Float Responsive Patents (Class 137/202)
  • Patent number: 6994103
    Abstract: A fill-up control valve structure includes a casing attached to a fuel tank, a float provided in a space defined in the casing so as to cause an up-and-down movement, a valve body provided at an upper portion of the float, a ventilation passage communicating with a downstream side of the valve body, and at least one first ventilation hole opened at a lower part of the casing to connect the inner space of the casing and the fuel tank to introduce fuel from the fuel tank into the space. Furthermore, at least one second ventilation hole is provided at an upper part of the casing to connect the inner space of the casing and the fuel tank. The hole size of second ventilation hole is smaller than that of the first ventilation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takahashi, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6981514
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve has a casing main body, a first float having a smaller specific gravity than a fuel, a second float having a greater specific gravity than the fuel, and a spring. The first float has a float main body and a buoyancy body of a foamed resin. The first float's specific gravity therefore is smaller than the fuel's specific gravity. The first float rises by buoyancy to close a first connection conduit, when a liquid level in a fuel tank exceeds a first liquid level. The second float rises by buoyancy and pressing of the spring to close a second connection conduit, when the liquid level exceeds a second liquid level, higher than the first liquid level. The second float lowers to open the second connection conduit, when the liquid level becomes lower than the second liquid level but is still higher than the first liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 6966330
    Abstract: An apparatus for attachment in an aperture of a fuel tank includes a cap member, a mounting portion, and a valve housing. Two or more of the cap member, the mounting portion, and the valve housing include a system of clips and catches or a system of helical threads, which attach the components together. The mounting portion may include a multi-layer laminate to reduce a fuel vapor permeation from the fuel tank. The cap member, the mounting portion, and the valve housing are attached by various steps and methods according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Axel Frohwein
  • Patent number: 6959720
    Abstract: A fuel valve includes an upper chamber communicating with a ventilation passage of a canister; a lower chamber to be disposed inside a fuel tank; a communicating port between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; and a float member disposed in the lower chamber for blocking the communicating port when fuel flows into the lower chamber. The lower chamber includes a one-way valve formed at a bottom thereof for allowing the fuel to flow out only through the one-way valve, and a fuel inlet formed in a side wall of the lower chamber. When a fuel level inside the fuel tank reaches the main fuel inlet, the fuel flows into the lower chamber to raise the float member. As a result, an internal pressure of the fuel tank increases, so that a sensor at a fueling nozzle side can detect that the fuel tank is filled-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Yasutomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6959721
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank and an internal port operatively supported by the cover. The cover assembly also includes a fill limiting vent valve attached to the internal port to vent the fuel tank through the cover. The internal port includes at least one convolute therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Robert L. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6957658
    Abstract: In a fuel tank installation including a fuel tank with an expansion volume, a filler neck connected to the fuel tank below a maximum fuel level of the tank for refueling the tank, a fill vent line for venting the fuel tank during refueling and an operating vent line for venting an expansion volume of the tank, the operating vent line extends within the fuel tank from the expansion volume of the fuel tank to a central penetration location and, at the central penetration location, through the wall of the tank together with the fill vent line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Barbara Aschoff, legal representative, Dorothea Aschoff, legal representative, Henning Aschoff, legal representative, Jürgen Kraus, Wolfgang Liebhart, Wolfgang Aschoff, deceased
  • Patent number: 6941966
    Abstract: A device includes a housing fixed to an upper wall of a fuel tank, and having a communication opening in communication with a canister, a float valve received within the housing and floating on a fuel, and the float valve moving upward and downward so as to close and open the communication opening, and a tubular member communicating with the housing, and extending downwardly from the housing into the interior of the fuel tank. The device has through holes of a small diameter which are disposed near an upper wall of the fuel tank, and when the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank reaches the lower end opening of the tubular member, a pressure within the fuel tank increases, whereby the filling-up of the fuel tank is detected. When the liquid level of the fuel abnormally rises, the float valve closes the communication opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei, Co., Ltd., FTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eishin Mori, Tomohide Aoki, Keisuke Yoshida, Norihiro Yamada, Katsuyuki Kido
  • Patent number: 6932103
    Abstract: A valve device is detachably attached to a functional component disposed at an upper inside portion of a fuel tank. An attaching device is fixed to the functional component for attaching the valve device inside the fuel tank. The valve device includes a connecting pipe portion and is disposed at the upper inside portion of the fuel tank so that the outside and the inside of the fuel tank are communicated through the connecting pipe portion. The valve device is closed when a fuel level increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6926023
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow for the continued operation of a fire sprinkler or standpipe system after the failure of an air release valve, wherein connected to the air release valve is a system that collects and contains fire extinguishing liquid leaked from an air release valve, as well as being able to detect and stop such leaks that could not be contained by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Potter Electric Signal Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Cabral, Michael D. Kirn
  • Patent number: 6918405
    Abstract: A valve assembly for attachment in an aperture of a fuel tank wall includes a cap member with a nozzle, a carrier stage, a float stage, and a float housing. The carrier stage has a carrier carrying a sealing element with a relatively larger orifice opposing a relatively smaller orifice. The float stage includes a pivot pin and a float defining a stem. The pivot pin is movably located on the stem with the sealing element located apart from the float. The float contacts a portion of the sealing element during a refilling condition, and the sealing element seals the nozzle to prevent overfilling the fuel tank. The orifices permit the valve assembly to reopen in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Ralf Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 6915812
    Abstract: A low permeation weldable fuel tank assembly is provided to reduce fuel vapor mountable to the fuel tank. The weldable fuel tank assembly has a mounting portion mountable to the fuel tank and a valve housing that is attachable to the mounting portion. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a fuel vapor permeation barrier. In another aspect, an anti-permeation cap with a fuel vapor permeation barrier is affixed to a portion of tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Axel Frohwein
  • Patent number: 6913295
    Abstract: A connector for a fuel tank includes a flange portion, an outer connecting portion to be connected to a pipe member and an inner connecting portion to be inserted into a fuel tank through a connecting opening of the fuel tank. The inner connecting portion has an engaging portion to be engaged with an engaged portion provided to a member when the member is to be disposed in the fuel tank. The flange portion includes an outer flange member made of a synthetic resin same as that of an outer surface of the fuel tank, and an inner flange member made of a synthetic resin having a gas barrier property and a rigidity higher than that of the synthetic resin constituting the outer flange member. The inner connecting portion and the inner flange member are made of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihide Kimisawa, Tsuyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6904928
    Abstract: A vapor vent valve for a fuel pump module, wherein the valve assembly attaches directly to the bottom side of the fuel pump module flange within the interior volume of the fuel tank. When rising fuel exerts a force on the valve assembly pushing the float assembly upwards, the valve head attached to the float assembly seals directly against a valve seat on the underside of the modular flange, covering the vapor release aperture located through the flange, preventing fuel from escaping through the vent aperture. In providing a direct seal of the valve head against the modular flange, additional sealing means and potential emission sources between the valve housing and the modular flange are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Powell, Takehiro Nagase, Tetsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6904929
    Abstract: A normally open check valve, incorporating a bell-shaped check valve member, and filter assembly incorporating same, wherein the specific gravity of the bell shaped member volume as defined by the throat, and exterior wall of the bell shaped member is less than one, and the bell shaped member is disposed adjacent a valve seat in a chamber with the throat opening thereof generally facing a liquid source, among other things. The low specific gravity for the bell shaped member volume may be attained by way of example, by the bell shaped member interior capturing and retaining a gas bubble when the throat of the member is exposed to a liquid-gas interface, or by a thin member covering the throat of the bell shaped member to encapsulate a gas bubble, or by a foamed synthetic resin material in the interior of the bell shaped member, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventor: Rick R. Ruschke
  • Patent number: 6901943
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a housing and a floating valve. The housing has an evaporator opening, and a major through hole communicating the inside of the housing with the outside and having an opening width sharply reducing from wide to narrow in the direction from the bottom end to the top end. The apparatus detects that the fuel tank is filled up with a liquid fuel by increasing a gas pressure within the fuel tank when the liquid-fuel level is placed adjacent to the top end of the major through hole, and closes the evaporator opening with the floating valve when the level of the liquid fuel rises abnormally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6899119
    Abstract: A valve comprising a housing defining a control space with an outlet port for fluid egress from the space and at least one inlet port for fluid ingress into the space control member is displaceable between an open state in which the outlet port is open and a closed state in which the outlet port is closed. The at least one inlet port of the at least one inlet port is formed at a wall portion of the housing at an upper wall portion, and a fluid draining port is formed at or adjacent a bottom end of the housing for draining fluid from the control space. The fluid draining port serves for preventing fluid ingress into the control space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Raval-Agriculture Cooperative Societies Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Udi Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Yoav Livne, Vladimir Olshanetsky
  • Patent number: 6895989
    Abstract: A fuel trap for a vehicle's fuel system, the liquid fuel trap comprises a housing adapted for fitting within the vehicle's fuel tank and at least one fuel fluid inlet port connectable to a fuel venting valve system, a gas outlet port connectable to a fuel vapor treating system; and a liquid fuel discharge assembly for discharging liquid fuel into the fuel tank, said liquid fuel discharge assembly fitted with a fluid propelling mechanism responsive to acceleration and buoyant forces, and to fuel motion within the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Raval-Agriculture Cooperative Societies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Olshanetsky, Alexey Zarochintsev, Ehud Orenstein
  • Patent number: 6886705
    Abstract: The fuel tank includes a tank main body, a filler pipe, a first breather pipe, and a second breather pipe. The tank main body stores fuel therein. The filler pipe supplies fuel to the tank main body. The first breather pipe connects the upper space of the tank main body to the neighboring portion of a fuel supply opening. The second breather pipe connects the middle portion of the filler pipe to the neighboring portion of the fuel supply opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Souma, Osamu Kondo, Hisayuki Goma, Shoji Uhara, Naoki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6874523
    Abstract: In the case where a full-tank state is brought about by feed, excessive ascent of a liquid level in a loading arm is suppressed and excessive feed is prevented. A finned umbrella valve is provided for throttling a flowrate of a fuel vapor prior to closing of a float valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: NOK Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshihara, Takayuki Ota
  • Patent number: 6871662
    Abstract: A ventilation and/or a pressure-equalizing system for a fuel tank, in particular for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, includes at least one aeration and/or de-aeration line leading into the fuel tank, via which the gases and/or vapors may be removed from or conducted into the fuel tank. A collection device for liquid fuel is coupled into the aeration and/or de-aeration line, the collection device including at least two chambers, of which one is used as a temporary storage device for liquid fuel and is connected to a return line into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ewald Duermeier, Stefan Klein, Michael Koenig, Stefan Leuchtenberg, Dieter Scheurenbrand, Manfred Weil
  • Patent number: 6866297
    Abstract: A welded structure constituted of a fuel filling container having an opening, and a welded part including a pipe-shaped section whose one end is disposed in the opening of the fuel filling container. A welding section is fixedly disposed around the outer periphery of the pipe-shaped section. The welding section is welded through a welding surface to the outer surface of the fuel filling container. In the welded structure, the welding section of the welded part includes a welding strength providing layer and a fuel permeation resistance layer which are coaxial with the pipe-shaped section of the welded part and radially laminated to define the annular welding surface. Additionally, at least an inner peripheral surface portion of the pipe-shaped section and an outer peripheral surface portion of the other end portion of the pipe-shaped section are formed of a fuel permeation resisting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Morohoshi, Hiroshi Kumagai, Masami Honma, Tomoyuki Satou, Mitsuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 6866058
    Abstract: A fuel tank vent apparatus comprises a housing. The housing comprises inner and outer sleeves providing a fuel vapor transfer passageway therebetween so that liquid fuel entrained in fuel vapor is shed therefrom as fuel vapor flows from a fuel vapor transfer port formed in the outer sleeve through the fuel vapor transfer passageway to a fuel vapor inlet port formed in the inner sleeve to produce a flow of demoisturized fuel vapor for discharge from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Brock, J Bradley Groom
  • Patent number: 6863082
    Abstract: A plastic bodied fuel vapor management valve has mounting lugs thereon which are adjustably snap-locked onto a bracket provided on a cover for the tank access opening to selectively locate the valve vertically on the bracket. As the valve is engaged with the bracket, a vapor vent fitting provided on the cover is received in the valve outlet and sealed by a seal ring. The cover preferably comprises a mounting flange for a fuel level signal sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. McIntosh, Kenneth M. Spink
  • Patent number: 6860285
    Abstract: A liquid fuel trap device for a vehicle fuel tank, comprising a housing formed with a confined space with at least one inlet port connectable to a corresponding fuel valve, an outlet port connectable to a fuel vapor recovery system, and a liquid fuel discharge valve adapted for discharging liquid fuel from the confined space into the tank. The housing further comprises a connecting arrangement for attaching the device on an inner surface of an upper wall of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Raval-Agriculture Cooperative Societies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Ehud Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Vladimir Olshanetsky, Alexey Zarochintsev
  • Patent number: 6854477
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a housing having an evaporator opening, a floating valve, a seat, a cylinder having a peripheral wall and a lateral hole formed in the peripheral wall and communicating the inside of the cylinder with the outside, a bottom hole formed in the seat and communicating the inside of the cylinder with the outside, and a flow passage extending from the bottom hole to the lateral hole, flow passage in which a part of the peripheral wall of the cylinder intervenes. Alternatively, the apparatus include a flow passage extending from the bottom hole to the evaporator opening and constricted partially by the seat and a bottom of the floating valve. Thus, gases are less likely to float the floating valve upward, but liquids are likely to float it upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6848463
    Abstract: A vapor vent valve for a fuel tank that includes a vapor outlet that connects an interior of the fuel tank with an exterior of the fuel tank. The vent valve also includes a fill cup that has an opening at one end and a sidewall that extends from the open end. A shell defines an interior space and is disposed partially in the fill cup. The shell includes a sidewall that has an opening and an upper edge. A flow passage is defined between the fill cup's sidewall and the shell sidewall to allow fluid which flows into the opening of the fill cup to enter the interior space through the opening in the sidewall of the shell. A float is received in the interior space and is responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the interior space. A closure pivotally carried by the shell is movable to a closed position to prevent fluid flow through the vapor outlet. The closure is also movable to an open position which allows fuel vapor to exit the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark R. Johansen
  • Patent number: 6848465
    Abstract: A dual-action vent check valve is disclosed. The valve includes a first check valve which is responsive to elevated fluids inside the valve. A second check valve is responsive to elevated fluids external to the valve. The first check valve prevents overflow from a vented structure, such as a sewer out-fall line, from passing through and out of the valve, thereby preventing spills. The second check valve operates to prevent floodwater from passing into an underground structure, such as a sewer, through the vent. One embodiment of the invention includes a basket for enclosing a deodorizing material inside the valve for deodorizing gases which pass through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Robert H. Wager Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan T. Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 6843267
    Abstract: System and for sealing an opening of a plastic tank with a multilayer wall by means of a multilayer plate itself constituted by a polymer structure including at least one internal barrier layer and an exterior layer compatible with the exterior layer of the tank wall. The multilayer plate is welded over an opening in the tank and the plate and the wall of the tank are superimposed so that the number of superimposed layers is equal to the sum of the number of layers in the plate and the number of layers in the wall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Stephane Leonard, Yannick Gerard, François Dougnier, Joël Op De Beeck, Paul Wouters
  • Patent number: 6843268
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a housing having an evaporator opening and a fuel opening, a double-floating valve and a cover having a cylinder-shaped liquid receptacle. Alternatively, the apparatus can include a housing having an evaporator opening, a fuel opening and a substantially cylinder-shaped dam, a double-floating valve, and a cover free from the cylinder-shaped liquid receptacle. The apparatus can securely inhibit liquid fuels from flowing into a canister even when liquid fuels spout through the valve hole and the evaporator opening, because liquid fuels collide with the liquid receptacle or the dam to return back into fuel tanks through the evaporator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6840264
    Abstract: The present invention involves a venting system for venting a gaseous fluid from a tank having an aperture and a fuel delivery module cover. The tank is made of a predetermined material. The venting system comprises a venting valve for venting gaseous hydrocarbon fluid at a predetermined pressure from the tank. The valve is disposed through the aperture to define a circumferential space between the inner side of the outer lip and the venting valve. The system further includes a cover comprising the predetermined material and attached to the outer layer to seal the valve between the cover and the outer layer. The system further includes a retention member disposed about the venting valve and attached to the outer layer about the outer side of the outer lip defining an expansion boundary so that the outer lip only expands toward the venting valve to seal the circumferential space when the tank absorbs hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daven C. Bhavsar, Robert J. Ginnard, Richard A. Knaggs
  • Patent number: 6840262
    Abstract: A fuel blocking valve device includes a housing attached to a fuel tank of a vehicle and having a communication path between an inside and an outside of the fuel tank, a float valve for closing the communication path when fuel flows into the housing, and a two-way valve disposed above the float vale for opening and closing according to an inner pressure of the tank. The two-way valve opens and closes according to a difference between the inner pressure of the fuel tank and an atmospheric pressure. Further, the two-way valve includes a valve member for opening when the vehicle runs and vibrates. The valve member is formed of a spherical member and a cone shape valve seat for opening the communication path when the inner pressure of the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 6840263
    Abstract: Multifunctional valve for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. In order to fulfill all these requirements in terms of safety and the restriction of emissions with a valve in as simple a way as possible, the closing element (22) can be moved to a limited degree with respect the float (16), is acted on by a first spring (27) and has a small pressure equalization hole (25), an intermediate element (30) is provided on the float (16) and above the closing element (22) and can move to a limited degree with respect to the float (16) in the axial direction and is acted on by a second spring (35), and a seat plate (38) is arranged above the intermediate element (30) and is pressed downward against a second seat (43) by a third spring (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Tesma Motoren-Und Getriebetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Sandor Palvölgyi, Günther Pozgainer
  • Publication number: 20040261846
    Abstract: An allowable angle of a float valve member with respect to a valve case is so set that a deformed direction, as caused by a gate position at a injection molding time, of a inner circumference of a communication hole of the valve case with respect to a roundness and a deformed direction, as caused by a gate position at a injection molding time, of an outer circumference of a crest portion of the float valve member with respect to the roundness may be substantially aligned. Between the valve case and the float valve member, there is an interposed angle regulating unit for preventing the angle of the float valve member with respect to the valve case from varying over the allowable angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Matsuo, Kenji Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 6834771
    Abstract: A welding structure for a fuel tank including a resin inner shell and a resin outer shell interposed by a fuel permeation prevention layer such that they are laminated, and a resin component attached to the fuel tank. The resin component includes a body formed from a resin having low permeability to hydrocarbon gases, a packing material having low permeability to hydrocarbon gases which is fixed to the body, and a resin which is insert molded to at least a connecting portion of the body that connects with a connecting portion of the fuel tank, and which can be welded to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Suzuki, Nobuharu Muto
  • Publication number: 20040256006
    Abstract: In a fuel tank installation including a fuel tank with an expansion volume, a filler neck connected to the fuel tank below a maximum fuel level of the tank for refueling the tank, a fill vent line for venting the fuel tank during refueling and an operating vent line for venting an expansion volume of the tank, the operating vent line extends within the fuel tank from the expansion volume of the fuel tank to a central penetration location and, at the central penetration location, through the wall of the tank together with the fill vent line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Aschoff, Jurgen Kraus, Wolfgang Liebhart, Barbara Ascoff, Dorothea Aschoff, Henning Aschoff
  • Patent number: 6827098
    Abstract: The first seal seat is disposed in a first passage of a case. The first float valve body is disposed in the case and closes the first seal seat in response to the liquid level of the fuel. The second seal seat is disposed vertically above the first seal seat, in a second passage of the case. The second valve body is disposed on one side of the second seal seat communicating to the outside of the second passage, with being resiliently urged upwards from below. The second float is disposed in the case and regulates an upper end position of the second valve body to open the second valve seat in response to movement of the liquid level of fuel at least until the liquid level is higher than the liquid level at which the first float valve body closes the first seal seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Harumitsu Sugiyama, Morihiko Kishi, Shinichi Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20040238032
    Abstract: In an expansion container for a fuel system of a motor vehicle wherein the expansion container includes a container wall and a gas vent connector mounted on the container wall so as to be in communication with the interior of the expansion container by way of a valve, the expansion container and the gas vent connector consist of metal and are joined by at least a first seal structure and the gas vent connector is connected to the valve by at least a second seal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Volker Brand, Karl-Heinz Kempa, Ralf Langerer, Thomas Rieger, Dieter Scheuerbrand, Peter Stratz
  • Publication number: 20040238033
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve of the invention includes a casing body having a valve chamber and a holder element, a float having a seat member on its top, a movable valve element that is fitted in the holder element in a vertically movable manner, and a first connection conduit and a second connection conduit that connect inside of the valve chamber with outside. When the fuel level in a fuel tank rises to a preset first fluid level, the float moves up to shut off the first connection conduit. When the fuel level further rises to a preset second fluid level, the float further moves up to press the movable valve element up and shut off the second connection conduit. The fuel cutoff valve of this simple structure effectively prevents a blowing back flow of fuel in the course of fuel supply without requiring any subtle setting of a spring load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Keiji Miyoshi, Hiroshi Nishi
  • Publication number: 20040238034
    Abstract: A stopper valve for a fuel tank is provided which includes a valve housing, float movable upward/downward within the housing, valve element disposed on the top of the float, space formed downstream of the valve element and open via a through hole, and air inlet/outlet port provided downstream of the space and leading to a canister. One end portion of the air inlet/outlet port is located within the space and an opening is formed in the same end portion so as to be eccentric to the through hole and face upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicants: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD., FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Suzuki, Tadashi Shimamori, Yoshiaki Oyamada, Katsuyuki Ichinohe
  • Publication number: 20040231720
    Abstract: A normally open check valve, incorporating a bell-shaped check valve member, and filter assembly incorporating same, wherein the specific gravity of the bell shaped member volume as defined by the throat, and exterior wall of the bell shaped member is less than one, and the bell shaped member is disposed adjacent a valve seat in a chamber with the throat opening thereof generally facing a liquid source, among other things. The low specific gravity for the bell shaped member volume may be attained by way of example, by the bell shaped member interior capturing and retaining a gas bubble when the throat of the member is exposed to a liquid-gas interface, or by a thin member covering the throat of the bell shaped member to encapsulate a gas bubble, or by a foamed synthetic resin material in the interior of the bell shaped member, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventor: Rick R. Ruschke
  • Publication number: 20040221890
    Abstract: A fill-up control valve structure includes a casing attached to a fuel tank, a float provided in a space defined in the casing so as to cause an up-and-down movement, a valve body provided at an upper portion of the float, a ventilation passage communicating with a downstream side of the valve body, and at least one first ventilation hole opened at a lower part of the casing to connect the inner space of the casing and the fuel tank to introduce fuel from the fuel tank into the space. Furthermore, at least one second ventilation hole is provided at an upper part of the casing to connect the inner space of the casing and the fuel tank. The hole size of second ventilation hole is smaller than that of the first ventilation hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takahashi, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6810913
    Abstract: A device that is adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of a polymeric fuel tank includes a body, a weld foot adapted to be inserted into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and having a support surface adapted to control insertion of the weld foot into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and to position the device relative to the inner surface, and a break zone positioned between and interconnecting the weld foot and the body and having a structural cross section that is weaker than the weld foot and the body such that under sufficient force, the break zone will fracture and allow the body to separate from the inner surface of the fuel tank, thereby leaving the weld foot embedded within the inner surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fuller Potter, Kale Stephen Schulte
  • Patent number: 6810900
    Abstract: An air vent mechanism includes a composite type air vent valve having a check valve for controlling a pressure in a fuel tank and a cut valve for discharging vapor in the fuel tank and preventing fuel from leaking. The check valve and the cut valve are connected through a communicating path. A tank side connecting portion communicates with the communicating path, and an atmosphere side connecting portion communicates with an atmosphere side port of the check valve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20040211465
    Abstract: An apparatus is for inhibiting fuels from flowing out of fuel tanks, and includes a cover, a breather pipe, an upper case, a lower case, and a floating valve. The upper case is welded to the breather pipe in an airtight manner so as to form a chamber for holding the lower case, in which the floating valve is accommodated, therein. Moreover, the breather pipe is welded to the cover in an airtight manner. The apparatus not only obviates O-rings but also is downsized, because the upper case and the breather pipe are sealed by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Miyoshi, Norihiro Yamada, Keisuke Yoshida, Tomohide Aoki
  • Patent number: 6807978
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank and an internal port operatively supported by the cover. The cover assembly also includes a fill limiting vent valve attached to the internal port to vent the fuel tank through the cover. The internal port includes at least one convolute therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Robert L. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6808209
    Abstract: An attachment is fixed to a fuel tank made of a synthetic resin, and is formed of a primary molding portion and a hydrocarbon barrier layer. The primary molding portion is formed of a first material capable being welded to the fuel tank, and includes a hollow section to be inserted into fuel tank, and a flange formed on the hollow section to be connected to an outer surface of the fuel tank. The hollow section has a plurality of holes for allowing a molten resin material to flow therethrough when formed. The hydrocarbon barrier layer has a property of preventing permeation of hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon barrier layer is formed on at least a part of an inner periphery of the cylinder section. A connection section is formed at the hollow section to have another member thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignees: Nifco Inc., Yachiyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisya
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakaya, Kazuhiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20040187923
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve of the invention has a casing main body, a first float having a smaller specific gravity than that of a fuel, a second float having a greater specific gravity than that of the fuel, and a spring. The first float has a float main body and a buoyancy body of a foamed resin. The buoyancy body makes the resulting specific gravity of the first float smaller than the specific gravity of the fuel. The first float moves up by means of buoyancy to close a first connection conduit, when a liquid level in a fuel tank exceeds a first present liquid level. The second float moves up by means of buoyancy and a pressing force of the spring to close a second connection conduit, when the liquid level in the fuel tank exceeds a preset second liquid level, which is higher than the preset first liquid level. The second float moves down to open the second connection conduit, when the liquid level becomes lower than the preset second liquid level but is still higher than the preset first liquid level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 6783330
    Abstract: A priming vacuum control system for use on a self-priming pump includes a priming vacuum control valve and a priming vacuum control valve-actuating system. The priming vacuum control valve is disposed between a vacuum pump and a priming chamber for the self-priming pump so as to decouple the vacuum communication between the vacuum pump and the priming chamber when the priming vacuum control valve is closed. In one illustrative embodiment, the priming vacuum control valve includes: a valve stem positioned within a valve body, and a valve spring or other means for biasing is operatively positioned between the valve body and the valve stem so as to apply a default closing force between the valve body and the valve stem. The “guideless” priming vacuum control valve of the present invention eliminates the inherent problems of sticking, poor performance and high maintenance exhibited by the prior state of the art priming vacuum control valves containing guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Carnes, Michael C. Godish
  • Patent number: 6782911
    Abstract: A vent valve for use in controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank. The vent valve includes a housing for attachment to the fuel tank includes a wall defining a cavity therein. The float is contained in the cavity of the housing and is responsive to the level of liquid in the fuel tank. The level in the fuel tank rises, the float rises within the housing. When the level of liquid in the fuel tank drops, the float moves downwardly in the housing. A passage is provided in the housing which communicates with an external portion of the tank. The vent valve includes at least one vent positioned proximate to and communicating with the passage for providing venting passage of vapor therethrough and to the passage. The vent valve includes a vent assembly having a flexible diaphragm which is displaceably positioned proximate to the passage to control the flow of vapor through the vent and through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. DeCapua, Jeffrey E. Devall
  • Patent number: 6779545
    Abstract: A pressure control valve for a fuel tank includes a valve chamber having the first communicating portion communicating with a canister and the second communicating portion communicating with the fuel tank; the first hollow valve member housed in the valve chamber to be vertically movable; and the second valve member housed in the first valve member to be vertically movable. A valve portion for closing the second communicating portion from the inside of the valve chamber and the first communicating hole passing through the valve portion are provided at a bottom of the first valve member. The second communicating hole is provided at an upper portion of the first valve member for communicating between the inside of the first valve member and the valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Toshio Hattori