Fuel door opening assembly for use with automatic robotic refueling system

摘要

An assembly for utilization with an automatic robotic refueling system for vehicles which includes a moveable arm having a vacuum cup mounted thereon. The arm is capable of being moved in both yaw and in pitch and may be extended so that the vacuum cup becomes attached to the fuel door on the vehicle and is then retracted to open the fuel door to provide access for a fuel nozzle which may be inserted into the vehicle fuel tank for refueling of the vehicle. Subsequent to the refueling, the fuel nozzle is extracted and the vacuum cup is then again extended to close the fuel door after which the vacuum is disconnected and the assembly is retracted and stowed awaiting a subsequent refueling operation.