Abstract: A multi-piece seal preferably for a sealed joint of a fuel tank assembly. An outer member has in an uncompressed state a cross-sectional shape defined by substantially semi-circular-shaped portions that define a substantially semi-circular channel and that terminate in free ends. An inner member is disposed at least partially in the channel of the outer member and has in an uncompressed state a substantially round cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the outer member is composed of a permeation-resistant material, and the inner member is composed of a relatively less expensive material capable of better elasticity performance at relatively lower temperatures compared to the outer member. The outer member preferably has lobed ends and the inner member preferably includes one or both of a stress-relieving feature or an orientation feature to orient the inner member relative to the outer member.

Abstract: A ring seal includes a sealing ring including an asymmetric body portion having axially-opposed and radially-offset seal beads. The ring seal may also include a reinforcement ring carried at least partially in the sealing ring to distribute load across the seal beads. The ring seal may further include a skirt depending generally axially from the body portion and defining an inner diameter of the sealing ring and preferably having frusto-conical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A polymeric fuel tank having a first body joined to a second body is constructed having a substantially continuously barrier layer surrounding the tank. The first body has an inner surface terminating at a free edge and a first mating surface adjacent the free edge. A first barrier layer is fixed adjacent the inner surface of the first body. The second body has an inner surface terminating at a free edge and has a second mating surface adjacent to the first mating surface and the free edge of the second body to define a fuel cavity. A second barrier layer is fixed adjacent the inner surface of the second body. At least one weld joint joins the first mating surface to the second mating surface and the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer to provide the continuous barrier layer in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A pressure control valve has a non-uniformly tapered valve bore that has an increasing diameter as it extends downstream. An interface angle, defined in part between a valve ball and the valve bore in the area of the smallest gap between them, increases as the valve ball is increasingly displaced away from a valve seat of the valve bore.

Abstract: A multi-piece seal has an outer member and an inner member partly disposed in the outer member. In cross section, the outer member has a C-shape and defines a channel, and the inner member is round and has a pair of lobes extending away from its body.

Abstract: A liquid separator that can be used in a vehicle fuel system can have, among other components, an inlet portion, a deflector surface, and an outlet portion. The inlet portion can receive fluid from a fluid tube that communicates with a fuel tank. The deflector surface may cause a change-in-direction that separates liquid and fuel vapor from the fluid. The outlet portion can carry separated fuel vapor to a vapor tube that communicates with a canister. A space adjacent the inlet portion can be defined by a fuel system component such as partly by a fill tube or by a vessel.

Abstract: A pressure control valve has a non-uniformly tapered valve bore that has an increasing diameter as it extends downstream. An interface angle, defined in part between a valve ball and the valve bore in the area of the smallest gap between them, increases as the valve ball is increasingly displaced away from a valve seat of the valve bore.

Abstract: A check valve for a combustion engine fuel system includes a polymeric poppet valve including a valve stem and a valve head that terminates the valve stem. A valve seat is adapted for cooperation with the valve head of the poppet valve, and includes a valve seat body and an elastomeric valve seat seal supported by the valve seat body and adapted for sealing against the valve head of the poppet valve. The check valve is particularly adapted for use with a fuel pump within a fuel system.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank to contain fuel therein, and a carrier assembly disposed in the fuel tank. The carrier assembly includes a plurality of application-specific fuel system products, a carrier common to a plurality of different fuel tank assemblies to carry the products, and a plurality of common components to mount the products with respect to the carrier in application-specific positions.

Abstract: A reactant delivery system for engine exhaust gas treatment may include a tank in which a reactant is received, a pumping device, a pressure relief device, and a reactant distribution device. The pumping device may have an inlet disposed within the interior of the tank to receive the reactant, and an outlet through which the reactant is discharged. The pressure relief device may have an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pumping device, a primary outlet to discharge the reactant under pressure to a downstream location, and a bypass outlet through which at least some of the reactant discharged from the pumping device is selectively discharged. And the reactant distribution device may be in fluid communication with the bypass outlet of the pressure relief device and have a plurality of outlets to distribute the reactant to at least two different locations within the tank.

Abstract: One embodiment of a seal includes a body portion, a skirt portion, and an insert. The body portion is composed of a first material. The skirt portion extends from the body portion and is also composed of the first material. The skirt portion has an inboard leg and an outboard leg that move toward each other upon collapse in use. The insert is carried by the body portion and is composed of a second material which is more rigid than the first material.

Abstract: A fuel tank that is substantially impermeable to fuel vapor has a shell with an interior for holding fuel, an opening for receiving fuel into the interior, and a fill nipple with a barrier layer. The fill nipple has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage extending between a pair of generally opposed ends of the fill nipple. One of the ends is attached to the shell such that the passage is aligned with the opening to allow fuel to flow through the passage and into the interior of the fuel tank. The fill nipple has an inner layer of material forming the inner surface, and an outer layer of material forming the outer surface, and has at least one intermediate layer of material forming the barrier layer. The intermediate layer is formed from a material that is different in composition from the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for blow molding a fuel tank with multiple concentric needles to form an opening in the fuel tank, and/or for calibrating the opening in the fuel tank as it cools.

Abstract: A fuel transfer system having a nozzle with an inlet in communication with a source of pressurized fuel in a portion of a fuel tank, and an outlet through which the fuel is discharged. A restrictor is arranged between the source of pressurized fuel and the nozzle. A first venturi receives fuel dispensed from the nozzle, and a second venturi receives fuel dispensed from the first venturi. The second venturi has an outlet in fluid communication with the portion of the fuel tank housing the source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A fuel pump has a housing defining a cavity. A rotor of an electric motor is carried in the cavity for rotation about a drive axis. An annular pump impeller is supported in the cavity separate from the rotor and is driven by the rotor for rotation about the drive axis.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system of a vehicle has a fill pipe inlet assembly located at a distal end of a fuel tank fill pipe. The inlet assembly has a cylindrical wall defining an elongated cavity divided axially into upstream and downstream regions by a restrictor plate which carries a hole for close receipt of a fuel supply nozzle of a remote fuel pump. During refueling of the tank, fuel vapor flows from the tank via a recirculation tube and into the inlet cavity of the fill pipe to become entrained into the flowing liquid fuel as oppose to being released to atmosphere. The fuel vapor enters the upstream region at an aperture carried by the wall disposed immediately upstream from the restrictor plate and downstream from a hood. The hood limits vapor release to atmosphere and draws the vapor downstream through a port carried by the restrictor plate for entrainment of vapor into the liquid fuel in the downstream region.

Abstract: One embodiment of a cover for use in a fuel system component has a body and a seal molded around the body. The body has at least one first connecting feature that is complementary to at least one second connecting feature of the seal. The first connecting feature and the second connecting feature help hold the body and the seal together.

Abstract: A cap is formed within the flash of a molded polymeric article. Desirably, the material of the flash, and hence the cap, has the same properties as the molded article. In one embodiment, the molded article is a multi-layer plastic fuel tank having a vapor barrier layer sandwiched between structural and/or adhesive layers and the cap has the same general construction and may be fixed or welded to the fuel tank over an opening through the tank. Advantageously, the cap is formed in the same process used to form the molded article and reduces the scrap or waste material by utilizing a portion of the flash which is removed from the molded article after it is formed. Therefore, the cost and time to produce a molded article and one or more caps is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A variable resistor assembly is preferably adapted for use with a fuel level sensor and includes an arcuate resistive area including a plurality of radially oriented and spaced apart conductive contact segments, and further includes a wiper including an arm and at least two contactors carried by the arm, wherein the at least two contactors are arranged on the arm such that the at least two contactors make contact with one of the conductive contact segments before breaking contact with an adjacent one of the conductive contact segments. Preferably, the at least two contactors are laterally offset with respect to one another and/or oriented at an angle with respect to the conductive contact segments.

Abstract: A fuel tank that is substantially impermeable to fuel vapor has a shell with an interior for holding fuel, an opening for receiving fuel into the interior, and a fill nipple with a barrier layer. The fill nipple has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage extending between a pair of generally opposed ends of the fill nipple. One of the ends is attached to the shell such that the passage is aligned with the opening to allow fuel to flow through the passage and into the interior of the fuel tank. The fill nipple has an inner layer of material forming the inner surface, and an outer layer of material forming the outer surface, and has at least one intermediate layer of material forming the barrier layer. The intermediate layer is formed from a material that is different in composition from the inner and outer layers.