Two-stage ORVR control valve
AssigneeG. T. Products, Inc.
InventorsRobert P. Benjey, Rudolph Bergsma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refueling fuel level responsive control valve with a two-stage closing operation providing an initial soft shutoff cue to the filler nozzle operator, and a subsequent final shutoff after a limited amount of “roundoff” filling to a maximum fuel level. The control valve includes two float-operated valve elements which dose serially in response to initial shutoff and final shutoff refueling fuel levels. The initial shutoff partially closes the control valve to create a temporary shutoff-inducing increase in fuel tank pressure. Final shutoff occurs after allowing a few round-off “clicks” of the filler nozzle to fully close venting through the control valve.
Claims18
A fuel level responsive control valve for controlling the venting of fuel vapor from a vehicle fuel tank to a vapor recovery apparatus during refueling in a manner providing a shutoff cue to a person filling the tank, the control valve comprising:
- a valve adapted for venting fuel vapor from the tank to the vapor recovery apparatus at a first higher rate when the fuel level is below an initial refueling shutoff level at a second lower rate when the fuel level reaches the initial refueling shutoff level such that a shutoff-inducing pressure increase is temporarily created in the tanks and for closing when a higher maximum refueling shutoff level is reached.
A fuel level responsive control valve for controlling the venting of fuel vapor from a vehicle fuel tank to a vapor recovery apparatus during refueling in a manner providing a shutoff cue to a person filling the tank, the control valve comprising:
- fuel level responsive primary and secondary valve elements in the control valve, wherein the primary valve element is adapted to be placed in a position partially closing fuel vapor venting through the control valve by an initial refueling shutoff level such that a shutoff-inducing pressure increase is temporarily created in the fuel tank, and wherein the secondary valve element is adapted to be placed in a position fully closing fuel vapor venting through the control valve at a maximum refueling shutoff level above the initial refueling shutoff level.
A method for controlling the venting of fuel vapor from a vehicle fuel tank through a control valve in the tank to a vapor recovery apparatus during refueling in a manner providing a shutoff cue to a person filling the tank, the method comprising the following steps:
- venting fuel vapor from the tank through the control valve to the vapor recovery apparatus at a first higher rate when the fuel level is below an initial refueling shutoff level, partially closing the control valve when the fuel level reaches the initial refueling shutoff level such that fuel vapor is vented at a second lower rate which triggers a temporary shutoff-inducing pressure increase in the tank, and fully closing the control valve when a higher maximum refueling shutoff level is reached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.