Abstract: A fuel cap for closing the filler neck of an off-road vehicle. The fuel cap includes a cover having an opening therethrough and a concentric housing extending downwardly into the filler neck and connected to the cover. A valve body having an upper and a lower chamber disposed therein is fitted into the housing and extends downwardly into the filler neck. The upper chamber and lower chamber have vent openings which cooperate with the opening in the cover to provide a vent path to allow the fuel tank to vent fuel vapor to the atmosphere. The lower chamber includes a floatation ball to seal one of the vent openings in the lower chamber to prevent fuel spillage when the vehicle is subjected to a bump, or is operated on a grade. The upper chamber includes a steel ball which seals one of the vent openings in the upper chamber to prevent fuel spillage when the vehicle is overturned to a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A cap for closing a fuel fill neck of a vehicle is provided. The cap includes an axially extending housing that is adapted to engage and seal the neck. The cap further includes a first flange that extends radially outwardly from the axially upper portion of the housing and includes a groove formed therein to form a frangible portion. An outer cover is attached to the first flange that is adapted to be broken away upon impact. The cap further includes a second flange spaced axially below the first flange and configured to engage a gasket to seal the fill neck. The second flange is adapted to remain intact to seal the neck after the outer cover and the first flange are fractured and displaced from the cap.

Abstract: A fuel cap is provided for use in a threaded filler neck of a fuel system. The fuel cap includes a shell providing a hand grip and a closure rotatably engaging the threaded filler neck for closing the filler neck. The closure includes a seal for establishing a sealing engagement between the closure and the filler neck to block the escape of fuel and fuel vapor in the filler neck to the atmosphere. The cap also includes a pressure-vacuum valve assembly that extends through the closure for venting pressurized fuel vapor in the filler neck through the closure. The cap further includes an actuator providing an operative connection between the shell and the valve assembly so that rotation of the shell relative to the filler neck in a cap-removal direction will actuate the valve assembly.

Abstract: A cap for closing the filler neck of a vehicle is provided. The cap includes a valve body and a vent adapted to allow a maximum amount of fuel vapor to vent to the atmosphere. The cap also includes a ball disposed within the valve body to seal the vent when the vehicle is rolled over to a substantially inverted position to prevent fuel from leaking from the cap. The cap further includes a baffle to prevent fuel from splashing through the vent when the vehicle is operated on a rough and uneven surface.

Abstract: An improved roll-over valve includes a hollow valve housing, a valve member in the valve housing, and a base for retaining the valve member in the valve housing. A ball is provided for moving the valve member within the valve housing. The valve member is positioned within the hollow valve housing for movement generally along a longitudinal axis between an outlet-opening and -closing position. The valve member includes a ball-receiving cup configured to define a first inclined ramp portion. The base retains the valve member within the housing and includes a second inclined ramp portion. The base is coupled to the valve housing the present the first and second inclined ramp portions in opposing spaced-apart relation to define a ball-receiving space therebetween. The ball is positioned in the ball-receiving space in substantially camming relation to each of the opposing first and second inclined ramp portions.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel heating device is disclosed for heating fuel prior to the fuel being introduced into a fuel filter, fuel-water separator or both. The device includes a housing and a heater in the housing for heating the fuel. A space defining heat conductive barrier is provided for defining an upstream space in the housing into which fuel can flow to be heated prior to the fuel being introduced into the separator or filter and a downstream space in the housing through which the fuel can flow after the fuel has left the separator or filter. The heater and downstream space are placed in a heat transfer relation with the upstream space to enable the fuel in the upstream space to be heated by the heater and to extract heat from the fuel in the downstream space.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an end plate for a container having a continuous wall, with a novel end plate being produced thereby. The end plate includes a thickened plate which is disposed perpendicular to the continuous wall, with the thickened plate having a diameter less than the inner diameter of the cylindrical walls. A sheet having a peripheral down-turned flange is disposed above the thickened plate, with the down-turned flange having a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical walls. An opening is provided in the sheet which is aligned with an opening in the thickened plate. An end portion of the continuous wall is bent outwardly to form a peripheral lip which has an outer diameter less than the diameter of the sheet. A seam between the continuous wall and the metal sheet is formed by inserting a stud into the opening and engaging a groove-containing roller to the down-turned flange and peripheral lip.

Abstract: An in-line fuel reservoir for a high pressure fuel metering system having a high pressure pump for pumping fuel to an engine and a low pressure pump for pumping fuel from a fuel tank to the high pressure pump. The fuel reservoir has a fuel supply chamber, a fuel supply inlet to the fuel supply chamber which is coupled to the low-pressure pump, a fuel supply outlet from the fuel supply chamber which is coupled to the high pressure pump, a fuel return inlet coupled to the engine, a fuel return outlet coupled to the fuel tank, a first fuel opening between the fuel return inlet and the fuel supply chamber, a second fuel opening between the fuel return inlet and the fuel return outlet and a valve assembly for controlling the flow of fuel through the first and second fuel openings to direct returned fuel to the fuel supply chamber and the fuel tank. The full reservoir may also include a vent opening between the fuel supply chamber and the fuel return outlet to vent vapor and fuel from the fuel supply chamber.

Abstract: A pressure/vacuum valve assembly for a fuel tank filler neck comprises a pressure-release valve member, a vacuum-relief valve, and a pressure-release control member in a vent passageway. The vent passageway has an axially outwardly facing surface and a radially inwardly facing surface. A yieldable control spring urges the pressure-release valve member normally to close and seal the vent passageway. The pressure-release control member has an axially inwardly facing surface which forms a first restricted opening for the flow of fuel vapors. The control member has a radially outwardly facing surface which forms a second restricted opening with the radially inwardly facing surface of the vent passageway. The pressure-release valve member is urged in opposition to the control spring to open the vent passageway in response to a predetermined superatmospheric pressure and allow fuel vapor to flow in the first and second restricted openings.

Abstract: A cap is disclosed for closing an aperture having a camming surface extending axially inwardly about its periphery. The cap includes a first body portion having a diameter larger than the aperture and a second body portion having an outer diameter smaller than the aperture. A gasket is disposed adjacent the first body portion. A first slot extends diametrally through the second body portion. Second and third chordal slots extend partially through the second body portion and are parallel to the first diametral slot. The first, second, and third slots define first and second parallel lever arms. Each lever arm includes a portion extending radially beyond the outer diameter of the second body portion to engage the camming surface of the aperture.

Abstract: A fuel-water separator comprises a container having entry and exit ports and a progression of spaces through which the fuel moves. The spaces become progressively smaller and are arranged to direct the fuel through a series of downwardly and upwardly directed paths. The lower density fuel moves upwardly while the higher density water tends to move downwardly to drain through drainage openings provided in the lower portions of the spaces. Valves are provided for closing the drainage openings. The valves include float-valve balls which will release the water but hold the fuel. One of the spaces in the container includes a media having a downwardly directed surface upon which the water coalesces to move downwardly and through which the fuel moves to progress to the next space. Another one of the spaces includes a media providing a surface tension-discriminating surface through which the fuel will move and down which the separated water will move.

Abstract: A fuel system tester and primer includes a pump for pressurizing a fuel system, a fuel tank adapter, and a conduit for coupling the pump to the adapter. The fuel system tester and primer also includes a pressure release valve for venting excess pressure when a predetermined pressure is reached within the system, and a pressure monitor gauge for detecting pressure changes in a pressurized fuel system.

Abstract: A fuel-processing assembly for a fuel system has a housing, a fuel-entry port and a fuel-exit port, and a passageway within the housing through which fuel can flow from the entry port to the exit port. A heater is provided for heating the fuel. A spring is coiled around the heater to cause the fuel to flow spirally around the heater to induce turbulence into the flow of fuel and promote contact between fuel and the heater. A separator is provided for separating fuel from water entrained in the fuel. A by-pass aperture adjacent the separator allows fuel to flow around the separator if the flow of fuel through the separator becomes impeded.

Abstract: A radiator cap having an outer shell and a pressure vacuum valve assembly for closing the filler neck of a radiator includes a probe for detecting the coolant level in the radiator. The probe projects from the cap into the radiator interior and is electrically isolated from the radiator. An electrical connection is provided through the shell to connect the probe to a power source and indicator.

Abstract: A fuel-water separator having a housing, and a heating element within the housing is provided with a sensor for sensing the presence of accumulated water within the housing above a specified depth. The sensor includes an electrically conductive probe which is hollowed to encase the heating element and mounted to project downward within the housing. A voltage source is provided for applying a voltage between the conductive probe and the housing. The housing and the voltage source are commonly grounded. An indicator is electrically interposed between the voltage source and the conductive probe.

Abstract: In a fuel-water separator including entry and exit ports for fuel connectable in a fuel line supplying an engine and fuel flow paths between the ports for separating water from the fuel, the improvement comprises first and second passages leading to the exit port and a float valve ball for closing the first passage in response to the accumulation of a predetermined level of separated water. The second passage has a cross-sectional dimension which is substantially smaller than the first so that only restricted operation of the engine is permitted by virtue of a reduced fuel flow rate through the second passage when the first passage is closed.

Abstract: A two-stage valve adapted for use in downward flow in the fuel line of a vehicle to provide roll-over protection, comprising a housing having two ball check valves axially disposed to normally check upward flow, the lower ball being expansion-biased spring-loaded, the upper ball being loaded with an expansion-biased spring resting upon the lower ball, the lower ball being larger than the upper ball, and the upper spring having a lower spring force than the lower spring.

Abstract: A fuel-water separator comprises a container having entry and exit ports and a progression of spaces through which the fuel moves. The spaces become progressively smaller and are arranged to direct the fuel through a series of downwardly and upwardly directed paths. The lower density fuel moves upwardly while the higher density water tends to move downwardly to drain through drainage openings provided in the lower portions of the spaces. Valves are provided for closing the drainage openings. The valves include float-valve balls which will release the water but hold the fuel. One of the spaces in the container includes a media having a downwardly directed surface upon which the water coalesces to move downwardly and through which the fuel moves to progress to the next space. Another one of the spaces includes a media providing a surface tension-discriminating surface through which the fuel will move and down which the separated water will move.

Abstract: A valving assembly for a liquid-containing tank comprises a housing which includes vent and valve passageways extending axially therethrough. A roll-over valve is supported in the vent passageway by a spring which is calibrated normally to open the vent passageway to normalize the pressure inside the tank. Movement of the roll-over valve is assisted by the spring to close the vent passageway and prevent movement of the liquid from the tank when the tank is tilted. An excessive pressure valve is disposed in the valve passageway and urged by a spring normally to close the valve passageway. The spring is calibrated to provide movement of the excessive pressure valve member to open the valve passageway when the vent passageway is closed and superatmospheric pressure within the tank exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A locking gas cap for a threaded filler neck having a sealing lip extending peripherally about its axis, the cap comprising a closure member threaded to engage and close the filler neck, a gasket on the closure member for engaging and sealing against the lip, an outer shell providing a hand grip secured to the closure member for rotation thereon, a key-operated lock and at least one lock-actuable bolt connected to the shell for rotation therewith. A race is disposed for rotation in the shell, and a driving connection is provided between the race and the closure member which is torque limited in the direction which advances the closure member on the filler neck and positive in the cap removal direction. A spring is provided for yieldably urging the bolt into engagement with the race. The spring cooperates with a plurality of engaging pockets in the race to provide a positive driving connection between the shell and race in the direction which advances the closure onto the filler neck.