Vent Opening Or Closing On Tipping Container Patents (Class 137/43)
  • Patent number: 7543597
    Abstract: A vent valve assembly utilizes a lever arrangement that opens a vapor discharge opening such as during normal operation of a motor vehicle to permit fuel vapor venting and that seals the vapor discharge opening such as when the motor vehicle is inclined to prevent liquid fuel from discharging through the vapor discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Ralf Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 7527064
    Abstract: The fuel cutoff valve comprises a valve support on the upper part of the float, and the seat member is mounted on the valve support. The valve support has the bending space that has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the seal part. The seat member is formed from a rubber material, has a side wall formed in a cylindrical shape from the outer periphery of the seat part and a stopper on the side wall, forming the mounting space by being formed in an almost a rectangle shape cross section, and being supported on the valve support by fitting the valve support on the mounting space. The seat part is elastically deformed in the bending space direction when set on the seal part and closes the connection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kito, Hiroshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 7472717
    Abstract: A first valve port is set to have a seal diameter smaller than that of a second valve port. Due to a pressure reception area of a first valve body port being small, the attachment force of the first valve body portion is reduced with respect to a valve seat. It thus becomes possible to open the first valve port as the attachment of the first valve body portion is released with respect to the valve seat without increasing the weight of the float. After the first valve port is opened, the pressure difference is reduced between inside of a fuel tank and a connecting pipe on the side of a canister, and the attachment force acting on a second valve body portion is also reduced. In this manner, the second valve body portion is opened with certainty. As a result, it becomes possible to go through the operation of opening the second valve port that is larger in diameter than the first valve port without increasing the weight of a sub float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Yoshihara
  • Publication number: 20080239031
    Abstract: An inkjet cartridge comprising an ink container including a venting structure comprising an orifice through a wall of the ink container in direct communication with a meniscus baffle extending into the interior of the ink container. The instant invention also includes an inkjet cartridge lid comprising a lid structure including serpentine trenches and orifices formed within a top surface, at least one of the serpentine trenches intersecting with at least one of the orifices, the lid structure also comprising a venting structure that includes a corridor interposing at least two separate ink reservoirs and including opposing first and second ends, the first end of the corridor in communication with an external environment, the second end partitioned to establish a separate passage in communication with each of the at least two separate ink reservoirs, each passage including a hollow extending into an interior of the ink reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Tim Frasure, Girish Shivaji Patil, George Allan Ping, Jon Brock Whitney
  • Patent number: 7422027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple fuel vent assembly for use in inboard and outboard fuel tanks for marine vessels. The vent assembly includes upper and lower portions defining an L shaped interior passageway. The lower portion includes upper and lower valve seats positioned within this passageway. Spaced vent openings extend through the lower portion above and below the valve seat. A spherical float is positioned within the passageway between the upper and lower valve seats. As fuel is added to the tank, pressure can escape through the fuel vent. The flow valve is within the passageway as the level of liquid fuel in the tank rises during the fuel refilling process. When the tank is at its desired fill level the float engages the upper valve seat and forms a seal preventing liquid fuel from traveling past the upper seat and through the passageway into the atmosphere outside the tank. The second vent opening remained open to vent pressure from the space between the top of the tank and the fuel level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Tony Riviezzo
  • Patent number: 7418975
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve of the invention attached to an upper portion of a fuel tank includes a casing, a first part supported by multiple legs, a second part, and a spring. The second part is located below the first part in a vertically movable manner and has multiple air holes formed in a top plate to communicate with a buoyancy chamber. When the fuel level in the fuel tank rises to submerge the second part and reach the first part, the first part rises by its buoyancy to close a connection conduit. In the event of an abrupt rise of the fuel level at a high increase rate, for example, by a sudden turn of the vehicle, the second part rises by the increased buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber by the air retained in the buoyancy chamber and presses the first part up to close the connection conduit. The fuel cutoff valve of the invention promptly closes in response to a heavy ruffle of the fuel level by a sudden turn of the vehicle, so as to prevent the outflow of the fuel from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nojiri, Tomohide Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080142087
    Abstract: A fuel-outflow check valve includes: a casing, at least one portion of which is located in a fuel tank, the casing having a ventilation hole via which the interior of the casing and the interior of the fuel tank communicate with each other and an upper wall portion protruding inward from the inner peripheral face of the casing; a float that is disposed in the interior of the casing and is vertically movable; and a valve element that is provided on the float and can contact a valve seat formed at the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Muto, Yasuo Akimoto, Tsukasa Satou, Kazuya Okazaki, Shunichi Seki
  • Patent number: 7360552
    Abstract: Injectable structural adhesives, methods of using the same, and products formed therewith, are described. The adhesive is introduced through a first opening into an internal cavity formed between two or more components. The adhesive is then permitted or forced to flow through the internal cavity, substantially filling the cavity, until it reaches a second spaced opening. Any air contained within the internal cavity is removed by the flow of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Ristoski, Marc A. McMaken, Christopher A. Brewster, Gregory J. Korchnak
  • Patent number: 7334596
    Abstract: A housing containing a rotatable cage for rotatably supporting a spherical flow control valve having a vertically orientated open or filled conduit and an internal bottom weight mass centered on the vertical conduit. If the rotatable cage is tilted, the gravity-responsive bottom weight mass rotatably maintains the control valve conduit in a vertical orientation. If the cage is walled, the rotating cage wall will travel over the ends of an open conduit to form a seal, which effectively occludes any gas, liquid or electromagnetic beam flowing through the conduit. If the cage is open and rotatably supports the valve via annular supports, the rotating cage will interrupt an electromagnetic beam or electric current flow through the control valve conduit. The flow control valve may also have an extended open or filled conduit which may be provided with an additional weight mass, or a magnetic mass associated with a locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Peter Chesters
  • Patent number: 7318445
    Abstract: In a fuel vapor pipe structure including a plurality of cut valves for passing or cutting a fuel vapor at inside of a fuel tank, a pipe joint connected to the cut valves for communicating the fuel vapor to a canister, and a resin tube for connecting the cut valve and the pipe joint, the resin tube is bent to pipe by making a length of the resin tube longer than a length of connecting connection tube portions of the cut valve and connection tube portions of the pipe joint and arranging the connection tube portion of the cut valve to shift from a straight line of connecting a center of the cut valve and a center of the pipe joint by a predetermined angle in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ohshiro, Ryo Nishino
  • Patent number: 7287542
    Abstract: A vapor vent/tipping valve has a diaphragm with a bleed therethrough responsive to the differential pressure of bleed flow to control vapor venting to the canister and vapor recirculation to the filler tube. A dip tube causes rising fuel in the tank to close the dip tube and prevent vapor flow to the diaphragm bleed thereby starving the recirculation line and allowing nozzle discharge to create a vacuum in the filler and effect nozzle shutoff. Alternatively, float operated shutoff valves may be employed in the dip tube and vapor vent chamber inlet, the shutoff valves may include inertial members for closing the float valves to afford tipping/rollover protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Harold Allman, Daniel Lee Pifer, Russell Carl Jahnke
  • Patent number: 7225826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple fuel vent assembly for use in inboard and outboard fuel tanks for marine vessels. The vent assembly includes upper and lower portions defining an L shaped interior passageway. The lower portion includes upper and lower valve seats positioned within this passageway. Spaced vent openings extend through the lower portion above and below the valve seat. A spherical float is positioned within the passageway between the upper and lower valve seats. As fuel is added to the tank, pressure can escape through the fuel vent. The flow valve is within the passageway as the level of liquid fuel in the tank rises during the fuel refilling process. When the tank is at its desired fill level the float engages the upper valve seat and forms a seal preventing liquid fuel from traveling past the upper seat and through the passageway into the atmosphere outside the tank. The second vent opening remained open to vent pressure from the space between the top of the tank and the fuel level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Moeller Marine Products
    Inventor: Tony Riviezzo
  • Patent number: 7219683
    Abstract: A cut valve with a check valve includes a body case, a cap member, positive and negative pressure valves, and first and second springs. The body case defines a vent hole. The cap member is fitted to an upper portion of the body case. The positive pressure valve is made of resin, defines an opening part, and is disposed to be contactable with and separable from the vent hole from above. The first spring is disposed on the positive pressure valve and presses the positive pressure valve in a direction in which the positive pressure valve closes the vent hole. The negative pressure valve is made of resin and is disposed to be contactable with and separable from the opening part from below. The second spring presses the negative pressure valve in a direction in which the negative pressure valve closes the opening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Furuya, Shinichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7207347
    Abstract: A valve comprising a housing accommodating a first and a second outlet port, a first stage float member associated with the first outlet port and a second stage float member associated with the second outlet port. The float members are displaceable within the housing about parallel axes, between an open position and a closed position. The first stage float member at least partially overlaps over the second stage float member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Raval A.S.C. Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Olshanetsky, Omer Vulkan, Yaron Kaspi, Ilan Akian
  • Patent number: 7168441
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve of the invention includes a casing body having a valve chamber and a holder element, a float having a seat member on its top, a movable valve element that is fitted in the holder element in a vertically movable manner, and a first connection conduit and a second connection conduit that connect inside of the valve chamber with outside. When the fuel level in a fuel tank rises to a preset first fluid level, the float moves up to shut off the first connection conduit. When the fuel level further rises to a preset second fluid level, the float further moves up to press the movable valve element up and shut off the second connection conduit. The fuel cutoff valve of this simple structure effectively prevents a blowing back flow of fuel in the course of fuel supply without requiring any subtle setting of a spring load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Miyoshi, Hiroshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 7147017
    Abstract: A fill limit vent valve assembly includes a cover assembly, a valve assembly and a fill control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Ralf Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 7143783
    Abstract: A fuel tank cap provides a safety valve mounted on a tubular vent stem for venting fluids from a fuel tank. The safety valve is adapted for engagement with the tubular vent stem so that the fluids may enter the safety valve. A pair of upper cavities communicate with the vent stem through small channels offset therefrom. The upper cavities contain valve balls seated by gravity against valve seats for restricting fluid flow from the vent stem into the upper cavities. One upper cavity provides a biasing spring seating its valve ball against the its valve seat. The upper cavities provide restrictors positioned for limiting movement of the valve balls away from their valve seats, and a cover sealingly engaged with the safety valve to form a small chamber. The upper valve body further provides exit channels for conducting the fluids to exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: Siegfried Emke, Timothy F. Emke, Cristian Fischer
  • Patent number: 7114513
    Abstract: A fuel valve includes an upper chamber communicating with a ventilation passage of a canister; a lower chamber to be disposed inside a fuel tank; a communicating port between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; and a float member disposed in the lower chamber for blocking the communicating port when fuel flows into the lower chamber. A bottom orifice or a one-way valve is formed in the bottom of the lower chamber for preventing the fuel to flow into the lower chamber and allowing the fuel to flow out from the bottom of the lower chamber. A fuel inlet is formed at a lower side of the side wall to face upwardly to allow the fuel to gradually enter the lower chamber so that an inner pressure in the fuel tank increases by entering the fuel into the lower chamber after the fuel reaches the fuel inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Yasutomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7089954
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from an interior region in a fuel tank and preventing unsatisfactory liquid fuel levels within the interior region of the fuel tank. The apparatus includes a buoyant fill-limit valve movable to open and close a vapor outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Jason M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7090262
    Abstract: A fuel tank connector for connecting a fuel tank and a pipe in communicating fashion includes a gas barrier member made of a synthetic resin and having a gas barrier property. The gas barrier member includes a tubular portion and a flanged portion provided on a peripheral side of the tubular portion, which extends beyond an opening of the fuel tank. The gas barrier member is made of a liquid crystal polymer, aromatic polyamide, a blended polymer of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and high-density polyethylene, a blended polymer of polyamide and polyethylene, or a blended polymer of polyamide and high-density polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignees: Nifco, Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Toshihide Kimisawa, Tsuyoshi Kato, Yasutomo Kobayashi, Masami Honma, Katsunori Ozaki, Hiroshi Kumagai, Katsumi Morohoshi
  • Patent number: 7063101
    Abstract: A fuel tank vent system includes a fuel vapor vent apparatus and a vent controller. The fuel vapor vent apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank. The vent controller is coupled to the fuel vapor vent apparatus and configured to control flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the fuel vapor vent apparatus to a destination outside the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Williamson, Michael S. Brock, J Bradley Groom
  • Patent number: 7047997
    Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Ulf Sawert, Mark K. Wolfenden, Chris I. Witherspoon, Robert A. Roth, Thomas J. Mott, Michael Allen Pittenger, William L. Villaire
  • Patent number: 7032610
    Abstract: An allowable angle of a float valve member with respect to a valve case is so set that a deformed direction, as caused by a gate position at a injection molding time, of a inner circumference of a communication hole of the valve case with respect to a roundness and a deformed direction, as caused by a gate position at a injection molding time, of an outer circumference of a crest portion of the float valve member with respect to the roundness may be substantially aligned. Between the valve case and the float valve member, there is an interposed angle regulating unit for preventing the angle of the float valve member with respect to the valve case from varying over the allowable angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Matsuo, Kenji Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7017607
    Abstract: In an expansion container for a fuel system of a motor vehicle wherein the expansion container includes a container wall and a gas vent connector mounted on the container wall so as to be in communication with the interior of the expansion container by way of a valve, the expansion container and the gas vent connector consist of metal and are joined by at least a first seal structure and the gas vent connector is connected to the valve by at least a second seal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: Volker Brand, Karl-Heinz Kempa, Ralf Lângerer, Thomas Rieger, Dieter Scheuerenbrand, Peter Strätz
  • Patent number: 7013908
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a cover, a breather pipe, an upper case, a lower case, and a floating valve. The upper case is welded to the breather pipe in an airtight manner so as to form a chamber for holding the lower case, in which the floating valve is accommodated, therein. Moreover, the breather pipe is welded to the cover in an airtight manner. The apparatus not only obviates O-rings but also is downsized, because the upper case and the breather pipe are sealed by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Miyoshi, Norihiro Yamada, Keisuke Yoshida, Tomohide Aoki
  • Patent number: 6994103
    Abstract: A fill-up control valve structure includes a casing attached to a fuel tank, a float provided in a space defined in the casing so as to cause an up-and-down movement, a valve body provided at an upper portion of the float, a ventilation passage communicating with a downstream side of the valve body, and at least one first ventilation hole opened at a lower part of the casing to connect the inner space of the casing and the fuel tank to introduce fuel from the fuel tank into the space. Furthermore, at least one second ventilation hole is provided at an upper part of the casing to connect the inner space of the casing and the fuel tank. The hole size of second ventilation hole is smaller than that of the first ventilation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takahashi, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6981514
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve has a casing main body, a first float having a smaller specific gravity than a fuel, a second float having a greater specific gravity than the fuel, and a spring. The first float has a float main body and a buoyancy body of a foamed resin. The first float's specific gravity therefore is smaller than the fuel's specific gravity. The first float rises by buoyancy to close a first connection conduit, when a liquid level in a fuel tank exceeds a first liquid level. The second float rises by buoyancy and pressing of the spring to close a second connection conduit, when the liquid level exceeds a second liquid level, higher than the first liquid level. The second float lowers to open the second connection conduit, when the liquid level becomes lower than the second liquid level but is still higher than the first liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 6959720
    Abstract: A fuel valve includes an upper chamber communicating with a ventilation passage of a canister; a lower chamber to be disposed inside a fuel tank; a communicating port between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; and a float member disposed in the lower chamber for blocking the communicating port when fuel flows into the lower chamber. The lower chamber includes a one-way valve formed at a bottom thereof for allowing the fuel to flow out only through the one-way valve, and a fuel inlet formed in a side wall of the lower chamber. When a fuel level inside the fuel tank reaches the main fuel inlet, the fuel flows into the lower chamber to raise the float member. As a result, an internal pressure of the fuel tank increases, so that a sensor at a fueling nozzle side can detect that the fuel tank is filled-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Yasutomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6959721
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank and an internal port operatively supported by the cover. The cover assembly also includes a fill limiting vent valve attached to the internal port to vent the fuel tank through the cover. The internal port includes at least one convolute therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Robert L. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6941966
    Abstract: A device includes a housing fixed to an upper wall of a fuel tank, and having a communication opening in communication with a canister, a float valve received within the housing and floating on a fuel, and the float valve moving upward and downward so as to close and open the communication opening, and a tubular member communicating with the housing, and extending downwardly from the housing into the interior of the fuel tank. The device has through holes of a small diameter which are disposed near an upper wall of the fuel tank, and when the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank reaches the lower end opening of the tubular member, a pressure within the fuel tank increases, whereby the filling-up of the fuel tank is detected. When the liquid level of the fuel abnormally rises, the float valve closes the communication opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei, Co., Ltd., FTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eishin Mori, Tomohide Aoki, Keisuke Yoshida, Norihiro Yamada, Katsuyuki Kido
  • Patent number: 6918405
    Abstract: A valve assembly for attachment in an aperture of a fuel tank wall includes a cap member with a nozzle, a carrier stage, a float stage, and a float housing. The carrier stage has a carrier carrying a sealing element with a relatively larger orifice opposing a relatively smaller orifice. The float stage includes a pivot pin and a float defining a stem. The pivot pin is movably located on the stem with the sealing element located apart from the float. The float contacts a portion of the sealing element during a refilling condition, and the sealing element seals the nozzle to prevent overfilling the fuel tank. The orifices permit the valve assembly to reopen in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Ralf Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 6913295
    Abstract: A connector for a fuel tank includes a flange portion, an outer connecting portion to be connected to a pipe member and an inner connecting portion to be inserted into a fuel tank through a connecting opening of the fuel tank. The inner connecting portion has an engaging portion to be engaged with an engaged portion provided to a member when the member is to be disposed in the fuel tank. The flange portion includes an outer flange member made of a synthetic resin same as that of an outer surface of the fuel tank, and an inner flange member made of a synthetic resin having a gas barrier property and a rigidity higher than that of the synthetic resin constituting the outer flange member. The inner connecting portion and the inner flange member are made of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihide Kimisawa, Tsuyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6904943
    Abstract: A vent system associated with a vapor outlet is coupled to a container (e.g., a fuel tank). The vent system can be used for onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) for vehicles. The vent system includes a first elongated member (e.g., a vent tube), a rotating device, and a second elongated member (e.g., a breather tube) that is coupled between the rotating device and a buoyant device. The buoyant device interacts with materials (e.g., fuel) input into the fuel tank to actuate rotation of the rotating device. Once a predetermined amount of fuel has been input into the fuel tank, the buoyant device rotates the rotating device a predetermined amount, which stops venting of fuel vapor through the vent system. The fuel level continues to increase up the filler pipe until an automatic shut off mechanism of the device controlling fuel input stops fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Scott Dennis
  • Patent number: 6901943
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a housing and a floating valve. The housing has an evaporator opening, and a major through hole communicating the inside of the housing with the outside and having an opening width sharply reducing from wide to narrow in the direction from the bottom end to the top end. The apparatus detects that the fuel tank is filled up with a liquid fuel by increasing a gas pressure within the fuel tank when the liquid-fuel level is placed adjacent to the top end of the major through hole, and closes the evaporator opening with the floating valve when the level of the liquid fuel rises abnormally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6899119
    Abstract: A valve comprising a housing defining a control space with an outlet port for fluid egress from the space and at least one inlet port for fluid ingress into the space control member is displaceable between an open state in which the outlet port is open and a closed state in which the outlet port is closed. The at least one inlet port of the at least one inlet port is formed at a wall portion of the housing at an upper wall portion, and a fluid draining port is formed at or adjacent a bottom end of the housing for draining fluid from the control space. The fluid draining port serves for preventing fluid ingress into the control space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Raval-Agriculture Cooperative Societies Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Udi Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Yoav Livne, Vladimir Olshanetsky
  • Patent number: 6886579
    Abstract: A vent cap is provided for releasing gas from containers, while preventing spillage of the contents therein when the container is tipped from a vertical position. The vent cap has a ball bearing mounted in a ball bearing containment chamber on the top thereof which, when the container is in an upright vertical position, allows release of gases from the container but, when the container is tipped, allows a piston disposed within the vent cap to close off gas release ducts formed in the vent cap, thus effectively preventing spillage of the containers contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Swift Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Stein, Don Bower
  • Patent number: 6874523
    Abstract: In the case where a full-tank state is brought about by feed, excessive ascent of a liquid level in a loading arm is suppressed and excessive feed is prevented. A finned umbrella valve is provided for throttling a flowrate of a fuel vapor prior to closing of a float valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: NOK Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshihara, Takayuki Ota
  • Patent number: 6871662
    Abstract: A ventilation and/or a pressure-equalizing system for a fuel tank, in particular for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, includes at least one aeration and/or de-aeration line leading into the fuel tank, via which the gases and/or vapors may be removed from or conducted into the fuel tank. A collection device for liquid fuel is coupled into the aeration and/or de-aeration line, the collection device including at least two chambers, of which one is used as a temporary storage device for liquid fuel and is connected to a return line into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ewald Duermeier, Stefan Klein, Michael Koenig, Stefan Leuchtenberg, Dieter Scheurenbrand, Manfred Weil
  • Patent number: 6866058
    Abstract: A fuel tank vent apparatus comprises a housing. The housing comprises inner and outer sleeves providing a fuel vapor transfer passageway therebetween so that liquid fuel entrained in fuel vapor is shed therefrom as fuel vapor flows from a fuel vapor transfer port formed in the outer sleeve through the fuel vapor transfer passageway to a fuel vapor inlet port formed in the inner sleeve to produce a flow of demoisturized fuel vapor for discharge from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Brock, J Bradley Groom
  • Patent number: 6863082
    Abstract: A plastic bodied fuel vapor management valve has mounting lugs thereon which are adjustably snap-locked onto a bracket provided on a cover for the tank access opening to selectively locate the valve vertically on the bracket. As the valve is engaged with the bracket, a vapor vent fitting provided on the cover is received in the valve outlet and sealed by a seal ring. The cover preferably comprises a mounting flange for a fuel level signal sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. McIntosh, Kenneth M. Spink
  • Patent number: 6860285
    Abstract: A liquid fuel trap device for a vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing formed with a confined space with at least one inlet port connectable to a corresponding fuel valve, an outlet port connectable to a fuel vapor recovery system, and a liquid fuel discharge valve adapted for discharging liquid fuel from the confined space into the tank. The housing further comprises a connecting arrangement for attaching the device on an inner surface of an upper wall of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Raval-Agriculture Cooperative Societies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Ehud Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Vladimir Olshanetsky, Alexey Zarochintsev
  • Patent number: 6854477
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a housing having an evaporator opening, a floating valve, a seat, a cylinder having a peripheral wall and a lateral hole formed in the peripheral wall and communicating the inside of the cylinder with the outside, a bottom hole formed in the seat and communicating the inside of the cylinder with the outside, and a flow passage extending from the bottom hole to the lateral hole, flow passage in which a part of the peripheral wall of the cylinder intervenes. Alternatively, the apparatus include a flow passage extending from the bottom hole to the evaporator opening and constricted partially by the seat and a bottom of the floating valve. Thus, gases are less likely to float the floating valve upward, but liquids are likely to float it upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6848463
    Abstract: A vapor vent valve for a fuel tank that includes a vapor outlet that connects an interior of the fuel tank with an exterior of the fuel tank. The vent valve also includes a fill cup that has an opening at one end and a sidewall that extends from the open end. A shell defines an interior space and is disposed partially in the fill cup. The shell includes a sidewall that has an opening and an upper edge. A flow passage is defined between the fill cup's sidewall and the shell sidewall to allow fluid which flows into the opening of the fill cup to enter the interior space through the opening in the sidewall of the shell. A float is received in the interior space and is responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the interior space. A closure pivotally carried by the shell is movable to a closed position to prevent fluid flow through the vapor outlet. The closure is also movable to an open position which allows fuel vapor to exit the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark R. Johansen
  • Patent number: 6843268
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a housing having an evaporator opening and a fuel opening, a double-floating valve and a cover having a cylinder-shaped liquid receptacle. Alternatively, the apparatus can include a housing having an evaporator opening, a fuel opening and a substantially cylinder-shaped dam, a double-floating valve, and a cover free from the cylinder-shaped liquid receptacle. The apparatus can securely inhibit liquid fuels from flowing into a canister even when liquid fuels spout through the valve hole and the evaporator opening, because liquid fuels collide with the liquid receptacle or the dam to return back into fuel tanks through the evaporator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6843267
    Abstract: System and for sealing an opening of a plastic tank with a multilayer wall by means of a multilayer plate itself constituted by a polymer structure including at least one internal barrier layer and an exterior layer compatible with the exterior layer of the tank wall. The multilayer plate is welded over an opening in the tank and the plate and the wall of the tank are superimposed so that the number of superimposed layers is equal to the sum of the number of layers in the plate and the number of layers in the wall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Stephane Leonard, Yannick Gerard, François Dougnier, Joël Op De Beeck, Paul Wouters
  • Patent number: 6840263
    Abstract: Multifunctional valve for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. In order to fulfill all these requirements in terms of safety and the restriction of emissions with a valve in as simple a way as possible, the closing element (22) can be moved to a limited degree with respect the float (16), is acted on by a first spring (27) and has a small pressure equalization hole (25), an intermediate element (30) is provided on the float (16) and above the closing element (22) and can move to a limited degree with respect to the float (16) in the axial direction and is acted on by a second spring (35), and a seat plate (38) is arranged above the intermediate element (30) and is pressed downward against a second seat (43) by a third spring (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Tesma Motoren-Und Getriebetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Sandor Palvölgyi, Günther Pozgainer
  • Publication number: 20040256587
    Abstract: System for closing off an opening in a plastic tank, formed from a sheet of multilayer plastic that includes a barrier layer, the said sheet being welded around the perimeter of the opening and provided with a peripheral region that is slimmed down so as to effectively restrict the permeation of gases and liquids into the layer located between the tank and the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Yannick Gerard, Stephane Leonard, Francois Dougnier
  • Patent number: 6827098
    Abstract: The first seal seat is disposed in a first passage of a case. The first float valve body is disposed in the case and closes the first seal seat in response to the liquid level of the fuel. The second seal seat is disposed vertically above the first seal seat, in a second passage of the case. The second valve body is disposed on one side of the second seal seat communicating to the outside of the second passage, with being resiliently urged upwards from below. The second float is disposed in the case and regulates an upper end position of the second valve body to open the second valve seat in response to movement of the liquid level of fuel at least until the liquid level is higher than the liquid level at which the first float valve body closes the first seal seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Harumitsu Sugiyama, Morihiko Kishi, Shinichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6807978
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank and an internal port operatively supported by the cover. The cover assembly also includes a fill limiting vent valve attached to the internal port to vent the fuel tank through the cover. The internal port includes at least one convolute therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Robert L. Farrar
  • Publication number: 20040206392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation and aeration device for a fuel tank (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a ventilation line (9) leading to the exterior of the fuel tank (1); said ventilation line being connected to the inner area (18) of the fuel tank (1) via a ventilation opening (16) of a ventilation link having a larger throughflow diameter and an aeration opening (21) of an aeration link having a smaller throughflow diameter. The ventilation opening (16) leads into the inner area of the fuel tank (18) at a filling level height (17) which is lower than that of the aeration opening (19) of the aeration link. A roll-over valve (10) is used to seal off the inner area (18) of the fuel tank (1) in relation to the ventilation line (9). The ventilation link and the aeration lead to a common ventilation channel (20) leading to a single roll-over valve (10) whose outlet is connected to the ventilation line (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Stefan Fruhling, Hartmut Ranke