Engine fuel system with a fuel vapor separator and a fuel vapor vent canister
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsTimothy P. Wickman, David C. Entringer, Brian L. Merten, DuWayne C. Schelter, John M. Rath
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel supply system for a marine engine provides an additional fuel chamber, associated with a fuel vapor separator, that receives fuel vapor from a vent of the fuel vapor separator. In order to prevent the flow of liquid fuel into and out of the additional fuel chamber, a valve is provided which is able to block the vent of the additional chamber. In addition, a sensor is provided to provide a signal that represents a condition in which liquid fuel within the additional fuel chamber exceeds a predetermined level.
Claims20
A fuel supply system for a marine propulsion device, comprising:
- an engine having a crankshaft supported by said engine for rotation about a generally vertical axis;
- a first fuel chamber having a first inlet conduit to receive liquid fuel from a fuel storage tank, a first outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said engine, and a first vent for allowing fuel vapors to flow out of said first fuel chamber;
- a second fuel chamber having a second inlet conduit connected to said first vent of said first fuel chamber, said second fuel chamber having a second vent for allowing fuel vapors to flow out of said second fuel chamber;
- and
- a valve, associated with said second vent, for blocking said second vent when liquid fuel within said second fuel chamber exceeds a first predetermined amount.
A fuel supply system for a marine propulsion device, comprising:
- an engine having a crankshaft supported by said engine for rotation about a generally vertical axis;
- a first fuel chamber having a first inlet conduit to receive liquid fuel from a fuel storage tank, a first outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said engine, and a first vent for allowing fuel vapors to flow out of said first fuel chamber;
- a second fuel chamber having a second inlet conduit connected to said first vent of said first fuel chamber, said second fuel chamber having a second vent for allowing fuel vapors to flow out of said second fuel chamber;
- and
- a sensor disposed within said second fuel chamber said sensor having an output signal which is representative a condition in which said liquid fuel within said second fuel chamber exceeds a second predetermined amount.
A fuel supply system for a marine propulsion device, comprising:
- an engine having a crankshaft supported by said engine for rotation about a generally vertical axis;
- a fuel vapor separator having a first inlet conduit to receive liquid fuel from a fuel storage tank, a first outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said engine, and a first vent for allowing fuel vapors to flow out of said fuel vapor separator;
- a fuel vapor vent canister having a second inlet conduit connected to said first vent of said fuel vapor separator, said fuel vapor vent canister having a second vent for allowing fuel vapors to flow out of said fuel vapor vent canister;
- and
- a valve, associated with said second vent, for blocking said second vent when liquid fuel within said fuel vapor vent canister exceeds a first predetermined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.