Unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system.

Abstract

 A unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system comprises a supply fitting (3) of the gas system (2) having a collar (C) for receiving and coupling to a gaseous fuel delivery gun (8), a feed duct (D) having an inlet opening (D1) at the receiving and coupling collar (C) and an outlet opening (D2) in fluid communication with a fuel storage tank (4); the delivery unit (1) comprises a disposable capsule (16) containing at least one charge (17) of additive product and having facilitated opening means (18) which breaks to form a passageway (45) allowing the charge (17) of additive product to flow out; the disposable capsule (16) is inserted at least partly in the feed duct (D) in such a way that gaseous fuel is fed in through the inlet opening (D1) by the delivery gun (8) and gaseous fuel and additive product are delivered simultaneously through the outlet opening (D2) under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a unit for delivering gaseous fuel, for example, liquefied petroleum gas, commonly known by the abbreviation LPG, and the additive products for it.

[0003] Generally speaking, a delivery unit of this kind comprises a supply fitting of a gas system having a collar for receiving and coupling to a gaseous fuel delivery gun. More specifically, the supply fitting is in fluid communication with a tank containing the gaseous fuel.

[0004] When refuelling, an operator couples the gaseous fuel delivery gun to the receiving collar in such a way as to feed the gaseous fuel into the containment tank through the supply fitting.

[0005] In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the use of additives to be supplied to the motor vehicle gas system for purposes of routine maintenance to the gas system and engine of the motor vehicle. In effect, the additives help clean the functional parts both of the gas system and of the engine by removing pollutants created by gas fuel combustion, so as to maintain the vehicle's performance levels over time.

[0006] The additives are usually sold in pressurized cylinders equipped with a specific delivery fitting. Commercially available cylinders contain a predetermined charge of active additive mixed with a propellant.

[0007] Generally speaking, the additive contained in the pressurized cylinder is filled into the motor vehicle's gas system using a specific delivery tap equipped with a socket for accommodating and retaining the cylinder's delivery fitting.

[0008] When the operator applies the cylinder's fitting to the socket of the delivery tap, the latter is locked to the receiving collar of the supply fitting. That way, the additive contained in the cylinder is filled into the motor vehicle's gas system through the delivery tap under the action of the pressure inside the cylinder.

[0009] When the cylinder is completely empty, the operator disconnects the delivery tap from the collar of the supply fitting and proceeds to refuelling the vehicle by connecting the gas fuel delivery gun to the coupling collar of the fitting. Thus, the additive and the gas fuel, filled at two different times, are mixed inside the containment tank of the gas system.

[0010] From the above it may be inferred that putting additive in the gas fuel is not a simple operation for the operator because the operator must first couple the delivery tap to the supply fitting in order to feed in the additive and only after that has been done can the gas fuel delivery gun be connected to the supply fitting for actual refuelling.

[0011] Moreover, the use of pressurized cylinders for the additive has several disadvantages. Indeed, the cylinders must be stored and handled with care.

[0012] For example, during the winter season, the cylinders must be stored at a controlled temperature of between 20°C and 30°C so as to keep the pressure inside them at the right level to ensure that the additive is expelled properly when it needs to be fed into the gas system.

[0013] Moreover, during use of the cylinder, the operator must ensure that the cylinder remains upside down so that it will be emptied completely.

[0014] If instructions for proper use of the cylinder are not carefully followed by the operator who, in most cases, manages a refuelling station, the motor vehicle's gas system does not receive the correct amount of additive.

[0015] The aim of this invention is to provide a unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages, that is to say, which allows additive and gas fuel to be supplied simultaneously during refuelling.

[0016] The specified aim is achieved by a delivery unit and related method having the features set out in the respective independent claims 1 and 15.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of a delivery unit as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a delivery unit according to this invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the delivery unit according to this invention;
• Figure 2a shows a detail of a disposable capsule illustrated in Figure 2;
• Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of the delivery unit according to this invention;
• Figures 4 and 5 are cross sections of the delivery unit of Figure 2, with and without the disposable capsule, respectively;
• Figures 6 and 7 are a side view and a cross section of the delivery unit of Figure 3;
• Figure 6a is a side view of the disposable capsule illustrated in Figure 3;
• Figure 7b shows a scaled-up detail from Figure 7;
• Figures 8 and 9 are a front view and a cross section of the delivery unit illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, respectively;
• Figure 10 is a side and cross section view of the delivery unit of Figure 3 according to a further variant embodiment;
• Figure 11 is a cross section of a detail of the delivery unit of Figure 6;
• Figure 12 is a cross section of a detail of the delivery unit of Figure 10.

[0018] As illustrated in Figure 1, the numeral 1 denotes a unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system 2 according to a first embodiment.

[0019] The delivery unit 1 comprises a supply fitting 3 of the gas system 2 having a collar C for receiving and coupling to a gaseous fuel delivery gun 8 and a feed duct D having an inlet opening D1 at the receiving and coupling collar C and an outlet opening D2 in fluid communication with a fuel storage tank 4.

[0020] A safety valve 5 is interposed between the storage tank 4 and the supply fitting 3. The safety valve 5 is designed to close the connection between the storage tank 4 and the supply fitting 3 once the delivery gun 8 has been coupled, upon completion of the operation of totally or partially filling the storage tank 4.

[0021] The delivery unit 1 comprises a disposable capsule 16 containing at least one charge 17 of additive product and having a facilitated opening means 18 which breaks to form a passageway 45 allowing the charge 17 of additive product to flow out. More specifically, the disposable capsule 16 is inserted at least partly in the feed duct D in such a way that gaseous fuel is fed in through the inlet opening D1 by the delivery gun 8 and gaseous fuel and additive product are delivered simultaneously through the outlet opening D2 under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure.

[0022] Unlike the first embodiment, in the second and third embodiments, illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, respectively, the delivery unit 1 comprises a supply pipe 6 designed to be connected to the supply fitting 3 of the gas system.

[0023] The supply pipe 6 has, at a first end of it 6a, a collar 7 for receiving and coupling to the gaseous fuel delivery gun 8 and, at a second end of it 6b, a connector 9 for connecting the pipe 6 to the gas system 2. More specifically, the connector 9 is designed to be coupled to the supply fitting 3 on the motor vehicle.

[0024] Usually, the supply fitting 3 is threaded and the connector 9 forms with it a connection of the lead nut and screw type. The supply pipe 6 is also equipped, near the connector 9, with a gasket 11 which guarantees a fluid-tight connection between the supply pipe 6 and the supply fitting 3.

[0025] The supply pipe 6 comprises a feed duct 12 extending from the receiving and coupling collar 7 to the connector 9. More specifically, the feed duct 12 is substantially in the shape of a cylinder extending along a longitudinal axis L.

[0026] The feed duct 12 has an inlet opening 13 at the receiving and coupling collar 7 and an outlet opening 14 at the connector 9. The inlet opening 13 and the outlet opening 14 are designed to be placed in fluid communication with the delivery gun 8 and the supply fitting 3, respectively. Also, in order to guarantee a fluid tight connection between the supply pipe 6 and the delivery gun 8, the receiving and coupling collar 7 has, at the inlet opening 13, a raised ring 15 which is designed to engage a sealing element, not illustrated, of the dispensing gun 8.

[0027] The delivery unit 1 comprises the disposable capsule 16 containing at least one charge 17 of additive product. Preferably, the charge 17 of additive product is in liquid form.

[0028] The disposable capsule 16 is located at least partly in the feed duct 12. The length of the feed duct 12 is at least equal to the length of the disposable capsule 16.

[0029] The disposable capsule 16 has a facilitated opening means 18 which breaks to form a passageway 45 allowing the charge 17 of additive product to flow out.

[0030] The term facilitated opening means 18 is used to denote lines or areas of weakness or preferential fracture which make it easier for the capsule 16 to be opened. Alternatively, the term facilitated opening means 18 is used to denote plugs or closing elements to be removed manually in order to open the capsule 16.

[0031] The disposable capsule 16 comprises a body 19 containing at least one charge 17 of additive product. The containment body 19 extends along a longitudinal axis L1. More specifically, the containment body 19 is substantially in the shape of a cylinder extending along the axis L1.

[0032] The containment body 19 comprises the facilitated opening means 18.

[0033] In a first variant, illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the disposable capsule 16 comprises an inlet opening 25 for the gaseous fuel and an outlet opening 26 for the gaseous fuel and the additive product.

[0034] More precisely, at the inlet opening 25, the containment body 19 comprises a first partition 21 and, at the outlet opening 26, the containment body 19 comprises a second partition 20. The first partition 21 and the second partition 20 are furnished with facilitated opening means 18, in particular with at least one pre-cut or at least one preferential fracture line 22.

[0035] Preferably, the inlet partition 21 and the second partition 20 each have two pre-cut lines 22.

[0036] With reference in particular to Figure 2a, the first partition 21 has a pair of preferential fracture lines 22 in the shape of a cross and a further preferential fracture line 22 running along the perimeter of the partition 21 itself.

[0037] Thanks to the pre-cuts 22, the first partition 21 and the second partition 22 break under the action of the pressure of the gaseous fuel, allowing the gaseous fuel to flow into the containment body 19 through the first partition 21 and allowing the gaseous fuel and the additive product to flow out through the second partition 20.

[0038] At its inlet opening 25 the capsule 16 comprises a flange 23.

[0039] At its outlet opening 26 the capsule 16 has a supporting surface 24. More specifically, the supporting surface 24 has an annular cross section. The flange 23 and the supporting surface 24 are locking means for holding the capsule 16 inside the feed duct 12 after being inserted into the latter.

[0040] Advantageously, the first partition 21 and the second partition 20 of the containment body 19 are located at a certain distance from the flange 23 and from the supporting surface 24, respectively, in such a way as to guarantee a sufficiently large passageway for the gaseous fuel and for the additive product.

[0041] From the above description, it may be inferred that the capsule 16 has a substantially tubular shape. More precisely, the containment body 19 has an external diameter which is substantially constant, whilst the flange 23 has an external diameter which is substantially greater than that of the containment body 19. The external diameter of the containment body 19 is substantially smaller than the internal diameter of the feed duct 12, allowing the capsule 16 to be inserted into it.

[0042] According to a second variant, illustrated in Figures 3 and from 6 to 10, the containment body 19 is substantially in the shape of a bottle, with a bottom surface 27 and a neck 28.

[0043] In order to allow the capsule 16 to be inserted into the feed duct 12, the external diameter of the containment body 19 is substantially smaller than the internal diameter of the feed duct 12.

[0044] In this embodiment, the capsule 16 is furnished with facilitated opening means 18 at its neck 28. More specifically, the neck 28 has a line of weakness 29 or line of preferential fracture. Preferably, the line of weakness 29 runs along the join between the neck 28 and the containment body 19.

[0045] In order to facilitate opening of the capsule 16 along the line of weakness 29, the capsule 16 has an opening tab 30. Preferably, the tab 30 is substantially rectangular in shape.

[0046] The opening tab 30 is connected to the neck 28 and has a hinge line 31. More specifically, the hinge line 31 is contiguous with the line of weakness 29 of the neck 28.

[0047] Thus, the capsule 16 can be opened by gripping the opening tab 30 and turning it clockwise or anticlockwise about the hinge line 31 until the neck 28 of the capsule 16 breaks open along the line of weakness 29, defining the passageway 45.

[0048] To ensure that the capsule 16 is inserted correctly into the feed duct 12, the disposable capsule 16 has at least one flap 32 extending along the surface of the containment body 19.

[0049] Preferably, the capsule 16 has two flaps 32. The flaps 32 are located diametrically opposite each other relative to the axis L1. More specifically, the flaps 32 extend from the hinge line 31 to the bottom surface 27.

[0050] From the above description, it may be inferred that the shape of the disposable capsule 16 determines a specific configuration of the feed duct 12 adapted to house the capsule 16 itself.

[0051] Described below are two embodiments of supply pipes 6 applicable respectively to the first and second variants of the disposable capsule 16.

[0052] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the feed duct 12 of the supply pipe 6 has a single chamber 10 for housing and retaining the capsule 16.

[0053] The housing and retaining chamber 10 is delimited by the walls of the feed duct 12, by the inlet opening 13 and by a bottom wall 34.

[0054] More specifically, the housing and retaining chamber 10 is designed to accommodate the containment body 19 of the capsule 16. The housing and retaining chamber 10 has an internal diameter which is substantially constant, substantially larger than the containment body 19, which is free to slide inside it.

[0055] Near the inlet opening 13, the housing and retaining chamber 10 has an annular groove 33, coaxial with the axis L and designed to accommodate the flange 23 of the capsule 16.

[0056] The annular groove 33 is substantially larger in diameter than the portion of chamber 10 designed to accommodate the containment body 19, in such a way that the flange 23, by abutting against the groove 33, prevents the disposable capsule 16 from being inserted completely into the feed duct 12, thereby facilitating its extraction.

[0057] Consequently, the groove 33 is an element for retaining the capsule 16.

[0058] The bottom wall 34 of the housing chamber 10 is located near the outlet opening 14. The bottom wall 34 is substantially annular in shape, coaxial with the axis L.

[0059] The bottom wall 34 constitutes a further element for retaining the disposable capsule 16 inside the feed duct 12. More specifically, the supporting surface 24 of the capsule 16 is designed to come into abutment with the bottom wall 34 when the capsule 16 is fully inserted in the housing chamber 10.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the housing chamber 10 has a single element for retaining the capsule 16, defined either by the groove 33 or by the bottom wall 34.

[0061] As illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, the feed duct 12 of the supply pipe 6 has a first and a second chamber 35 and 36 for housing and retaining the disposable capsule 16.

[0062] The first and second chambers 35 and 36 are in fluid communication via at least one connecting duct 39. The connecting ducts 39 are located on opposite sides relative to the axis L.

[0063] Each connecting duct 39 has a respective inlet opening 39a and outlet opening 39b. Preferably, the connecting ducts 39 are substantially circular in cross section.

[0064] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the supply pipe 6 has two connecting ducts 39, located on opposite sides relative to the axis L.

[0065] In a further alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 10, the supply pipe 6 comprises a plurality of ducts 39, located on opposite sides relative to the axis L.

[0066] The supply pipe 6 comprises a blind cavity 37 formed inside the feed duct 12. More specifically, the cavity 37 is coaxial with the axis L.

[0067] With reference in particular to Figure 11, the cavity 37 has a substantially rectangular cross section. More specifically, the cavity 37 is delimited by two front walls 42 and two side walls 43. The front walls 42 are located to face each other, whilst each of the side walls 43 is contiguous with both of the front walls 42. The cavity 37 also has a bottom wall 37b and an inlet opening 37a.

[0068] In an embodiment not illustrated, the bottom wall 37b is in fluid communication with the second chamber 36.

[0069] The first chamber 35 is delimited by the inlet opening 13 of the supply pipe 6, by the side walls of the feed duct 12 and by a bottom wall 35a. The bottom wall 35a comprises the inlet opening 37a of the cavity 37 and the two inlet openings 39a of the connecting ducts 39.

[0070] More specifically, the bottom wall 35a is located at a predetermined distance from the inlet opening 13. The distance depends strictly on the length of the disposable capsule 16, in particular of the containment body 19.

[0071] Thus, the first chamber 35 is designed to at least partly house the containment body 19 of the capsule 16.

[0072] The cavity 37 constitutes an element for retaining the disposable capsule 16. In effect, the neck 28 of the capsule 16 is designed to be inserted at least partly into the cavity 37 until blocked by the size of the passageway defined by the cavity. The neck 28 thus constitutes a locking means by which the capsule 16 is locked in place in the feed duct 12.

[0073] The cavity 37 also constitutes a means of compressing the disposable capsule 16. More specifically, the front walls 42 are located at a distance from each other which is less than the thickness of the neck 28, thereby compressing the latter. The bottom wall 37b constitutes an element for abutting against the capsule 16 because, in use, the capsule 16 itself is inserted into the duct 12 until the opening tab 30 comes into abutment with the bottom wall 37b.

[0074] The second chamber 36 is delimited by a top wall 36a, comprising the outlet openings 39b of the connecting ducts 39, by the walls of the feed duct 12 and by the outlet opening 14 of the supply pipe 6.

[0075] In order to ensure that the capsule 16 is inserted correctly in the supply pipe 6, the feed duct 12 comprises at least one guide 41. Preferably, the feed duct 12 has two guides 41. The guides 41 are located diametrically opposite each other relative to the axis L. More specifically, the guides 41 have a rectangular cross section.

[0076] Since the capsule is inserted from the side where the inlet opening 13 is, the guides 41 run parallel with the axis L from the inlet opening 13 along the first chamber 35 to the bottom wall 37b of the cavity 37.

[0077] The feed duct D of the first embodiment of the delivery unit 1 may be configured like the feed duct 12 of the supply pipe 6 of the second or third embodiment of the delivery unit 1, depending on whether the first or the second variant of the disposable capsules 16 is used.

[0078] In use, the first embodiment of the delivery unit 1 comprises the steps of inserting a disposable capsule 16 at least partially into the feed duct D. Coupling the gaseous fuel delivery gun 8 to the receiving and coupling collar C in order to feed the gaseous fuel through the inlet opening D1 of the feed duct D in such a way that the charge 17 of additive product flows out of the capsule 16 through the passageway 45 under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure and the gaseous fuel and additive product flow out simultaneously through the outlet opening D2 of the feed duct D.

[0079] The second and third embodiments of the delivery unit 1, unlike the first embodiment, comprise the step of connecting the supply pipe 6 to the supply fitting 3.

[0080] More specifically, the supply pipe 6 is connected to the supply fitting 3 of the motor vehicle through the connector 9.

[0081] At this point, the operator inserts the disposable capsule 16 into the feed duct 12. The capsule 16 is correctly inserted in the feed duct 12 when it abuts against the corresponding retaining element. Next, the operator couples the delivery gun 8 to the collar 7 in such a way that the sealing element, not illustrated, of the delivery gun 8 engages the raised ring 15 of the pipe 6. The next step is to deliver the gaseous fuel through the delivery gun 8.

[0082] The gaseous fuel is usually delivered at a predetermined pressure p (the pressure value p is approximately 13×10⁵Pa). This pressure causes the charge 17 of additive product contained in the capsule 16 to flow out through the passageway 45. That way, both gaseous fuel and additive product flow out of the outlet opening 14 of the supply pipe 6 and into the motor vehicle's gas system 2 through the supply fitting 3.

[0083] When the charge 17 of the capsule 16 is finished, gaseous fuel continues to be filled into the gaseous fuel storage tank 4. In other words, when the charge 17 of the capsule 16 is finished, only gaseous fuel flows out through the outlet opening 14 of the pipe 6.

[0084] Upon completion of refuelling to user's request, the operator disconnects the delivery gun 8 from the receiving and coupling collar 7. The moment the gun 8 is disengaged from the collar 7, the disposable capsule 16 is expelled from the feed duct 12 through the inlet opening 13 of the pipe 6 under the effect of the pressure created in the feed duct 12 during refuelling.

[0085] The operator can then simply extract the empty capsule 16, which no longer contains the charge 17 of product, from the feed duct 12 and dispose of it in the appropriate waste bin.

[0086] Lastly, the operator disconnects the supply pipe 6 from the supply fitting 3 by screwing it off the connector 9.

[0087] More specifically, the second and third embodiments differ in the way the disposable capsule 16 is used and inserted, as explained in more detail below. According to the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the capsule 16 is inserted from the end with the supporting surface 24.

[0088] Thus, the capsule 16 slides into the housing and retaining chamber 10 until the flange 23 abuts against the socket 33, stopping the capsule 16 from sliding in any further.

[0089] Once the capsule 16 is inserted, the first partition 21 faces the inlet opening 13 and the second partition 20 faces the outlet opening 14 of the pipe 6.

[0090] Since the flange 23 is substantially co-planar with the raised ring 15, once the delivery gun 8 is coupled to the collar 7, the gaseous fuel delivered by the gun 8 flows directly into the disposable capsule 16 through the capsule's inlet opening 25. More specifically, under the action of the delivery pressure, the gaseous fuel breaks the facilitated opening means 18 of the first partition 21, in particular the two pre-cuts 22 and flows into the containment body 19 of the capsule 16.

[0091] Next, after flowing through the containment body 19, the gaseous fuel also breaks the facilitated opening means 18 of the second partition 20, in particular the two pre-cuts 22.

[0092] As it flows through the entire containment body 19, the gaseous fuel mixes with the charge 17 of additive product it contains and which is made to flow along with it.

[0093] At this point, both the gaseous fuel and the additive product flow out of the outlet opening 26 of the capsule 16 and then out of the outlet opening 14 of the supply pipe 6.

[0094] According to the third embodiment of the delivery unit 1, illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, the disposable capsule 16 is opened manually by the operator before being inserted into the feed duct 12.

[0095] More specifically, the capsule 16 is opened along the line of weakness 29, using the opening tab 30, to form the passageway 45, as described above. Before inserting the open capsule 16 into the feed duct 12, the operator manually recloses the capsule 16 in such a way that the neck 28 is substantially aligned with the containment body 19 along the axis L1.

[0096] At this point, the capsule 16 is inserted into the pipe 6 from the inlet opening 13. More specifically, the capsule 16 is inserted from the side with the opening tab 30 so that the flaps 32 slide into the respective guides 41.

[0097] The guides 41 ensure that the capsule 16 is positioned correctly in the feed duct 12 in such a way that the neck 28 is inserted into the cavity 37.

[0098] The disposable capsule 16 slides into the first chamber 35 until the neck 28 of the capsule 16 abuts against the walls 42 of the cavity 37, as illustrated in particular in Figures 6 and 8. That way, the containment body 19 is at least partly positioned in the first chamber 35. In effect, the bottom surface 27 of the capsule 16 protrudes from the inlet opening 13 of the pipe 6.

[0099] At this point, when the delivery gun 8 is coupled to the receiving and coupling collar 7, the delivery gun 8 pushes the capsule 16 further into the feed duct 12 by the bottom surface 27, until the latter reaches the position where it lies in substantially the same plane as the raised ring 15. At the same time, the neck 28 of the disposable capsule 16 is inserted further between the front walls 42 of the cavity 37, until it comes into abutment with the bottom wall 37b.

[0100] Since the distance between the wall 42 is less than the size of the neck 28, the connecting duct 37 acts as a means of compressing the neck 28, squeezing it. Compressing the neck 28 facilitates the outflow of the additive charge 17 from the containment body 19 by increasing the size of the passageway 45. Further, since the passageway 45 faces the connecting ducts 39, the additive charge 17 flows from the first chamber 35 to the second chamber 36 through them, as illustrated in particular in Figures 7 and 7b. Advantageously, causing the capsule 16 to abut against the bottom wall 37b makes it possible to position the passageway 45 at a predetermined distance from the connecting ducts 39, thereby facilitating the outflow of the additive product charge 17.

[0101] During refuelling with the gaseous fuel, the fuel delivery pressure compresses the containment body 19 of the capsule 16, thus facilitating the outflow of the additive product charge 17 and ensuring that the capsule 16 is emptied completely.

[0102] The gaseous fuel also flows from the first chamber 35 to the second chamber 36 through the connecting ducts 39, taking the additive product along with it.

[0103] From the second chamber 36 the gaseous fuel and the additive product flow out of the outlet opening 14 of the supply pipe 6.

[0104] According to the alternative embodiment of the delivery unit 1, illustrated in Figures 10 and 12, the plurality of connecting ducts 39 constitute a filter against any impurities.

[0105] Advantageously, using the delivery unit 1 makes it possible to supply a motor vehicle gas system 2 with both gaseous fuel and additive product simultaneously.

[0106] More specifically, the additive product is fed into the gas system 2 during refuelling with gaseous fuel, since the fuel delivery pressure makes it possible to feed in the additive charge 17 which is contained in the containment body 19 of the capsule 16 and which therefore, unlike the prior art, contains only the active ingredient of the additive product, in liquid form.

[0107] Further, inserting the capsules 16 into the feed duct 12 of the supply pipe 6 is a simple, timesaving operation for the operator to do.

[0108] Moreover, the use of disposable capsules 16 makes it possible to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of using pressurized cylinders. The disposable capsules 16 are considerably smaller than pressurized cylinders, with obvious advantages in terms of less storage space requirement.

[0109] Also, the disposable capsules 16 are preferably made of a plastic material which means that, when empty, they can be conveniently disposed of in the proper manner after use.

[0110] The invention described is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted for technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system comprising a supply fitting (3) of the gas system (2) having a collar (C) for receiving and coupling to a gaseous fuel delivery gun (8), a feed duct (D) having an inlet opening (D1) at the receiving and coupling collar (C) and an outlet opening (D2) in fluid communication with a fuel storage tank (4), characterized in that it comprises a disposable capsule (16) containing at least one charge (17) of additive product and having facilitated opening means (18) which breaks to form a passageway (45) allowing the charge (17) of additive product to flow out; the disposable capsule (16) being inserted at least partly in the feed duct (D) in such a way that gaseous fuel is fed in through the inlet opening (D1) by the delivery gun (8) and gaseous fuel and additive product are delivered simultaneously through the outlet opening (D2) under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure.

2. The unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system according to claim 1, comprising a supply pipe (6) of the gas system (2) having a collar (7) for receiving and coupling to the gaseous fuel delivery gun (8), a connector (9) for connecting the pipe (6) to the supply fitting (3) and a feed duct (12) extending from the receiving and coupling collar (7) to the connector (9); the feed duct (12) having an inlet opening (13) at the receiving and coupling collar (7) and an outlet opening (14) at the connector (9), characterized in that the disposable capsule (16) containing at least one charge (17) of additive product is inserted at least partly in the feed duct (12) in such a way that gaseous fuel is fed in through the inlet opening (13) by the delivery gun (8) and the gaseous fuel and additive product are delivered simultaneously through the outlet opening (14) under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure by way of the feed duct (D).

3. The delivery unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feed duct (D; 12) defines at least one housing and retaining chamber (10; 35) for the disposable capsule (16), delimited by the walls of the feed duct (D; 12), by the inlet opening (D1; 13) and by a bottom wall (34; 35a).

4. The delivery unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing and retaining chamber (10; 35) comprises at least one element (33; 34; 37) for retaining the disposable capsule (16).

5. The delivery unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing and retaining chamber (35) comprises means (37) for compressing the disposable capsule (16) and extending inside the feed duct (D; 12).

6. The delivery unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed duct (D; 12) comprises a first and a second chamber (35, 36) in fluid communication through at least one connecting duct (39); the first chamber (35) housing the disposable capsule (16) at least partly and comprising a blind cavity (37) acting as a means of compressing the capsule (16).

7. The delivery unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing and retaining chamber (10) comprises at least one guide (41) allowing the capsule (16) to be inserted correctly.

8. The delivery unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed duct (D; 12) is substantially cylindrical in shape, extending along a longitudinal axis (L).

9. A disposable capsule designed for use in a unit for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas system according to any of the claims from 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a body (19) containing at least one charge (17) of additive product and extending along a longitudinal axis (L1); the body (19) containing the charge (17) of additive product comprising the facilitated opening means (18) which breaks to form a passageway (45) allowing the charge (17) of additive product to flow out.

10. The disposable capsule according to claim 9, characterized in that the containment body (19) comprises a first partition (21) and a second partition (20); the first partition (21) and the second partition (20) being furnished with at least one pre-cut or at least one preferential fracture line (22) designed to break, under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure, allowing the gaseous fuel to flow into the containment body (19) through the first partition (21) and allowing the gaseous fuel and the additive product to flow out simultaneously through the second partition (20).

11. The disposable capsule according to claim 9, characterized in that the containment body (19) has a bottom surface (27) and a neck (28); the neck (28) being furnished with at least one weakening line or at least one preferential fracture line (29) designed to break and allow the charge (17) of additive product to flow out through the passageway (45).

12. The disposable capsule according to any of the claims from 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one locking means (23; 24; 28) by which the disposable capsule (16) is locked in place in the feed duct (12).

13. The disposable capsule according to any of the claims from 9 to 12, characterized in that it comprises at least one flap (32) extending along the surface of the containment body (19).

14. The disposable capsule according to any of the claims from 9 to 13, characterized in that the containment body (19) is substantially cylindrical in shape and extends along the longitudinal axis (L1).

15. A method for delivering gaseous fuel and additive products in a motor vehicle gas systems comprising a supply fitting (3) of the gas system (2) having a collar (C; 7) for receiving and coupling to a gaseous fuel delivery gun (8), a feed duct (D; 12) having an inlet opening (D1; 13) at the receiving and coupling collar (C; 7) and an outlet opening (D2; 14) in fluid communication with a fuel storage tank (4), characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

inserting a disposable capsule (16) at least partially into the feed duct (D; 12), the capsule (16) comprising at least one charge (17) of additive product and facilitated opening means (18);

coupling the gaseous fuel delivery gun (8) to the receiving and coupling collar (C; 7) in order to feed the gaseous fuel through the inlet opening (D1; 13) of the feed duct (D; 12) in such a way that the charge (17) of additive product flows out of the capsule (16) through a passageway (45) under the action of the gaseous fuel pressure and the gaseous fuel and additive product flow out simultaneously through the outlet opening (D2; 14) of the feed duct (D; 12).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises the step of opening the disposable capsule (16) through the facilitated opening means (18), thus forming the passageway (45), before inserting the disposable capsule (16) at least partially into the feed duct (D; 12).

Drawing