Abstract: A fuel tank cap including a vapor storage receptacle and a discriminator that discriminates between liquid fuel and fuel vapor for protecting the vapor storage receptacle from liquid and adsorbent granulated carbonaceous material. A fuel storage system including a fuel tank cap having a vapor storage receptacle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigeration system employing a mechanical thermal expansion valve with a self-heated thermistor sensing saturation temperature at a high pressure inlet and a second thermistor sensing saturation temperature at the evaporator outlet. A microprocessor based controller compares the sensed temperature with stored limits and provides output signals to a relay for cycling the condenser fan responsive to high side pressure and the compressor clutch responsive to the low pressure side temperature. For low pressure drop evaporators, the second thermistor may be disposed at the evaporator inlet.

Abstract: A method for minimizing or eliminating the audible flow noise which accompanies the short initial period of compressor operation in an air-conditioning or refrigeration system which system utilizes an electrically-actuated expansion valve. The method is comprised of two steps used singly or in combination, said steps being (a) maintaining said valve in a closed or non-operative mode for a short period of time after the compressor is energized; and, (b) pulsing said valve at a higher-than-normal frequency for a short period of time commencing when the compressor is energized or shortly thereafter.

Abstract: A system for preventing vapor-lock in a positively pressurized loop-type engine fuel line having the low pressure or tank return portion of the fuel line passing through a heat exchanger disposed in the refrigerant line for the vehicle air conditioner between the endothermic heat exchanger or evaporator and the compressor inlet. A thermistor senses the temperature of the refrigerant discharging from the fuel line heat exchanger and a pressure transducer senses evaporator discharge saturation pressure. Look-up tables are used to determine saturation temperature from the saturation pressure, and saturation temperature and actual refrigerant temperature compared to generate a pulse-width modulated control signal for controlling an electrically operated refrigerant expansion valve to maintain a desired amount of superheat at the discharge of the fuel line heat exchanger.