Recirculation check valve

A recirculation check valve configured for use in a fuel system for a vehicle that includes a fuel tank configured to carry a liquid fuel;

• a filler tube in communication with the fuel tank and having an inlet configured for receipt of a fuel nozzle and an outlet downstream from the inlet and upstream from the fuel tank;
• and a recirculation line that is connected to the recirculation check valve, the recirculation check valve comprising:
• a housing having an inlet end configured to be attached to the outlet and an outlet end configured to be attached to the recirculation line, and a channel extending between the inlet end and the outlet end that is configured to fluidly connect the outlet of the filler tube to the recirculation line, the channel including a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, a third section having a third diameter that is less than the second diameter, and a fourth section having a fourth diameter that is less than the third diameter;
• a hollow cylindrical insert provided in the channel between the inlet end and the outlet end, the hollow cylindrical insert having a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections provided around an inner circumference of the hollow cylindrical insert that are separated by a plurality of gaps therebetween;
• at least one annular seal provided in the first section between the inlet end and the hollow cylindrical insert;
• and
• a valve member provided in the channel between the hollow cylindrical insert and the outlet end of the housing, and configured to move between an open position where the valve member is seated against the plurality of radially inwardly extending projections and a closed position where the valve member is seated against a valve seat formed in the channel;
• wherein in the open position, the recirculation check valve is configured such that fumes of the liquid fuel are permitted to travel from the fuel tank through the filler tube and the channel of the recirculation check valve by passing through the plurality of gaps past the valve member to the recirculation line, and fumes of the liquid fuel in the recirculation line are permitted to enter the outlet end of the housing and flow through the channel of the recirculation check valve by passing past the valve member and through plurality of gaps to the filler tube;
• and
• wherein the recirculation check valve is configured such that when liquid fuel enters the inlet end of the recirculation check valve and reaches the valve member, the valve member is configured to move away from being seated against the plurality of protrusions in a direction toward the valve seat to close the recirculation check valve and prevent the liquid fuel from exiting the outlet end of the housing and entering the recirculation line.