Stant Inc.

Other

Stant Manufacturing Inc.

Emil Szlaga

Robert S Harris

Robert H Thompson

Jeffery Griffin

A tank pressure control valve is provided for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank. In one embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to control a flexible diaphragm operable between a closed position blocking discharge of fuel vapor from the fuel tank and an opened position allowing such discharge. In another embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to move a flexible diaphragm to move a rigid valve member between a closed position and an opened position.

Fuel tank venting control valve assembly

An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperture and formed to include a venting outlet, and a blocking mechanism for blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the venting outlet. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for using pressurized fuel vapor from the fuel tank to move the blocking mechanism from a flow-blocking position to a flow-delivery position. The using mechanism includes a diaphragm appended to the blocking means for movement therewith. The apparatus further includes a second mechanism for using fuel vapor discharged from the fuel tank to provide a pressure cushion acting against the diaphragm to urge the diaphragm from its second position toward its first position.

Tank venting control assembly

An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperature, a float valve, a ball, and a mechanism for supporting the ball. The housing is formed to include an outlet, and the float valve is movable in the housing between a closed position blocking flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through the outlet and an open position allowing flow of fuel vapor through the outlet. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and the ball is positioned in the float chamber. The mechanism for supporting the ball is movable relative to the housing. The support mechanism is configured to support the ball in the float chamber so that the ball is able to move in the float chamber in response to movement of the fuel tank to urge the float valve to its closed position.

An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of liquid through an aperture. The apparatus includes a housing and a float valve disposed in and unattached to the housing. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and is movable in the housing between an aperture blocking position and an aperture unblocking position. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling movement of the float valve by selectively venting fluid from the float chamber to reduce the buoyancy of the float valve.

Tank pressure control apparatus

A tank venting control valve assembly is provided to regulate discharge of liquid fuel and fuel vapor from a fuel tank. The assembly closes automatically to prevent discharge of agitated liquid fuel from the tank or block overfilling of the tank. The assembly opens automatically after agitation of liquid fuel in the tank has subsided or refueling has been completed to cause the fuel level in the tank to fall.

Tank venting control valve assembly

An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of liquid through an aperture. The apparatus includes a housing and a float valve disposed in and unattached to the housing. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and is movable in the housing between an aperture-blocking position and an aperture-unblocking position. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling movement of the float valve by selectively venting fluid from the float chamber to reduce the buoyancy of the float valve.

A sealing assembly is provided for use in a filler neck sized to receive a fuel-dispensing nozzle. The sealing assembly includes an elastic seal member between the filler neck and a fuel-dispensing nozzle and a seal retainer for clamping the seal member in the filler neck to define in the filler neck an outer chamber communicable with the atmosphere and an inner chamber. The seal is configured to admit the fuel-dispensing nozzle into the inner chamber without coupling the inner and outer chambers in vapor communication. The sealing assembly partitions a fuel-conducting passageway in the filler neck to limit flow of vapors and gases through the passageway during dispensing of fuel into the filler neck and past the sealing assembly.

Filler neck sealing assembly

An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapors from a fuel tank during refueling. The apparatus includes a conduit for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a first destination such as a vapor treatment canister situated outside of the fuel tank, a valve operable between a flow-blocking position and a flow-delivery position for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conduit, and a spring for yieldably biasing the valve toward its flow-blocking position. A venting control chamber is situated in communication with the valve for receiving and using fuel vapor pressure from the fuel tank having a magnitude in excess of a predetermined threshold level to exert an opening force on the valve in opposition to the spring so that the valve is moved to its flow-delivery position. Such movement of the valve permits discharge of pressurized fuel vapor in the tank to said first destination through the conduit. In addition to the foregoing primary venting system, the apparatus is made stageable by including an optional auxiliary system for venting the fuel tank to a second destination.

Tank pressure control valve

A vapor handling system includes an overfill shut-off valve to provide protection for the canister from exposure to liquid fuel during a tank overfill condition which may be caused by a malfunction of a refueling nozzle. A system is provided for automatically assisting in opening the overfill shut-off valve at the conclusion of the tank refilling process to reestablish fluid communication between a fuel tank and a vapor recovery canister so that adequate fuel vapor venting from the tank to the canister can occur. The overfill shut-off valve is configured to block such fluid communication by closing a venting passageway interconnecting the tank and the canister.

Vapor recovery system

A sealing assembly is provided for use in a filler neck sized to receive a fuel-dispensing nozzle. The sealing assembly includes a sealing ring between the filler neck and a fuel-dispensing nozzle and a support for locating the seal in the filler neck to define in the filler neck an outer chamber communicable with the atmosphere and an inner chamber. The seal is configured to admit the fuel-dispensing nozzle into the inner chamber without coupling the inner and outer chambers in vapor communication. The sealing assembly partitions a fuel-conducting passageway in the filler neck to limit flow of vapors and gases through the passageway during dispensing of fuel into the filler neck and past the sealing assembly.

A vapor handling system is provided that uses negative pressure created during discharge of liquid fuel from a fuel-dispensing nozzle into a filler tube to actuate a remotely situated vapor venting valve. Actuation of the vapor venting valve permits fuel vapor in the fuel tank connected to the filler tube to be communicated to a vapor treatment canister or the like.

Vacuum-actuated vapor recovery system

A vapor handling system is provided to control fuel vapor in a vehicle fuel system to prevent the fuel vapor from escaping to the atmosphere during filling of the vehicle fuel tank. An on-board vacuum-actuated system is included for preventing overfilling of the tank by automatically triggering shut-off of fuel flow from a fuel-dispensing nozzle when the fuel tank is full. A control valve system is also included for protecting the canister from exposure to liquid fuel during an overfill condition which may be caused by a malfunction of a fuel-dispensing nozzle.

A flow-metering valve assembly is provided for vehicle fuel tanks. The assembly includes a valve housing having an interior wall configured to define a chamber having an inlet and an exhaust outlet. The interior wall provides a first flow-metering surface situated in close proximity to the outlet. A spring-biased pressure-relief element is situated in the chamber and includes a valve member having an inner surface confronting the inlet and an upstanding skirt attached to the valve member. The skirt has a distal portion extending in an outward direction toward the outlet means to provide a second flow-metering surface. The first and second surfaces cooperate to define a variable flow-metering orifice therebetween. The second flow-metering surface is moved in relation to the first flow-metering surface in response to relative movement of the valve member and the valve seat to vary the size of the variable flow-metering orifice so that the flow of pressurized fuel vapor through the variable flow-metering orifice is metered in accordance with a predetermined specififcation.

Flow control valve

A fuel vapor recovery system of a motor vehicle is disclosed including a valve. The valve is situated between a fuel tank and a conduit leading from the fuel tank to a canister. The valve includes a chamber having a first opening to the fuel tank and a second opening to the conduit. The valve also includes a ball for closing the first opening, the ball having a mass selected to effect a first closing pressure on the first opening when the vehicle is stationary. The size of the ball is selected relative to the chamber to permit movement within the chamber to effect a second closing pressure less than the first closing pressure when the vehicle is subjected to vibration. The first closing pressure is selected to produce a predetermined head pressure in the fuel tank during introduction of fuel into the fuel tank which effectively blocks the introduction of fuel in excess of a predetermined maximum fuel capacity, thereby preventing overfilling of the fuel tank. The ball vibrates within the chamber to open the first opening and release pressure in the fuel tank.

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Connersville, IN, United States of America

Emil Szlaga