US3561414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel tank for internal combustion engine
Assignee: Textron Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-17
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A fuel tank for internal combustion engines used on hand-held tools comprises a rigid container associated with the crank case of the internal combustion engine and a flexible bladder disposed within the rigid container. Fuel inlet and outlet ports are provided in the bladder. The rigid container has an air inlet port which presents the outside surface of the bladder with filtered air of the carburetor air intake chamber. As fuel is withdrawn from the bladder by the engine, the bladder collapses around the remaining body of fuel preventing the creation of a vacuum and thus eliminating the need for a fuel tank vent.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris Schou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:00
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0047; F02M37/007; F02M1/00; F02M37/0076; F02M2700/00; F02M2700/43; F02M2700/4302; F02M2700/4328; F02M37/0011; F02M37/0023; F02M37/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In a hand-held portable internal combustion engine having a casing and a carburetor, a fuel tank cover secured to said casing and defining therebetween a hollow housing having a fuel inlet opening, a fuel outlet opening and an air vent opening, a flexible fuel bladder disposed in said housing and conforming in shape to the interior of the housing, said bladder having a fuel inlet neck portion received in said fuel inlet opening and a fuel outlet neck portion received in said fuel outlet opening of said housing, means for securing said fuel inlet neck portion of the bladder in said inlet opening of the housing, a removable airtight closure for said inlet opening, means connecting said fuel outlet neck portion of the bladder with said carburetor of the engine, said bladder being hermetically sealed except for said inlet neck portion and said outlet neck portion, air intake means including means for filtering intake air and means connecting said air vent opening of said housing with said air intake means to supply filtered air between said bladder and said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a hand-held portable internal combustion engine having a casing and a carburetor, a fuel tank cover secured to said casing and defining therebetween a hollow housing having a fuel inlet opening, a fuel outlet opening and an air vent opening, a flexible fuel bladder disposed in said housing and conforming in shape to the interior of the housing, said bladder having a fuel inlet neck portion received in said fuel inlet opening and a fuel outlet neck portion received in said fuel outlet opening of said housing, means for securing said fuel inlet neck portion of the bladder in said inlet opening of the housing, a removable airtight closure for said inlet opening, means connecting said fuel outlet neck portion of the bladder with said carburetor of the engine, said bladder being hermetically sealed except for said inlet neck portion and said outlet neck portion, air intake means including means for filtering intake air and means connecting said air vent opening of said housing with said air intake means to supply filtered air between said bladder and said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 1, in which said filtered air intake means sUpplies filter air to the carburetor of said engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 1, in which said fuel tank inlet opening of the housing comprises a cylindrical neck portion in which said fuel inlet neck portion of the bladder is received, and in which said means for securing said fuel inlet neck portion of the bladder in said inlet opening of the housing comprises a sleeve press fitted into said fuel inlet neck portion and gripping said fuel inlet neck portion tightly between said sleeve and said cylindrical neck portion of the housing, said sleeve being internally threaded and having an externally projecting flange at its outer end, said closure being externally threaded to screw into said sleeve and having a gasket seating on said flange to provide a fluid-tight seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 1, in which said means connecting said fuel outlet neck portion with said carburetor includes a nipple press fitted into said fuel outlet neck portion of the bladder and clamping said fuel outlet neck portion between said nipple and the inner periphery of said fuel outlet opening of said housing, said nipple having an inner end portion projecting into the bladder, and in which a flexible fuel pickup tube inside the bladder has one weighted end and has the other end fitted onto said inner end portion of said nipple.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 1, in which said casing and said cover have congruent peripheral flanged portions and in which said bladder has an outwardly projecting flange portion clamped between said flanged portions of said casing and said cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 1, in which said fuel bladder is free of attachment to said housing except for said fuel inlet neck portion and said fuel outlet neck portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |