Fuel tank filler neck and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A filler neck assembly includes a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body. The nozzle receptor positions a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.

1 . A filler neck assembly comprising:
 a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and   a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body and operable to position a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.   
     
     
         2 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel from the nozzle is directed toward the transition portion. 
     
     
         3 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening is larger than the outlet opening and the transition portion is disposed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. 
     
     
         4 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the funnel member induces a swirling motion to fuel from the nozzle during fueling. 
     
     
         5 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing surface formed of the tubular body about the inlet opening. 
     
     
         6 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the inlet opening is rolled over to create the sealing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet opening is barbed. 
     
     
         8 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a hose bead formed about the outlet opening. 
     
     
         9 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a hose, wherein the outlet opening is attached to the hose. 
     
     
         10 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a vent hole formed on the tubular body. 
     
     
         11 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1   0 , further comprising a vent tube connected to the tubular body about the vent hole. 
     
     
         12 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a fuel tank, the vent tube and the hose connecting the tubular body and the fuel tank. 
     
     
         13 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle receptor is disposed proximate to the inlet opening. 
     
     
         14 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a hose and a fuel tank, the hose connecting the outlet opening and the fuel tank. 
     
     
         15 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the transition portion includes an elliptically-shaped junction between a first portion of the tubular body including the inlet opening and a second portion of the tubular body includes the outlet opening. 
     
     
         16 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the elliptically-shaped junction lies on a plane inclined at an angle to an axis of at least one of the inlet opening and outlet opening. 
     
     
         17 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening has a diameter D 1 , the outlet opening has a diameter D 2 , and D 1  is at least one and a half times D 2 . 
     
     
         18 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the funnel member is seamless and is formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         19 . The filler neck assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening and outlet opening are axially offset.