Abstract: A poppet valve structure has a valve plug biased inwardly to close a vent opening (10). A connector member (40, 58) includes a cage (40) extending inwardly from the valve plug and a separately formed bottom plate (58) secured to the cage (40). The plate (58) defines a radially outwardly opening recess (64) and a first pair of axially spaced apart confronting surfaces. A spring abutment member (66) surrounds the plate (58) and defines a radially inwardly opening recess (74) and a second pair of confronting surfaces. The two pairs of surfaces confront and substantially contact each other. The recesses (64, 74) together define a substantially closed annular chamber. The chamber may be formed by a pair of confronting channels (64, 74) or defined axially between two flanges (61, 67) on the plate (58') and the abutment member (66'), respectively. A ring of fusible material (76) is cast in situ within the chamber to interconnect the plate (58) and the abutment member ( 66).

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

Abstract: A fill tube (12) leading into a fuel tank (10) is provided with a normally closed closure door (20) and a fill nozzle seal (24, 26, 30) spaced outwardly of the closure door (20). When liquid fuel is to be added to the fuel tank (10) a fill nozzle (32) is inserted through the fill nozzle seal (24, 26, 30). A seal element (30) engages the outside diameter of the fill nozzle (32) and seals against vapor leakage between the seal element (30) and the fill nozzle (32). Further insertion of the fill nozzle (32) into the fill tube (12) moves the end of the fill nozzle (32) against the closure door (20) opening the closure door (20). When this happens, fuel vapor within the fuel tank (10) flows through an opening (18) that is normally closed by the closure door (20), to and through an outlet (36) leading from a chamber (34) that is between the fill nozzle seal (24, 26, 30) and the closure door (20).

Abstract: A housing (50, 52) defines a slide chamber (54) in which a slide member (34) reciprocates between three positions. A coil spring (86) holds the slide member (34) into a center position. In this position, slide member (34) blocks fluid flow through a port (28) and positions an electrical conductor (96) away from electrical contacts (110, 112). A push on the slide member (34) moves the electrical conductor (38) into circuit making contact with the contacts (110, 112). A pull on slide member (34) moves an exhaust passageway (36) in the slide member (34) into communication with the fluid port (28). The switch function activates a compressor which pumps air into an inflatable seat actuator. The valve function exhausts air from the inflatable seat actuator.

Abstract: A line pressure responsive flow control valve (46) is in series with a solenoid (34) operated off-on valve (26). These two valves (46, 26) are in a common housing having an inlet port (94) and an outlet port (96). A branch (24) of a bypass line (24, 24') extends from a fuel delivery line (10) to a fuel tank (16). A spring (76) biases a closure wall (70) of a piston (66) into contact with a valve seat (88) surrounding a valve orifice (90). Fuel pressure at the inlet (24) acts on the closure wall (70). When this pressure exceeds a predetermined minimum, the piston (66) is moved so as to open the valve orifice (90), allowing fuel to flow from the bypass line (24) to the off-on valve (26). The line pressure responsive flow control valve (46) functions to control flow through the bypass line (24, 24') at times when the off-on valve (26) is open.

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

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

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

Abstract: A valve has a direct flow passage extending therethrough. A flexible diaphragm (170) is positioned between a main valve seat (156) and an exhaust seat (172). Flow of pressurized air into the valve (110) through the inlet port (142) deflects the diaphragm (170) away from the main seat (156) and seals it against the exhaust seat (172). Higher pressure at the delivery port (144) than the inlet port (142) move the diaphragm (170) away from the exhaust seat (172) and against the main seat (156). A shunt passageway communicates portions of the flow passage on opposite sides of the diaphragm (170) to prevent maintenance of residual positive pressure on the delivery side of the diaphragm (170). The shunt passageway includes a groove (161) along the frustoconical main seat (156) and peripheral cutouts (171) on the diaphragm (170). In one embodiment (210) of the valve, a push member (272,276) moves against the diaphragm (270) to help unseat it from the exhaust seat (272).

Abstract: A piston (36) divides the valve interior into a main chamber (38) and a sensing chamber (40). A fixed valve seat (26) sealingly engages the piston (36) to close communication between the chambers (38, 40). The seat (26) is carried by an axial stem (20) which extends through an opening (42) in the piston (36). The valve inlet (14) extends through a passageway (22) in the stem (20) into the main chamber (38). An outlet (28) is formed in the main chamber (38). A valve element (62) closes the outlet (28). When pressure is higher in the main chamber (38) than in the sensing chamber (40), the piston moves toward the sensing chamber (40) to open communication between the chambers (38, 40). When there is a pressure drop in the main chamber (38), the piston (36) moves toward the main chamber (38) to open communication between the chambers ( 38, 40) and move the valve element (62) into an open position.

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

Abstract: A vapor vent valve (16) comprises a housing (28) the interior of which is divided into two fluid chambers (32, 34) by a movable wall (30). The first chamber (32) provides a closable junction in the vapor recovery passageway (18, 20) between a liquid fuel tank (10) and a vapor storage canister (22). The second chamber (34) has a combined inlet/outlet (38) which is interconnected with a signal pressure region (44) in the fuel tank fill tube (12) adjacent to the fill tube cap (14). A valve plug (36) is fixed to the movable wall (30) so that when the pressure in the first fluid chamber (32), the signal pressure region (44 ) and the second fluid chamber (32) are substantially equivalent, the valve plug (36) is positioned to close the vapor recovery passageway (18, 20).

Abstract: A gas vent orifice (78, 148) is located within a gas vent passageway. A closure ball (80, 154) is located upstream of the orifice (78, 148). A piston (66, 166) is located downstream of the orifice (78, 148). The piston (66, 166) includes a projection (76, 170) which projects into the orifice (78, 148), for dislodging the closure ball (80, 154) from its seated position. A mass in the form of a spherical ball (74, 160) functions to move the piston (66, 166) to dislodge the closure ball (80, 154). The mass (80, 154) rests on a conical ramp (56, 126) and the slope of the ramp serves to direct the mass (80, 154) against the piston (66, 166). A steep sloped ramp (126) may be used in combination with a piston (166) having a cylindrical center portion (168). Or, a shallow ramp (56) may be used in combination with a piston (66) having a flat upper surface and radial legs (68, 70) which fit within radial slots (58) in the ramp (56).

Abstract: A housing 10, 12 includes a slide chamber 14 in which a slide bar 30 reciprocates between three positions. A coil spring 60 is carried by the bar and extends into lower and upper recesses 50, 52 in the housing. When the bar is reciprocated from the intermediate position to either of the other positions, the ends of the recesses 54 compress the spring, thereby biasing the bar into the intermediate position.

Abstract: Venting gas flow from a fuel tank or the like enters through tangential inlets into a spin chamber, influencing a closure ball in said chamber to spin or orbit around an upper conical wall portion of the spin chamber. The spinning action keeps the closure ball from seating in an outlet opening formed at the upper end of the spin chamber. The closure ball does seat in response to liquid rising in the spin chamber or tilting of the spin chamber beyond a predetermined angle of tilt. A vibrating mass positioned on the outlet side of the outlet opening includes a central striker portion which contacts the closure ball whenever it tends to seat in response to shock forces or some condition other than the presence of liquid activated buoyancy forces or tilt activated gravity forces.

Abstract: A fuel tank cap (10,130) having a venting valve (56,56A) adapted to relieve pressure and temperature in the tank and prevent spilling fuel from the tank. A cover plate (28,28A) is automatically (34,34A) removed from the cap by excessive temperature so as to allow fluid in the tank to escape. The valve body (56) has a spin chamber (98), having generally circular cross sections (102,104) and at least one tangentially directed side wall inlet opening (106). The chamber cross sections decrease in diameter upwardly of the inlet opening (88) to a point below a circular outlet opening whereby gas venting through the chamber spins a light weight buoyant ball (94) around the chamber so as to prevent the ball from closing during venting. The ball (94) is lifted onto a seat (92) at the outlet to close it when liquid enters the chamber to a predetermined level. A heavy ball (96) in the chamber holds the light ball (94) on the seat when the chamber has been tilted a predetermined amount.