Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Brian Aitken

Gregory Philip Brown

Robert Joseph Beier

Paul Chretien

Aed M Dudar

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

Robert Roy Jentz

Dennis Seung-Man Yang

Mark W Peters

Daniel Frank Cragel

Mark Bunge

Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui

Robert Ognjanovski, Jr

Mike Terrence Zitkovic

Phillip M Pierron

Dennis Seung-Man

A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.

Fuel tank assembly and method for manufacture of the fuel tank assembly

A method for manufacturing a fuel tank is described herein. The method includes subsequent to molding of a housing of a fuel tank, positioning a strut inside the housing. The method additionally includes snap-fitting a flexible projection of the strut with a corresponding flange section in a first wall of the housing, the flange section surrounding an opening in the first wall of the housing and the flexible projection including a surface overlapping an interior surface of the flange section subsequent to the snap-fitting.

Reinforced fuel tank and method for reinforced fuel tank construction

A refueling adapter is provided. The refueling adapter includes a nozzle section and an inlet section coupled to and positioned upstream of the nozzle section, the inlet section including a restrictor element extending across an inlet section flow passage and an anti-sealing rib coupled to an inlet section housing and axially extending along the inlet section flow passage.

Refueling adapter

Methods and systems for controlling and reducing current consumption of a vapor blocking valve are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to the vapor blocking valve is adjusted proportionately to fuel tank pressure to compensate for fuel tank pressure acting on the vapor blocking valve. Vapor blocking valve current is adjusted to reduce current consumption.

Fuel vapor blocking valve control

A system includes a processor configured to receive requests from a wireless device in wireless communication with the processor, the requests corresponding to one or more aspects of a refueling process. The processor is also configured to collect vehicle data corresponding to the one or more aspects of the refueling process and respond to the requests by sending the data relating to the one or more aspects of the refueling process.

Method and apparatus for remote fuel refill level monitoring

A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.

Method and apparatus for fuel filling monitoring

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.

Method and system for adjusting a fuel tank isolation valve

A motor vehicle includes a fuel-filler housing component for mounting to a vehicle body and an insert at a terminus of the fuel filler pipe. The housing component has a central opening and at least one on-center vertical plumb feature. The insert is mounted to the fuel filler pipe so that it is disposed in the central opening. The insert includes an annular mouth with a hole for receiving a fuel transfer nozzle, wherein the annular mouth includes a drain slot for draining liquid away from the hole. The drain slot is substantially aligned with the on-center vertical plumb feature and has a teardrop profile substantially free of visible straight lines pointing toward the on-center vertical plumb feature. Thus, any small misalignment of the insert remains relatively undetectable since visual cues are minimized.

Drain slot for capless fuel filler insert

A universal refueling funnel for a capless refueling system is provided. In one example approach the refueling funnel comprises a funnel body with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposing the first end, the first opening larger than the second opening, and cross-sections of the funnel body decreasing from the first end towards the second end; and at least two opposing tabs at the second end, the opposing tabs deformable from a first position to a second position, a distance between outer surfaces of the opposing tabs at the second end being a first amount in the first position, the distance being a second, smaller amount, in the second position. Such a universal funnel may be used for both petrol and diesel size capless inserts, for example.

Universal capless refueling funnel

A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.

Vehicle fueling apparatus

A fuel filler closure device for an automotive vehicle includes a valve body adapted for mounting to a fuel filler pipe and having a filler passage. An access door mounted within the valve body has an open position allowing placement of a fuel nozzle within the filler passage and a closed position for blocking insertion of a filler nozzle. The locking mechanism selectively permits the access door to move from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism may include either a manual locking device, or an electronic or other type of remote lock which will be responsive to a vehicle condition.

Fuel filler closure device for automotive vehicle

A capless fuel filler device includes an anti-contamination seal mounted upon an external portion of a fuel filler passage extending through the device. An anti-contamination plug may selectively be inserted into the combination passage so as to sealingly engage the anti-contamination seal. A contaminant drain leading from the valve body's fuel and nozzle passage serves to not only remove liquid contaminants from the fuel and nozzle passage, but also to mitigate any incidental buildup of vacuum within the fuel tank.

Fuel filler system for automotive vehicle

A fuel filler nozzle for an automotive vehicle includes an axially insertable guide spud for opening a capless filler pipe closure device. A vacuum shroud is mounted to the guide spud, and a fuel supply tube is telescopically mounted within the guide spud and the shroud. The fuel supply tube has a retracted position within the guide spud and an extended position in which a flexible portion of the fuel supply tube extends through the vacuum shroud and guide spud.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Brian Aitken