Gt Development Corporation

Zdenek Gabrlik

John Michael Morris

Charles J Green

Alan K Forsythe

Timothy L Oliphant

Nelson O Phillips

A valve plug is biased inwardly by a spring (90) to close an opening (10) in a cap (2) for a fuel tank filling and venting tube. A valve stem includes a first portion (62) which is engaged by the spring (90) and a second float cage portion (40) that is secured to and extends axially inwardly from the plug. A collapsible retainer (70) is secured to the cage (40) and has an abutment surface (74) which engages an abutment surface (68) on the first portion (62) to hold the cage (40) and the first portion (62) in position relative to each other and to transmit axial forces therebetween. A fusible material ring (88) is positioned radially between the retainer (70) and the cage (40) to prevent the retainer (70) from collapsing. At elevated temperatures, the ring (88) melts to allow the retainer (70) to collapse, the cage (40) and first stem portion (62) to separate from each other, and the valve plug and cage (40) to move away from the opening (10).

Pressure and thermal relief valve for fuel tank

Separate valve bodies (16, 18) are connected by a sleeve (24). The joint (26) between the first body (16) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by bending forces and resistant to tension forces. The joint (32) between the second body (18) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by tension forces and resistant to bending forces. Each joint (26, 32) includes an annular groove (28, 34) on the valve body (16, 18) and portions (30, 36) of the sleeve (24) extending radially into the groove (28, 34). Each valve body (16, 18) has a valve element (44) that moves axially inwardly to close the flow passage (42) when one of the joints (26, 31) is detached. The valve element (44) is normally retained in an open position by a ball detent (84). A projection (82) carried by the confronting valve body (16, 18) holds the ball (84) in a groove (62) on the element's shaft portion (56). In a vehicle (2) having two fuel tanks (4) connected by a crossover line (10), a valve (14) is positioned at each end of the line (10) between the line (10) and the associated tank (4).

Breakaway fluid coupling

Separate valve bodies (16, 18) are connected by a sleeve (24). The joint (26) between the first body (16) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by bending forces and resistent to tension forces. The joint (32) between the second body (18) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by tension forces and resistant to bending forces. Each joint (26, 32) includes an annular groove (28, 34) on the valve body (16, 18) and portions (30, 36) of the sleeve (24) extending radially into the groove (28, 34). Each valve body (16, 18) has a valve element (44) that moves axially inwardly to close the flow passage (42) when one of the joints (26, 32) is detached. The valve element (44) is normally retained in an open position by a ball detent (84). A projection (82) carried by the confronting valve body (16, 18) holds the ball (84) in a groove (62) on the element's shaft portion (56). In a vehicle (2) having two fuel tanks (4) connected by a crossover line (10), a valve (14) is positioned at each end of the line (10) between the line (10) and the associated tank (4).

A venting valve (2) for a liquid tank, such as a vehicle fuel tank, has a float (64) confined in a cage (10). A valve element (86) is mounted on a mounting post (76, 78) carried by the top surface (72) of the float (64). The element (86) is pivotable about a horizontal axis (X). A rising liquid level in the cage (10) causes the float (64) to move upwardly and seat the valve element (86) against a valve seat (42). When the liquid level falls and the float (64) descends, the valve element (86) pivots on the mounting post (76, 78) and thereby acts as a lever to increase the effective weight of the float (64). This enables the lightweight float (64) to overcome vapor pressure in the tank and unseat the valve element (86). The valve of the invention may be incorporated into a cap (102) for closing a vehicle fuel tank filling and venting tube.

Gas venting valve for liquid tank

A valve plug (22, 22a, 22b) is biased inwardly by a spring (78, 78a, 78b) to close an opening (6, 6a, 6b) in a tank. A stem (32, 32a, 32b) extends axially inwardly from the plug (22, 22a, 22b). The stem (32, 32a, 32b) has an inner portion (36, 36a, 36b) which is mechanically interlocked with an outer portion (52, 52a, 52b) to directly transmit axial forces created by the spring (78, 78a, 78b). Fusible material (66, 66a, 66b) holds the stem portions (36, 36a, 36b, 52, 52a, 52b) in an interlocking position but carries only relatively small loads. The plug (22, 22a, 22b) and stem (32, 32a, 32b) move against the force of the spring (78, 78a, 78b) to relieve pressure. At elevated temperatures, the fusible material (66, 66a, 66b) melts to allow the stem portions (36, 36a, 36b, 52, 52a, 52b) to separate and the plug (22, 22a, 22b) and outer stem portion (52, 52a, 52b) to move away from the opening (6, 6a, 6b).

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Zdenek Gabrlik