Fuel vapor control system
AssigneeWalbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
InventorsRonald H. Roche, Mark S. Swanson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for reducing escape to the atmosphere of hydrocarbon fuel vapors from a fuel tank for a combustion engine powered device including at least one functional member that directly communicates with the fuel tank and is constructed to receive and retain hydrocarbon vapors therein. The functional member may further include a bed of activated carbon-based material for adsorbing and purging of the hydrocarbon vapors. The functional member is otherwise useful to the device beyond the vapor handling function and may be incorporated into a handlebar assembly, frame component, housing, cover, and the like thereby reducing component parts and reducing cost and complexity of the device.
Claims23
A fuel vapor handling system of a fuel system for a device with a fuel powered combustion engine, comprising:
- a combustion engine;
- a fuel tank in which a supply of fuel is maintained for the engine and having a vent;
- and
- a frame component, housing, handlebar assembly, handle, or support of the device having a wall, which is separate and spaced from the fuel tank and the engine of the device and the same wall defines at least in part an interior of a chamber which communicates with the vent to receive and at least temporarily retain hydrocarbon fuel vapors therein and also performs a structural function of the device other than being part of the fuel system or its fuel vapor handling system.
A fuel vapor handling system for a fuel powered device, comprising:
- a fuel tank in which a supply of fuel is maintained and having a vent;
- and
- a handlebar assembly with at least one tubular member defining at least part of a chamber which communicates with the vent to receive and at least temporarily retain hydrocarbon fuel vapors therein.
A vapor handling system for a walk-behind device powered by a combustion engine, comprising:
- a fuel tank in which a supply of fuel is maintained;
- a handlebar assembly including a handle portion and support legs extending from the handle portion;
- a chamber at least in part within the handlebar assembly and communicating with the fuel tank to receive and at least temporarily retain fuel vapors from the fuel tank;
- and
- a filter material in at least a portion of the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.