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 tank venting system includes a vent apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture formed in a fuel tank. The vent apparatus includes a vent valve, a vent valve mover, and a liquid fuel sensor positioned to lie in the fuel tank and configured to operate a control module and a solenoid to control operation of the vent valve mover so as to move the vent valve between opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A fuel tank closure system (10) includes a filler neck (12) and a fuel cap (14) engageable with filler neck (12). Fuel cap (14) includes a closure (16), a seal (18) coupled to closure (16) to engage filler neck (12), and a spring (20). Closure (16) includes a handle (24) and a lug (34) engageable with filler neck (12). Handle (24) is adapted to move lug (34) between an engaged position securing closure (16) in an axially and a disengaged position permitting closure (16) to move between axially inner and outer positions. Spring (20) moves closure (16) relative to filler neck (12) to the axially outer position while lug (34) is in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A fuel system leakage detector (1) includes a pressure source (3) and a test head (4) adapted to be coupled to a fuel system (17) of a vehicle (19) with engine (21), fuel tank (18), fuel filler neck (20), fuel closure cap (16) and evaporative emissions cannister (24), such fuel systems leakage detector also having a pneumatic circuit (5) coupled to a pressure source (3) and the test head (4), a pneumatic circuit bypass (2) coupled to the pressure source (3) and the test head (4), and a signaling device (7). The pneumatic circuit (5) includes a measurement device (6) coupled to the signaling device through which pressurized gas flows during leakage testing. Before testing, pressurized gas is diverted through the pneumatic circuit bypass (2) and bypasses the pneumatic circuit including the measurement device (6) to charge the test head (4) and the fuel system (17) for testing.

Abstract: A cap (10) includes a handle (12), torque-transmission ring (16), a driver (14) coupled to handle (10) and ring (16), and a closure member (20) adapted to close a tank filler neck (42). A connector (18) couples ring (16) to closure member (20) to establish a torque-limited connection (26) during cap installation and a direct-drive connection (28) during cap removal. An axial spring (22) coupled to handle (12) and ring (16) yieldably biases ring (16) toward closure member (20) to maintain the torque-limited connection (26). A rotary spring (24) coupled to handle (12) and ring (16) rotates closure member (20) relative to handle (12) to a reset position upon removal of cap (10) from filler neck (42).

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: An apparatus is provided that includes a valve assembly and a retainer that couples the valve assembly in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a housing having a body portion, a flange coupled to the body portion and retainer blocks extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange. A valve is positioned to lie in the housing. The retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the tank. The retainer includes a body portion that defines a passageway sized to receive the body portion of the housing and a ring coupled to the body portion of the retainer and formed to extend into the passageway. The flange and retainer blocks cooperate with the body portion of the retainer and ring to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.

Abstract: A fuel venting system for fuel tank chambers. The system vents through an opening in one of the chambers, with fuel vapor being transferred from the other chambers to the venting chamber. Fuel vapor transfer between chambers is facilitated by a conduit having a buoyant float attached at one end and flexibly connected at the other end to an anchor device fixed in the vent hole.

Abstract: A fuel cap has an upper housing and a lower housing, each configured to be inserted into the filler neck of a vehicle fuel system. The upper housing and lower housing are cooperatively configured to allow both rotational and axial relative movement with respect to one another. A seal coupled to the lower housing sealingly engages the filler neck when the fuel cap is in a tightened position. A spring mount is coupled to the lower housing and engages a spring that is positioned to bias the lower housing axially toward the upper housing to assist in loosening contact of the seal and filler neck during removal of the fuel cap. The fuel cap further has a drive axially spacing the upper housing from the lower housing as the upper housing rotates relative to the lower housing. A cam and cam follower connection between the upper and lower housing provides the drive.

Abstract: A cooling system closure includes a closure apparatus adapted to mount on a cooling system and formed to include a flow passage arranged to receive fluid discharged from the cooling system and a relief valve positioned to move between an opened position permitting fluid to flow through the flow passage and a closed position blocking the flow of fluid through the flow passage. The relief valve includes a temperature-activated element moving to a first position when heated to a first predetermined temperature to urge the relief valve to the closed position and a second position when cooled below a second predetermined temperature to permit the relief valve to move to the opened position.

Abstract: A vapor control valve includes first, second, and third valves and a housing formed to include first, second, and third chambers and first, second, and third apertures. The first valve is formed to include a vent aperture and is movable relative to the first aperture to partially close the first aperture to limit flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the first aperture. The second valve is movable relative to the first valve to open and close the vent aperture and cooperates with the first valve to close the first aperture to prohibit flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the first aperture in response to rising liquid fuel. The third valve is biased to normally close the third aperture and configured to open the third aperture in response to pressurized fuel vapor to permit flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through the third aperture.

Abstract: The invention is a cap engagable with a filler neck of a vehicle fuel tank, the cap having a core including an axially lower end, an axially upper end, and an exterior side wall extending between the axially lower and upper ends. A handle is coupled adjacent the axially upper end of the core and adapted to rotate the core about an axis of rotation between a loosened position permitting removal of the core from the filler neck and a tightened position securing the core within the filler neck. The cap further includes a seal positioned to lie around the core and a sleeve movable axially by the handle. The sleeve and has an interior side wall defining a chamber formed in the sleeve. The core lies within the chamber, and the seal lies between the sleeve and the core.

Abstract: A fuel cap leakage tester is provided comprising a fuel cap support, a pressure source, and a monitor. The fuel cap support is formed to included a test chamber and is adapted to receive a fuel cap to be tested in the test chamber to establish a pressurizable region, therein and a sealed connection between the fuel cap to be tested and the fuel cap support. The monitor is positioned to communicate with the pressurizable region formed in the fuel cap support and is configured to measure air pressure in the pressurizable region. The fuel cap leakage tester further comprises a system for communicating a flow of pressurized air from the pressure source to the pressurizable region with a predetermined pressure drop of the pressurized air therebetween. The monitor measures the pressure level of the pressurized air in the pressurizable region to determine whether the fuel cap to be tested meets or exceeds a predetermined leakage flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture formed in a fuel tank, comprising a housing adapted to be mounted in an aperture formed in a fuel tank and being formed to include a venting outlet, a valve positioned to lie in the housing and move between an opened position allowing flow of fuel vapor through the venting outlet formed in the housing and a closed position preventing flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through the venting outlet, and a valve actuator including a fluid actuator valve mover in the housing and an electronic liquid detector coupled to the valve mover, arranged to move the valve between the closed position and the opened position, the electronic liquid detector including a valve mover controller coupled to the valve mover to control fluid at said fluid actuated valve mover and an electronic liquid sensor coupled to the valve mover controller and positioned to lie in a fixed position relative to the housing to sense the presence of liquid fu

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a vent valve assembly in an aperture of a fuel tank comprising a valve assembly including a housing having a body portion and a flange coupled to the body portion and with a retainer block extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange and with a valve positioned to lie in the housing. A retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the fuel tank including a body portion defining a passageway being sized to receive the body portion of the housing therein and a seat formed integrally with the body portion of the retainer and extending into the passageway, so that the flange and the retainer block can cooperate with the seat to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.

Abstract: A fuel tank filler apparatus includes a fuel tank filler neck, a pressure-relief valve coupled to the fuel tank filler neck, and a filler neck closure coupled to the fuel tank filler neck. The filler neck closure includes a drainage basin configured to collect liquid fuel, a retention chamber configured to store liquid fuel, and a fuel conductor configured to communicate liquid fuel between the drainage basin and the retention chamber. The filler neck closure can also include a blocker positioned to pivot about a pivot axis between a normally closed position blocking a fuel-receiving passage and an opened position permitting liquid fuel to flow through the fuel-receiving passage to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel cap (210) of the present invention includes a closure member (16), a handle (14) for turning closure member (16) to engage and close a filler neck (12), and a conductor (204) configured to conduct an electrical charge from handle (14) to filler neck (12) during rotation of handle relative to closure member(16) and before movement of closure member (16) to break a seal established between closure member (16) and filler neck (12). Fuel cap (210) also includes a torque-transmission race (18) to provide a lost-motion driving connection between handle (14) and closure member (16).

Abstract: A fuel system is provided having a fuel tank formed to include an interior region, a fuel vapor discharge apparatus coupled to the fuel tank to vent fuel vapor from the interior region of the fuel tank, a fuel delivery apparatus formed to include an interior region and coupled to the fuel tank to deliver fuel to the interior region of the fuel tank, and a fuel vapor recirculation apparatus in fluid communication with the interior region of the fuel tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from within a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus includes a valve container with an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber, a valve member formed for movement between an open position allowing fuel vapor flow through outlet and a closed position blocking fuel vapor flow through outlet, and a secondary float valve disposed between inlet and valve member. The valve member includes a central post and wing segments defining flow passages sized to permit fuel vapor flow therethrough and to block momentarily liquid fuel flow therethrough. The secondary float valve moves between an open position allowing fuel vapor flow to the wing segments and a closed position blocking liquid fuel flow to the wing segments.

Abstract: A lockable pressure-release fuel cap is provided to close a filler neck. An actuation system within the fuel cap is operable to enable a user to vent fuel vapor pressure in the filler neck in response to rotation of a key in a lock unit included in the fuel cap prior to removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.