Abstract: A fuel filler module fits in the filler pipe of an automotive fuel tank and includes a spring biased trap door that cooperates with a fuel nozzle restrictor to seal an open end of the filler pipe automatically when a fuel nozzle is withdrawn. The fuel filler module also includes a fuel nozzle guide that is part of a vent system for venting the fuel tank during the refuelling process and a splash guard feature that prevents splash back at the end of the refuelling process. The fuel filler module comprises four-snap together components that are largely plastic parts or assemblies of plastic parts that are designed for easy molding to facilitate economical manufacture.

Abstract: A compartmentalized tank divided into a plurality of compartments are fluidly connected to a filling chamber wherein the filling chamber has an overflow fluid passage to each of the plurality of compartments and a fluid channel elevationally below the overflow fluid passage which conducts fluid flow during filling of the compartments but does not conduct fluid flow between the compartments when the tank is improperly oriented. Each of the plurality of compartments may include an orientation restrictive air vent, such as one formed by an elongated air channel positioned to reduce the loss of fluid in the event the tank is tipped on its side. The fluid channel has a plurality of orifices for conducting fluid flow from the filling chamber to the plurality of compartments which prevent fluid loss when a compartment is damaged.In another embodiment, the tank includes a supply line and a return line in each compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from an aperture in a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus includes a housing mounted in the aperture and a vent valve received in the housing for movement between a closed position blocking flow of fuel vapor from the vehicle fuel tank to a vapor recovery canister and an open position allowing flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the vapor recovery canister. The apparatus also is configured to use vacuum from an external supply source to move the vent valve from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A venting system for a motor vehicle fuel tank comprises a fuel tank having a filling pipe, an overflow duct, a gas vent duct, a safety valve; fresh air duct for removal of excess fuel vapour from the fuel tank through the fresh air duct. A scavenging duct and an auxiliary valve for overcoming failure of the scavenging duct and/or of the safety valve, in order to ensure that the fuel tank is vented through the fresh air duct are also provided.

Abstract: A smooth-opening, low hysteresis, pressure-operated ball head valve connected between a fuel tank and vapor trap in a vehicle fuel system for providing smooth, two-stage, low hysteresis vapor flow. The ball valve element is positioned within a cylindrical retainer in the valve body, and the dimensions of the various valve orifices and the geometry of the retainer are determined in view of a specified lift off pressure and ball weight to achieve these flow characteristics.

Abstract: A venting system for a motor vehicle fuel tank comprises a fuel tank having a filling pipe, an overflow duct, a gas vent duct, a safety valve; fresh air duct for removal of excess fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the fresh air duct. A scavenging duct and an auxiliary valve for overcoming failure of the scavenging duct and/or of the safety valve, in order to ensure that the fuel tank is vented through the fresh air duct are also provided.

Abstract: A valve device for controlling fuel vapor in a fuel tank is provided with a fuel-cut valve which is disposed between the fuel tank and a charcoal canister, and between a filler tube of the fuel tank and the charcoal canister. The fuel-cut valve is provided with a casing including upper and lower chambers. A lower float is disposed in the lower chamber and arranged to close the communication between a fuel tank and a charcoal canister when fuel height level in the fuel tank is raised to a first predetermined level. A upper float is disposed in the upper chamber and arranged to close the communication between the filler tube and the charcoal canister when the fuel height level in the filler tube is raised to a second predetermined level.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent valve disposed between the tank and a carbon canister to provide high volume venting between the tank and the canister under normal operating conditions. A diaphragm type control element within the valve pulls an internal valve plate against a seat when the filler pipe cap is removed thereby to close off the vent between the tank and the canister. In one embodiment drainage throughbore is provided in the control element and valve plate to drain liquid fuel which might otherwise collect on and disable the diaphragm control element. In another embodiment the vent valve is provided with a reverse flow flap valve. In another embodiment the vent valve is provided with purge protection apparatus. The system operates with a filler pipe door seal of the type which is opened by the introduction of a filler nozzle. The vent valve is primarily constructed of molded plastic parts.

Abstract: The problems associated with combining fuel blending and vapor recovery functions in a fuel dispenser are substantially overcome by a casting and method which provide for not only fuel blending and dispensing, but also vapor recovery. The casting and method of the present invention are adapted for use with a coaxial hose having a small diameter inner hose for dispensing fuel and a larger diameter outer hose defining an annular vapor recovery passage between the inner and outer hoses. The casting of the present invention has first and second product inlets intersecting at a mixing or blending chamber which empties into a single product outlet. As such, blending occurs within the casting and the product output can be either of the first or second products, for example, high or low grade unleaded fuel, or an intermediate grade blended fuel product produced by blending selected volumes of the first and second products.

Abstract: A heat shield retainer and method for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A nipple is attachable to the outer end of the fill pipe of a motor fuel tank and contains a closure flap and a number of other valves performing various functions. The nipple therefore can have unified in it mechanisms performing most or all of the functions required in association with the tank and can be made as a pre-assembled unit quickly and easily attached to a fuel tank in the manufacture of a vehicle to minimize the number of required assembly procedures.

Abstract: A fuel lock as part of a venting arrangement for fuel tanks has to ensure that when the fuel tank is on its side, particularly after a lateral rotation of 270.degree., only a legally tolerated fuel quantity can flow out from the vent conduit. The fuel lock has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber separated from the former by a partition and communicating with its chamber by a connecting conduit. The inlet chamber is connected to a surge tank of the fuel tank by an inlet conduit and the outlet chamber is connected to a vent conduit. In the inlet chamber, the inlet conduit and connecting conduit mouthpiece openings within the chamber and, in the outlet chamber, the connecting conduit and outlet conduit mouthpiece openings within the chamber are located relative to one another such that in the syphon conduit formed by these conduits and passing through the chambers, in each case a break point for the syphon effect is present within the chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from an aperture in a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus includes a housing mounted in the aperture and a vent valve received in the housing for movement between a closed position blocking flow of fuel vapor from the vehicle fuel tank to a vapor recovery canister and an open position allowing flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the vapor recovery canister. The apparatus also is configured to use vacuum from an external supply source to move the vent valve from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for taking advantage of a heat exchange relation between a liquid coolant and a protected liquid, whereby vaporization of the liquid coolant withdraws heat from the body of the protected liquid or an exterior heat source in order to prevent undue temperature rise within the body of the protected liquid.

Abstract: A system for controlling the release of fuel vapors and liquid fuel from a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The system includes: 1) a cap-controlled valve assembly which conducts fuel vapors to an on-board vapor capture device and which opens when the tank's fuel filler cap is removed or when the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined value and which closes when the filler cap is replaced; 2) a first, normally-closed, flapper door and a flapper-door/fuel-nozzle seal, both of which are located in the region of the mouth of the vehicle's filler pipe, above the level at which fuel vapors pass into the cap-controlled valve assembly; 3) a second, normally-closed, flapper door and a flapper-door seal, both of which are located below the level at which fuel vapors pass into the cap-controlled valve assembly; and 4) a vent conduit which connects the fuel tank to the filler pipe assembly at a level between the first and second flapper doors.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle assembly is disclosed for adapting a conventional gasoline pump dispensing nozzle to perform as a Stage II vapor recovery system by effectively collecting the vapors forced out the vehicle fuel tank during a refueling operation. The assembly permits the pump dispensing gun to form a seal with the rim of a vehicle's fill pipe, with operator assistance, to prevent the vapors from escaping into the environment by collecting the vapors within the nozzle assembly, and routing the vapors to a collection tank.

Abstract: An improved fuel tank apparatus for use in a vehicle having a filler lid provided in a body of the vehicle includes a fuel tank in which fuel is to be stored, a filler tube connected to the fuel tank for introducing fuel into the fuel tank, a filler cap removably attached to an inlet port of the filler tube, a canister for absorbing and treating evaporated fuel generated in the fuel tank, an evaporation tube connected between the fuel tank and the canister, a check valve provided in the evaporation tube for releasing the evaporated fuel to the canister when pressure inside the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined level due to evaporation of the fuel in the fuel tank, and a mechanism for releasing the evaporated fuel which remains within the fuel tank due to the pressure inside the fuel tank being less than the predetermined level into the canister. The releasing mechanism is operated only when the filler lid is opened under the condition that the filler cap if closed.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, the system including a vapor separator having a wall defining a fuel chamber adapted to contain a supply of fuel and having therein an inlet, an outlet and a fuel vapor outlet, and a float drive for affording communication between the fuel vapor outlet and the chamber when the supply of fuel is below a predetermined level, the float valve including a spring engaged with a valve member for applying constant force to the valve member when the valve is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperture and formed to include a venting outlet, and a blocking mechanism for blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the venting outlet. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for using pressurized fuel vapor from the fuel tank to move the blocking mechanism from a flow-blocking position to a flow-delivery position. The using mechanism includes a diaphragm appended to the blocking means for movement therewith. The apparatus further includes a second mechanism for using fuel vapor discharged from the fuel tank to provide a pressure cushion acting against the diaphragm to urge the diaphragm from its second position toward its first position.

Abstract: A tank vapor vent valve for a vehicle on board fuel emissions vapor recovery system has a liquid-vapor separator integrated into its design. A blocking valve is held closed when the tank is not being filled, but springs open when the nozzle is inserted to fill the tank, allowing venting flow out of the tank. A cup suspended below the valve catches entrained liquid fuel to keep it out of the canister line, and pulls the blocking valve shut when full. When the nozzle is removed, a drain plug at the bottom of the cup is automatically pushed open.

Abstract: A tank pressure control valve is provided for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank. In one embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to control a flexible diaphragm operable between a closed position blocking discharge of fuel vapor from the fuel tank and an opened position allowing such discharge. In another embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to move a flexible diaphragm to move a rigid valve member between a closed position and an opened position.

Abstract: A fuel tank system has a fuel tank, a fuel charging port extending from the fuel tank and disposed in the vicinity of an outer panel of a body and a fuel lid for covering the fuel charging port. The fuel lid is mounted such that it is movable substantially horizontally relative to a portion of the outer panel of the body corresponding to the fuel charging port and that a distal end of the fuel lid is capable of moving away from the fuel charging port and the outer panel. A fuel passage having an outlet disposed on a rear surface side of said fuel lid in such a manner as to be oriented downwardly is disposed in such a manner as to extend from said fuel tank. This fuel passage allows a liquid fuel overflowing during overfueling to flow.