Vent And Inlet Or Outlet In Unitary Mounting Patents (Class 137/588)
  • Publication number: 20140332090
    Abstract: A method for reducing a release of environmental contaminants through a thief hatch is described. The method involves a step of securing a drainage conduit to a storage tank to divert environmental contaminants from a top of a storage tank to a contaminant capture area below. A further step involves positioning a riser on the drainage conduit toward the top of the storage tank. A final step involves mounting a thief hatch at a remote end of the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Gordon F. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 8875735
    Abstract: A coolant reservoir and associated multi-functional unit for a thermal sub-system of a fuel cell system. The coolant reservoir includes a flame arrester positioned in a gas region of the reservoir. The multi-functional unit includes a first pressure relief valve that automatically opens if the pressure within the gas region goes above a first predetermined pressure. The multi-functional unit may also include a second pressure release valve that quickly releases pressure in the coolant reservoir if the pressure within the gas region goes above a second higher predetermined pressure. The multi-functional unit also includes an air-line and a check valve for allowing ambient air to enter the gas region if the pressure within the gas region falls below ambient pressure. The multi-functional unit also includes a cooling fluid fill line having plumbing that causes the coolant reservoir to vent prior to a cooling fluid cap being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Pechtold, Ralph T. J. Hobmeyr
  • Patent number: 8813781
    Abstract: A drop separator for the bleeding line of a fuel container, comprising a drop separator housing that is connected to a space surrounded by the filler tube of the fuel container, preferably directly to the refueling channel of the filler tube, and at least two bleeding line connections, wherein the housing is divided by at least one partition into at least two separate gas paths, wherein a first gas path is designed as a gas inlet channel and a second gas path as a gas outlet channel. The gas inlet channel is closed on the end face by a lid and communicates via a passage of a surrounding wall of the drop separator housing with the filler tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Waldemar Nickel, Manfred Prueser
  • Patent number: 8807369
    Abstract: A fuel-filling aperture open-closing device provided in a filler pipe communicated with a fuel tank includes a tube member forming a pathway and connected to one end of the filler pipe, and a valve body rotatably provided inside the pathway, blocking the pathway by an urging member, and opening the pathway when rotating to an inner end side of the pathway by being pressed by a fuel-filling nozzle inserted into the pathway. The tube member includes a discharge hole communicating an outer surface with an inner surface of the tube member in a portion in which an outer surface of a lateral circumferential portion thereof faces downward, and corresponding to a portion on the outer end side in a closed position of the valve body. The valve body includes a plurality of discharge grooves extending toward the discharge hole in a portion on the outer end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8763635
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing and at least partially controls flow of a vapor to the vapor passage. The flow control feature enables variable flow of vapor to the vapor passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Patent number: 8746479
    Abstract: A method for closing a fuel tank includes providing a base sized to be received within an interior of a fuel tank filler neck, movably mounting a closure structure on the base, and securing a biasing mechanism to the base wherein the biasing mechanism biases the closure structure into a closed position on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
  • Patent number: 8656945
    Abstract: A pressure control valve assembly for containers adapted to contain compressed and liquefied gases, comprising a valve body that can be applied to a container for gases and the like, in which a first duct for the gas in output from said container and a pressure regulator device connected to the inside of said container and to said first duct are defined, said pressure regulator device being fully placeable within said container, said regulator device comprising at least one regulator of the piston type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cavagna Group S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giancarlo Nicolini, Ezio Cavagna
  • Patent number: 8636028
    Abstract: A propane system including a refillable and reusable propane cylinder having a volume configured for containing no more than about one pound of propane and a valve assembly detachably coupled to the cylinder. The valve assembly includes a swivel outlet connector configured for operatively coupling the valve assembly to an appliance, a manually activated flow valve arranged for selectively preventing a flow of propane from the cylinder to the appliance, a relief valve and a fixed liquid level gauge configured for alerting a safe filling level of the propane cylinder during cylinder refilling. A back check valve is contained at least partially within a space defined by the swivel outlet connector for selectively allowing the flow of propane out of the valve assembly to a propane fueled appliance or into the valve assembly from a propane source and into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: McWane, Inc.
    Inventor: R. F. Lane, III
  • Publication number: 20140007963
    Abstract: A tank ventilation device for a motor vehicle includes a ventilation line, connected on one side to an accumulator for gaseous hydrocarbons and connected on another side via a connection to a filling tube for filling a tank of the motor vehicle, wherein the ventilation line is connected to the tank so that gaseous hydrocarbons which are displaced during refueling are re-circulated toward the connection via the ventilation line, a device for applying a pressure on the ventilation line for carrying out a leakage test of the tank ventilation device, when the filling tube is closed with a closure device, and a float body provided in a region of the connection of the ventilation line to the filing tube for preventing entering of liquid fuel into the ventilation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Ingo Revink, Thomas Just
  • Patent number: 8590566
    Abstract: A coupling device which is provided at a mouth 4a of a container accommodating a flexible container containing liquid and gas and which includes a plug 11 and a fitted member to be fitted in the plug 11, wherein the plug 11 includes a plug cylinder 11a, a liquid passage 16 communicating with the liquid and through which the liquid is let in and out, gas passages 17 communicating with the gas and through which the gas is let in and out, and fluid passages 19 communicating with a space between the container and the flexible container and through which fluid is let in and out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasunuma, Takashi Imai
  • Patent number: 8584702
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for draining a liquid. An inner drain body is disposed on a container, with an inner liquid outlet in its lower portion, and an air inlet above and at a radial offset from the inner liquid outlet. An outer drain body is disposed around and below the inner drain body, and is adjustably coupled to the inner drain body. An outer liquid outlet is disposed in the outer drain body. A lower seal is disposed below the inner liquid outlet and between the inner drain body and the outer drain body, engaging a lower sealing surface. An upper seal circumscribes the inner liquid outlet and the air inlet, and is disposed between the inner drain body and the outer drain body, engaging an upper sealing surface that extends further beyond the upper seal than the lower sealing surface extends beyond the lower seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Wassem Abdalla, Peter K. Herman
  • Patent number: 8561641
    Abstract: The present invention provides an underground tank having a vessel assembly and a generally spaced access assembly. That is, the access assembly includes a fuel line, a withdrawal line, and a dome assembly. The fuel line and the withdrawal line have a first end disposed outside the vessel assembly and a second end disposed adjacent to or within the vessel assembly. The first end extends upwardly from the vessel assembly toward the ground surface. The dome assembly is coupled adjacent to the fuel and withdrawal line first end. As such, the vessel assembly may be buried at any depth as the fuel and withdrawal lines may have any length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Quality Steel
    Inventors: Walker Louis Ogden, Michael Lillegaard Larson, Michael Huffman, Donald Frank Fabricy
  • Publication number: 20130269805
    Abstract: An unplugged bubble beverage machine is disposed with a containing chamber and a cover body capable of sealing the containing chamber, wherein the cover body is disposed with a vent communicating with the containing chamber to contain the relief device. An interval is disposed between the vent and the relief device. The relief device can be pushed by gas inside the containing chamber to vertically move inside the vent, thereby achieving the effect of leaking gas inside the containing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Teh-Hsin WANG, Chin-Tsang YEH, Kai-Pomr HUANG
  • Patent number: 8522535
    Abstract: A breather device A1 for pressure relief includes a breather pipe 121 serving as a fixing part, and an inner pipe 122 serving as a communication part and is provided by the breather pipe 121 with fixation strength enough for securing the breather device A1 to a liquid tank 101. The inner pipe 122 has a vent hole P formed therein for provide fluid-communication between the inside of the liquid tank 101 and the outside thereof in a manner such that an inner surface forming the vent hole P is made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Osaku, Kiyoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8517229
    Abstract: A delivering tap (1), for delivering liquids from a container, comprising at least one body (3) made in a single piece and integral with at least one elastic, flexible thrusting pushbutton (17) and at least one flexible sealing lip (25), and at least one valve member (5) with integrated spring inside the body (3), the body (3) comprising at least one head (11) equipped with at least one delivering beak (12) for delivering liquids, the delivering beak (12) communicating with one and only one internal chamber (13) of the body (3) into which, during the delivery of liquid, a lower space for passing liquid (L) and an upper space for passing air (A) are naturally defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Vitop Moulding S.R.L.
    Inventor: Diego Nini
  • Patent number: 8511331
    Abstract: A process liquid feed mechanism includes a fixed cylinder with a thread around a peripheral surface, a movable cylinder provided coaxially with the fixed cylinder, a process liquid feed tube and an operating rotator. The movable cylinder is screw-engaged to the fixed cylinder. The process liquid feed tube is fixed in an axial position relative to the movable cylinder and passes through the lid and a cylinder including the fixed cylinder and the movable cylinder to be axially movable relative to the cylinder. The operating rotator includes an annular portion provided coaxially with the movable cylinder. An engaging portion and an engaged portion, which are provided in the movable cylinder and the annular portion respectively, rotate the movable cylinder through engagement therebetween with rotation of the operating rotator and release the engagement as a torque on the movable cylinder increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsunenaga Nakashima, Shunsuke Shiraishi, Toshihide Takeo
  • Patent number: 8499788
    Abstract: A dry air fuel vent breather to remove the moisture from air entering a fuel system is provided. When air flows in to the breather from the outside, it is forced through a desiccant cartridge. When air is exhausted from the system, it bypasses the desiccant cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Richard J. Raymo, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8479767
    Abstract: A combined fill and safety vent plug adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure tank. A valve housing member is adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure vessel. A fill valve is located in a fill valve socket in the valve housing member. A vent valve and an overflow system are also provided in the valve housing member. All of the functions of filling, venting, dispensing, and overflow protection are provided by elements contained in one single plug in one single port in a pressure vessel. For safety purposes, the vent valve dumps excess fluid generally laterally of the valve housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: YSN Imports, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Dovid Newman, Jeffrey Brown
  • Patent number: 8408236
    Abstract: A drain treatment system capable of achieving balance of pressure between a facility apparatus and a drain treatment apparatus with a simple structure is provided. A bottom part of a heat, exchanger 2 is connected with a top part of a drain tank 3 by a drain discharge pipe 4. The drain discharge pipe 4 has a balance pipe-connecting tube 5. The balance pipe-connecting tube 5 comprises: a balance pipe-connecting part 6; a communicating tube-connecting part 7; and a communicating passage 8 which connects both the parts therein. The top part of the drain tank 3 is connected with the balance pipe-connecting part 6 by a balance pipe 9. Further, the communicating tube-connecting part 7 is connected with a lower part of the heat exchanger 2 by a communicating tube 10 which passes through the drain discharge pipe 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yumoto
  • Publication number: 20130075395
    Abstract: The fuel tank opening-closing device has a tank opening forming member, a first flap valve mechanism and a second flap valve mechanism with a gasket GS. The tank opening-closing member includes: an insertion passage forming member including a passage forming main body for forming an insertion passage that connects the first opening and the second opening and for guiding the fueling nozzle from the first opening to the second opening, and a vent hole formed at an outer periphery of the first opening of the passage forming main body, a vent forming member having a gap with the insertion passage forming member at an outer periphery of the insertion passage forming member and disposed facing the vent hole, and a vent passage that connects the insertion passage with the outside through the gap and the vent hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8402994
    Abstract: A valve assembly (10) able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing (20) having a passageway (60) that extends through the housing; a breather float valve (80) mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet (30), forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve (41) mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Martin Smit
  • Patent number: 8402999
    Abstract: A tap (1) is disclosed for delivering liquids, particularly for delivering high- and medium-density liquids from rigid vessels, comprising: a body (3); stem means (9); and elastic actuating means (11) of the stem 26 means (9); air inlet/outlet means (13, 25, 28) in the body (3) and inside the vessel; valve means (7) for passing air; and non-return valve means (26) placed between the air inlet and outlet means (13, 25, 28) and the vessel interior and adapted to be guided and driven by the pressure difference between outside the tap (1) and inside the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vitop Moulding S.R.L.
    Inventor: Diego Nini
  • Patent number: 8403000
    Abstract: A tank for a cryogenic liquid is fitted with a conduit assembly that provides for flow of the cryogenic liquid into and out of the tank, venting of the tank and control of the fill level in the tank. The conduit assembly includes serpentine tubes that extend into an upper region within the inner shell. Within the inner shell, one of the tubes extends downwardly to a lower opening and provides for liquid flow into and out the tank; the other tube has an end with a downwardly facing opening in the upper region whereby vapor can be conducted out of the tank and the fill level is established. A system for effecting pressure management of the cryogenic liquid in the tank includes a conduit network that provides for pressure build as pressure in the conduit network drops and provides for delivery of liquid only to, e.g., a vehicle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cryogenic Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E Adkins, Harold E Sutton
  • Patent number: 8381768
    Abstract: A joint for duplex storage type fluid container that can attain secure fitting of a liquid discharge tube and can attain easy, secure connection of a passage for fluid emission disposed in a dispenser to the liquid discharge tube. There is provided a joint for fluid container comprising flexible bag (12) furnished with neck part (11) openable for permitting injection of liquid and comprising outside container (13) formed so as to support the neck part (11) by mouth part (13a) and accommodate the bag (12), which joint is so structured that liquid discharge tube (15) with collar part (15a) can be fitted through plug (14) to the mouth part (13a) of the outside container (13), and further so structured that flow channel (21a) fitted to dispenser (2) can be linked directly to fluid passage (15b) of the liquid discharge tube (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd., Surpass Industry, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Hasegawa, Toshiki Takedutsumi, Masahiro Hasunuma
  • Patent number: 8376000
    Abstract: A gasoline vapor treating system includes a single hydrocarbon filter apparatus interconnected to a fuel tank having a range of vapor pressures therein, said filter apparatus receiving hydrocarbon vapors from said tank for one vapor pressure in said fuel tank and said filter apparatus delivering air and hydrocarbon vapor to said tank from said filter responsive to another vapor pressure in said tank lower than said one vapor pressure, said filter operated serially between hydrocarbon loading and hydrocarbon unloading cycles without reference to any other hydrocarbon removal apparatus. A balance nozzle includes a mechanism to mechanically operate a vapor valve therein before the fuel valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthew Gray, Timothy M. Garrison
  • Patent number: 8360101
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device of the cylinder valve type, comprising a filling coupling (11) connected directly to the inlet (2) of the valve without passing via the valve shut-off device (4, 8). A filtering element (12) is positioned in a chamber at the intersection between the inlet to the valve and the device for shutting-off the valve. This allows the filter to be arranged optimally from the accessibility point of view and also from the gas flow point of view. Specifically, the filter is arranged in the chamber in such a way as to filter the stream of gas flowing towards the outlet (3) of the valve via the shut-off device, thus protecting the latter, and also in such a way as not to filter the stream of filling gas flowing from the filling connector of the valve towards the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Kremer, Claude Risse
  • Patent number: 8347914
    Abstract: System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Hervé Runarvot, Patrick Ganachaud, Mickaël Charrier
  • Patent number: 8281947
    Abstract: A fuel storage system includes a tank, a check valve having an inlet tube, an anti-siphon device and a fuel intake tube. The anti-siphon device includes a ring defining an interior opening having a diameter. The ring abuts an upstream end of the inlet tube of the check valve, which includes an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the interior opening of the ring. The ring includes and supports a plurality of fins within the inlet tube without narrowing the inlet tube to maximize fluid flow through the inlet tube. The anti-siphon device is rotatable relative to the check valve and the fuel intake tube. The shape, size and orientation of the fins are optimized to minimize flow interruption through the anti-siphon device and minimize vaporization of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Walkowski, Vaughn K. Mills
  • Patent number: 8281769
    Abstract: An evaporative venting system for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for venting fuel vapors are disclosed. The evaporative venting system includes a containment chamber at least in indirect communication with a fuel tank and a passageway defined within the containment chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with the fuel tank and the outlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with an evaporative chamber such that the passageway provides a vent path between the fuel tank and the evaporative chamber such that the vent path allows for both the venting of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and the intake of air into the fuel tank during all angles of positioning of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric B. Hudak, Travis D. Schisel, Edward A. Uebelher
  • Patent number: 8272398
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing to assist in controlling flow of a vapor through the membrane and the vapor passage. The flow control feature assists in controlling flow by one of shielding liquid from the membrane and providing variable flow through the vapor passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Patent number: 8261723
    Abstract: A fuel return block has a body with a coaxial inlet and outlet generally perpendicular to the body, a return port communicating with an inlet, and a vent generally parallel to the inlet and the outlet while communicating with the return port. The inlet and the outlet have external threading for connection to a fuel tank and to a fuel line. A common space between the inlet, the outlet, the return port, and the vent has a particular geometry conducive to ventilation of the fuel return block but not allowing escape of fuel through the vent. The inlet secures to a manufacturer's fitting upon the fuel tank so no second opening is required. The fuel return block equalizes pressures of the inlet, the outlet, and the return port preventing tank damage and interruptions to fuel delivery from negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Gary L Parks
  • Publication number: 20120211105
    Abstract: A system for storing an ammonia precursor, comprising: a tank configured to hold the ammonia precursor; a filler opening closed by a cap, said cap being removable for refilling the tank; and a semi-permeable membrane positioned within said cap, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is configured to block liquid from the ammonia precursor and configured to allow air and vapors from the ammonia precursor to pass there through when the cap is closing the filler opening, and wherein when the cap is closing the filler opening, a pathway allowing a substantial amount of vapors to escape from the tank to the atmosphere is provided so that the total internal volume of the reservoir (l) divided by the flow rate through the membrane at 10 mbar (l/h) is lower than 20 h.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Philippe GEORIS, Nicolas LE CLEC'H
  • Patent number: 8240333
    Abstract: An improvement for a backflow release valve of the type used for a backflow event in a supply line is provided. The improvement includes an air-liquid separator in fluid communication with the release valve and the supply line for reducing the amount of air entrained within a liquid solution entering the release valve, thereby reducing the total volume of liquid solution entering the release valve and minimizing the entrainment of water into air breaking a vacuum condition in the supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip T. Yontz
  • Patent number: 8235027
    Abstract: A vent-on-demand fuel sump and vehicle fuel system having such a fuel sump are provided. The fuel sump may include a pressurized vessel and at least two sensors configured to detect a level of fuel within the vessel. A valve coupled to the vessel may be configured to release air and/or fuel vapor to the atmosphere. The fuel sump may also include a programmable electronic controller configured to modulate the valve between a closed position and an open position based on signals received from the sensors corresponding to the fuel level. The valve may be configured to remain in the closed position until the fuel level drops below a predetermined level and the controller sends a signal to open the valve to release air and/or fuel vapor from the vessel into the atmosphere. The vehicle fuel system having such a fuel sump may include a fuel container and an engine having an intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventors: R. Michael Guterres, James Jeter
  • Patent number: 8181665
    Abstract: A flushing unit for flushing vapor compressions systems with a flushing agent. The flushing unit includes a pressure relief member to ensure that the reservoir containing the flushing agent is not over-pressurized. In certain embodiments, the flushing unit is adapted to be in communication with a driving fluid or propellant, such as an inert gas or a flushing gas, and with a source of a flushing agent, such as a reservoir. The flushing unit includes a valve that, when opened, causes the driving fluid to flow into the reservoir containing the flushing agent and displace the flushing agent from the reservoir, causing it to ultimately flow into the system being flushed such as via a suitable hand-held injector. In the event the pressure in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined level, a pressure relief valve in the flushing unit is automatically actuated, thereby relieving pressure in the otherwise closed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Uniweld Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Pearl II, Dragan Bukur
  • Patent number: 8113239
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vented valve assembly for attachment to a rigid container may include one or more of the following features: (a) a unitary tubular valve body of a generally cylindrical hollow form and having a liquid inlet end, and (b) a second end and a liquid outlet port, said liquid inlet end adapted for connection to a male spout on a wall of the rigid container, said liquid outlet port being exterior to the wall of the rigid container when the liquid inlet end is affixed to the spout, the valve body further including an air vent opening formed through a wall of the tubular valve body leading to a channel affixed to an inner wall of the tubular valve body, the channel having one open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: David S. Smith America, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Richards, Loren L. Brelje
  • Patent number: 8025076
    Abstract: A valve assembly (10) able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing (20) having a passageway (60) that extends through the housing; a breather float valve (80) mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet (30), forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve (41) mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd
    Inventor: Peter Martin Smit
  • Publication number: 20110220226
    Abstract: Ventilation system for a fuel tank comprising a pump, an active liquid/vapor separator (LVS) that can be drained using the pump, in which a roll-over valve (ROV) that is normally open brings, by default, the internal volume of the LVS into communication with the pump and only blocks this communication when the level of fuel in the valve reaches a certain height or when the tank is tilted beyond a certain angle, or even overturned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Ludovic Devulder, Ralph Pohlmann, Alex Blieux, Fabrice Laborde, Philippe Lucien Valmy Georis
  • Patent number: 7971606
    Abstract: A fuel tank and a cap device for the fuel tank. The fuel tank is connected to a fuel cell and includes a tank body having a fuel opening and a pin hole for maintaining an inside pressure, a floater positioned on a surface of the fuel stored in the tank body, and an air pipe connected to the pin hole and an upper part of the floater. The cap device includes a cap body having an inside transfer path for connecting an inlet opening for introducing the fuel and an outside transfer pipe, a fixed outer cap including a connector for fixing a discharge opening into which the transfer pipe is inserted, and an elastic opening/closing section in which the cap body is elastically compressible by the connector, and wherein the inside transfer path opens during the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Suk Cho, Jun Won Suh, Jong Ki Lee, Ri A Ju, Won Hyouk Jang, Dong Yun Lee, Sang Hyeon Choi, Jin Hong An
  • Publication number: 20110114208
    Abstract: A combined fill and safety vent plug adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure tank. A valve housing member is adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure vessel. A fill valve is located in a fill valve socket in the valve housing member. A vent valve and an overflow system are also provided in the valve housing member. All of the functions of filling, venting, dispensing, and overflow protection are provided by elements contained in one single plug in one single port in a pressure vessel. For safety purposes, the vent valve dumps excess fluid generally laterally of the valve housing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: YSN Imports, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Dovid Newman, Jeffrey Brown
  • Publication number: 20100300564
    Abstract: An ammonia distribution system has a source of a mixed stream of ammonia liquid and vapor, and a vapor stripper located upstream of dividing structure within an ammonia dividing manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: David P. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100282345
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vented valve assembly for attachment to a rigid container may include one or more of the following features: (a) a unitary tubular valve body of a generally cylindrical hollow form and having a liquid inlet end, and (b) a second end and a liquid outlet port, said liquid inlet end adapted for connection to a male spout on a wall of the rigid container, said liquid outlet port being exterior to the wall of the rigid container when the liquid inlet end is affixed to the spout, the valve body further including an air vent opening formed through a wall of the tubular valve body leading to a channel affixed to an inner wall of the tubular valve body, the channel having one open end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: James L. Richards, Loren L. Brelje
  • Patent number: 7810474
    Abstract: The fuel tank venting device is furnished with a full fuel control valve and a rollover valve that are installed on a fuel tank, and a fuel tank valve unit having a pressure valve that is situated between a canister and the two valves. The pressure valve is furnished with a casing that has a valve chamber, a valve body housed within the valve chamber, and a spring. The valve body has a disk-shaped valve part and a side wall that projects with tubular contours from the outside perimeter of the valve part, and has a cup shape defining a spring chamber that is bounded by the valve part and the side wall. The valve part is perforated by an orifice of smaller planar dimensions than the valve aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kito, Hiroshi Nishi, Shoji Horiba
  • Publication number: 20100236640
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing to assist in controlling flow of a vapor through the membrane and the vapor passage. The flow control feature assists in controlling flow by one of shielding liquid from the membrane and providing variable flow through the vapor passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Patent number: 7793682
    Abstract: A valve assembly (10) able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing (20) having a passageway (60) that extends through the housing; a breather float valve (80) mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet (30), forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve (41) mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Peter Martin Smit
  • Patent number: 7793686
    Abstract: An overpressure safety apparatus having a fuel container body and a mounting cap includes a main housing coupled to the mounting cap, the main housing having an elbow-shaped gas introducing passage, a valve stem disposed in the main housing through the mounting cap. The valve stem is provided with an orifice, an opening/closing seal inserted between a top of the main housing and the mounting cap to selectively open/close the orifice of the valve stem. A sub-housing is connected to a bottom of the main housing, and has a branch line communicating with the gas introducing passage and a receiving cavity with a bottom communicating with the branch line and a top communicating with an exhausting hole formed on the mounting cap. A safety valve is disposed in the receiving cavity to selectively open the branch line in response to variations of internal pressure of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Young-Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 7775238
    Abstract: A vacuum vessel wall element is presented and described with a fixed flange element, with a separable flange element and with a line running from the inside of the vacuum vessel to the outside, the separable flange element being separably connected to the fixed flange element, with the line being held in the separable flange element and with an annular sealing area being provided between the fixed flange element and the separable flange element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron Desy
    Inventors: Volker Prahl, Manfred Ruter
  • Publication number: 20100147404
    Abstract: System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Hervé Runarvot, Patrick Ganachaud, Michaël Charrier
  • Patent number: 7717092
    Abstract: A fuel system of an engine is provided with a venting assembly to vent air that accumulates within a fuel filter of the fuel system and provides anti-drainback of clean fuel back toward the fuel filter when the engine is turned off. In one embodiment, the venting assembly includes a piston valve that provides both the vent and anti-drainback. The valve is actuatable by fluid pressure to a first position that restricts drainback, a second position that restricts venting, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions which permit venting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 7661550
    Abstract: The filler neck of a fuel tank with an arrangement for preventing incorrect fueling has a rotatable ring and closing elements which are actuated by said ring, with a transmission device having the following features being arranged between the movable part and the rotatable ring: there are two slides which are situated opposite one another and which have run-on faces which face toward one another in the support body, the two slides are connected to one another by means of a rigid bar, which rigid bar is movably articulatedly connected with its first end to the first slide and with its second end to the second slide, the second end of the bar is a bolt which engages into a first slot of the second slide and into a second slot of the rotatable ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fuel Systems GesmgH
    Inventor: Stefan Feichtinger