AU2014265020B2 - Method and System for Improved Vent - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of vents, such as breather vents adapted for use with fuel tanks of a vehicle and adapted to limit ingress unwanted substances, such as slurry, pollutants, dust, water, water vapour and/or other fluids or granular materials. In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a vent comprising a first conduit and a second conduit, each conduit having an inlet at a first end, and an outlet at a second end, the second end of the first conduit being arranged proximate the first end of the second conduit, the first and second conduits defining a flow path, and in which the flow path has at least one change of direction. 3 35 4 3030 Dimension in [mm]

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED VENT

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of vents, such as breather vents adapted for use with fuel tanks of a vehicle.

[0002] In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use as a breather vent adapted to limit ingress unwanted substances, such as slurry, pollutants, dust, water, water vapour and/or other fluids or granular materials.

[0003] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to a breather vent for a vehicle fuel system however, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only.

BACKGROUND ART [0004] Throughout this specification the use of the word “inventor” in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention.

[0005] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor’s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a breather vent currently used in some vehicles. The breather vent 101 has an inlet end 102, outlet end 103, and a conduit 104 between the

2014265020 18 Nov 2014 inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end 102 has a number of baffles 105 which serve to limit the size of any foreign substances entering the inlet 102. However, the inventor(s) have found that the baffles 105 are not effective in limiting the ingress of unwanted substances, such as slurry, pollutants, dust, water, water vapour and/or other fluids or granular materials into the inlet 102. This may block the breather vent 101, or enable the unwanted substances to find their way into a fuel tank via a breather pipe (not shown) resulting in the unwanted substances fouling the fuel system and/or contaminating the fuel stored in the fuel tank. This, in turn, may render the vehicle inoperable and may cause significant damage to the fuel system components, or the motor and resulting in significant costs of repair.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.

[0008] In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a vent comprising a first conduit and a second conduit, each conduit having an inlet at a first end, and an outlet at a second end, the second end of the first conduit being arranged proximate the first end of the second conduit, the first and second conduits defining a flow path, and in which the flow path has at least one change of direction.

[0009] Preferably, the first and second conduits are coaxial.

[0010] In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a fuel system comprising the vent as herein disclosed.

[0011] In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a vehicle comprising the vent and/or fuel system as herein disclosed.

[0012] Preferably, the present invention serves to limit the ingress of unwanted substances, such as, for example and without limitation, slurry, pollutants, dust, water, water vapour and/or other fluids or granular materials.

2014265020 18 Nov 2014 [0013] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0014] In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that by providing a fluid path within the vent which comprises a circuitous route, unwanted substances are limited from passing through the vent and into the fuel system.

[0015] Throughout the specification, reference to ‘inlet’ and/or Outlet’ is taken to mean a first and/or second port. In other words, the outlet may be configured in use as an inlet, and visa versa.

[0016] Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following:

• The breather vent allows a relatively direct wash with high pressure jet water without causing permanent blockage in the conduit as a result of an accumulation of unwanted substances obstructing the vent outlet • The breather vents can be connected to different types of hoses or tubes, such as nylon tubes and rubber hoses • Relative simplicity of the design makes breather vent more cost efficient • The breather can be made in a wider range of assembly angles (0° to 45°, or other angles if desired) while retaining intended function, not just vertical or horizontal orientation [0017] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

2014265020 18 Nov 2014

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art breather vent;

Figure 2 illustrates a vehicle arrangement to which the present invention may be applied;

Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of an aspect of invention, in cross section;

Figure 4 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 3 in a perspective view, and with dotted lines illustrating an internal feature of the embodiment;

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of an aspect of invention, in cross section, and with dimensions; and

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate further embodiments of an aspect of invention, in cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] In accordance with an aspect of invention, embodiments of the present invention provide a fluid path within a breather vent which comprises a circuitous route, thus limiting unwanted substances from passing through the vent and into a fuel system. The present invention may be rendered in a number of embodiments. Two embodiments are described below, however it is contemplated that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

2014265020 18 Nov 2014 [0020] Figure 2 illustrates a vehicle 201 with a fuel tank 202 for holding fuel. A filler pipe 203 is used to enable fuel to enter the fuel tank 202. A breather pipe 204 is used to enable displaced air to vent from the tank 202 while the tank 202 is being filled. The breather pipe 204 has facility for a breather vent 205. A primary purpose of the breather vent 205 is to limit or prevent the ingress of water, dust and other unwanted substances into the fuel tank 202, via the breather pipe 204.

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates in cross section, one embodiment, in which two conduits 301,302 are arranged coaxially. The first conduit 301 has an inlet 303, and outlet 304. The second conduit has an inlet 305, and outlet 306. At least one baffle(s) 307 are located proximate outlet 306, however it is to be noted that embodiments of the present invention may be made without baffles. The outlet 304 of the first conduit 301 is arranged proximate the inlet 305 of the second conduit 302, thus providing a change of direction of any flow path. In operation, inlet 303 is typically coupled to the breather pipe of a fuel tank (as shown in Figure 2), and the outlet 306 is open to the ambient environment. In this operational configuration, a circuitous route for a fluid flow (such as air) when the vent is operating as a breather vent is provided at the nexus of outlet 304 and inlet 305 for fluid flow from inlet 303 to outlet 306. In the reverse, the vent has been found to limit the passage of unwanted material from the outlet 306 to the inlet 303. Thus, if a fluid flow, such as unwanted material was present at the outlet 306, the unwanted material would need to ingress at 306, travel along conduit 302 to 305, then change direction and move down outlet 304 and along conduit 301 before exiting 303. This has been found to be very unlikely, and certainly less than the prior art arrangements. It is believed that this is attributable to an ‘airlock’ being formed in the vicinity of inlet 305 and outlet 304 which serves to inhibit migration of unwanted material down conduit 303 and/or 302.

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 3 in a perspective view, and with dotted lines illustrating an internal feature of the embodiment. The arrangement of the conduit 301 disposed partially within conduit 302. The flow path includes at least one change of direction in accordance with the present invention. The outlet 306 and inlet 303 are also shown.

2014265020 18 Nov 2014 [0023] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of an aspect of invention, in cross section, and with dimensions. Again, the arrangement of the conduit 301 disposed partially within conduit 302, the outlet 306 and inlet 303 are also shown. Baffle(s) 307 (optional) are shown. The proximity of the outlet 304 and inlet 305 is also shown. As depicted, the proximity is a distance of approximately 5mm, or approximately 15 to 20% of the length of conduit 302 (being illustrated as 30mm). This proximity may vary, however, the further away inlet 304 is from outlet 306, whilst still maintaining an adequate pathway for fluid flow, the less likely unwanted material is to ingress into inlet 304. An example of possible dimensions applicable to at least one embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention are:

• 301 - Min 4mm I Max 12mm (1 st conduit/tube diameter) • 302 - Min 3mm I Max 9mm (2nd conduit internal diameter) • 305 - Min 5mm / Max 10mm (Gap to inlet) • 306 - Min 2mm I Max 4mm (Outlet/vent opening) • 307 - Min 1,5mm / Max 2.5 mm (Baffle(s)) [0024] Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of an aspect of invention, in cross section. In this embodiment, conduits 301 and 302 are arranged substantially in parallel, although they may also be arranged at an angle (not shown) depending on the required fitting to the vehicle. The flow path still includes at least one change of direction in accordance with the present invention. The outlet 306 and inlet 303 are also shown.

[0025] Figure 7 illustrates a still further embodiment of an aspect of invention, in cross section. In this embodiment, conduits 301 and 302 are arranged substantially at right angles. The flow path still includes at least one change of direction in accordance with the present invention. The outlet 306 and inlet 303 are also shown.

[0026] In the various embodiments described, it is preferred, however not essential, that the breather vent is oriented vertically with respect to its longitudinal axis when

2014265020 18 Nov 2014 coupled to a vehicle. This orientation is considered to assist with reducing ingress of unwanted substances into the breather vent.

[0027] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0028] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0029] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

[0030] “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’,

2014265020 18 Nov 2014 ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims (8)

1. A fuel tank vent comprising:

a first conduit and a second conduit, said conduits being coaxial and contiguous, each conduit having an inlet at a first end, and an outlet at a second end, the second end of the first conduit being arranged proximate the first end of the second conduit, the first and second conduits defining a single flow path, and in which the flow path has at least one change of direction.

2. A fuel tank vent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change of direction is approximately 45 to 90 degrees.

3. A fuel tank vent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change of direction is in the range of 90 to 180 degrees.

4. A fuel tank vent as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one baffle.

5. A fuel tank system comprising the vent as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A fuel tank system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fuel tank vent is provided as a part of a breather for a fuel tank.

7. A vehicle comprising the fuel tank vent and/or fuel tank system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel tank vent is oriented vertically with respect to its longitudinal axis when coupled to the vehicle