Tesma International, Inc.

Michael Gericke

The subject invention includes a fill limit control valve assembly ( ) having a valve portion ( ) and a float portion ( ). The valve portion ( ) includes a vent opening ( ) for venting vapors from the fuel tank ( ) to a vapor canister. A float ( ) is movably supported by the float portion ( ) for movement between an open position spaced from the vent opening ( ) and a closed position seating a seal ( ) against a seat ( ) about the vent opening ( ). A liquid fuel trap or discriminator member is disposed above the vent opening ( ) to limit liquid fuel flow through an outlet connector ( ). The liquid fuel trap includes a baffle barrier ( ) surrounding the vent opening ( ) and a return cup ( ) having a base ( ) overlying the baffle barrier ( ) and a depending rim ( ) surrounding the baffle barrier ( ) for forcing the flow of vapor from the vent opening ( ) through a U-turn. A stem ( ) extends from the top end of the float ( ) downwardly to a distal end ( ). A guide disk ( ) extends across the float cavity and is in sliding engagement with the stem ( ) for guiding and stabilizing movement of the float ( ) in the float cavity between the positions. A spring ( ) reacts between the guide disk ( ) and the top of the stem ( ) for biasing the stem ( ) toward the closed position. During a rollover situation, the float ( ) fills with fuel and does not float as it is forced against the seat ( ) by the spring ( ). A steel ball ( ) engages and forces the distal end ( ) of the stem ( ) upward in response to the vertical axis of the valve, i.e., the axis of the stem ( ), moving to a predetermined angle with vertical.

Fill limit control valve assembly having a liquid fuel trap

A fuel refilling assembly for receiving a filling nozzle to open and close a filler neck of a fuel tank. The refilling assembly has a housing attached to the filler neck to receive the filling nozzle. A valve body is mounted to the housing and moves between seated and unseated positions to equalize the pressure within the filler neck, a filler pipe and the fuel tank. The refilling assembly is characterized by a first flap pivotally mounted to the housing and engaging the valve body for automatically moving the valve body from the seated position to the unseated position. The first flap is pivoted when the filling nozzle is partially inserted within the filler neck. Once the valve body is disengaged, any pressurized fuel vapors within the filler neck, filler pipe and fuel tank are vented to the atmosphere. The venting occurs before the filling nozzle opens the filler neck which ensures a safe filling operation.

Fuel refilling assembly

A fuel cap assembly for use with a filler neck of a fuel tank. The cap assembly includes a tubular housing having a shaft. The housing secures the cap assembly to the filler neck of the fuel tank. An exterior cover is mounted to the housing for relative rotation about the housing. The cover has an integral hollow handle. The cap assembly is characterized by a pair of actuating fingers movably mounted within the handle. The fingers engage the shaft of the housing to selectively interlock the cover to the housing. A lost motion connection is created between the cover and the housing when the fingers are in a non-engaged position. When the fingers are squeezed to an engaged position, the cover is interlocked to the housing and rotation of the cover imparts rotation upon the housing.

Fuel cap assembly

A coolant container cap assembly for use with a coolant container having first and second sealing ridges. The cap assembly comprises an exterior cover for removeably securing the cap assembly to the container. A valve housing member is rotatably secured to the cover and has a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion. A first sealing gasket is mounted to the lower housing portion for selectively engaging and sealing the cap assembly with the first sealing ridge of the container. A second sealing gasket is mounted to the upper housing portion for selectively engaging and sealing the cap assembly with the second sealing ridge of the container. The assembly is characterized by an adjustment device mounted to the upper housing. The adjustment device allows relative movement of the first sealing gasket with respect to the second sealing gasket. Specifically, the adjustment device permits the first sealing gasket to detach from the first sealing ridge of the container while maintaining the sealing engagement of the second sealing gasket with the second sealing ridge of the container.

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Schomberg, Canada

Michael Gericke