Fuel tank valve systems and methods of assembly
OwnerAkash Gonjari, Yuvraj Gorwade +1inventors
InventorsAkash Gonjari, Yuvraj Gorwade, Chandan Mohapatra
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Abstract
A valve assembly includes a fluid flow passage and valve components configured to selectively close the fluid flow passage. The valve assembly further includes a housing having a first sealing interface and an attachment portion having a second sealing interface. The attachment portion includes an attaching portion configured to couple to an external member to support the valve assembly. The first and second sealing interfaces each include interlocking portions configured to mutually engage with each other to form a seal against fluid communication.
Claims20
A valve assembly for a fuel tank, the valve assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a first housing portion including an outlet port and an adaptor, and
- a second housing portion configured to be at least partially received within the adaptor so as to couple the first and second housing portions to each other, the second housing portion defining a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the outlet port;
- at least one valve component arranged within the housing, the at least one valve component configured to selectively close the fluid flow passage;
- and
- an attachment portion directly coupled to the first housing portion through a sealing arrangement on a side opposite to the adaptor, the attachment portion configured to (i) couple the valve assembly to a wall of the fuel tank, and (ii) fluidly seal the valve assembly against leakage of liquid fuel,
- wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a first sealing interface of the first housing portion, and a second sealing interface of the attachment portion, and
- wherein each of the first sealing interface and the second sealing interface comprise one or more respective interlocking portions configured to mutually engage with each other so as to form a seal against fluid communication.
A fuel tank assembly, comprising:
- a fuel tank;
- and
- a valve assembly installed on the fuel tank, the valve assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a first housing portion including an outlet port and an adaptor, and
- a second housing portion configured to be at least partially received within the adaptor so as to couple the first and second housing portions to each other, the second housing portion defining a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the outlet port;
- at least one valve component arranged within the housing, the at least one valve component configured to selectively close the fluid flow passage;
- and
- an attachment portion directly coupled to the first housing portion through a sealing arrangement on a side opposite to the adaptor, the attachment portion configured to (i) couple the valve assembly to a wall of the fuel tank, and (ii) fluidly seal the valve assembly against leakage of liquid fuel,
- wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a first sealing interface of the first housing portion, and a second sealing interface of the attachment portion, and
- wherein each of the first sealing interface and the second sealing interface comprise one or more respective interlocking portions configured to mutually engage with each other so as to form a seal against fluid communication.
A method of coupling a valve assembly to a fuel tank, the valve assembly including an attachment portion, a first housing portion, and a second housing portion, the method comprising:
- aligning the attachment portion with the first housing portion such that one or more interlocking portions of a first sealing interface provided on the first housing portion engages one or more respective interlocking portions of a second sealing interface provided on the attachment portion so as to form a seal against fluid communication;
- aligning the first housing portion with the second housing portion such that at least one aperture of the first housing portion interlocks with at least one retaining element of the second housing portion so as to couple the first housing portion and the second portion to each other;
- and
- attaching a weld pad of the attachment portion to an external support member via ultrasonic welding so as to couple the valve assembly to the fuel tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.