Abstract: A float operated fuel vapor vent valve has body structure with an annular mounting flange formed of material weldable to a fuel tank and the flange is spin welded to the tank. The float has surfaces thereon which slidably engage corresponding surfaces in the float chamber to prevent relative rotation of the float with respect to the valve body during spin welding. An optional pressure relief valve in the vent outlet also has surfaces slidably engaging the vent passage to prevent relative rotation during spin welding.

Abstract: A method of mechanical twist lock attachment of a pass-through valve or fitting over an aperture in a plastic fuel tank having an embedded vapor barrier layer. A ring having circumferentially spaced internal lugs is secured to the tank by weldment around an aperture in the tank wall exposing an edge of the barrier layer. A seal ring on the pass-through is located in the aperture to seal the exposed vapor barrier edge. Outwardly extending projections on the pass-through attach the pass-through by twist locking engagement with the projections on the ring.

Abstract: A method of mechanical twist lock attachment of a vent valve or fitting over an aperture in a plastic fuel tank having an embedded vapor barrier layer. A ring having circumferentially spaced internal lugs is secured to the tank by weldment around an aperture in the tank wall exposing an edge of the barrier layer. A seal ring on the vent valve is located in the aperture to seal the exposed vapor barrier edge. Outwardly extending projections on the vent valve attach the vent valve by twist locking engagement with the projections on the ring.

Abstract: A fuel level sender (26) for signaling liquid fuel level in a fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is hermetically sealed against intrusion of fuel vapor and liquid. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on the enclosure exterior in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the enclosure interior follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the enclosure interior is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal liquid fuel level. A bottom reference rod (150) and stop (152) position the enclosure circumferentially within its mounting in a fuel pump module to cause the circuit element to signal zero fuel level when the stop is on the tank bottom wall and the actuator is in position corresponding to zero fuel level in the tank.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel level sender (26) for signaling the level of liquid fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is sealed against intrusion of fuel. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on an exterior of the enclosure in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the interior of the enclosure follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the interior of the enclosure is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal the liquid fuel level.

Abstract: A fuel level sender (26) for signaling liquid fuel level in a fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is hermetically sealed against intrusion of fuel vapor and liquid. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on the enclosure exterior in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the enclosure interior follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the enclosure interior is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal liquid fuel level. A bottom reference rod (150) and stop (152) position the enclosure circumferentially within its mounting in a fuel pump module to cause the circuit element to signal zero fuel level when the stop is on the tank bottom wall and the actuator is in position corresponding to zero fuel level in the tank.

Abstract: A float operated fuel vapor vent valve has body structure with an annular mounting flange formed of material weldable to a fuel tank and the flange is spin welded to the tank. The float has surfaces thereon which slidably engage corresponding surfaces in the float chamber to prevent relative rotation of the float with respect to the valve body during spin welding. An optional pressure relief valve in the vent outlet also has surfaces slidably engaging the vent passage to prevent relative rotation during spin welding.

Abstract: A method of mechanical twist lock attachment of a pass-through valve or fitting over an aperture in a plastic fuel tank having an embedded vapor barrier layer. A ring having circumferentially spaced internal lugs is secured to the tank by weldment around an aperture in the tank wall exposing an edge of the barrier layer. A seal ring on the pass-through is located in the aperture to seal the exposed vapor barrier edge. Outwardly extending projections on the pass-through attach the pass-through by twist locking engagement with the projections on the ring.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel level sender (26) for signaling the level of liquid fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is sealed against intrusion of fuel. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on an exterior of the enclosure in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the interior of the enclosure follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the interior of the enclosure is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal the liquid fuel level.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated pressure responsive valve has its inlet connected to a fuel tank vapor line and the valving chamber openly connected to the storage canister and to the engine air intake manifold vapor purge control valve. The diaphragm is operable to vary the spring bias on a valve member disposed in the chamber for biasing closed the vapor line from the tank in the event of high vacuum from the engine purge control valves. A bleed bypass permits continued bleed flow of vapor from the tank to the valving chamber.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated pressure responsive valve has its inlet connected to a fuel tank vapor line and the valving chamber openly connected to the storage canister and to the engine air intake manifold vapor purge control valve. The diaphragm is operable to vary the spring bias on a valve member disposed in the chamber for biasing closed the vapor line from the tank in the event of high vacuum from the engine purge control valves. A bleed bypass permits continued bleed flow of vapor from the tank to the valving chamber.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel level sender (26) for signaling the level of liquid fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank (22). An enclosure (31) forming a hub of the sender provides an interior that is sealed against intrusion of fuel. An actuator (110, 122) is positionable on an exterior of the enclosure in correlation with liquid fuel level. A movement (52) within the interior of the enclosure follows the positioning of the actuator. An electric circuit element (62; 86) within the interior of the enclosure is operated by the movement to provide an electric characteristic for transmission through the enclosure to signal the liquid fuel level.

Abstract: A float operated fuel tank vent valve has a pair of vent passages with one of the pair larger than the other. A thin flexible elastomeric strip valve has one end attached to the valve body and the distal end bent over the top of the float and attached thereto. The strip valve has a pair of annular sealing surfaces formed thereon each disposed respectively opposite one of the vent passages. Upon refueling of the tank, as the float rises, the strip valve first progressively closes the larger vent passage and then progressively closes the smaller vent passage. As fuel is drawn from the tank by engine operation and the float is lowered, the strip valve is first peeled away from one edge of the smaller vent passage and then completely opens the smaller vent passage. As the float is further lowered, the valve strip is peeled away from one edge of the longer vent passage and then completely open the larger vent passage.

Abstract: A refueling fuel level responsive control valve with a two-stage closing operation providing an initial soft shutoff cue to the filler nozzle operator, and a subsequent final shutoff after a limited amount of “roundoff” filling to a maximum fuel level. The control valve includes two float-operated valve elements which dose serially in response to initial shutoff and final shutoff refueling fuel levels. The initial shutoff partially closes the control valve to create a temporary shutoff-inducing increase in fuel tank pressure. Final shutoff occurs after allowing a few round-off “clicks” of the filler nozzle to fully close venting through the control valve.

Abstract: A two-stage venting on-board refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve for controlling fuel tank venting to a storage canister during tank filling. A float actuated poppet has a small second stage venting hole therethrough. The poppet is mounted for relative movement with respect to a second stage vent valve member disposed on the float. During tank filling, venting is through a first stage relatively large flow area passage until rising fuel level causes the poppet to close the first stage vent flow area. Venting during continued filling is through the second stage venting hole in the poppet. After first stage valve closure relative movement or lost motion occurs between the first and second stage valve members.

Abstract: A refueling fuel level responsive control valve with a two-stage closing operation providing an initial soft shutoff cue to the filler nozzle operator, and a subsequent final shutoff after a limited amount of "roundoff" filling to a maximum fuel level. The control valve includes two float-operated valve elements which close serially in response to initial shutoff and final shutoff refueling fuel levels. The initial shutoff partially closes the control valve to create a temporary shutoff-inducing increase in fuel tank pressure. Final shutoff occurs after allowing a few round-off "clicks" of the filler nozzle to fully close venting through the control valve.

Abstract: A combination fuel tank rollover valve, float actuated fill vent shutoff and tank vapor pressure relief valve assembly in a common housing for assembly into a single access opening in the tank. A header containing the pressure relief valve is sealed over the tank access opening and has an extension member attached to the undersurface of the header with an extension neck extending through the access opening. An interchangeable vent float valve subassembly is attached to the end of the neck before attachment of the extension to the header and assembly on the tank. Tanks of different depth can be accommodated simply by using extension members having a correspondingly different length necks, while the float valve subassembly and header are interchangeable.

Abstract: An onboard vapor recovery system for a vehicle fuel system having a fuel tank, a filler neck dynamically sealed by high pressure fuel flow from a filler nozzle, and a vapor recovery apparatus such as a carbon canister. The system includes a liquid level operated control valve which shuts off refueling with a two-stage closing operation providing an initial soft shutoff and a final shutoff. The system also preferably includes a valve in the fuel tank to maintain a predetermined pressure head sufficient to hold the system closed against further refueling at least temporarily, and a positive action, one-way check valve in the lower end of the filler pipe to prevent spitback of fuel from the pressurized tank once refueling has ceased.

Abstract: A fuel level responsive vent valve assembly adaptable to a variety of different mounting requirements in a vehicle fuel tank. In general, the vent valve assembly comprises a standard, valve body, a top cover adapted to mate with the standard valve body at a vent outlet interface for a sealed vapor venting connection, and separately formed longitudinal connector means having a preassembly end for preassembly to a standard interface on the lower surface of the top cover, and an assembly end for longitudinally locking the standard valve body to the top cover. The standard assembly end of the longitudinal connectors can be varied in length to accommodate different valve height mounting requirements in different fuel tank applications. In a preferred embodiment the longitudinal connectors comprise metal pins or rods which can be pre-formed or cut to length to accommodate the standard valve body at different distances from the top cover.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for calibrating a float-type vent valve for use in an automobile fuel tank. The valve is provided with a calibration plate in the lower end thereof below the float, the calibration plate defining an axially-adjustable support for the spring which balances the float. The calibration plate includes a force probe aperture through which a force measuring device of known type can be inserted to measure the downward force of the spring-balanced float at a specified distance from closure, preferably a near-closed position. The calibration plate then is adjusted up or down as needed until a position is determined where the spring-balanced float is properly calibrated, and then the calibration plate is permanently secured in place on the valve body so that the valve remains calibrated.