Fill limit control valve assembly having a liquid fuel trap

Abstract

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.