Replacement vehicle fuel intake device

Abstract

A replacement fuel intake device is provided that is removably mountable within a base portion of a vehicle and contains a housing that is pivotal from a closed position to an open position. While in the closed position, the fuel intake passage to the fuel tank is sealed. While in the open position, the fuel intake passage is able to receive fuel from a fuel nozzle. The fuel intake device can be combined with a condensation capture apparatus that provides multiple coils in communication with a fume tube. The coils are cooled during fueling by the fuel passing around them from their placement inside the fuel intake pipe and act to condense fuel fumes into fuel for return to the fuel tank as the fumes rise toward the fume tube. The replacement fuel intake device can also include a pressurization and depressurization valve.

1 . A fuel intake system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a fuel intake pipe connected to a fuel tank of the vehicle and having an inlet end for receiving a flow of fuel;    at least one coil mounted along the fuel intake pipe and including an inlet end and an outlet; and    a fume tube extending along the fuel intake pipe and in communication with the fuel intake pipe;    wherein the at least one coil extends through the fuel intake pipe and is connected to the fume tube so as to direct fumes from the fuel tank to the fume tube for recovery.    
   
   
       2 . The fuel intake system of  claim 1  wherein the fuel intake pipe further comprises an expanded section having a diameter greater than a diameter at each end section of the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       3 . The fuel intake system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one coil is sized to permit a fuel flow to pass through the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       4 . The fuel intake system of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet end of the at least one coil receives fuel fumes displaced from the fuel tank by the flow of fuel.  
   
   
       5 . The fuel intake system of  claim 4 , wherein the fuel flow cools the at least one coil as the fuel flow passes through the fuel intake pipe to promote condensing of the fuel fumes passing through the at least one coil.  
   
   
       6 . The fuel intake system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a body pivotally mounted adjacent the inlet end of the fuel intake pipe, defining a flow passage and moveable from an open position in communication with the fuel intake pipe and a closed position so as to substantially seal the inlet end of the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       7 . The fuel intake system of  claim 6 , and further including a housing mounted in the vehicle and which pivotally receives the body therein.  
   
   
       8 . The fuel intake system of  claim 6 , wherein the body is formed from a corrosion resistant material.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel intake system of  claim 6 , wherein the housing is positioned within a surface of the vehicle and the cover includes an appearance corresponding to the surface of the vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . The fuel intake system of  claim 1 , wherein the fume tube proceeds along an exterior portion of the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       11 . The fuel intake system of  claim 1 , wherein the fume tube extends along an interior portion of the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       12 . A method for fueling a vehicle comprising: 
 inputting a flow of fuel into a fuel tank of the vehicle through a fuel intake pipe;    receiving fuel fumes displaced by the flow of fuel filling the fuel tank through at least one coil that passes through the fuel intake pipe;    at least partially condensing the fuel fumes passing through the at least one coil; and,    returning the partial amount to a fuel tank of the vehicle.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 dispensing the fuel fumes from the at least one coil into a fume tube that proceeds along the fuel intake pipe.