Stant Inc.

Stant Manufacturing Inc.

Robert H Thompson

Emil Szlaga

Robert S Harris

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

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

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.

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Dearborn Heights, MI, United States of America

Robert H Thompson