US 5,031,790 A · Vented fuel cap with cam actuated connector

Abstract

A vented fuel tank cap and valve assembly is described having a cam actuated connector for connecting the cap to the top of the filler neck tube for the tank. Three vent passages are employed in the cap with common outlet openings. One passage is normally open but includes a float valve which can close such passage when the vehicle tips. A second passage includes a pressure relief valve which opens when the tank pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure. The bias spring for the pressure relief valve also functions as the bias for the cam actuated connector. The third passage includes fusible metal inserts provided in the movable pressure relief valve member to open such passage when the temperature of the tank exceeds the melting point of such inserts. The cam actuated connector includes ramp shaped cam surfaces on the outside of the filler neck tube and cam follower pins on the tank cap which move along the ramps and are urged into locking notches by a coil spring which also operates the pressure relief valve.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Fuel tank cap apparatus, comprising:

a fuel tank cap for closing a fuel inlet of a fuel tank;
connection means for connecting said cap to a filler tube which extends into said fuel tank and provides said fuel inlet to close said filler tube, said connection means including
cam means for closing said cap by longitudinal displacement of the cap from an open position to a closed position against a resilient bias member in response to movement of a cam follower along a cam surface by partial rotation of said cap in a first direction, and for opening said cap from said closed position to said open position in response to partial rotation of said cap in a second direction opposition to said first direction;
and
fusible means for opening a vent passage through said connection means when said fusible means melts.

2 more elements

Fuel tank cap apparatus, comprising:

a fuel tank cap for closing a fuel inlet of a fuel tank;
connection means for connecting said cap to a filler tube which extends into said fuel tank and provides said fuel inlet to close said filler tube, said connection means including
can means for closing said cap by longitudinal displacement of the cap from an open position to a closed position against a resilient bias member in response to movement of a cam follower along a cam surface by partial rotation of said cap in a first direction, and for opening said cap from said closed position to said open position in response to partial rotation of said cap in a second direction opposition to said first direction;
vent means for venting said filler tube to the atmosphere through said connection means when the fuel tank cap is in said closed position, said vent means including a pressure relief valve which engages the top end of said filler tube and is urged closed by said resilient bias member;
and
fusible means for opening a vent passage though said pressure relief valve and said connection means when said fusible means melts.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vented fuel cap with cam actuated connector

Life of this patent

Vented fuel cap with cam actuated connector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20