776 · Granted May 9, 2023

Fuel cap testing apparatus

Inventors: David Hasler (Kohler, WI); Christopher Wolf (Kohler, WI)
G01M99/00B60K15/0406G01G9/00G05D7/0652B60K2015/03236B60K2015/03256
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,644,389
App. No.
17/063,776
Granted
May 9, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for testing a fuel cap includes a gas manifold, a fuel cap connector, a base, and a removable cover. The gas manifold is configured to provide a bidirectional flow path through the fuel cap. The fuel cap connector is integrated with or coupled to the gas manifold, and the fuel cap connector is configured to connect the fuel cap to the gas manifold. The base is configured to support the gas manifold and provide at least a first gas input to the gas manifold and through the fuel cap via the bidirectional flow path. The removable cover is configured to be removably connected to the gas manifold and provide at least a second gas input to the gas manifold and through the fuel cap via the bidirectional flow path.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for testing a fuel cap, the apparatus comprising:

a gas manifold configured to provide a bidirectional flow path through the fuel cap;

a fuel cap connector integrated with or coupled to the gas manifold, the fuel cap connector configured to connect the fuel cap to the gas manifold;

a base configured to support the gas manifold and provide at least a first gas input to the gas manifold and through the fuel cap via the bidirectional flow path; and

a removable cover configured to be removably connected to the gas manifold and provide at least a second gas input to the gas manifold and through the fuel cap via the bidirectional flow path.

2. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one seal between the gas manifold and the removable cover.

3. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 2 , wherein the at least one seal include an O-ring.

4. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 1 , wherein the first gas input includes a cyclic load gas.

5. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 4 , wherein the cyclic loading includes a mixture of nitrogen and butane.

6. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 1 , wherein the second gas input includes a purge gas.

7. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 6 , wherein the purge gas includes nitrogen.

8. The apparatus for testing the fuel cap of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of solenoid valves including at least one valve associated with the first gas input and at least one valve associated with the second gas input.

Assignments (4)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 3, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067306/0903 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded May 2, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067290/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2024
From: KOHLER CO.
To: DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 067289/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2021
From: HASLER, DAVID; WOLF, CHRISTOPHER
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 054907/0548 →