Low profile overfill limit device with reverse flow capability
AssigneeVaughn K. Mills & Kenneth M. Spink
InventorsVaughn Mills, Kenneth Spink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compact overflow limiting vapor vent/tipping valve assembly with pressure and vacuum relief. A float operated vapor vent/tipping valve may be either attached to a cap with a vapor outlet port which is welded over an access opening in the tank or, the valve may have a valve body formed integrally as one piece with a portion of the tank wall structure. The vapor vent/tipping valve includes therein a gravity operated pressure relief valve for preventing vapor venting below a threshold pressure; and, the pressure relief valve includes a vacuum relief valve permitting reverse flow to admit make up air in the event of sub-atmospheric pressure in the fuel tank.
Claims28
In combination a small engine fuel tank with an overfill limiting vapor vent/tipping valve assembly with pressure and vacuum relief comprising:
- tank wall structure;
- a vent cap with a vapor outlet port, wherein the cap is formed of a material weldable to the fuel tank;
- a valve having a vapor vent passage, wherein the vent cap is received over the valve such that the vapor vent passage communicates with the vapor outlet port;
- and
- a pressure relief valve disposed in the vapor vent passage;
- wherein the vent cap is sealingly joined to the tank wall structure, and wherein the valve extends into the fuel tank.
(canceled)
A method of making a small engine fuel tank with an overfill limiting vapor vent/tipping valve assembly comprising:
- forming a vent cap of material weldable to the fuel tank and forming a vapor outlet passage in the vent cap;
- disposing a valve in the fuel tank;
- disposing a pressure relief valve over the valve and preventing flow to the vapor outlet passage at a fuel tank vapor pressure below a predetermined pressure level;
- and,
- positioning the vent cap over the pressure relief valve and attaching the vent cap to the wall of the fuel tank.
An valve assembly for use in a small engine fuel tank, comprising:
- a vent cap with a vapor outlet port, the cap being formed of material weldable to the fuel tank;
- a valve having a vapor vent passage, and
- a pressure relief valve disposed in the vent passage,
- wherein the vent cap is configured join to the fuel tank, wherein the vent cap is disposed over the valve such that the vent passage communicates with the vapor outlet port, and wherein the valve is adapted to extend into the fuel tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.