Dual-fluid dispensing system and apparatus for diesel vehicle

Abstract

A dual-fluid receptacle for a diesel vehicle includes an outer wall disposed on an outer surface of the vehicle. The outer wall defines a diesel receptacle for receiving diesel fuel, a diesel-exhaust receptacle adjacent the diesel receptacle for receiving a diesel-exhaust fluid, and a bridge portion disposed between the diesel and diesel-exhaust receptacles. The receptacles are configured to simultaneously receive the diesel fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid from a single fluid dispensing unit. This allows an operator to fill the vehicle with diesel fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid, simultaneously, from a single fluid dispensing unit. A projection extends from the outer wall proximate to at least one of the two receptacles. The projection is configured to cooperate with an engagement feature of the fluid dispensing unit to selectively enable dispensing of diesel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual-fluid receptacle for a diesel vehicle comprising:
 an outer wall disposed on an outer surface of the vehicle, the outer wall defining a diesel receptacle for receiving diesel fuel, a diesel-exhaust receptacle adjacent the diesel receptacle for receiving a diesel-exhaust fluid, and a bridge portion disposed between the diesel and diesel-exhaust receptacles, wherein the receptacles are configured to receive the diesel fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid from a single fluid dispensing unit; and   a projection extending from the outer wall proximate to at least one of the two receptacles, the projection configured to cooperate with an engagement feature of the fluid dispensing unit to enable dispensing of diesel.   
     
     
         2 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the projection is a pin extending from the bridge portion. 
     
     
         3 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall includes an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a depth therebetween, wherein the projection extends through the depth of the outer wall. 
     
     
         4 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising a first door and a second door that selectively cover at least a portion of the diesel and diesel-exhaust receptacles, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 4 , further comprising a lever extending from the outer wall and mechanically coupled to the first and second doors such that movement of the lever transitions the first and second doors from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         6 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second doors are biased to the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The dual-fluid receptacle of claim  13 , wherein the diesel-exhaust receptacle is coupled to a diesel fuel tank in the vehicle, and the diesel-exhaust receptacle is coupled to a diesel-exhaust fluid tank in the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . A dual-fluid receptacle for a vehicle configured to utilize diesel fuel, the dual-fluid receptacle comprising:
 a first inlet configured to receive diesel fuel and transfer the diesel fuel toward a first tank,   a second inlet adjacent the first inlet and configured to receive diesel-exhaust fluid and transfer the diesel-exhaust fluid toward a second tank;   a bridge portion disposed between the first and second inlets; and   a pin extending outwardly from the bridge, the pin configured to cooperate with an engagement feature of a single fluid dispensing unit to enable simultaneous delivery of diesel fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid from the single fluid dispensing unit.   
     
     
         9 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 8 , further comprising an outer wall disposed on an outer surface of the vehicle and at least partially defining the first and second inlets, wherein the outer wall includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a depth therebetween, and the projection extends through the depth of the outer wall. 
     
     
         10 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 8 , further comprising a first door that selectively covers the first inlet, and a second door that selectively covers the second inlet. 
     
     
         11 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second inlets are defined by an outer wall of a vehicle, the dual-fluid receptacle further comprising a lever extending from the outer wall and mechanically coupled to the first and second doors such that movement of the lever transitions the first and second doors from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         12 . The dual-fluid receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second doors are biased to the closed position.