GB2419585A

GB2419585A - Correct fuel filling device

Info

Publication number: GB2419585A
Application number: GB0424171A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Vincent
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-30
Filing date: 2004-10-30
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Also published as: GB0424171D0

Abstract

A device that fits into or forms part of a vehicle's original fuel filling pipe 1 and ensures only fuel with the correct Specific Gravity reaches the fuel tank 14. Fuel from a filling station pump nozzle 2 is introduced into the filling pipe, flows over the top of a baffle 3 and causes a differential float 9 to rise if the fuel is heavier than the float (e.g. diesel). The float remains stationary if the fuel is lighter than the float (e.g. petrol). The differential float is made to completely seal the slots in the fuel delivery tube 8. If the fuel delivery tube is located with the slots at the bottom only diesel fuel will flow through the device. If the delivery tube is located with the slots at the top only petrol will flow through the device.

Description

Correct Fuel Filling Device Motor vehicles are generally powered by

internal combustion engines fuelled either by diesel fuel or petrol (unleaded or lead replacement). The characteristics of each type of engine mean that incorrect fuel can cause major damage. The removal of incorrect fuel from the fuel tank/system can be very expensive.

To prevent the incorrect fuel from reaching a vehicle's fuel tank, the present invention allows only fuel with the correct Specific Gravity (S.G. : relative density) to pass through its filling pipe.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device is independent of the shape and sizes of filling station delivery pump nozzles.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device operates on S.G.: a characteristic of the fuel type that has

an internationally agreed specification.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device is configured to deliver Petrol or Diesel only by orientation of a single component on assembly.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device has only one major moving part and is intended to last the life of the vehicle.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device has a replaceable float which can be adapted to prevent or allow passage of any type of media through it.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device is easily drained and reset following an attempt to input fuel with an incorrect S.G.

The Correct Fuel Filling Device can either be fitted to existing vehicles or incorporated into original vehicle manufacture.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a three dimensional vertical crosssection showing the general arrangement and mode of operation when the device is set to deliver only fuel of the higher S.G.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section showing the device configured to allow fuel of the higher S.G., but where the incorrect fuel (e.g. petrol) has been inputted.

Figure 3 is configured as figure 2 but shows passage of the correct fuel (e.g. diesel).

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section showing the device configured to allow fuel of the lower S.G., but where the incorrect fuel (e.g. diesel) has been inputted.

Figure 5 is configured as figure 4 but shows passage of the correct fuel (e.g. petrol).

Figure 1 shows the device fitted in the upper section of a vehicle's fuel filling pipe 1, but so as to be clear of a filling station pump nozzle 2 when inserted into the pipe orifice 12 and delivering fuel 13.

The device consists of a fuel input baffle 3 of tubular construction sealed at the upper end except for a breather hole 4. Additionally the fuel input baffle is held in position at its upper end by a perforated fixing disc 5 that allows fuel to pass over the outside of the input baffle. At its lower end the input baffle is held in position by another perforated fixing disc 6 allowing the fuel to reach the bottom seating disc 7. A chamber is formed by a cylindrical fuel delivery tube 8, the bottom seating disc and the internal part of the input baffle. The fuel delivery tube has a set of slots near one end. The fuel delivery tube may be fitted with the slots near the top or near the bottom depending on the type of fuel being allowed to the fuel tank. (Figure 1 shows them with the slots at the bottom to allow passage of the higher S.G. fuel: - e.g. diesel only). Located around the fuel delivery tube is a cylindrical differential float 9 made in such a manner that it will rise and float in diesel fuel but remain stationary in petrol. The float does this because it has an equivalent S.G.

between that of diesel fuel and petrol. The float may either be of solid composite construction or be hallow and capable of being filled with various media to achieve the desired equivalent S.G. As the float rises it reveals the slots in the delivery tube through which the correct fuel flows and exits the device to the vehicle's fuel tank 14.

At the bottom of the chamber formed by the vehicle's fuel filling pipe and the bottom seating disc is an incorrect fuel drain off valve 10. Typically this would be a manual rotational valve, but equally could be a sprung loaded plug valve operated remotely by a lever/cable system. Incorporated either internally or externally to the vehicle's fuel tank filling pipe is a fuel tank breather tube 11, which connects to the fuel tank and effectively by-passes the present invention but having its top end located at or near the fuel filling pipes' orifice.

Figure 2 shows the device configured as in figure 1 but being filled with the incorrect lighter fuel (e.g. petrol). As the float 9 is heavier than the petrol it remains at rest on the bottom seating disc preventing the fuel from entering the slots in the fuel delivery tube 8.

The fuel backs up through the device and either overflows from the fuel tank filling pipe orifice 12, or activates the filling station pump's auto shut-off. Activation of the incorrect fuel drain off valve 10 to a suitable container empties and resets the device.

Figure 3 shows the device configured as in figure 1 allowing passage of the heavier fuel (e.g. diesel) through the device and exiting to the vehicle's fuel tank 14. The differential float 9 has risen to the top of the chamber formed by the fuel input baffle 3 and the fuel delivery tube 8. The breather hole 4 prevents air locks that might inhibit upward or downward movement of the float. When fuel delivery is completed the level of fuel drains naturally through the device via the delivery pipe's slots, the float descends covering the slots, and effectively seals entry to the vehicle's fuel tank. The fuel tank breather tube 11 ensures air is allowed to enter the fuel tank as the fuel is used by the vehicle's engine.

Figure 4 shows the device configured to allow passage of the lighter fuel (e.g. petrol) only.

This is achieved by assembling the unit with the delivery tube 8 having its outlet slots positioned near the top of the device. In this example the incorrect heavier fuel (e.g. diesel) flows from the filling station pump nozzle 2 and into the device 13. It flows over the top of the input baffle 3, through the upper perforated fixing disc 5 and down the chamber formed by the fuel filling pipe I and the input baffle. The incorrect heavier fuel flows through the bottom perforated fixing disc 6 and into the chamber formed by the input baffle and the delivery tube. It surrounds the differential float 9, which is initially sitting on the bottom seating disc 7. As the incorrect fuel moves up the chamber the float also rises as it is effectively lighter than the liquid. As it rises it shuts off access to the delivery tube slots and comes to rest on the underside of the input baffle. With no escape from the device, the fuel backs up and either overflows from the filling pipe orifice 2, or activates the filling station pumps' auto shut-off. Activation of the incorrect fuel drain off valve 10 to a suitable container empties and resets the device.

Figure 5 shows the device configured as in figure 4 and allowing passage of the correct lighter fuel (e.g. petrol) through the device and exiting to the vehicle's fuel tank 14. The differential float 9 has remained at the bottom of the chamber formed by the fuel input baffle 3 and the fuel delivery tube 8. When fuel delivery is completed the level of fuel drains naturally through the device via the delivery pipe's slots. A small amount of the correct fuel will remain in the device below the level of the slots in the delivery tube. The design of the device ensures minimal mixing of this residue should the next filling operation be one using the incorrect fuel thus maintaining security of operation.

Claims

Claims 1. A correct fuel filling device that is used to allow or not-allow

passage through it of media depending on the media's Specific Gravity characteristic.
2. A correct fuel filling device according to claim I, located in a vehicles' fuel filling pipe that uses the Specific Gravity characteristic of the fuel to either allow or prevent throughput to the vehicle's fuel storage tank.
3. A correct fuel filling device according to claim 1 that uses the position of a differential float according to the media's Specific Gravity to either allow or not-allow passage of the media through it.
4. A correct fuel filling device according to claim 3 that uses a delivery tube with openings in its side at one end, that are either open or sealed to the flow of media depending upon the position of the differential float.
5. A correct fuel filling device according to claim 3 that has replaceable differential floats to cope with changes in media Specific Gravity specification.
6. A correct fuel filling device according to claim 4 that has a delivery tube that may be assembled to have its side outlet openings located near the top or the bottom depending on the Specific Gravity of the media to be allowed.
7. A correct fuel filling device according to claim 3 that has a refillable float to cope with different allow and not-allow media.
8. A correct fuel filling device according to claim I that may adapted as a control system allowing or not-allowing flow of media in any system according to the Specific Gravity characteristic of the media.