Abstract: A redundant seal for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck closure is provided for closing and opening an automobile fuel tank to the atmosphere. The redundant seal (48) includes a lower shoulder (51) which sealably engages a first valve seat and an upper shoulder (53) which sealably engages a second valve seat. The redundant seal (48) is appropriate for use in applications such as filler neck closures, pressure and vacuum-relief systems within tank filler neck closures, and capless filler neck closure systems.

Abstract: A tank venting apparatus or a fill-limit and tank ventilation valve is disclosed for use with a fuel tank. The valve has a housing which contains a first valve assembly, second valve assembly, third valve assembly and fourth valve assembly. The first valve assembly primarily communicates with the fuel tank. The fourth valve assembly communicates with a vapor recover canister and a filler neck to the tank. The first valve assembly also communicates with the third valve assembly and the second valve assembly. The second valve assembly generally communicates with the first valve assembly and the third valve assembly. The third valve assembly communicates with the first valve assembly, second valve assembly and fourth valve assembly. The third valve assembly prevents passage of liquid fuel from the tank to the canister. The fourth valve assembly manages flow from the valve.

Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a valve assembly and a tank mount adapted to support the valve assembly in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a movable vent valve and a valve housing containing the movable vent valve. A labyrinthine boundary is established between the valve housing and the tank mount to provide a low-permeation joint therebetween. The valve housing is made of a non-weldable plastics material and the tank mount is made of a weldable plastics material.

Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel systems component such as a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and a valve movable in a valve chamber formed in the valve housing to open and close an aperture leading to a venting outlet. The tank mount supports the valve housing in a position in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve housing is made by injecting non-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount.

Abstract: A vent module is adapted to be mounted in a top wall of a fuel tank to vent fuel vapor from the tank to a vapor recovery canister located outside the tank. An outer shell is positioned around the vent module to define a fuel vapor transfer passageway arranged to conduct liquid fuel droplets into a liquid fuel accumulation chamber. A fuel vapor transfer port is formed in the outer shell to admit fuel vapor into the fuel vapor transfer passageway. A fuel vapor inlet port is formed in the vent module to lie below the fuel vapor transfer port. Liquid fuel entrained in fuel vapor is shed as fuel vapor flows laterally from the fuel vapor transfer passageway into the vent module through the fuel vapor inlet port so that “demoisturized” fuel vapor flows into the vent module and liquid fuel droplets fall into the liquid fuel accumulation chamber.

Abstract: A vent valve for use with a fuel containing system including a fuel tank and a vapor recovery system. The vent valve includes a housing which communicates with the fuel tank and the vapor recovery system. The housing defines a path between the fuel tank and vapor recovery system. A float valve is positioned in the housing and is responsive to the presence of fuel in the tank. The housing has at least one vacuum vent positioned in the path. An umbrella valve is carried on the housing and positioned between the fuel tank and the vapor recovery system. The umbrella valve has a wall defining an orifice extending therethrough and a cover portion extending from the wall. The orifice is selectively sealed at one end by the float valve and is selectively sealed at the opposite end by the head valve.

Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (30) includes a closure apparatus (32) formed to include a pump nozzle-receiving opening (36) and adapted to be mounted on an open mouth of a filler neck 24. A cover 40, pivotally mounted to the closure apparatus (32), is movable between a first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to seal the filler neck (24) and a second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to allow access thereto. An overcenter leaf spring (42) normally biases the cover (40) toward its first closed position. A tether (94) coupled to the cover (40) has its other end (96) coupled to a filler neck access door (90) so that as the access door (90) is moved from a closed position blocking access to the filler neck (24) to an open position unblocking access to the filler neck (24), the cover (40) is moved from the first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to the second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36).

Abstract: A filler neck includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a fuel-delivery conduit coupled to a fuel tank inlet of a vehicle fuel tank. The housing includes a passageway that defines an axis of the filler neck and is adapted to receive a pump nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel cap fuel system and method establishing a common electric potential and preventing escape of fuel vapors as used with a fuel system. The cap includes a fuel port closure for engaging a fuel receiving assembly, and an electrically conductive retainer carried on the fuel cap. An electrical charge is passed from an operator of the fuel cap, through the cap, and to the electrically conductive retainer and to the fuel receiving assembly. As the cap is removed from the fuel receiving assembly, the conductive retainer maintains a conductive contact with the fuel receiving assembly to convey a charge therethrough. As fuel vapor escapes from the fuel receiving assembly, the electrical contact is maintained. The seal is disengaged from the fuel port after the cap and fuel receiving assembly achieve a generally common electrical potential.

Abstract: A fuel tank valve apparatus for use with a fuel tank. The fuel tank apparatus has an inlet neck defining a valve chamber, a valve housing positioned in the valve chamber, a valve positioned to move within the valve housing to regulate flow of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, and a retainer. The inlet neck is attachable to the fuel tank. The valve housing is retained in the inlet neck for communicating with the fuel tank. Connecting the inlet neck to the fuel tank maintains the integrity of the tank and inlet neck material.

Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel systems component such as a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and a valve movable in a valve chamber formed in the valve housing to open and close an aperture leading to a venting outlet. The tank mount supports the valve housing in a position in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve housing is made by injecting non-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum vent valve for a vehicle fuel tank is provided including a structure defining a passageway and having a vent valve assembly positioned therein. The assembly includes a pressure relief valve to relieve pressure from the fuel tank when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level and a vacuum relief valve to relieve a vacuum in the tank when the pressure in the tank drops below a predetermined level. The vacuum relief valve presents a lubricious sealing surface that engages a valve seat. The pressure valve engages a sealing surface to close a central venting orifice provided in the vacuum valve.

Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (20) includes a housing (74) formed to include a passage (77), a tank pressure control assembly (84) in passage (77), and an outer shell (44) coupled to housing (74). Closure assembly (20) includes a sleeve (185) that reinforces housing (74) and shields tank pressure control assembly (84). Closure assembly (20) also includes a sealing gasket (192) and a foam ring (210) between housing (74) and a side wall (46) of outer shell (44) leakage of fuel vapor therebetween. Outer shell (44) includes frangible tabs (260) that break away from the rest of outer shell (44) in a controlled manner when outer shell (44) is subjected to an impact during a vehicle crash. Outer shell (44) is formed to include a fluid drain (421) and closure assembly (20) includes a float (425) that closes fluid drain (421) and that moves to open fluid drain (421) to allow accumulated fluid to drain out of outer shell (44).

Abstract: A tank vent control system includes a valve container adapted to be mounted in a vehicle fuel tank and formed to include an interior chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, and a valve positioned to move up and down in the interior chamber to control the flow of liquid fuel and fuel vapor from the interior chamber through the chamber outlet. The valve includes an outlet closure sized to engage and close the chamber outlet and an exterior wall. The valve container includes a lower interior portion bounding a lower region of the interior chamber and surrounding the exterior wall of the valve to define a vent passage therebetween communicating with the chamber inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a filler neck of a vehicle includes a filler neck access door adapted to be coupled to a side wall of the vehicle, a filler neck closure that is adapted to be coupled to an open mouth of the filler neck to close the open mouth and includes a first seal configured to block fuel and fuel vapor from flowing from the filler neck to atmosphere, and a cover configured to cover the filler neck closure upon closure of the filler neck access door. The cover includes a second seal and a seal support coupled to the second seal and the filler neck access door. The seal support yieldably biases the second seal into engagement with the filler neck closure upon closure of the filler neck access door.

Abstract: A vent apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank and includes a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and containing a valve. The vent apparatus further includes a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and coupled to the valve housing. The tank mount is adapted to be welded to an underlying fuel tank to support the valve housing within a mounting aperture formed in the fuel tank. The tank mount is coupled to the valve housing by a retainer ring formed to include an annular channel opening toward the valve housing. The valve housing includes an annular upper flange extending into an upper region of the annular channel formed in the retainer ring. The tank mount includes an annular lower flange extending into a lower region of that annular channel to mate with the overlying annular upper flange and trap a flange seal therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel system apparatus for installation on a fuel tank. The apparatus includes a first portion extending at least partially interiorly of the fuel tank and the apparatus is installed on the fuel tank. A second portion is positioned at least partially extending into the fuel tank when the apparatus is installed on the fuel tank. A mount is provided which is at least partially retained between the first portion and the second portion. The mount at least partially extends from between the first portion and the second portion. The mount in size and dimension or at least substantially corresponding to an opening in the fuel tank to which the apparatus is attached. The mount is attachable to the fuel tank and prevents permeation of hydrocarbon vapor therethrough.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a filler neck, a housing, and an appearance cover. The housing includes a nozzle-receiving passageway and an interior region. A closure door is coupled to housing and prevents fuel vapor from flowing through passageway. A pressure-relief valve assembly is positioned within interior region and controls the flow of fuel vapor through interior region when the closure door is closed. A valve actuator is coupled to housing and includes a nozzle arm, a stem arm, and a conductor arm. Stem arm moves with nozzle arm and opens pressure-relief valve assembly when nozzle arm is engaged by a fuel-dispensing nozzle upon movement of a nozzle into passageway. A conductor arm is coupled to nozzle arm and is positioned to contact filler neck through an opening in housing. When a nozzle contacts the nozzle arm, any electrical charge present on the fuel-dispensing nozzle is conducted through nozzle arm and conductor arm to the filler neck.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from within a vehicle fuel tank, which apparatus includes at least a primary and auxiliary liquid separating chamber positioned above a float chamber below a valve outlet. The apparatus includes at least one baffle arranged to intercept and direct filtered fuel droplets from the vapor flow and return the liquid fuel to the fuel tank. The primary and auxiliary liquid separation chambers and associated baffle are positioned to facilitate flow of fuel vapor from the tank yet return liquid fuel to the tank.

Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted in the filler neck and formed to include a sealing surface and a pressure-relief valve positioned to lie in the housing and provided with a nozzle-receiving portion and a sealing portion, wherein the nozzle-receiving portion is formed to include a nozzle-receiving opening sized to receive a pump nozzle during refueling of the fuel tank and the sealing portion is movable with the nozzle portion and relative to the housing between a closure-sealing position sealingly engaging the sealing surface and a pressure-relief position away from the sealing surface to define an opening to vent fuel vapor from the fuel tank when tank pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure.