Evaporative emission control apparatus and method

An engine, comprising:

• (a) a carburetor;
• (b) a fuel bowl supported in relation to the carburetor;
• (c) a fuel tank coupled to the fuel bowl;
• (d) a first valve assembly, wherein said first valve assembly comprises an input port, an output port, and a passageway that when opened links the input and output ports, wherein the input port is coupled to said fuel tank and said fuel bowl to receive vapors therefrom and the vapors received from both the fuel tank and the fuel bowl proceed from the input port to the output port when the passageway is opened;
• (e) a second valve assembly, wherein said second valve assembly regulates a flow of fuel from said fuel bowl into said carburetor;
• and
• (f) an actuator coupled at least indirectly to each of the first and second valve assemblies,
• whereby opening and closing of said passageway of said first valve assembly and said second valve assembly is regulated;
• and wherein the engine does not include a vapor absorbing canister.

A method for reducing emissions from an engine, the method comprising:

• providing an assembly including a fuel tank, a carburetor, a fuel bowl coupled to the fuel tank and the carburetor, a first valve assembly coupling the fuel bowl with the carburetor and governing a first flow of fuel from the fuel bowl to the carburetor, and a second valve assembly coupling the fuel vapors of both the fuel tank and the fuel bowl to a region upstream of a cylinder, wherein the assembly does not include a vapor absorbing canister;
• opening the second valve assembly to allow a first flow of fuel vapors from both the fuel bowl and fuel tank into the region;
• and
• subsequently opening the first valve assembly to allow a second flow of fuel from the fuel bowl into the carburetor.