US20010011538A1 - Vent valve and fuel pump module - Google Patents
Vent valve and fuel pump module Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010011538A1 US20010011538A1 US09/755,478 US75547801A US2001011538A1 US 20010011538 A1 US20010011538 A1 US 20010011538A1 US 75547801 A US75547801 A US 75547801A US 2001011538 A1 US2001011538 A1 US 2001011538A1
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- Prior art keywords
- float
- fuel
- valve
- opening
- shell
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K24/00—Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures
- F16K24/04—Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures for venting only
- F16K24/042—Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures for venting only actuated by a float
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/035—Fuel tanks characterised by venting means
- B60K15/03519—Valve arrangements in the vent line
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
- F02M37/04—Feeding by means of driven pumps
- F02M37/08—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven
- F02M37/10—Feeding by means of driven pumps electrically driven submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
- F02M37/103—Mounting pumps on fuel tanks
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
- F02M37/20—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines characterised by means for preventing vapour lock
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
- B29C66/122—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section
- B29C66/1222—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
- B29C66/122—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section
- B29C66/1224—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising only two joint-segments in the joint cross-section comprising at least a butt joint-segment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
- B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
- B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2059/00—Use of polyacetals, e.g. POM, i.e. polyoxymethylene or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
- B29L2031/7172—Fuel tanks, jerry cans
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/748—Machines or parts thereof not otherwise provided for
- B29L2031/7496—Pumps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K2015/03328—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
- B60K2015/0344—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling comprising baffles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0753—Control by change of position or inertia of system
- Y10T137/0874—Vent opening or closing on tipping container
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/2931—Diverse fluid containing pressure systems
- Y10T137/3003—Fluid separating traps or vents
- Y10T137/3084—Discriminating outlet for gas
- Y10T137/309—Fluid sensing valve
- Y10T137/3099—Float responsive
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to vehicle fuel systems and more particularly to a vapor vent valve for a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel pump module incorporating such a vapor vent valve.
- the valve assembly may have a valve responsive to the level of fuel in the tank that enables the valves to stay open at a sufficiently low fuel level to permit fuel vapors to flow from the fuel tank into the canister.
- a float is raised to close the valve to prevent liquid fuel from flowing through the valve and into the vapor canister.
- the closed valve also prevents fuel vapor from flowing into the vapor canister.
- Typical vapor vent valves are mounted within an opening through the vehicle fuel tank, and a fuel pump is mounted through a separate opening in the fuel tank. Additional openings through the fuel tank may be provided to mount additional components such as an overpressure relief valve and the like. Each opening through the fuel tank provides a leak path through which hazardous hydrocarbon fuel vapors may escape to the atmosphere.
- a high flow rate, two stage fuel vapor vent valve assembly utilizing two float valves that provide a progressive closing of a vapor outlet to control the venting of fuel vapors from a fuel tank and the addition of liquid fuel to the tank.
- a first float closes a portion of the vapor outlet in response to liquid fuel at a first level relative to the valve.
- a second float closes the remainder of the vapor outlet in response to liquid fuel at a second level higher than the first level.
- One or more separate baffles are constructed and arranged to prevent the escape of liquid fuel through the vapor outlet.
- the vapor vent valve assembly can be formed at least in part as an integral portion of a fuel pump module disposed within the fuel tank.
- an upper portion of the vent valve assembly defining the vapor outlet can be formed as an integral portion of a flange of the fuel pump module sealed to the fuel tank. This eliminates a leak path around a body of the vent valve assembly defining the vapor outlet to reduce the likelihood of liquid fuel escaping from the fuel tank.
- providing the vapor vent valve assembly integral with the fuel pump module prevents damage to the vapor vent valve assembly should a lower portion of the fuel pump module, containing the fuel pump, break away from the upper flange sealed to the fuel tank during a vehicle accident.
- Objects, features, and advantages of this invention include providing a vapor vent valve assembly and fuel pump module which has a high flow rate or capacity, opens and closes in response to the level of fuel in the tank, prevents liquid fuel from escaping from the fuel tank to the vapor receiving canister, closes in a vehicle rollover condition, limits the maximum level of fuel within the fuel tank during filling, enables multiple shut-offs of a fuel filler nozzle during filling of the fuel tank, at least substantially prevents sloshing or splashing liquid fuel from escaping through the vapor outlet, and is rugged, durable, reliable, of relatively simple design and economical manufacture and assembly and has a long useful life in service.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vapor vent valve assembly according to the invention and illustrating a lower portion of the assembly;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vapor vent valve assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating an upper portion of the assembly
- FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of the vapor vent valve assembly
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vapor vent valve assembly
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fuel pump module which carries a vapor vent valve assembly according to the invention
- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the fuel pump module illustrating the vapor vent valve assembly
- FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a vapor vent valve assembly of a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is sectional view of a cage of the assembly of FIG. 7.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel vapor vent valve 10 constructed to be mounted on a fuel tank, to communicate with the interior of the fuel tank and to selectively permit fuel vapor to flow out of the fuel tank through a vapor outlet 12 of the vent valve 10 .
- the vapor vent valve 10 may be a stand alone component which can be separately mounted on the fuel tank or, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be incorporated as a portion of a fuel pump module 14 mounted on the fuel tank.
- the vent valve 10 has a first float 16 which carries a closure 18 engageable with the vapor outlet 12 to substantially close the outlet 12 .
- the closure 18 has a passage 20 formed therethrough to permit a controlled flow of vapor through the outlet 12 even when the closure 18 is engaged therewith.
- the vapor vent valve 10 also has a second float 22 moveable relative to the first float 16 and adapted to selectively close off fluid flow through the passage 20 of the closure 18 to prevent fluid flow out of the vapor outlet 12 of the valve 10 .
- this two-stage shut off of the vapor outlet 12 also controls the filling of the fuel tank.
- the closure 18 engages the vapor outlet 12 , vapor flow out of the tank is restricted and the pressure within the tank increases. This causes fuel to back up within a fill pipe of the fuel tank, with liquid fuel closing off a control port of a refueling nozzle of a fuel station fuel dispensing pump to actuate an automatic shut-off device in the nozzle in a known manner and prevent additional fuel from being added to the tank.
- the closure 18 may move away from the vapor outlet 12 and/or the fuel vapor in the tank may vent through the passage 20 of the closure 18 to reduce the pressure in the tank.
- shut-off events are caused by reengagement of the closure with the vapor outlet 12 or the closing off of the passage 20 of the closure 18 by the second float 22 at a maximum fill level of the fuel tank. Desirably, this prevents overfilling of the fuel tank and maintains a vapor dome in the upper portion of the fuel tank and in communication with the vapor vent valve 10 .
- the closure 18 remains engaged with the vapor outlet 12 and does not move away after the initial shut-off event. Further venting and shut-off events are controlled through passage 20 .
- the vapor outlet 12 of the vent valve 10 typically communicates with a fuel vapor canister downstream of the vent valve and the fuel tank.
- the canister is filled with activated charcoal to absorb the hydrocarbon vapors received from the valve assembly.
- the canister has an outlet through which fuel vapor is discharged to an intake manifold of an engine for combustion of the fuel vapors in the normal combustion cycle of the engine.
- the canister may be mounted in various locations in the vehicle and is connected to the vent valve 10 by a suitable flexible hose.
- the vent valve 10 has a housing 30 defined in part by a generally cylindrical and tubular shell 32 and an outer fill cup 34 surrounding a portion of the shell 32 .
- the fill cup 34 has a reduced diameter base 36 in which the shell 32 is closely received preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, by a snap-fit of flexible fingers 35 on the fill cup 34 disposed into complementary slots 37 in the shell 32 .
- An enlarged diameter sidewall 38 extends from the base 36 to an open end 39 of the fill cup defining an annular gap 40 between the sidewall 38 and the shell 32 .
- the sidewall 38 is open at its upper end 39 to permit liquid fuel to flow over the sidewall 38 and into the gap 40 .
- a plurality of radially inwardly and axially extending ribs 42 may be formed in the sidewall 38 to position the shell 32 therein.
- the fill cup 34 has a bottom wall 44 which spans the base 36 with through holes 46 permitting fluid flow therethrough.
- the fill cup 34 and shell 32 are preferably formed of a material resistant to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbon fuels, and are preferably a polymeric material such as Acetal.
- the shell 32 has a sidewall 48 in which a plurality of slots 50 are formed to permit liquid fuel to flow readily through the shell 32 .
- the slots 50 preferably extend at an axially height equal to or below the height of the sidewall 38 of the fill cup 34 so that the sidewall 38 shields or protects against splashing fuel travelling upwardly relative to the vent valve 10 and through the slots 50 to prevent such upwardly travelling fuel from escaping out of the vent valve 10 .
- a bottom wall 52 of the shell 32 substantially closes off its lower end with one or more through holes 56 permitting fluid flow therethrough.
- a radially outwardly extending and preferably circumferentially continuous flange 58 is provided on the sidewall 48 above the slots 50 of the shell.
- the flange 58 extends sufficiently radially outward to direct any liquid fuel which lands on top of the flange 58 away from the fill cup 34 to return such fuel to the fuel tank.
- a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs 62 are provided at the upper end of the shell 32 extending out of the cup 34 . At least some of these tabs 62 have radially outwardly extending catches 64 constructed to snap-fit into complimentary openings 66 in the cap 60 . The remaining tabs 62 provide additional separation between the cap 60 and sidewall 48 to provide flow paths between them through which fuel vapor may flow into the valve 10 .
- a check valve 70 controls the flow of fluid through the holes 46 , 56 of the bottom walls 44 , 52 of the cup 34 and shell 32 .
- the check valve 70 may be a generally flat disc 72 disposed between the bottom walls 44 , 52 and retained and located by a circular recess 74 formed in the bottom wall 52 of the shell 32 .
- the disc 72 is responsive when acted on by liquid fuel to close the openings 56 in the bottom wall 52 of the shell 32 and prevent liquid fuel flow from the fuel tank through these openings 56 .
- any fuel within the shell 32 may flow out of the valve 10 through the openings 56 , past the disc 72 and back into the fuel tank.
- the cap 60 preferably has a plurality of radially outwardly extending mounting tabs 76 with through holes 78 constructed to receive pins (not shown) on the fuel tank which locate the vent valve 10 relative to the fuel tank and which may be heat staked to mount and seal the vent valve 10 to the fuel tank.
- the cap 60 has an upper wall 82 with a throughbore 84 defining the vapor outlet 12 through which fuel vapor may escape from the fuel tank through the vent valve 10 .
- the vapor outlet 12 is defined in part by a nipple 86 extending from the upper wall 82 to receive a suitable conduit communicating the vent valve 10 with a fuel vapor canister or the like. Additionally, an annular depending valve seat 88 may be provided surrounding the outlet 12 .
- the cap 60 has a circumferential depending skirt 90 extending from its upper wall 82 and surrounding an upper portion of the shell 32 in assembly.
- a plurality of slots 66 are formed in the skirt 90 each adapted to receive a catch 64 of a separate one of the tabs 62 on the shell 32 to connect and retain the cap 60 to the shell 32 .
- the flange 58 on the sidewall 48 of the shell 32 is preferably disposed adjacent to the lower edge of the skirt 90 with the flange 58 extending radially outwardly at least to the extent of an inner surface 94 of the skirt 90 and desirably at least to and preferably farther outwardly than an outer wall 96 of the skirt 90 to inhibit and preferably prevent splashing or sloshing liquid fuel from flowing between the skirt 90 and shell 32 and through the outlet 12 out of the valve 10 .
- the cap may also have finger-like shrouds 98 extending from the skirt in the area of the slots 66 to provide a further shield from sloshing fuel.
- a float assembly 100 is slidably received in an interior space 101 defined between the shell 32 its bottom wall 52 and the cap 60 .
- the float assembly 100 comprises the first float 16 and second float 22 slidably received within the hollow first float 16 .
- the first float 16 is preferably defined by a pair of inverted cup shaped bodies 106 , 108 preferably interconnected by a snap-fit to define an inner chamber 110 in which the second float 22 is received.
- the lower body 106 may have a reduced diameter nose 112 adapted to be received within the upper body 108 with a plurality of radially outwardly extending catches 111 snap-fit in corresponding openings 113 in the upper body 108 to connect them together.
- the lower body 106 preferably has an annular recess 116 formed therein. The other end of the spring 114 is preferably disposed over and retained by the circular recess 74 in the bottom wall 52 of the shell 32 .
- the upper body 108 preferably has one or more through holes or slots 118 formed therein communicating the exterior of the float assembly 100 with the chamber 110 in which the second float 22 is received to permit fluid flow into the chamber 110 .
- a through hole 120 is preferably provided in a nose portion 122 of the upper body 108 with the through hole 120 being generally aligned or coaxial with the vapor outlet 12 of the cap 60 .
- the closure 18 is press-fit within the through hole 120 and is adapted to engage the valve seat 88 as shown in FIG. 4, when the first float 16 is moved sufficiently away from the bottom wall 52 of the shell 32 .
- the passage 20 of the closure communicates with the vapor outlet 12 the chamber 110 even when the closure 18 is engaged with the valve seat 88 .
- the closure 18 extends through the hole 120 and defines a second valve seat 123 in the chamber 110 .
- the second float 22 is slidably received within the chamber 110 and is preferably yieldably biased towards the closure 18 by a spring 124 .
- the second float 22 has an annular recess 126 which retains one end of the spring 124 with the other end of the spring 124 retained on a circular projection 128 of the lower body 106 of the first float 16 .
- the second float 22 is buoyant in liquid fuel such that when liquid fuel enters and rises in the chamber 110 the second float 22 is raised upwardly into engagement with the valve seat 123 of the closure 18 to seal off its passage 20 .
- the weight of the second float 22 is chosen such that when liquid fuel is no longer within the chamber 110 the weight of the second float 22 is sufficient to remove it from the valve seat 123 and reopen the passage 20 through the closure 18 .
- the weight of the second float 22 and the spring rate of the spring 124 biasing it are also chosen such that if the vent valve 10 is turned over, such as during a vehicle rollover accident, the second float 22 will be urged into engagement with the valve seat 123 of the closure 18 even when immersed in liquid fuel to prevent liquid fuel from flowing through the closure 18 and out of the vapor outlet 12 .
- the weight of the entire float assembly 100 and the spring rate of the spring 114 biasing it are chosen such that during a vehicle roll-over accident the first float 16 will be displaced to engage the closure 18 with the valve seat 88 of the cap 60 to prevent liquid fuel from flowing out of the vapor outlet therethrough.
- the upper body 108 has a plurality of axially elongate and radially inwardly extending ribs 130 .
- a plurality of axially elongate and spaced apart ribs 132 are provided in the shell 32 .
- the vent valve 10 is comprised of a plurality of relatively simple components which are preferably snap-fit together for ease of assembly and manufacture.
- the vent valve 10 is constructed and arranged to limit or prevent liquid fuel from escaping from the fuel tank therethrough and is responsive to provide a two stage shut-off of the vapor valve outlet 12 .
- the closure 18 engages the valve seat 88 the passage 20 through the closure 18 remains open, and when the second float 22 is immersed in liquid fuel it is raised into engagement with the valve seat 123 of the closure 18 to prevent fluid flow through the closure 18 , and hence, through the vapor outlet 12 .
- passage 20 through the closure 18 remains open, fuel vapor may vent through the float assembly 100 and out of the vapor outlet 12 through this passage 20 to reduce the pressure within the fuel tank. Accordingly, when the pressure within the fuel tank has decreased sufficiently, additional fuel may be added to the fuel tank.
- the time required is dependent at least in part, on the flow area of the passage 20 . The larger the flow area, the shorter the time needed to vent sufficient pressure from the tank, and vice versa.
- a currently preferred passage 20 has a diameter of about 0.10 of an inch.
- the second float 22 may have been raised into engagement with the valve seat 123 of the closure 18 by splashing or sloshing fuel, it may fall away from this valve seat 123 when the fuel settles in the tank permitting additional fuel to be added to the fuel tank.
- the level of fuel is such that the second float 22 remains engaged with the valve seat 123 , no more fuel may be added to the fuel tank because of the lack of venting of fuel vapor and the resulting increased pressure in the fuel tank.
- the vapor outlet 12 remains completely closed until the level of fuel in the tank is decreased sufficiently to permit the second float 22 to fall away from the valve seat 123 thereby opening the passage 20 of the closure 18 and permitting fuel vapor to escape therethrough out of the fuel tank.
- the decreased fuel level will also permit the first float 16 to fall away from the valve seat 88 due to the weight of the float assembly 100 and the force of gravity acting on the assembly. This removes the closure 18 from the valve seat 88 and fully opens the vapor outlet 12 to permit a high flow rate of fuel vapor to escape from the fuel tank.
- the vent valve 10 is constructed to at least substantially inhibit and preferably prevent escape of liquid fuel through the vapor outlet 12 .
- Fuel splashing upwardly is prevented from entering the slots 50 of the shell 32 by the fill cup 34 which preferably extends at least as high as the slots 50 .
- the annular flange 58 of the sidewall 48 of the shell 32 prevents upwardly splashed or sloshing fuel from directly entering the vapor flow path between the skirt 90 and shell 32 .
- any fuel which bypasses the flange 58 and enters the space between the skirt 90 and shell 32 must travel laterally over the shell 32 and further upwardly to escape out of the vapor outlet 12 .
- the depending skirt 90 of the cap 60 provides a shield or baffle which prevents liquid fuel from laterally entering the shell 32 and escaping through the vapor outlet 12 .
- the axial height of the side wall 38 of the fill cup 34 can be changed.
- the lower body 106 of the float assembly 100 is positioned at or below the level of the top of the fill cup 34 such that when fuel flows into the fill cup 34 the float assembly is raised relatively rapidly to engage the closure 18 with the valve seat 88 and initiate the first shut-off of the fuel filler nozzle. Accordingly, regardless of the rate at which fuel is added to the fuel tank, the height of the sidewall 38 of the fill cup 34 effectively controls the fuel level at which the first automatic shut-off of a fuel nozzle is obtained.
- Subsequent fuel fill levels which actuate subsequent shut-offs of the fuel filler nozzle can be controlled by the relative position and distance between the closure 18 and the second float 22 of the float assembly 100 and their position within the fuel tank because the buoyancy of the second float 22 (in addition to at least the spring force acting on the second float 22 and the weight of the second float 22 ) controls the subsequent automatic shut-offs of the fuel filler nozzle. Accordingly, a plurality of automatic shut-offs may be provided with overfilling of the tank being prevented by complete closure of the vapor outlet 12 to maintain a desirable vapor dome within the fuel tank.
- a vapor vent valve 200 may be included as a portion of a fuel pump module 14 mounted on a top wall 204 of and extending into fuel tank 206 .
- the module 14 preferably has a flange portion 208 constructed to be mounted on and sealed to the fuel tank 206 such as by ultrasonic welding or other connection method, and a reservoir portion 210 connected to the flange portion 208 by one or more legs 212 .
- the reservoir portion 210 is slidable on the legs 212 and is yieldably biased away from the flange portion 208 to ensure that the bottom of the reservoir 210 is adjacent to a bottom wall of the fuel tank 206 .
- the module 14 preferably contains a plurality of components all received through a single opening in the fuel tank 206 .
- the module may contain an electric motor fuel pump 214 , a fuel filter 216 downstream of the fuel pump outlet and upstream of an outlet 218 of the module 14 through which fuel is delivered from the fuel tank to an engine, a fuel pressure regulator 220 which may communicate with fuel in the fuel filter 216 downstream of the fuel pump 214 , a fuel level sender (not shown) having a float responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the fuel tank, electrical connectors 224 permitting wires to pass through from outside of the fuel tank into the tank, such as to power the fuel pump 214 and communicate with the fuel level sensor and other sensors, and one or more sensors 222 which communicate conditions within the tank with a CPU or other processing unit of a vehicle.
- the vapor vent valve 200 may be carried by the flange portion 208 of the module 14 with a vapor outlet 226 defined and molded in the flange 208 and an exterior nipple 228 on the flange 208 suitable to receive a flexible hose communicating the vapor outlet 226 with a fuel vapor canister.
- the vapor vent valve 200 when incorporated as a part of the fuel pump module 14 , may have all of the same components as the vent valve 10 except for the cap 60 .
- the cap 60 can be replaced with structure integral with the flange portion 208 of the fuel pump module 14 .
- the shell 32 may have outwardly extending catches 64 which snap-fits into corresponding openings 230 in a depending skirt 232 of the flange portion 208 .
- the vapor outlet 226 and a valve seat 234 surrounding the vapor outlet 226 may be integrally formed in the flange portion 208 .
- the depending skirt 232 of the flange portion 208 is constructed and arranged in the same manner as the skirt 90 of the cap 60 providing a relatively circuitous vapor flow path 235 between the skirt 232 and the shell 32 requiring fuel vapor to flow between the skirt 232 and shell 32 and up over the upper end 237 of the shell 32 before reaching the interior of the valve 10 and the vapor outlet 226 .
- This at least substantially inhibits and preferably prevents liquid fuel from escaping through the vapor outlet 226 .
- the vent valve 200 may be constructed and arranged as disclosed with regard to the first embodiment of the vent valve 10 .
- vent valve 200 as a portion of the fuel pump module 14 eliminates the need for a separate opening through the fuel tank 206 to accommodate the vent valve 200 .
- the legs 212 interconnecting the flange portion 208 and reservoir portion 210 of the fuel pump module 202 may be frangible or constructed to break during an accident to limit the maximum force on the flange portion 208 and the connection between the flange portion 208 and fuel tank.
- the reservoir portion 210 and its contents when they break away from the flange portion during an accident, are not flung into the vapor vent valve 200 and thereby eliminate the potential damage to the vent valve 200 and leakage from the fuel tank which otherwise may occur as a result thereof.
- the vapor vent valve may be provided with a closure 18 having a through passage 20 of very small diameter, and preferably between about 0.020 and 0.040 of an inch to provide a more restrictive flow of fluid therethrough when the closure 18 is engaged with the vapor valve seat 88 .
- a closure 18 having a through passage 20 of very small diameter, and preferably between about 0.020 and 0.040 of an inch to provide a more restrictive flow of fluid therethrough when the closure 18 is engaged with the vapor valve seat 88 .
- the first shut-off of the fuel filler nozzle is obtained when the liquid fuel flows over the fill cup 34 and raises the closure 18 of the float assembly 100 into engagement with the valve seat 88 surrounding the vapor outlet 12 .
- any additional fuel shutoffs after the first shut-off are created by the restricted flow rate of vapor through the passage 20 without the second float 22 closing off the passage 20 as in the previous embodiments.
- the second float 22 will close off the passage 20 when it is immersed in liquid fuel as in the previous embodiments.
- the inner float 102 will close off the passage in a roll over accident situation as described with reference to the first embodiment vent valve 10 .
- a number of fuel shut-off events may occur before the second float 22 is immersed in liquid fuel.
- the fuel tank is not filled to the point where the second float 22 is immersed in liquid fuel so that the passage 20 through the closure 18 remains open and the fuel vapor may vent from the fuel tank through this passage 20 even when the tank is filled to the desired maximum fill level.
- a fuel vapor vent valve 10 , 200 of relatively simple design which at least substantially inhibits and preferably prevents the escape of liquid fuel therethrough, permits control of fuel shut-off events, permits control of a maximum fill level in the fuel tank, prevents fuel leakage during a vehicle roll over accident, is rapidly responsive and of relatively low cost to manufacture.
- the vent valve 10 , 200 can be a stand alone component separately mounted on the fuel tank or may be incorporated into a fuel pump module 14 mounted on the fuel tank.
- a vapor vent valve 300 has a second float 302 carried in the first float 16 and having an upwardly projecting stem with an enlarged head 306 at one end and a cage 308 carried on the stem 304 for engaging the closure 18 and closing the vapor flow passage 20 .
- the cage 308 preferably has an upper wall 310 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms 312 depending from the upper wall 310 and leading to radially inwardly extending fingers 314 .
- the arms 312 have a length which permits axial movement of the cage 308 relative to the head 306 and the radially inwardly extending fingers 314 engage the head 306 to limit movement of the cage 308 .
- each arm 312 is the same so that the head 306 engages the finger 314 on each arm 312 at essentially the same time to provide a generally uniform force on all arms 312 tending to unseat the cage 308 from the closure 18 .
- the vapor vent valve 300 according to the fourth embodiment may be constructed in the same manner as the first embodiment or second embodiment vent valves 10 , 200 .
Abstract
Description
- This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/300,929, filed on Apr. 28, 1999.
- This invention relates generally to vehicle fuel systems and more particularly to a vapor vent valve for a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel pump module incorporating such a vapor vent valve.
- Environmental concerns and governmental regulations require reduced emissions of volatile hydrocarbon fuel vapors into the atmosphere. One source of hydrocarbon fuel vapors is fuel tanks of vehicles using gasoline or other hydrocarbon fuels with high volatility. Fuel vapor can escape to the atmosphere during the filling of the tanks and usually, even after the tanks are filled. The use of an onboard vapor recovery system to remove excess fuel vapor from the fuel tank is one solution to the problem. Typically, a canister with activated charcoal therein receives fuel vapors through a valve assembly mounted in the top of the fuel tank and communicates with the intake manifold of the vehicle engine for withdrawing fuel vapor from the canister during operation of the engine. The valve assembly may have a valve responsive to the level of fuel in the tank that enables the valves to stay open at a sufficiently low fuel level to permit fuel vapors to flow from the fuel tank into the canister. As the fuel level rises during filling to approach a desired maximum fuel level or quantity of fuel in the tank, a float is raised to close the valve to prevent liquid fuel from flowing through the valve and into the vapor canister. The closed valve also prevents fuel vapor from flowing into the vapor canister. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5, 579,802.
- Some of these systems require a high capacity or high flow rate to control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank to the vapor storage canister. Current high capacity or high flow rate valve designs tend to be forced into and held in a closed position, when they should be open, by the vapor pressure in the fuel tank. This prevents vapor from flowing through the valve and into the vapor storage canister defeating the purpose of the system. Further, prior fuel level and vapor vent valves utilize a single float responsive to the fuel level in the fuel tank to close the valve. This single float arrangement maintains the valve closed while the fuel level remains at or near the desired maximum level of fuel in the tank to limit the amount of liquid fuel which undesirably escapes through the valve. Maintaining the valve closed while the fuel level remains at or near the maximum level of fuel in the tank is undesirable because the addition of fuel to the tank when the valve is closed will increase the pressure within the tank and increase the discharge of hydrocarbon fuel vapors into the atmosphere.
- Further, when a vehicle stops, turns rapidly or is travelling across rough terrain significant splashing or sloshing of fuel in the fuel tank can occur. It has been found that the splashing and sloshing of fuel in the tank is particularly bad when the tank is between ¼ and ¾ full. Conventional vapor vent valves permit an undesirable amount of liquid fuel to escape from the fuel tank through the vent valve whereupon it flows to the fuel vapor canister which has a limited volume and storage capacity and is rapidly filled by liquid fuel. Typically, the liquid fuel escapes from conventional vent valves because the outlet thereof is not adequately protected from sloshing or splashing fuel and the valve closure mechanism is not responsive enough to rapidly close the valve and prevent such liquid fuel escape.
- Typical vapor vent valves are mounted within an opening through the vehicle fuel tank, and a fuel pump is mounted through a separate opening in the fuel tank. Additional openings through the fuel tank may be provided to mount additional components such as an overpressure relief valve and the like. Each opening through the fuel tank provides a leak path through which hazardous hydrocarbon fuel vapors may escape to the atmosphere.
- A high flow rate, two stage fuel vapor vent valve assembly utilizing two float valves that provide a progressive closing of a vapor outlet to control the venting of fuel vapors from a fuel tank and the addition of liquid fuel to the tank. A first float closes a portion of the vapor outlet in response to liquid fuel at a first level relative to the valve. A second float closes the remainder of the vapor outlet in response to liquid fuel at a second level higher than the first level. One or more separate baffles are constructed and arranged to prevent the escape of liquid fuel through the vapor outlet.
- Preferably, to reduce the number of openings in the fuel tank and to simplify manufacture and assembly of the vapor vent valve assembly, it can be formed at least in part as an integral portion of a fuel pump module disposed within the fuel tank. Ideally, an upper portion of the vent valve assembly defining the vapor outlet can be formed as an integral portion of a flange of the fuel pump module sealed to the fuel tank. This eliminates a leak path around a body of the vent valve assembly defining the vapor outlet to reduce the likelihood of liquid fuel escaping from the fuel tank. Still further, providing the vapor vent valve assembly integral with the fuel pump module prevents damage to the vapor vent valve assembly should a lower portion of the fuel pump module, containing the fuel pump, break away from the upper flange sealed to the fuel tank during a vehicle accident.
- Objects, features, and advantages of this invention include providing a vapor vent valve assembly and fuel pump module which has a high flow rate or capacity, opens and closes in response to the level of fuel in the tank, prevents liquid fuel from escaping from the fuel tank to the vapor receiving canister, closes in a vehicle rollover condition, limits the maximum level of fuel within the fuel tank during filling, enables multiple shut-offs of a fuel filler nozzle during filling of the fuel tank, at least substantially prevents sloshing or splashing liquid fuel from escaping through the vapor outlet, and is rugged, durable, reliable, of relatively simple design and economical manufacture and assembly and has a long useful life in service.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vapor vent valve assembly according to the invention and illustrating a lower portion of the assembly;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vapor vent valve assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating an upper portion of the assembly;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of the vapor vent valve assembly;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vapor vent valve assembly;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fuel pump module which carries a vapor vent valve assembly according to the invention;
- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the fuel pump module illustrating the vapor vent valve assembly;
- FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a vapor vent valve assembly of a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
- FIG. 8 is sectional view of a cage of the assembly of FIG. 7.
- Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel
vapor vent valve 10 constructed to be mounted on a fuel tank, to communicate with the interior of the fuel tank and to selectively permit fuel vapor to flow out of the fuel tank through avapor outlet 12 of thevent valve 10. Thevapor vent valve 10 may be a stand alone component which can be separately mounted on the fuel tank or, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be incorporated as a portion of afuel pump module 14 mounted on the fuel tank. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thevent valve 10 has afirst float 16 which carries aclosure 18 engageable with thevapor outlet 12 to substantially close theoutlet 12. Theclosure 18 has apassage 20 formed therethrough to permit a controlled flow of vapor through theoutlet 12 even when theclosure 18 is engaged therewith. Thevapor vent valve 10 also has asecond float 22 moveable relative to thefirst float 16 and adapted to selectively close off fluid flow through thepassage 20 of theclosure 18 to prevent fluid flow out of thevapor outlet 12 of thevalve 10. - Desirably, this two-stage shut off of the
vapor outlet 12 also controls the filling of the fuel tank. When theclosure 18 engages thevapor outlet 12, vapor flow out of the tank is restricted and the pressure within the tank increases. This causes fuel to back up within a fill pipe of the fuel tank, with liquid fuel closing off a control port of a refueling nozzle of a fuel station fuel dispensing pump to actuate an automatic shut-off device in the nozzle in a known manner and prevent additional fuel from being added to the tank. Theclosure 18 may move away from thevapor outlet 12 and/or the fuel vapor in the tank may vent through thepassage 20 of theclosure 18 to reduce the pressure in the tank. Thus, additional fuel can be added to the tank even after the first shut-off event. Subsequent shut-off events are caused by reengagement of the closure with thevapor outlet 12 or the closing off of thepassage 20 of theclosure 18 by thesecond float 22 at a maximum fill level of the fuel tank. Desirably, this prevents overfilling of the fuel tank and maintains a vapor dome in the upper portion of the fuel tank and in communication with thevapor vent valve 10. Usually, theclosure 18 remains engaged with thevapor outlet 12 and does not move away after the initial shut-off event. Further venting and shut-off events are controlled throughpassage 20. - The
vapor outlet 12 of thevent valve 10 typically communicates with a fuel vapor canister downstream of the vent valve and the fuel tank. The canister is filled with activated charcoal to absorb the hydrocarbon vapors received from the valve assembly. The canister has an outlet through which fuel vapor is discharged to an intake manifold of an engine for combustion of the fuel vapors in the normal combustion cycle of the engine. The canister may be mounted in various locations in the vehicle and is connected to thevent valve 10 by a suitable flexible hose. - The
vent valve 10 has ahousing 30 defined in part by a generally cylindrical andtubular shell 32 and anouter fill cup 34 surrounding a portion of theshell 32. Thefill cup 34 has a reduceddiameter base 36 in which theshell 32 is closely received preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, by a snap-fit offlexible fingers 35 on thefill cup 34 disposed intocomplementary slots 37 in theshell 32. Anenlarged diameter sidewall 38 extends from the base 36 to anopen end 39 of the fill cup defining anannular gap 40 between thesidewall 38 and theshell 32. Thesidewall 38 is open at itsupper end 39 to permit liquid fuel to flow over thesidewall 38 and into thegap 40. A plurality of radially inwardly and axially extendingribs 42 may be formed in thesidewall 38 to position theshell 32 therein. Thefill cup 34 has abottom wall 44 which spans the base 36 with throughholes 46 permitting fluid flow therethrough. Thefill cup 34 andshell 32 are preferably formed of a material resistant to degradation from exposure to hydrocarbon fuels, and are preferably a polymeric material such as Acetal. - The
shell 32 has asidewall 48 in which a plurality ofslots 50 are formed to permit liquid fuel to flow readily through theshell 32. Theslots 50 preferably extend at an axially height equal to or below the height of thesidewall 38 of thefill cup 34 so that thesidewall 38 shields or protects against splashing fuel travelling upwardly relative to thevent valve 10 and through theslots 50 to prevent such upwardly travelling fuel from escaping out of thevent valve 10. Abottom wall 52 of theshell 32 substantially closes off its lower end with one or more throughholes 56 permitting fluid flow therethrough. - A radially outwardly extending and preferably circumferentially
continuous flange 58 is provided on thesidewall 48 above theslots 50 of the shell. Theflange 58 extends sufficiently radially outward to direct any liquid fuel which lands on top of theflange 58 away from thefill cup 34 to return such fuel to the fuel tank. To facilitate locating and connecting anupper cap 60 to theshell 32, a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs 62 (FIG. 3) are provided at the upper end of theshell 32 extending out of thecup 34. At least some of thesetabs 62 have radially outwardly extendingcatches 64 constructed to snap-fit intocomplimentary openings 66 in thecap 60. The remainingtabs 62 provide additional separation between thecap 60 andsidewall 48 to provide flow paths between them through which fuel vapor may flow into thevalve 10. - Desirably, a
check valve 70 controls the flow of fluid through theholes bottom walls cup 34 andshell 32. Thecheck valve 70 may be a generallyflat disc 72 disposed between thebottom walls circular recess 74 formed in thebottom wall 52 of theshell 32. Desirably, thedisc 72 is responsive when acted on by liquid fuel to close theopenings 56 in thebottom wall 52 of theshell 32 and prevent liquid fuel flow from the fuel tank through theseopenings 56. When thedisc 72 is not immersed in liquid fuel, any fuel within theshell 32 may flow out of thevalve 10 through theopenings 56, past thedisc 72 and back into the fuel tank. - The
cap 60 preferably has a plurality of radially outwardly extending mountingtabs 76 with throughholes 78 constructed to receive pins (not shown) on the fuel tank which locate thevent valve 10 relative to the fuel tank and which may be heat staked to mount and seal thevent valve 10 to the fuel tank. Thecap 60 has anupper wall 82 with athroughbore 84 defining thevapor outlet 12 through which fuel vapor may escape from the fuel tank through thevent valve 10. Thevapor outlet 12 is defined in part by anipple 86 extending from theupper wall 82 to receive a suitable conduit communicating thevent valve 10 with a fuel vapor canister or the like. Additionally, an annular dependingvalve seat 88 may be provided surrounding theoutlet 12. Thecap 60 has acircumferential depending skirt 90 extending from itsupper wall 82 and surrounding an upper portion of theshell 32 in assembly. A plurality ofslots 66 are formed in theskirt 90 each adapted to receive acatch 64 of a separate one of thetabs 62 on theshell 32 to connect and retain thecap 60 to theshell 32. Theflange 58 on thesidewall 48 of theshell 32 is preferably disposed adjacent to the lower edge of theskirt 90 with theflange 58 extending radially outwardly at least to the extent of aninner surface 94 of theskirt 90 and desirably at least to and preferably farther outwardly than anouter wall 96 of theskirt 90 to inhibit and preferably prevent splashing or sloshing liquid fuel from flowing between theskirt 90 andshell 32 and through theoutlet 12 out of thevalve 10. The cap may also have finger-like shrouds 98 extending from the skirt in the area of theslots 66 to provide a further shield from sloshing fuel. - To control the flow of fluid through the
vent valve 10, afloat assembly 100 is slidably received in aninterior space 101 defined between theshell 32 itsbottom wall 52 and thecap 60. Thefloat assembly 100 comprises thefirst float 16 andsecond float 22 slidably received within the hollowfirst float 16. Thefirst float 16 is preferably defined by a pair of inverted cup shapedbodies inner chamber 110 in which thesecond float 22 is received. Thelower body 106 may have a reduceddiameter nose 112 adapted to be received within theupper body 108 with a plurality of radially outwardly extending catches 111 snap-fit in correspondingopenings 113 in theupper body 108 to connect them together. To retain one end of aspring 114 which yieldably biases thefloat assembly 100 toward its closed position, thelower body 106 preferably has anannular recess 116 formed therein. The other end of thespring 114 is preferably disposed over and retained by thecircular recess 74 in thebottom wall 52 of theshell 32. Theupper body 108 preferably has one or more through holes orslots 118 formed therein communicating the exterior of thefloat assembly 100 with thechamber 110 in which thesecond float 22 is received to permit fluid flow into thechamber 110. A throughhole 120 is preferably provided in anose portion 122 of theupper body 108 with the throughhole 120 being generally aligned or coaxial with thevapor outlet 12 of thecap 60. Theclosure 18 is press-fit within the throughhole 120 and is adapted to engage thevalve seat 88 as shown in FIG. 4, when thefirst float 16 is moved sufficiently away from thebottom wall 52 of theshell 32. Thepassage 20 of the closure communicates with thevapor outlet 12 thechamber 110 even when theclosure 18 is engaged with thevalve seat 88. Theclosure 18 extends through thehole 120 and defines asecond valve seat 123 in thechamber 110. - The
second float 22 is slidably received within thechamber 110 and is preferably yieldably biased towards theclosure 18 by aspring 124. Thesecond float 22 has anannular recess 126 which retains one end of thespring 124 with the other end of thespring 124 retained on acircular projection 128 of thelower body 106 of thefirst float 16. Thesecond float 22 is buoyant in liquid fuel such that when liquid fuel enters and rises in thechamber 110 thesecond float 22 is raised upwardly into engagement with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18 to seal off itspassage 20. Desirably, the weight of thesecond float 22 is chosen such that when liquid fuel is no longer within thechamber 110 the weight of thesecond float 22 is sufficient to remove it from thevalve seat 123 and reopen thepassage 20 through theclosure 18. The weight of thesecond float 22 and the spring rate of thespring 124 biasing it are also chosen such that if thevent valve 10 is turned over, such as during a vehicle rollover accident, thesecond float 22 will be urged into engagement with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18 even when immersed in liquid fuel to prevent liquid fuel from flowing through theclosure 18 and out of thevapor outlet 12. Likewise, the weight of theentire float assembly 100 and the spring rate of thespring 114 biasing it are chosen such that during a vehicle roll-over accident thefirst float 16 will be displaced to engage theclosure 18 with thevalve seat 88 of thecap 60 to prevent liquid fuel from flowing out of the vapor outlet therethrough. Desirably, to limit friction between thesecond float 22 andfirst float 16 theupper body 108 has a plurality of axially elongate and radially inwardly extendingribs 130. Likewise, to guide thefirst float 16 and reduce friction between it and the inner wall of theshell 32, a plurality of axially elongate and spaced apartribs 132 are provided in theshell 32. - Accordingly, the
vent valve 10 is comprised of a plurality of relatively simple components which are preferably snap-fit together for ease of assembly and manufacture. Thevent valve 10 is constructed and arranged to limit or prevent liquid fuel from escaping from the fuel tank therethrough and is responsive to provide a two stage shut-off of thevapor valve outlet 12. Initially, when theclosure 18 engages thevalve seat 88 thepassage 20 through theclosure 18 remains open, and when thesecond float 22 is immersed in liquid fuel it is raised into engagement with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18 to prevent fluid flow through theclosure 18, and hence, through thevapor outlet 12. - Operation
- Absent liquid fuel acting on the
float assembly 100, theclosure 18 is not engaged with thevalve seat 88 of thecap 60 and thesecond float 22 is likewise not engaged with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18 permitting fuel vapors within the fuel tank to flow through the vapor passage between theskirt 90 andsidewall 48 and out of thevapor outlet 12. Fuel vapor may also flow through theslots 50 in theshell 32 around thefloat assembly 100 and out of thevapor outlet 12, or through thefloat assembly 100 and thepassage 20 through theclosure 18 and out of thevapor outlet 12 for delivery to a fuel vapor canister or other vapor receiving component. - As liquid fuel is added to the fuel tank such as by a filler nozzle of a fuel station dispensing pump, the level of fuel in the tank rises and eventually liquid fuel will engage the bottom of the
fill cup 34. As liquid fuel flows through theholes 46 in thebottom wall 44 of thefill cup 34 thevalve disc 72 is raised into engagement with thebottom wall 52 of theshell 32 to close itsholes 56 and prevent liquid fuel from entering theinterior space 101 of thevent valve 10 therethrough. The level of fuel in the tank continues to rise as fuel is added therein until the level of fuel reaches the openupper end 39 of thefill cup 34. When the level of fuel is higher than thefill cup 34, fuel pours into thefill cup 34 and through theslots 50 in theshell 32 rapidly filling theinterior space 101 of thevent valve 10 to the level of fuel in the tank. - Desirably, as liquid fuel fills the
interior space 101, air is trapped within thelower body 106 of thefirst float 16 rendering thefirst float 16 andentire float assembly 100 buoyant or merely increasing its buoyancy if it is buoyant in liquid fuel. The rush of liquid fuel into thevent valve 10 and the air trapped in thefloat assembly 100 quickly raises thefloat assembly 100 until theclosure 18 engages thevalve seat 88 closing off a major portion of thevapor outlet 12. With the major portion of thevapor outlet 12 closed, the pressure within the fuel tank rises rapidly as fuel is added to the tank causing fuel to rise or back-up within the fill pipe to engage the fuel fill nozzle and actuate its automatic shut-off, temporarily stopping the addition of fuel to the tank. Because thepassage 20 through theclosure 18 remains open, fuel vapor may vent through thefloat assembly 100 and out of thevapor outlet 12 through thispassage 20 to reduce the pressure within the fuel tank. Accordingly, when the pressure within the fuel tank has decreased sufficiently, additional fuel may be added to the fuel tank. The time required is dependent at least in part, on the flow area of thepassage 20. The larger the flow area, the shorter the time needed to vent sufficient pressure from the tank, and vice versa. A currently preferredpassage 20 has a diameter of about 0.10 of an inch. - Additional fuel added to the tank raises the level of fuel in the tank further, with fuel in the
vent valve 10 rising correspondingly, until the fuel enters thechamber 110 containing thesecond float 22. Eventually, thesecond float 22 will be raised by liquid fuel within thechamber 110 until it engages with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18 to prevent any fluid flow through itspassage 20. With theclosure 18 engaged with thevalve seat 88 and with thesecond float 22 engaged with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18, thevapor outlet 12 is completely closed. Without any exit for fuel vapor, the pressure within the fuel tank again rapidly increases and the fuel automatic shut-off of the nozzle is actuated by liquid fuel backing up into the fill pipe. Because thesecond float 22 may have been raised into engagement with thevalve seat 123 of theclosure 18 by splashing or sloshing fuel, it may fall away from thisvalve seat 123 when the fuel settles in the tank permitting additional fuel to be added to the fuel tank. When the level of fuel is such that thesecond float 22 remains engaged with thevalve seat 123, no more fuel may be added to the fuel tank because of the lack of venting of fuel vapor and the resulting increased pressure in the fuel tank. Thevapor outlet 12 remains completely closed until the level of fuel in the tank is decreased sufficiently to permit thesecond float 22 to fall away from thevalve seat 123 thereby opening thepassage 20 of theclosure 18 and permitting fuel vapor to escape therethrough out of the fuel tank. At some point the decreased fuel level will also permit thefirst float 16 to fall away from thevalve seat 88 due to the weight of thefloat assembly 100 and the force of gravity acting on the assembly. This removes theclosure 18 from thevalve seat 88 and fully opens thevapor outlet 12 to permit a high flow rate of fuel vapor to escape from the fuel tank. - Desirably, the
vent valve 10 is constructed to at least substantially inhibit and preferably prevent escape of liquid fuel through thevapor outlet 12. Fuel splashing upwardly is prevented from entering theslots 50 of theshell 32 by thefill cup 34 which preferably extends at least as high as theslots 50. Further, theannular flange 58 of thesidewall 48 of theshell 32 prevents upwardly splashed or sloshing fuel from directly entering the vapor flow path between theskirt 90 andshell 32. Still further, any fuel which bypasses theflange 58 and enters the space between theskirt 90 andshell 32 must travel laterally over theshell 32 and further upwardly to escape out of thevapor outlet 12. This is unlikely and due to the force of gravity acting on the fuel, any fuel which enters theshell 32 will flow downwardly towards the bottom of theshell 32 through thecheck valve 70 when the level of fuel in the fuel tank permits. Still further, the dependingskirt 90 of thecap 60 provides a shield or baffle which prevents liquid fuel from laterally entering theshell 32 and escaping through thevapor outlet 12. - To change the fuel level within the tank which causes the first automatic shutoff of a fuel filler nozzle, the axial height of the
side wall 38 of thefill cup 34 can be changed. Notably, thelower body 106 of thefloat assembly 100 is positioned at or below the level of the top of thefill cup 34 such that when fuel flows into thefill cup 34 the float assembly is raised relatively rapidly to engage theclosure 18 with thevalve seat 88 and initiate the first shut-off of the fuel filler nozzle. Accordingly, regardless of the rate at which fuel is added to the fuel tank, the height of thesidewall 38 of thefill cup 34 effectively controls the fuel level at which the first automatic shut-off of a fuel nozzle is obtained. Subsequent fuel fill levels which actuate subsequent shut-offs of the fuel filler nozzle can be controlled by the relative position and distance between theclosure 18 and thesecond float 22 of thefloat assembly 100 and their position within the fuel tank because the buoyancy of the second float 22 (in addition to at least the spring force acting on thesecond float 22 and the weight of the second float 22) controls the subsequent automatic shut-offs of the fuel filler nozzle. Accordingly, a plurality of automatic shut-offs may be provided with overfilling of the tank being prevented by complete closure of thevapor outlet 12 to maintain a desirable vapor dome within the fuel tank. - Second Embodiment
- As shown in FIGS.5-6, a
vapor vent valve 200 according to the invention may be included as a portion of afuel pump module 14 mounted on atop wall 204 of and extending intofuel tank 206. Themodule 14 preferably has aflange portion 208 constructed to be mounted on and sealed to thefuel tank 206 such as by ultrasonic welding or other connection method, and areservoir portion 210 connected to theflange portion 208 by one ormore legs 212. Desirably, thereservoir portion 210 is slidable on thelegs 212 and is yieldably biased away from theflange portion 208 to ensure that the bottom of thereservoir 210 is adjacent to a bottom wall of thefuel tank 206. - The
module 14 preferably contains a plurality of components all received through a single opening in thefuel tank 206. For example, the module may contain an electricmotor fuel pump 214, afuel filter 216 downstream of the fuel pump outlet and upstream of anoutlet 218 of themodule 14 through which fuel is delivered from the fuel tank to an engine, afuel pressure regulator 220 which may communicate with fuel in thefuel filter 216 downstream of thefuel pump 214, a fuel level sender (not shown) having a float responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the fuel tank,electrical connectors 224 permitting wires to pass through from outside of the fuel tank into the tank, such as to power thefuel pump 214 and communicate with the fuel level sensor and other sensors, and one ormore sensors 222 which communicate conditions within the tank with a CPU or other processing unit of a vehicle. Thevapor vent valve 200 may be carried by theflange portion 208 of themodule 14 with avapor outlet 226 defined and molded in theflange 208 and anexterior nipple 228 on theflange 208 suitable to receive a flexible hose communicating thevapor outlet 226 with a fuel vapor canister. - As best shown in FIG. 6, the
vapor vent valve 200, when incorporated as a part of thefuel pump module 14, may have all of the same components as thevent valve 10 except for thecap 60. Desirably, thecap 60 can be replaced with structure integral with theflange portion 208 of thefuel pump module 14. For instance, theshell 32 may have outwardly extendingcatches 64 which snap-fits into correspondingopenings 230 in a dependingskirt 232 of theflange portion 208. Additionally, thevapor outlet 226 and avalve seat 234 surrounding thevapor outlet 226 may be integrally formed in theflange portion 208. Desirably, the dependingskirt 232 of theflange portion 208 is constructed and arranged in the same manner as theskirt 90 of thecap 60 providing a relatively circuitousvapor flow path 235 between theskirt 232 and theshell 32 requiring fuel vapor to flow between theskirt 232 andshell 32 and up over theupper end 237 of theshell 32 before reaching the interior of thevalve 10 and thevapor outlet 226. This at least substantially inhibits and preferably prevents liquid fuel from escaping through thevapor outlet 226. In all other respects, thevent valve 200 may be constructed and arranged as disclosed with regard to the first embodiment of thevent valve 10. Desirably, including thevent valve 200 as a portion of thefuel pump module 14 eliminates the need for a separate opening through thefuel tank 206 to accommodate thevent valve 200. Further, to prevent leakage of fuel from thefuel tank 206 during an accident, thelegs 212 interconnecting theflange portion 208 andreservoir portion 210 of the fuel pump module 202 may be frangible or constructed to break during an accident to limit the maximum force on theflange portion 208 and the connection between theflange portion 208 and fuel tank. With thevapor vent valve 200 within thefuel pump module 14, thereservoir portion 210 and its contents, when they break away from the flange portion during an accident, are not flung into thevapor vent valve 200 and thereby eliminate the potential damage to thevent valve 200 and leakage from the fuel tank which otherwise may occur as a result thereof. - Third Embodiment
- As an alternate embodiment, the vapor vent valve may be provided with a
closure 18 having a throughpassage 20 of very small diameter, and preferably between about 0.020 and 0.040 of an inch to provide a more restrictive flow of fluid therethrough when theclosure 18 is engaged with thevapor valve seat 88. Such an arrangement can be used with the stand alone ventvalve 10 or with thevent valve 200 of thefuel pump module 14 without any other modifications. Desirably, upon filling of the fuel tank, the first shut-off of the fuel filler nozzle is obtained when the liquid fuel flows over thefill cup 34 and raises theclosure 18 of thefloat assembly 100 into engagement with thevalve seat 88 surrounding thevapor outlet 12. Due to the small flow area of thepassage 20 through theclosure 18, while fuel vapor may vent from the fuel tank, it does so at a relatively slow rate requiring a longer time to reduce the pressure in the fuel tank. Accordingly, with the relatively high pressure maintained in the fuel tank the fuel fill nozzle even if actuated will not add additional fuel to the tank. - Upon waiting a sufficient amount of time to permit a sufficient amount of the fuel vapor to flow through the passage, additional fuel may be added to the tank if desired, however, the pressure in the tank will rapidly increase and thereby rapidly cause a second shut-off of the fuel filler nozzle. Desirably, any additional fuel shutoffs after the first shut-off are created by the restricted flow rate of vapor through the
passage 20 without thesecond float 22 closing off thepassage 20 as in the previous embodiments. In any event, if sufficient fuel is added to the tank thesecond float 22 will close off thepassage 20 when it is immersed in liquid fuel as in the previous embodiments. Additionally, the inner float 102 will close off the passage in a roll over accident situation as described with reference to the firstembodiment vent valve 10. Desirably, a number of fuel shut-off events may occur before thesecond float 22 is immersed in liquid fuel. Preferably, the fuel tank is not filled to the point where thesecond float 22 is immersed in liquid fuel so that thepassage 20 through theclosure 18 remains open and the fuel vapor may vent from the fuel tank through thispassage 20 even when the tank is filled to the desired maximum fill level. - Accordingly, a fuel
vapor vent valve vent valve fuel pump module 14 mounted on the fuel tank. - Fourth Embodiment
- A
vapor vent valve 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, has asecond float 302 carried in thefirst float 16 and having an upwardly projecting stem with anenlarged head 306 at one end and acage 308 carried on thestem 304 for engaging theclosure 18 and closing thevapor flow passage 20. Thecage 308 preferably has anupper wall 310 and a plurality of circumferentially spacedarms 312 depending from theupper wall 310 and leading to radially inwardly extendingfingers 314. Thearms 312 have a length which permits axial movement of thecage 308 relative to thehead 306 and the radially inwardly extendingfingers 314 engage thehead 306 to limit movement of thecage 308. The relative movement between thesecond float 302 andcage 308 provides for increased force tending to unseat thecage 308 from theclosure 18 to prevent corking or sticking of the cage. Desirably, the length of eacharm 312 is the same so that thehead 306 engages thefinger 314 on eacharm 312 at essentially the same time to provide a generally uniform force on allarms 312 tending to unseat thecage 308 from theclosure 18. In all other respects, thevapor vent valve 300 according to the fourth embodiment may be constructed in the same manner as the first embodiment or secondembodiment vent valves
Claims (30)
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/755,478 US6311675B2 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2001-01-05 | Vent valve and fuel pump module |
BR0104333A BR0104333A (en) | 2001-01-05 | 2001-09-27 | Steam vent valve for a fuel tank |
DE2001148506 DE10148506A1 (en) | 2001-01-05 | 2001-10-01 | Vapor vent valve for a vehicle fuel tank has two floats that close portions of the tank vapor outlet in response to the liquid fuel level and baffles to prevent liquid fuel flow through the vapor outlet |
JP2001304919A JP3909231B2 (en) | 2001-01-05 | 2001-10-01 | Vent valve and fuel pump module |
US09/975,829 US6634341B2 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2001-10-12 | Vent and rollover valve and fuel pump module |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/300,929 US6213100B1 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 1999-04-28 | Multi-function fuel pump module |
US09/755,478 US6311675B2 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2001-01-05 | Vent valve and fuel pump module |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/300,929 Continuation-In-Part US6213100B1 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 1999-04-28 | Multi-function fuel pump module |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/975,829 Continuation-In-Part US6634341B2 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2001-10-12 | Vent and rollover valve and fuel pump module |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010011538A1 true US20010011538A1 (en) | 2001-08-09 |
US6311675B2 US6311675B2 (en) | 2001-11-06 |
Family
ID=25039318
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/755,478 Expired - Lifetime US6311675B2 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2001-01-05 | Vent valve and fuel pump module |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6311675B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3909231B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR0104333A (en) |
DE (1) | DE10148506A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6311675B2 (en) | 2001-11-06 |
JP3909231B2 (en) | 2007-04-25 |
DE10148506A1 (en) | 2002-07-11 |
BR0104333A (en) | 2002-09-10 |
JP2002235623A (en) | 2002-08-23 |
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