CAPLESS CLOSURE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR FUEL TANK FILLER

摘要

A closure assembly (10) and method for a capless fuel tank filler tube employs a housing (12) with a flange (14) adapted for mounting on a bulkhead (18) having a nozzle size-discriminating and positioning aperture (20) provided on the upper end of the filler tube. A sliding element (22) in the housing has a nozzle opening offset from and normally closing the bulkhead aperture. Upon insertion of a refueling nozzle, a cam surface (28) on sliding element causes the element to move to a position aligning the opening with the bulkhead aperture permitting the nozzle to be further inserted through the bulkhead. A projection (32) on the sliding element may extend through a slot (30) in the bulkhead for performing an auxiliary function such as releasing a flapper door latch.