Float Responsive Patents (Class 137/202)
  • Patent number: 6779546
    Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a valve chamber having the first communicating portion connected to a canister and the second communicating portion connected to a fuel tank, the first valve member disposed inside the valve chamber, and the second valve member disposed inside the first valve member. The first valve member includes a valve portion for blocking the second communicating portion, the first communicating hole passing through the valve portion, and the second communicating hole communicating between the first valve member and the valve chamber. The second valve member blocks the second communicating hole. When the fuel tank reaches a certain high pressure state, the first valve member rises to open the second communicating portion. When the fuel tank reaches a certain low pressure state, the second valve member rises to open the second communicating hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Toshio Hattori
  • Patent number: 6779544
    Abstract: A tank vent valve apparatus includes a valve housing formed to include an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior region. The interior region is partitioned to define an intake chamber communicating with the inlet port, a discharge chamber communicating with the outlet port, and a float chamber containing a vent port valve and receiving liquid fuel and fuel vapor from the intake chamber. An interior wall defines a boundary between the float chamber and the discharge chamber and includes a valve seat formed to include a vent port therein. The vent port valve is buoyant and moves up and down along the interior wall as liquid fuel rises and falls in the float chamber to close and open the vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Devall
  • Patent number: 6776182
    Abstract: A stop valve which is fitted with a cylindrical supporting portion is comprised of a ring-shaped rigid axial portion, a ring-shaped platy bendable valve portion extending outward, and a sealing lip portion extending inward. The sealing lip portion has a first sealing lip which extends obliquely upward from the rigid axial portion and has a semi-circular seal effecting face provided at an edge thereof, and a second sealing lip which extends obliquely downward from the rigid axial portion and has a semi-circular seal effecting face provided at an edge thereof. The first and second sealing lips have an extending portion which connects the edge seal effecting face with the rigid axial portion and has substantially a same thickness as a diameter of the semi-circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Ishitoya, Takashi Fujimaki, Kimiyasu Kimura, Kenichi Ito
  • Publication number: 20040149333
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Mark R. Johansen
  • Publication number: 20040134532
    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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6758235
    Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve for use in a vehicle fuel system is provided. The control valve has a rollover valve assembly with a valve member defining a point-bearing surface, a housing with an opening, and a chamber. The housing is mountable to a fuel tank. The valve member is movable within the chamber and a sealing element is movably located on the point-bearing surface of the valve member. The sealing element may be metallic and is configured to releasably seal the opening when the valve member is urged in a direction towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Axel Frohwein, Lydie Regnier
  • Patent number: 6755206
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve comprises a casing, a cover having a cover supporting part for supporting an upper part of the casing, an O-ring disposed on an outer periphery of the casing, and a seal holding member. The seal holding part is constituted by a member made of a material having a high degree of shape stability, such as a polyamide, into which glass fibers are added. Further, the seal holding part is thermally welded to a welding end of a cover inner layer made of a modified polyamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishi, Tomohide Aoki, Hiroaki Kito
  • Publication number: 20040107992
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air release valve (10) which has a valve chamber (12) having an inlet (22) that is connected in use to a liquid pipeline or container. There is a first outlet (26) for venting relatively large volumes of air from the pipeline or container during filling, and a second outlet (64) for venting relatively small volumes of air which accumulate in the chamber during pressurised operation. The first outlet is closed by a float arrangement when liquid rises in the chamber above a predetermined level. A conduit (54) extends to the second outlet from an entrance located in the chamber substantially below this predetermined level. The result is such that a volume of air can accumulate in the chamber to serve as a shock absorber for the pipeline or container before there is a sufficient accumulation to displace liquid from the chamber to a level beneath the entrance. At this stage venting of accumulated air can take place through the conduit and second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin Richards
  • Patent number: 6742536
    Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve is formed of different plastic material than the fuel tank. A U-shaped or cupped attachment member formed of tank material is received over the valve with the upper end slotted to permit the hose fitting to extend outwardly through the slot for hose attachment within the tank. The rim of the attachment member is secured by weldment to the undersurface of the upper tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Vaughn K. Mills
  • Publication number: 20040099309
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Robert L. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6739350
    Abstract: Fuel tank comprising a canister containing a composition capable of retaining fuel vapours and which is associated with an overfill prevention device also located inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Joël Op De Beeck, Yannick Gerard, Stéphane Leonard, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Paul Wouters, Rufino Perez-Perez
  • Publication number: 20040094200
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve being attached to a fuel tank, the valve permitting a vaporized fuel to flow out and inhibiting a liquid fuel from flowing out. The valve includes a cover and a case. For example, the cover is bonded to an upper portion of a fuel tank, is independent of the fuel tank, and includes a connecting surface to be connected to the fuel tank and a flow-out passage in which a vaporized fuel flows out. The connecting surface has a connector portion formed of a resin exhibiting a good bondability to the fuel tank. The case is screwed to the cover, and includes an evaporator opening and a floating valve. The evaporator opening communicates with the flow-out passage. The floating valve opens or closes the evaporator opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Tomohide Aoki, Hiroaki Kito, Hiroshi Nishi, Kenichiro Kaneko, Masayuki Nakagawa, Masahiro Ando
  • Publication number: 20040089340
    Abstract: In a fuel cut-off valve device including a casing, a float which is provided so as to be movable up-and-down in the casing, a valve element which is provided on a top surface of the float, a ventilation passage which is communicated with a downstream side of the valve element, at least one opening which is provided below the float and is positioned in the fuel tank, there is provided a plate whose diameter is larger than a diameter of the float and which is provided below the float.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Muto, Hiroya Tagami
  • Patent number: 6733048
    Abstract: A fuel tank connector for connecting a fuel tank and a pipe in communicating fashion includes a gas barrier member made of a synthetic resin and having a gas barrier property. The gas barrier member includes a tubular portion and a flanged portion provided on a peripheral side of the tubular portion, which extends beyond an opening of the fuel tank. The gas barrier member is made of a liquid crystal polymer, aromatic polyamide, a blended polymer of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and high-density polyethylene, a blended polymer of polyamide and polyethylene, a blended polymer of polyamide and high-density polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Toshihide Kimisawa, Tsuyoshi Kato, Yasutomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6722855
    Abstract: A manual/pneumatic oil pumping device having a housing defining therein an oil reserving space and an upper cover. A floating board is disposed in the oil reserving space. The upper cover is equipped with a manual air sucking mechanism, a pneumatic air sucking mechanism and an oil sucking tube. The pneumatic air sucking mechanism is provided with a controlling unit. The control controlling unit includes a seat body, a valve body, a sleeve and a movable block. The movable block is fitted in the sleeve and has a downward extending projecting post. When the oil is pumped to fill up in the oil reserving space, the projecting post is upward pushed by the floating board to make movable block move upward. At this time, the leakproof washer on the movable block seals the through hole of the seat body and the push pin pushes the valve body away from the through hole so as to block the air sucking passage of the pneumatic air sucking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Tseng Tien-Tsai
  • Patent number: 6719000
    Abstract: A two-stage vent valve 10 is incorporated into a vehicle fuel distribution system. The vent valve 10 is mounted to the top of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle in a vertically orientated position, so that a fluid inlet is in communication with the interior open air volume of the fuel tank, and an outlet is in communication with the exterior of the tank. The vent valve 10 utilizes a two-stage valve mechanism to allow vapor to escape from the fuel tank, while preventing the leakage of liquid fuel during such operating conditions where the vehicle has tilted due to a small downgrade, sloshing of fuel in a full or near-full tank, or the event of a roll-over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: G. T. Development Corporation
    Inventors: Alan K. Forsythe, Scott F. Coomes
  • Publication number: 20040060596
    Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve for use in a vehicle fuel system is provided. The control valve has a rollover valve assembly with a valve member defining a point-bearing surface, a housing with an opening, and a chamber. The housing is mountable to a fuel tank. The valve member is movable within the chamber and a sealing element is movably located on the point-bearing surface of the valve member. The sealing element may be metallic and is configured to releasably seal the opening when the valve member is urged in a direction towards the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Alfmeier Praaision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Axel Frohwein, Lydie Regnier
  • Publication number: 20040055638
    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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida, Koji Miwa, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6708713
    Abstract: The subject invention includes a fill limit control valve assembly (10) having a valve portion (16) and a float portion (18). The valve portion (16) includes a vent opening (28) for venting vapors from the fuel tank (12) to a vapor canister. A float (30) is movably supported by the float portion (18) for movement between an open position spaced from the vent opening (28) and a closed position seating a seal (56) against a seat (64) about the vent opening (28). A liquid fuel trap or discriminator member is disposed above the vent opening (28) to limit liquid fuel flow through an outlet connector (22). The liquid fuel trap includes a baffle barrier (32) surrounding the vent opening (28) and a return cup (34) having a base (36) overlying the baffle barrier (32) and a depending rim (38) surrounding the baffle barrier (32) for forcing the flow of vapor from the vent opening (28) through a U-turn. A stem (54) extends from the top end of the float (30) downwardly to a distal end (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Tesma International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gericke
  • Publication number: 20040050418
    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 18 is provided for throttling a flowrate of a fuel vapor prior to closing of a float valve 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshihara, Takayuki Ota
  • Publication number: 20040045602
    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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Sandor Palvolgyi, Gunther Pozgainer
  • Patent number: 6701950
    Abstract: A vent apparatus is adapted for use with a fuel tank to control venting of fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The vent apparatus comprises a fuel vapor vent outlet to discharge fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The vent apparatus comprises a normally open first valve module to serve as a fuel fill limit valve and close when the liquid level in the tank reaches a predetermined fill limit and a normally open second valve module to serve as a fuel fill limit valve and close when the liquid level in the tank reaches the predetermined fill limit. The first valve module and the second valve module cooperate to block communication between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor vent outlet when the vent apparatus is positioned in a non-tilted orientation relative to a horizontal and the level of liquid fuel in the fuel tank reaches the predetermined fill limit to close both valve modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Brock, J. Bradley Groom
  • Patent number: 6701952
    Abstract: A valve (30) fitted within a fluid tank, the valve comprising a housing fitted with one or more fluid inlet ports, and an outlet port. The housing accommodates a float-type valve member (32) axially displaceable within the housing responsive to fluid level within the tank, between an open position in which the outlet port (58) is open, and a closed position in which the outlet port is sealingly closed. The housing is integrally formed with a nozzle member (60) being in flow communication with the outlet port and having a main portion with an outlet thereof extending within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Raval A.C.S. Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Ehud Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Yoav Livne, Valdimir Olshanetaky
  • Patent number: 6691725
    Abstract: A float operated fuel vapor vent valve for use in a vehicle fuel tank. The float has a membrane valve caged for lost motion movement on the top of the float. Upon refueling, the float rises and seals the membrane on a vent port valve seat. A projection extending downwardly from the top of the cage contacts the membrane to peel away a localized area of the membrane valve from the valve seat to ensure re-opening upon the float descending as fuel is withdrawn from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Maxim V. Zorine
  • Publication number: 20040025937
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 6688330
    Abstract: A valve (10) for a fluid tank, comprising a housing formed with one or more inlet (28) and outlet (20) ports, side walls and a seating wall (14) portion supporting a float-type valve member. The valve member is axially displaceable within the housing responsive to fluid level within the tank, between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and has a top and a bottom end and a bearing portion facing the seating wall portion of the housing. Either one or both of the seating wall portion of the housing and the bearing portion of the valve member, are fitted with one or more dampening members (46) for diminishing impacting noise of the valve member encountering the housing upon displacement into the lowermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Raval Agriculture Cooperative Societies Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Ehud Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Yoav Livne, Valdimir Olshanetsky
  • Publication number: 20040020533
    Abstract: A conduit for use with a polymeric fuel tank. The conduit attaches to a fuel tank and includes an outlet port having first retention barb formed from a layer capable of being welded to a fuel tank and a second retention barb formed from a permeation resistant layer. When welded to the fuel tank, the permeation resistant layer may be spaced from the weldable surface of the fuel tank to prevent contamination of any weld joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Brian Engle
  • Publication number: 20040011400
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Toshio Hattori
  • Publication number: 20040011401
    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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6679282
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve being attached to a fuel tank, the valve permitting a vaporized fuel to flow out and inhibiting a liquid fuel from flowing out. The valve includes a cover and a case. For example, the cover is bonded to an upper portion of a fuel tank, is independent of the fuel tank, and includes a connecting surface to be connected to the fuel tank and a flow-out passage in which a vaporized fuel flows out. The connecting surface has a connector portion formed of a resin exhibiting a good bondability to the fuel tank. The case is screwed to the cover, and includes an evaporator opening and a floating valve. The evaporator opening communicates with the flow-out passage. The floating valve opens or closes the evaporator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohide Aoki, Hiroaki Kito, Hiroshi Nishi, Kenichiro Kaneko, Masayuki Nakagawa, Masahiro Ando
  • Publication number: 20040007262
    Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a valve chamber having the first communicating portion connected to a canister and the second communicating portion connected to a fuel tank, the first valve member disposed inside the valve chamber, and the second valve member disposed inside the first valve member. The first valve member includes a valve portion for blocking the second communicating portion, the first communicating hole passing through the valve portion, and the second communicating hole communicating between the first valve member and the valve chamber. The second valve member blocks the second communicating hole. When the fuel tank reaches a certain high pressure state, the first valve member rises to open the second communicating portion. When the fuel tank reaches a certain low pressure state, the second valve member rises to open the second communicating hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Toshio Hattori
  • Publication number: 20040003844
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamada, Eishin Mori, Keisuke Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20040003843
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Harumitsu Sugiyama, Morihiko Kishi, Shinichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6662820
    Abstract: A vent apparatus includes a valve assembly and a tank mount adapted to support the valve assembly in a mounting aperture formed in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a movable vent valve and a valve housing containing the movable vent valve. A labyrinthine boundary is established between the valve housing and the tank mount to provide a low-permeation joint therebetween. The valve housing is made of a non-weldable plastics material and the tank mount is made of a weldable plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Dunkle
  • Patent number: 6659120
    Abstract: A vent control system having a closed biased vent valve is used to separate vapor and/or air from a liquid in an enclosed chamber. The closed biased vent valve has a float having an upwardly extending float arm which cooperates with a lever arm of the closed biased vent valve to prevent unintended release of vapor or liquid from the enclosed chamber. The upwardly extending float arm and the lever arm are coupled to one another when the float is located beneath a designated level in the enclosed chamber and are decoupled from one another when the float rises above the designated level. The vent control system is much less susceptible to vibration induced vent opening than a traditional vent valve. The vent control system is well suited for use in a fuel vapor separator that includes a housing having the enclosed chamber formed within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventors: Richard P. Kolb, Harvey Ruth
  • Patent number: 6655403
    Abstract: A fuel vapor venting system for fuel tanks having a saddle-shaped upper wall. A vapor vent valve is disposed entirely within the tank in each vapor dome compartment formed by the upper tank wall. The vent valves are interconnected by a conduit passing under the lowest portion of the upper tank wall and a drain valve installed in the lowest point of the conduit. The drain valve may be pressure operated or float operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Vaughn K. Mills
  • Publication number: 20030205272
    Abstract: In a fuel tank having an electric fuel pump therein, the fuel pump is connected to discharge into a venturi with a throat pressure tap line connected to the bottom of a vapor vent valve fed by spider tubes to the tank vapor dome areas. Venturi throat suction pumps liquid accumulated in the vent valve for discharge through the venturi into the tank. A one way valve prevents back flow in the throat pressure tap line to the vent valve. Float operated valves are provided on the ends of the spider tubes to restrict fluid flow to the vapor vent valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Craig H. Allman, Russell C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 6626201
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing reverse flows in a drainage is disclosed. In this apparatus, a floating device (41) and a reverse flow preventing device (54) act mutually in opposite directions owing to the floating force and the water pressure, and thus the bottom of the round body (20) of the apparatus is automatically opened and closed, so that the drainage can efficiently work, and the waste water and the draining water with foul odors can be prevented from flowing reversely. The apparatus for preventing reverse flows of waste water according to the present invention includes a round body (20) to be installed in a drain hole (60). A guide member (30) is installed on a second filtering net (25) of the top of the round body (20), and has a guide (31) at the center of it. An openable/closable device actuating member (40) is insertingly installed on the guide member (30), for moving up and down along the guide (31) owing to the floating force and the self-gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Jong Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 6615862
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a float for a liquid waste disposal apparatus having a simple structure for enabling the content inside a container to be easily visually recognizable and allowing a faster and steadier solidification of an absorbed liquid waste. A water-absorptive material 6 is retained inside a spherical float 5 in a manner where a water-absorptive material 6 is wrapped by a water permeable sheet 22 inside a hemispherical primary structural portion 5a and a secondary structural portion 5b capable of being separated into two portions, and thus structured, a circle shaped hole 5c or a square shaped hole 5d of the float 5 serving as a flow path for flowing downward a liquid waste 21 absorbed from an upper portion into a lying member L is formed at the surface of the float 5. The float 5 is contained inside the lying member L in a floatable manner permitted to revolve in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: Gunma Koike Co., Ltd., Koike Medical Co., Ltd., Koshin Chemical Co., Ltd., Showa Jushi Kogyo, Inc.
    Inventors: Masao Takahashi, Nobuo Murata, Masashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6612324
    Abstract: A fill limit vapor valve assembly includes a housing, a float disposed in the housing, and a bypass valve. The bypass valve includes a vertical passage enveloping a weighted metering rod. The includes a substantially cylindrical upper portion, a substantially cylindrical bottom portion, and a seat portion that rests on a shoulder of the float. As the float raises and lowers, the substantially cylindrical upper portion varies the size of a second opening to control the flow rate of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to an emission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Emil Szlaga
  • Patent number: 6604539
    Abstract: A known fuel tank for a motor vehicle, in which an expansion tank is arranged outside the fuel tank, requires a relatively large space. A fuel tank for a motor vehicle which requires little space is provided by having the expansion tank installed inside the fuel tank, and by having all valves for venting the fuel tank, for limiting a filling level, for controlling a limit pressure defined in the fuel tank, and/or for protecting against leakage in the event of a rollover arranged on the expansion tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Strohmayer, Norbert Linz
  • Publication number: 20030140964
    Abstract: An air escape valve for a water line having a float switch mounted in a chamber connected to the water line. The float switch is connected to a solenoid valve that controls an air escape passageway from the chamber. The float switch is moved to the contact closed position and the solenoid valve to the valve closed position when water flows normally in the water line with sufficient water flowing into the chamber to raise and hold the float switch to the contact closed position. When enough air has entered the line to impede water flow, the water level in the chamber drops allowing the float switch to drop out of its contact closed position. This opens the electrical circuit to the solenoid so the solenoid valve no longer remains in its valve closed position, but moves to its normally biased valve open position. The air escape passageway is then open to allow the built-up air to escape, whereupon the water flow can return to normal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas M. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20030136444
    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 liquid draining port is formed at or adjacent a bottom end of the housing for draining liquid from the space. The liquid draining port serves for preventing liquid ingress into the control space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Udi Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Yoav Livne, Vladimir Olshanetsky
  • Patent number: 6591856
    Abstract: A safety valve, such as for a refueling vent line between the tank filler neck and the active charcoal container in a motor vehicle. The safety valve is inserted into the refueling vent line being configured as a float valve. When fuel penetrates into the refueling vent line, and thereby into the safety valve, the outlet of the safety valve is closed by the float. The safety valve is provided with an anti-pollution pipe-end opening onto the environment and closed at normal pressure by a closure operated by a diaphragm. At an elevated pressure in the safety valve, the diaphragm effects an opening of the closure at the anti-pollution pipe-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Jörg Bittner
  • Patent number: 6591855
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve includes a full fuel control valve and an overfill prevention valve inside a casing. The overfill prevention valve is equipped with first and second floats. The second float is disposed in the storage chamber inside the first float of the full fuel control valve while being allowed to move up and down. The second float is configured such that a second connection conduit is closed by a second valve element as a result of a rising movement when the fuel level exceeds a second liquid level located above a first liquid level, and the second valve element is connected to a first connection conduit through a second connection conduit to reduce the force with which the first valve element of the first float is pressed against a first seat as a result of the fact that the fuel level has dropped below the second liquid level but is still above the first liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishi, Tomohiro Sugizaki, Tomohide Aoki
  • Patent number: 6591857
    Abstract: 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 disposed within the aperture. The venting valve includes a valve body having a top portion and a neck portion extending from the top portion. The top portion is disposed outside the tank and is engaged thereto. The venting system further includes a channel which connects to the valve body so that the venting valve is in fluid communication therewith and is attached to the fuel delivery module cover to allow the gaseous fluid in the tank to be vented therefrom. The venting system further includes a cover which is comprised of the same predetermined material and is welded to the tank to seal the valve between the cover and the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Allen Engle, James Fuller Potter, Harold Edward Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20030127134
    Abstract: A fuel vapor venting system for fuel tanks having a saddle-shaped upper wall. A vapor vent valve is disposed entirely within the tank in each vapor dome compartment formed by the upper tank wall. The vent valves are interconnected by a conduit passing under the lowest portion of the upper tank wall and a drain valve installed in the lowest point of the conduit. The drain valve may be pressure operated or float operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION.
    Inventor: Vaughn K. Mills
  • Publication number: 20030116190
    Abstract: A fill limit vapor valve assembly includes a housing, a float disposed in the housing, and a bypass valve. The bypass valve includes a vertical passage enveloping a weighted metering rod. The includes a substantially cylindrical upper portion, a substantially cylindrical bottom portion, and a seat portion that rests on a shoulder of the float. As the float raises and lowers, the substantially cylindrical upper portion varies the size of a second opening to control the flow rate of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to an emission device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Emil Szlaga
  • Patent number: 6581621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve and a fuel tank provided with a valve for a motor vehicle. Bleeder valves for integrated compensation volumes for fuel tanks are known in the prior art. One disadvantage of known valves is that if the tank is filled slowly during the refueling operation, the fuel compensation volume can fill. The invention aims to provide a valve with a compact construction. To this end a pressure valve (28) is located on the valve (1, 3) which opens if there is a predetermined excess pressure in the fuel tank (30), a refueling venting opening (38) is configured in the valve (1, 3) so that a sealing plate (5) can close the refueling venting opening. The sealing plate (5) has an operational venting opening (42), which can be closed by a displaceable closure element (15) that is displaced according to a position of a float (26) that is located on a float lever (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Klaffki, Marietta Gehring
  • Publication number: 20030111111
    Abstract: A float operated fuel vapor vent valve for use in a vehicle fuel tank. The float has a membrane valve caged for lost motion movement on the top of the float. Upon refueling, the float rises and seals the membrane on a vent port valve seat. A projection extending downwardly from the top of the cage contacts the membrane to peel away a localized area of the membrane valve from the valve seat to ensure re-opening upon the float descending as fuel is withdrawn from the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Maxim V. Zorine