Sock inlet check valve for fuel tank
Reducing fuel vapor within a vehicle fuel tank is accomplished by employing a flexible fuel sock attached to spud near the top surface of the fuel tank. The fuel sock resides within the fuel tank and retains liquid fuel during tank refueling so that the fuel is confined within the fuel sock until the fuel reaches the bottom of the fuel tank or the current level of fuel within the tank. The fuel conduit may be flexible and buoyant to accommodate any level of fuel in the tank and reduction of fuel refueling vapors. A check valve may be situated within the spud.
The present invention relates to a flexible extension for a fuel tank inlet check valve proximate a fuel tank top wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONModern automotive vehicles typically have fuel tanks that are filled through a pipe at the top wall of the fuel tank. As liquid fuel passes through the top wall, the fuel may also pass through a check valve. The pipe and check valve permit liquid fuel to pass into and fill the fuel tank. However, the fuel is permitted to flow unrestrained from the check valve at the top of the fuel tank to the bottom of the fuel tank. Along this fuel path, fuel is able to atomize and generate fuel vapor. Additionally, fuel vapor is generated as the falling fuel meets the surface of the fuel already resident within the fuel tank. Fuel vapors generated during refueling of a vehicular fuel tank must be conditioned in a charcoal canister. Therefore, a reduction in fuel vapors generated during the filling of a fuel tank results in a reduction of fuel vapors that must be conditioned. Accordingly, a need exists for a device that efficiently manages liquid fuel flowing from a check valve, or top of a fuel tank, to the surface of the resident fuel within the fuel tank so that fuel vapor generation is minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn apparatus for reducing fuel vapor generated within a fuel tank during tank refueling includes a flexible fuel conduit that extends from a spud attached to the fuel tank at a fuel inlet of the fuel tank. The fuel conduit extends within the fuel tank from the spud to a location proximate a bottom of the fuel tank. The fuel conduit may be flexible and buoyant to accommodate any fuel level with the fuel tank during refueling. A check valve may be situated within the spud within the tank to permit fuel to flow only one-way.
Further areas of applicability of the teachings of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Referencing
During fuel tank re-filling, fuel vapors 18 are generated as the fuel falls from the spud 14 toward the bottom of the fuel tank 10. Additionally, as the falling fuel 16 strikes the fuel 20 resident on the bottom of the tank 10, or strikes the bottom of the tank 10 itself, fuel vapors 22 are generated. The combination of the fuel vapors 18 generated during re-filling, results in vapors filling the area 24 of the fuel tank 10. Because the area 24 fills with fuel vapors 18, 22, the vapors must be managed by a vapor recovery system (not shown) to meet emission standards and to maintain acceptable pressure levels within the fuel tank 10. The teachings of the present invention reduce the generation of such fuel vapors.
Turning to
In the arrangement depicted in
Since fuel vapors are generated regardless of whether fuel drops to the fuel tank bottom 56, fuel vapor processing equipment 60 resides with the fuel tank 34 to manage any vapors. For instance, with continued reference to
Although some fuel vapor is delivered to an engine purge valve, the multi-functional control valve 58 also delivers fuel vapor to the charcoal canister 62 via a charcoal canister line 68. To assist in cleansing the fuel vapor in the charcoal canister 62, a fresh air filter 64 is linked to the charcoal canister 62 via a fresh air line 66.
When fuel vapor is generated in the fuel tank 34, the fuel vapor enters either the grade vent valve 61 or multi-function control valve 58. In the case of fuel vapor entering via the grade vent valve 61, such vapor is forced by pressure through the grade vent line 66 toward the multi-functional control valve 58. From the multi-functional control valve 58, fuel vapors may be directed through the inlet vent line 69 and returned to the fuel filler pipe 40 via a vapor inlet 70. Alternatively, or additionally, fuel vapors may be directed from the multi-functional control valve 58 with vapor line 72 which supplies fuel vapor to the engine purge valve or the charcoal canister 62. Fuel vapors directed to the charcoal canister 62 are directed through the charcoal canister line 68 while fresh air is directed to the charcoal canister 62 via a fresh air line 66 from a fresh air filter 64.
Similarly to
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. In a vehicle having a fuel tank defining a fuel inlet, an apparatus for reducing fuel vapor generation in the fuel tank comprising:
- a fuel conduit extending from the fuel inlet to a location proximate a bottom of the fuel tank.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel conduit is flexible.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel conduit is buoyant.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rigid tube protrudes from the fuel inlet and into the fuel tank, the fuel conduit joined to the rigid tube.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
- a check valve, the check valve situated within the rigid tube.
6. An apparatus for reducing fuel tank vapor generation in a fuel tank, comprising:
- a rigid tube protruding through a fuel tank wall; and
- a fuel conduit, the fuel conduit extending from the rigid tube to proximate a fuel tank bottom.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fuel conduit is flexible.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fuel conduit is buoyant.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a check valve, the check valve situated within the rigid tube to permit one-way fuel flow into the fuel tank.
10. An apparatus for reducing fuel tank vapor generation in a fuel tank, comprising:
- a rigid tube protruding through a fuel tank wall; and
- a flexible fuel conduit, a first end of the fuel conduit connected to the rigid tube and extending from the rigid tube to proximate a fuel tank bottom.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a one-way check valve, the one-way check valve situated within the rigid tube and permitting fuel to only flow into the fuel tank.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible fuel conduit is buoyant.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second end of the fuel conduit, wherein the second end of the fuel conduit is proximate a bottom surface of the fuel tank.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second end of the fuel conduit is located under a surface of fuel within the fuel tank.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2007
Inventors: Darrin Hurley (Flat Rock, MI), Yarick Vitkovski (Auburn Hills, MI)
Application Number: 11/304,009
International Classification: B65B 1/04 (20060101);