Fuel tank having an inlet pipe with a guide and venturi restriction

Claim 2

A fuel tank having an interior space therein comprising: a fuel inlet pipe connected to said interior space and having a fuel inlet for receiving a fuel pump nozzle having a tip; restricted opening means disposed in said fuel inlet pipe between said interior space and the tip of said fuel pump nozzle when inserted into said fuel inlet, said restricted opening means forming a throat portion which has an inner diameter smaller than that of said fuel inlet pipe, said throat portion being filled during use by a fuel stream emanating from said fuel pump nozzle to prevent fuel vapor from escaping through said throat portion; fuel vapor purifying means in communication with said interior space for relieving pressure in said interior space and for purifying fuel vapor generated in said interior space; guide means in the fuel inlet pipe forming therein a guide bore through which said fuel pump nozzle extends, said guide bore having an inner diameter, which is larger than an outer diameter of said fuel pump nozzle, to form an annular air gap between said guide bore and said fuel pump nozzle; and communication means for placing said annular air gap in communication with said throat portion including a passage in said fuel inlet pipe through which vapor is drawn from said annular air gap to said throat portion when a vacuum is established in said throat portion by a fuel stream flowing through said throat portion.

Claim 3

A fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein said restricted opening means has a venturi shaped cross-section.

Claim 4

A fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein said fuel vapor purifying means comprises a canister containing charcoal therein and connected to said interior space.

Claim 5

A fuel tank having an interior space therein comprising: a fuel inlet pipe connected to said interior space and having a fuel inlet for receiving a fuel pump nozzle having a tip; restricted opening means disposed in said fuel inlet pipe between said interior space and the tip of said fuel pump nozzle when inserted into said fuel inlet, said restricted opening means forming a throat portion which has an inner diameter smaller than that of said fuel inlet pipe, said throat portion being filled during use by a fuel stream from said nozzle to prevent fuel vapor from escaping through said throat portion; fuel vapor purifying means in communication with said interior space for relieving pressure in said interior space and for purifying fuel vapor generated in said interior space; guide means in the fuel inlet pipe forming therein a guide bore through which said fuel pump nozzle extends, said guide bore having a cylindrical inner wall having an inner diameter, said inner diameter being larger than an outer diameter of said fuel pump nozzle, to form an annular air gap between said guide bore and said fuel pump nozzle; an annular groove formed in the cylindrical inner wall of said guide bore; and communication means formed integrally with said fuel inlet pipe for placing said annular groove in communication with said throat portion including a passage in said fuel inlet pipe through which vapor is drawn from said annular air gap to said throat portion when a vacuum is established in said throat portion by a fuel stream flowing through said throat portion.

Claim 6

A fuel tank having an interior space therein comprising: a fuel inlet pipe connected to said interior space and having a fuel inlet for receiving a fuel pump nozzle having a tip; restricted opening means disposed in said fuel inlet pipe between said interior space and the tip of said fuel pump nozzle when inserted into said fuel inlet, said restricted opening means forming a throat portion which has an inner diameter smaller than that of said fuel inlet pipe, said throat portion being filled during use by a fuel stream from said nozzle to prevent fuel vapor from escaping through said throat portion; fuel vapor purifying means in communication with said interior space for relieving pressure in said interior space and for purifying fuel vapor generated in said interior space; guide means in the fuel inlet pipe forming therein a guide bore through which said fuel pump nozzle extends, said guide bore having a cylindrical inner wall having an inner diameter, said inner diameter being larger than an outer diameter of said fuel pump nozzle, to form an annular air gap between said guide bore and said fuel pump nozzle; an annular groove formed in the cylindrical inner wall of said guide bore; and communication means formed integrally with said fuel inlet pipe for placing said annular groove in communication with said throat portion including a passage in said fuel inlet pipe through which vapor is drawn from said annular air gap to said throat portion when a vacuum is established in said throat portion by a fuel stream flowing through said throat portion.

Claim 7

A fuel tank according to claim 4, wherein said restricted opening means has a venturi shaped cross-section.

Claim 8

A fuel tank according to claim 4, wherein said fuel vapor purifying means comprises a canister containing charcoal therein and connected to said interior space.