Abstract: A fuel system and a method for refueling a fuel tank within the fuel system both employ a fuel tank having contained therein a fuel vapor, where the fuel tank also has a refueling detection device which is activated incident to refueling the fuel tank with a liquid fuel. The fuel system and the method for refueling the fuel tank also employ a fuel vapor valve which is activated by the refueling detection device, wherein: (1) the fuel vapor valve directs the fuel vapor from the fuel tank to a first fuel vapor conduit connected to a fuel vapor absorption device when the refueling detection device is activated; and (2) the fuel vapor valve directs the fuel vapor from the fuel tank to a second fuel vapor conduit connected to an engine which is powered by the liquid fuel when the refueling detection device is not activated.

Abstract: A fuel system 10 which selectively receives, stores and delivers volatile fuel 16. Fuel system 10 includes a variable volume fuel tank 12 having a movable piston 22 which is attached to a pair of bellows diaphragm members 26, 28. Members 26, 28 selectively contract and expand to move piston 22 within tank 12, effective to alter the volume of the fuel containing portion 14 of tank 12, thereby maintaining fuel 16 in a pressurized state and substantially preventing the accumulation of vapors within tank 12.

Abstract: A fuel tank filler pipe neck assembly, a fuel tank system and a method for refueling a fuel tank each employ a chamber having formed therein a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle entry port and a liquid fuel exit port. There is also disposed within the chamber a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat, where the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat is sized to accept and seal a rim of a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle introduced into the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle entry port while allowing flow of a liquid fuel from the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle through the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat. Finally, there is also disposed within the chamber a means for resiliently and flexibly biasing the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat against the rim of the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle while resiliently and flexibly sealing the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat to the liquid fuel exit port.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed before attaching a flexible hose to a rigid tube in which the tube includes an outwardly and circumferentially extending bead around its free end. Both the hose and tube are circular in cross sectional shape. Furthermore, the hose is dimensioned so that, with the hose positioned around the tube and over the bead, the hose stretches outwardly and forms an annular bulge having a predetermined diameter around the bead. The connector includes an annular collar having a sleeve and radially inwardly extending flange at one of the sleeve. A circular throughbore is provided through the flange which has a preset diameter less than the predetermined diameter of the hose bulge around the bead. Similarly, an annular ring has an inside diameter less than the predetermined diameter and the ring is positioned over the hose. The ring and collar are secured together such that the ring and flange are positioned on opposite axial sides of the bead thereby securing the hose to the tube.