DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
VENT ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL TANK CAPS

2. APPLICANT:
PAVNA INDUSTRIES LIMITED, an Indian Company, of the address 9th Km Delhi Road, Gt Road, Bhankri Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

3. The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vent assembly, more specifically relates to a vent assembly for fuel tank caps.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] A fuel tank is a specialized container made to store fluids like gasoline, etc. Generally, a fuel tank is provided with a filler orifice (also known as ‘neck’) for pouring fuel inside the fuel tank. Since fuels are volatile and flammable fluids, the filler orifice is provided with a pressure regulating cap to safely store gasoline or other fuels.
[003] Most automobiles with a combustion engine are provided with the fuel tank that stores fuel for the engine. Once the fuel depletes, the tank is refueled by removing the fuel cap from the filler orifice of the fuel tank. Once refueled, the cap is again secured to the filler orifice of the fuel tank.
[004] Furthermore, the cap of the fuel tank helps to eliminate release of fumes and/or gas vapors from the fuel tank into the atmosphere by providing a tight seal at the filler orifice. Further, the cap prevents water, dirt, debris from entering the fuel tank thereby, eliminating any chance of contamination of the fuel.
[005] Conventionally, fuel tank caps include a valve (or vent assembly) that regulates the pressure inside the fuel tank and prevents fuel spillage in case of a vehicle mishap. The said valve is configured to allow air/fumes to flow across the valve when the vehicle is upright and prevent the flow of fuel across the valve when the vehicle is tilted.
[006] However, conventional valve provided in fuel tank caps are plagued with two major problems, i.e., high tilt angle required to stop fuel flow and a time delay before the fuel flow is actually stopped after the vehicle is tilted. The said problems compromise the safety of the vehicle and the user, especially in case of vehicular mishaps. More often than not, when the vehicle is tilted, substantial amount of fuel is spilled before the conventional valve is able to stop the fuel flow.
[007] An exemplary conventional fuel tank cap ‘a’ is depicted in Fig. 1. The said fuel tank cap ‘a’ includes a valve ‘b’ disposed within a stator ‘c’. The valve ‘b’ is provided with a single ball ‘d’. The ball ‘d’ is configured to block flow of fuel and air/vapor once the fuel tank cap ‘a’ (or the vehicle) is tilted. As discussed above, the ball ‘d’ requires high degree of tilt, i.e., more than 75 ° of tilt before the flow of fuel and air is blocked. Further, after the fuel tank cap ‘a’ is tilted, the ball ‘d’ takes significant amount of time to physically block the flow of fuel and air.
[008] Therefore, there exists a need for an improved vent assembly for fuel tank caps that overcomes the limitations of the existing valves.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[009] The present invention relates to a fuel tank cap for a fuel tank, the fuel tank cap including a stator and a valve at least partially disposed within the stator allowing fluidic communication between an interior of a fuel tank and the exterior of the fuel tank. The valve having a channel including a first section and a third section. The first section extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed towards the interior of the fuel tank. The first section includes at least one opening, one or more resilient member, and at least two balls including a first ball and a second ball. The opening fluidically connects the valve to the interior of the fuel tank. The resilient member is seated in the first end of the first section. The resilient member is configured to be toggled between an expanded state and a partially compressed state. The balls freely movable within the first section. The first ball is disposed over the resilient member. The second ball is disposed over the first ball. The third section is disposed coaxially with the first section extending between a third end and a fourth end disposed away from the interior of the fuel tank. The third end is coupled to the second end of the first section. The third section having a third diameter that is less than a first diameter of the first section and a second diameter of the at least two balls. The valve is configured to be toggled from an upright configuration to a tilt configuration. In the upright configuration, a weight of the balls is borne by the resilient member in its partially compressed state. In the tilt configuration, the resilient member is in its expanded state and the second ball blocks at least one of the third end 130a of the third section and the second end of the first section.
[010] The foregoing features and other features as well as the advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[011] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the apportioned drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary, constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale.
[012] Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional fuel tank cap ‘a’ (prior art).
[013] Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fuel tank cap 1 having a valve 40 in its upright configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[014] Fig. 2A depicts an enlarged view of the valve 40 (as shown in Fig. 2) in its upright configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[015] Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fuel tank cap 1 having the valve 40 in its tilt configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[016] Fig. 3A depicts an enlarged view of the valve 40 (as shown in Fig. 3) in its tilt configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[017] Fig. 4 illustrates a method 200 to toggle the valve 40 from its upright configuration to its tilt configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[018] Fig. 4A depicts a fluidic path ‘f’ across the valve 40 (as shown in Fig. 2) in its upright configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[019] Fig. 4B depicts a fluidic path ‘f1’ across the valve 40 (as shown in Fig. 3) in its tilt configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[020] Prior to describing the invention in detail, definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms "include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "coupled with" and "associated therewith", as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have a property of, or the like; Definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
[021] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.
[022] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed method may be described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments can encompass an order of operations other than the particular, sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Further, descriptions and disclosures provided in association with one particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, and may be applied to any embodiment disclosed herein. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed system, method, and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods, and apparatuses.
[023] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and apportioned claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments as set forth hereinafter.
[024] In accordance with the present disclosure, a vent assembly (or valve) for a fuel tank cap is disclosed. The valve may be used in any fuel tank cap provided with any motor vehicle, for example, minibuses, pickup trucks, three-wheeler vehicles, two-wheeler vehicles, etc.
[025] The valve of the present invention provides quick response when the vehicle is tilted even by few degrees. In other words, the valve of the present invention quickly blocks the flow of fuel and air/vapor as soon as the valve (or the vehicle) is tilted even by few degrees. This increases the durability of the fuel tank and ensures safety of the vehicle as well as the user.
[026] Now referring to the figures, Fig. 2 depicts a portion of a fuel tank cap 1. The fuel tank cap 1 may include a plurality of components including but not limited to a stator 10, a closure means 20, a lock barrel 30, a valve 40, etc.
[027] The stator 10 is the structural backbone of the fuel tank cap 1. The stator 10 may be made of a material including but not limited to ADC, plastic, ZAMAK, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the stator 10 is made of aluminum. The stator 10 may be an integral structure formed by permanently or removably coupling the plurality of components of the fuel tank cap 1. Alternatively, the stator 10 may be manufactured as a singular assembly.
[028] The closure means 20 may be operationally coupled to the stator 10 to enable access to an inside of the fuel tank. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the closure means 20 is coupled to the stator 10 such that the closure means 20 can be flipped up to gain access to the fuel tank and flipped down to restrict access to the fuel tank. In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the closure means 20 and the stator 10 is provided with complementing threads such that the closure means 20 is screwed within the stator 10.
[029] The lock barrel 30 may be disposed within the stator 10. The lock barrel 30 may be used in conjunction with a key (not shown). The key may be used to actuate the lock barrel 30 to either lock or unlock the fuel tank cap 1 (and/or the closure means 20). In an exemplary embodiment, the key is inserted into the lock barrel 30 and rotated in a clockwise direction to unlock the fuel tank cap 1. Similarly, the key may then be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction to lock the fuel tank cap 1.
[030] The lock barrel 30 may be operationally coupled to a locking means 30a. When the lock barrel 30 is actuated by the key, the lock barrel 30 may in turn actuate the locking means 30a. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking means 30a physically interacts with the fuel tank to lock the closure means 20 and vice versa to unlock the closure means 20. The locking means 30a prevents unauthorized access to the contents of the fuel tank thereby preventing theft. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking means 30a includes a lock bar structure that is linearly actuated to lock and unlock the closure means 20.
[031] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 2A, the valve 40 is disposed within the stator 10. The said disposition of the valve 40 allows fluidic communication between an interior of a fuel tank (not shown) and an exterior of the fuel tank to help regulate pressure within the fuel tank. Although the valve 40 is depicted to be positioned with respect to the stator 10 as shown in Fig. 2, the valve 40 may be positioned at any radial position with respect to the stator 10.
[032] Alternatively, the valve 40 may be disposed within any component other than the stator 10 and/or any combination of components of the fuel tank cap 1.
[033] The valve 40 includes a channel 100 enabling passage of liquids (such as fuel) and gasses (such as vapor, air, etc.) to and from the fuel tank. The channel 100 includes at least two or more sections. The one or more sections of the channel 100 may be removably or permanently coupled to each other. Alternatively, the one or more sections of the channel 100 may be manufactured as an integrated structure. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2A, the channel 100 includes a first section 110 and a third section 130.
[034] The first section 110 extends between a first end 110a and a second end 110b. The first end 110a of the first section 110 may be disposed towards the interior of the fuel tank. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2A, the second end 110b of the first section 110 is tapered. The first section 110 may have a first diameter ranging from 4.60 mm to 4.70 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the first diameter of the first section 110 is 4.65 mm. The first section 110 may have a length ranging from 11.1 mm to 11.3 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the first section 110 is 11.2 mm.
[035] The first section 110 may include at least one opening 111 to fluidically connect the valve 40 to the inside of the fuel tank. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening 111 is disposed laterally adjacent to the first end 110a of the first section 110. The opening 111 may have any shape including but not limited to circular, square, rectangle, triangle, etc. The opening 111 may have a diameter ranging from 1.9 mm to 2.1 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the circular shaped opening 111 is 2 mm.
[036] The first section 110 may include a plug 140 having a plate 140a and a leg 140b. The plug 140 may be made of a material including but not limited to pom, plastic, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the plug 140 is made of plastic. The plate 140a of the plug 140 may have a size greater than the first diameter of the first section 110 such that the plate 140a blocks the first end 110a. The plug 140 may be coupled to the first end 110a of the first section 110 with the help of but not limited to screw, fasteners, snap fit, adhesive, etc.
[037] The leg 140b may have a diameter less that the first diameter of the first section 110. The plug 140 may be coupled to the first end 110a of the first section 110 such that only the leg 140b is surrounded by the first section 110. The leg 140b is at least partially disposed within the first section 110. The leg 140b may have a length ranging from 4 mm to 5 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the leg 140b is 4.5 mm.
[038] One or more resilient member 150 may be disposed around the leg 140b of the plug 140 such that the resilient member 150 may be coupled to the plate 140a of the plug 140. In other words, the plug 140 includes a resilient member 150 seated in the first end 110a of the first section 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the resilient member 150 is coupled to the plate 140a via adhesive. In an alternate embodiment, the resilient member 150 and the plate 140a makes an integral structure that is manufactured as is. The resilient member 150 may be made of a material including but not limited to stainless steel, spring steel, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the resilient member 150 is made of stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.1mm.
[039] In an exemplary embodiment, one resilient member 150 is disposed around the leg 140b of the plug 140. The resilient member 150 may be toggled between an expanded state and a partially compressed state (described below). The resilient member 150 may have a diameter that is more than the diameter of the leg 140b and less than the first diameter of the first section 110. The resilient member 150, in the expanded state, may have a length greater than the length of the leg 140b of the plug 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the resilient member 150 includes a spring constant equal to 0.0006 kg/mm.
[040] The first section 110 may further include two or more balls 160. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2A, the first section 110 is provided with a first ball 160a and a second ball 160b. In an exemplary embodiment, the balls 160 are made of stainless steel.
[041] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2A, the first ball 160a is disposed over the resilient member 150. The second ball 160b is disposed over the first ball 160a such that the first ball 160a is sandwiched between the resilient member 150 and the second ball 160b. In other words, the first ball 160a is stacked linearly over the second ball 160b and the second ball 160b is stacked linearly over the resilient member 150.
[042] The balls 160 have a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the first section 110 such that the balls 160 are freely movable within the first section 110. The balls 160 may have a weight ranging from 0.369 g to 0.451 g. In an exemplary embodiment, the weight of the balls 160 are 0.41 g. Alternatively, the first ball 160a and the second ball 160b may have different weights.
[043] The third section 130 may be disposed coaxially with the first section 110. Similar to the first section 110, the third section 130 may include a third end 130a and a fourth end 130b. The third end 130a of the third section 130 may be coupled to the second end 110b of the first section 110. The fourth end 130b may be disposed away from the interior of the fuel tank compared to the first end 110a. The third section 130 may have a third diameter that is less than the first diameter of the first section 110. Further, the third diameter of the third section 130 is less than the second diameter of the balls 160 such that the balls 160 are restricted to enter the third section 130 of the channel 100.
[044] The valve 40 of the present invention may be toggled between an upright configuration and a tilt configuration. The upright configuration of the valve 40 may be defined as a state of the valve 40 when the valve 40 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the gravity plane (not shown), for example gravity plane of earth.
[045] In the upright configuration, as shown in Figs. 2 and 2A, the second ball 160b rests over the first ball 160a and the first ball 160a rests over the resilient member 150. In other words, the weight of both the first ball 160a and the second ball 160b is borne by the resilient member 150. Due to the combined weights of the first ball 160a and the second ball 160b, the resilient member 150 attains its partially compressed state. In the partially compressed state, a length of the resilient member 150 is less than the length of the resilient member 150 in the expanded state.
[046] In the upright configuration, the third end 130a of the third section 130 is open (or unblocked), thereby enabling the vapors to flow from the fuel tank and enter the channel 100 through the opening 111 and exit the channel 100 through the fourth end 130b. The said flow is depicted in Fig. 4A via a fluidic path ‘f’. In the upright configuration, similar to movement of vapors, the channel 100 may allow fuel to flow towards the fuel tank.
[047] The tilt configuration of the valve 40 may be defined as a state of the valve 40 when the valve 40 is tilted beyond a pre-defined threshold angle with respect to the gravity plane. The pre-defined threshold angle, in simple words, is defined as the least change in angle required for the valve 40 to be toggled to its tilt configuration from its upright configuration when the valve 40 is tilted with respect to the gravity plane. The pre-defined threshold angle may range from 10° to 45°.
[048] In the tilt configuration, as shown in Figs. 3 and 3A, the second ball 160b blocks (or closes) the third end 130a of the third section 130 (and/or the second end 110b of the first section 110), preventing flow of fuel as well as vapor across the channel 100. The said flow, as depicted in Fig. 4B via a fluidic path ‘f1’, is restricted to enter the third section 130.
[049] Fig. 4 depicts an exemplary method 200 to toggle the valve 40 from its upright configuration (as shown in Fig. 4A) to its tilt configuration (as shown in Fig. 4B). The method 200 may be automatically executed by the valve 40 when the valve 40 is tilted beyond the pre-defined threshold angle with respect to the gravity plane. The method 200 starts at step 201 when the second ball 160b starts to move away from the first ball 160a within the first section 110 of the channel 100.
[050] At step 203, the resilient member 150 toggles to its expanded state (as shown in Fig. 3A) from its partially compressed state. The said toggle between the states of the resilient member 150 occurs due to removal of the weight of the second ball 160b from the resilient member 150 during step 201. Further, due to the change in state of the resilient member 150, a momentum is generated by the resilient member 150.
[051] At step 205, the momentum generated by the resilient member 150 during step 203 may be transferred to the first ball 160a.
[052] At step 207, after the first ball 160a acquires the momentum generated by the resilient member 150, the first ball 160a is catapulted towards the second ball 160b.
[053] At step 209, the first ball 160a contacts the second ball 160b and transfers its momentum to the second ball 160b.
[054] At step 211, after the second ball 160b acquires the momentum from the first ball 160a, the second ball 160b is catapulted towards the third end 130a of the third section 130.
[055] At step 213, the second ball 160b moves adjacent to the third end 130a of the third section 130 and second end 110b of the first section 110 (as shown in Fig. 3A) thereby blocking the channel 100. The blocking of the channel 100 by the second ball 160b confirms the tilt configuration of the valve 40. Owing to the transfer of momentum from the resilient member 150 to the second ball 160b, the time required for the second ball 160b to block the channel 100 is significantly reduced. The said reduction in time corresponds to quick response time of the valve 40 thereby enhancing safety of the user as well as the vehicle (and the fuel tank) in case of vehicular mishaps.
[056] The above-described method 200 is described as discrete steps for better understanding. In practice, the steps of the method 200 may be spontaneously executed in a fraction of unit time when the valve 40 is tilted beyond the pre-defined threshold angle with respect to the gravity plane.
[057] The fuel tank cap 1 having the valve 40 of the present invention is efficient by more than 70% compared to the conventional fuel tank caps.
[058] The valve 40 of the present invention is described with exemplary dimensions. It is important to note that the said exemplary dimensions may be further optimized to reduce a travel distance and/or travel time of the second ball 160b towards the third end 130a (and/or the second end 110b). Reduction of said travel distance and/or travel time of the second ball 160b is within the scope of the teachings of the present invention.
[059] The present disclosure is further described by reference to the following exemplary embodiments and examples. These exemplary embodiments and examples are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. Thus, the present disclosure should in no way be construed as being limited to the following exemplary embodiments and examples, but rather, should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teachings provided herein.
Example 1: Fuel tank cap with a single ball (Prior art)
[060] The fuel tank cap ‘a’ as depicted in Fig. 1 was used to close an opening of a fuel tank of a vehicle (not shown). The fuel tank cap ‘a’ was provided with a valve ‘b’ and a stator ‘c’. A single ball ‘d’ was provided within the valve ‘b’ to block flow of fuel and air/vapor once the fuel tank cap ‘a’ (or the fuel tank/vehicle) was tilted.
[061] The fuel tank cap ‘a’ (along with the fuel tank/vehicle) was tilted to check the minimum tilt angle at which the valve ‘b’ was blocked to prevent fuel leakage.
[062] It was observed that the fuel tank cap ‘a’ was tilted by at least 92° for the single ball ‘d’ to block the valve ‘b’. Thus, it took significant amount of time to block the valve ‘b’ by the single ball ‘d’.
Example 2: Fuel tank cap with double balls and a resilient member (Present disclosure)
[063] The fuel tank cap 1 (as shown in Fig. 2) having the valve 40 was used to close an opening of a fuel tank of a vehicle (not shown). The valve 40 was provided with a first ball 160a, a second ball 160b and a resilient member 150. The second ball 160b was disposed between the first ball 160a and the resilient member 150.
[064] The fuel tank cap 1 (along with the fuel tank/vehicle) was tilted to check the minimum tilt angle at which the valve 40 was blocked to prevent fuel leakage.
[065] It was observed that the fuel tank cap 1 was tilted by at least 45° for the first ball 160a and the second ball 160b to block the valve 40. Thus, it took significantly less amount of time to block the valve 40 by the first ball 160a and the second ball 160b.
[066] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM,
1. A fuel tank cap (1) for a fuel tank, the fuel tank cap (1) comprising:
a. a stator (10); and
b. a valve (40) at least partially disposed within the stator (10) allowing fluidic communication between an interior of a fuel tank and an exterior of the fuel tank, the valve (40) having a channel (100) including:
i. a first section (110) extending between a first end (110a) and a second end (110b), the first end (110a) disposed towards the interior of the fuel tank, the first section (110) including:
at least one opening (111) fluidically connecting the valve (40) to the interior of the fuel tank,
one or more resilient member (150) seated in the first end (110a) of the first section (110), the resilient member (150) configured to be toggled between an expanded state and a partially compressed state, and
at least two balls (160) including a first ball (160a) and a second ball (160b) freely movable within the first section (110), the first ball (160a) is disposed over the resilient member (150), the second ball (160b) is disposed over the first ball (160a), and
ii. a third section (130) disposed coaxially with the first section (110) extending between a third end (130a) and a fourth end (130b) disposed away from the interior of the fuel tank, the third end (130a) coupled to the second end (110b) of the first section (110);
wherein, the third section (130) having a third diameter that is less than a first diameter of the first section (110) and a second diameter of the at least two balls (160);
wherein, the valve (40) is configured to be toggled from an upright configuration to a tilt configuration;
wherein, in the upright configuration, a weight of the balls (160) is borne by the resilient member (150) in its partially compressed state, and
wherein, in the tilt configuration, the resilient member (150) is in its expanded state and the second ball (160b) blocks at least one of the third end (130a) of the third section (130) and the second end (110b) of the first section (110).
2. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening (111) is disposed laterally adjacent to the first end (110a) of the first section (110).
3. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first section (110) includes a plug 140 having:
a. a plate 140a blocking the first end (110a) of the first section (110), and
b. a leg 140b at least partially disposed within the first section 110.
4. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resilient member (150) is coupled to the plate (140a) of the plug (140) and disposed around the leg (140b) of the plug (140).
5. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined threshold angle ranges from 10° to 45°.
6. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight of the balls (160) ranges from 0.369 g to 0.451 g.
7. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end (110b) of the first section (110) is tapered.
8. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first diameter ranges from 4.60 mm to 4.70 mm.
9. The fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator (10) includes:
a. a closure means (20) operationally coupled to the stator (10); and
b. a lock barrel (30) disposed within the stator (10).
10. A method (200) to toggle the valve (40) of the fuel tank cap (1) as claimed in claim 1 from the upright configuration to the tilt configuration, the method comprising:
a. moving the second ball (160b) away from the first ball (160a);
b. toggling the resilient member (150) to its expanded state from its partially compressed state;
c. transferring a momentum generated by the resilient member (150) to the first ball (160a);
d. catapulting the first ball (160a) towards the second ball (160b);
e. transferring the momentum from the first ball (160a) to the second ball (160b);
f. catapulting the second ball (160b) towards the third end (130a) of the third section (130); and
g. moving the second ball (160b) adjacent to at least one of the third end (130a) of the third section (130) and the second end (110b) of the first section (110), thereby blocking the channel (100) of the valve (40).