U.S. patent application number 09/791514 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-29 for buoyant vent valve.
Invention is credited to LeVey, Kenneth, Nowak, David R., Parker, Eric G..
Application Number | 20020117205 09/791514 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25153977 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020117205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parker, Eric G. ; et
al. |
August 29, 2002 |
BUOYANT VENT VALVE
Abstract
A vent valve for a fuel tank having a sending unit positioned
therethrough including a floating body floatable within the fuel
tank and a valve positioned with respect to the floating body. A
vent hose is positioned with respect to the valve, the vent hose
extending between the floating body and the sending unit.
Inventors: |
Parker, Eric G.; (Winnetka,
IL) ; LeVey, Kenneth; (West Chicago, IL) ;
Nowak, David R.; (Bloomingdale, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kevin D. Erickson
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
Suite 365
2800 West Higgins Road
Hoffman Estates
IL
60195
US
|
Family ID: |
25153977 |
Appl. No.: |
09/791514 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/202 ;
137/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 2015/03533
20130101; B60K 15/03519 20130101; Y10T 137/86324 20150401; Y10T
137/0324 20150401; F16K 24/048 20130101; Y10T 137/3099 20150401;
Y10T 137/0874 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/202 ;
137/43 |
International
Class: |
F16K 024/04 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A vent valve for a fuel tank comprising: a floating body; a
valve positioned within the floating body; a vent positioned with
respect to the floating body; and a vent hose positioned with
respect to the vent, the vent forming a vapor path between the
valve and the vent hose.
2. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises: a valve
float rotatably positioned within the floating body; and a valve
channel positioned within the valve float.
3. The vent valve of claim 2 wherein the valve further comprises: a
valve seat fixed with respect to the floating body, the valve seat
permitting the rotation of the valve float with respect to the
floating body.
4. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein the floating body further
comprises: a body stem, the vent hose connected with respect to the
body stem; and a two-way check valve positioned with respect to the
body stem.
5. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein the two-way check valve
comprises two O-rings positioned along the body stem, the two
O-rings each positioned to flex and permit at least one of the
entry of vapor and the exit of vapor.
6. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein the floating body includes a
plurality of channels positioned between the floating body and the
valve.
7. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein the valve is freely rotatable
within the floating body and positionable between an open position
and a closed position.
8. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein one of the valve and the
floating body includes a plurality of baffles to permit passage of
vapor from an exterior of the vent valve to an interior of the vent
valve.
9. A vent valve for a fuel tank having a sending unit positioned
therethrough, the vent valve comprising: a floating body floatable
within the fuel tank; a valve positioned within the floating body;
and a vent hose positioned with respect to the valve, the vent hose
extending between the floating body and the sending unit.
10. The vent valve of claim 9 wherein the valve comprises: a valve
float rotatably positioned within the floating body; and a valve
channel positioned within the valve float.
11. The vent valve of claim 10 wherein the valve float comprises a
ball integrated with a floatable cap.
12. The vent valve of claim 9 further comprising: a two-way check
valve positioned with respect to the valve.
13. The vent valve of claim 12 wherein the two-way check valve
comprises two O-rings positioned around a portion of the vent valve
to flex and permit at least one of the entry of vapor and the exit
of vapor.
14. The vent valve of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of
baffles positioned within the floating body.
15. A method for venting a fuel tank comprising: floating a valve
in the fuel tank; tethering the valve with respect to a sidewall of
the fuel tank; and discharging vapor through the valve from an
interior of the fuel tank to an exterior of the fuel tank.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the vapor is discharged through
a vent hose that tethers the valve.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: rotating the valve
within a floating body based upon an angle of a fuel level within
the fuel tank.
18. The method of claim 15 further comprising: closing the valve
when the fuel tank becomes inverted.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: draining gasoline
from the valve before closing the valve.
20. The method of claim 15 further comprising: permitting a two way
exchange of pressure between the interior of the fuel tank and the
exterior of the fuel tank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a vent valve used in a fuel tank
for venting vapor, shutting off fluid flow when the fuel tank is in
an overfill condition and preventing fuel leakage in the event of a
rollover.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Fuel tanks, and more particularly vehicle/automobile fuel
tanks are subject to a great deal of scrutiny during the design
phase. Fuel tanks are formed in complex forming operations
involving numerous layers of material that may lose integrity when
layer continuity is interrupted. One such interruption takes place
when a sending unit is positioned within a sidewall of the fuel
tank. The sending unit includes electronics and diagnostics for the
operation of the vehicle including a fuel level gauge and/or a fuel
pump.
[0005] In addition, vent valves are commonly used in fuel tanks to
vent excess vapor from an interior of the fuel tank to an exterior
of the fuel tank, usually to an external filter. Existing vent
valves are primarily rigidly fixed through a sidewall of the fuel
tank and comprise a float, spring and flapper valve in an
arrangement similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,153. Such
existing vent valves require an interface with the fuel tank in
addition to the interface created by the sending unit. These
interfaces may become prone to corrosion, leakage and/or other
factors that may compromise the safety and integrity of the
vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Fuel within fuel tanks releases vapors that may be harmful
to the environment and create a safety hazard to the occupants of
the vehicle. Fuel tanks typically include sending units that are
positioned within a sidewall of the fuel tank and contain
electronics and diagnostics related to the operation and
maintenance of the vehicle.
[0007] A vent valve according to a preferred embodiment of this
invention is positioned within the fuel and is tethered to a
sidewall of the fuel tank, preferably through the existing sending
unit. The vent valve is designed to vent fuel vapors from an
interior of a fuel tank through a vent hose that extends through
the sending unit and ultimately to the exterior of fuel tank, such
as to a charcoal filter.
[0008] A floating body is preferably incorporated into the vent
valve and comprises a buoyant material. A valve is preferably
positioned within the floating body. The valve is positioned to
open and close depending upon an internal pressure of the fuel tank
and/or a level of fuel within the fuel tank and/or a relative
position of fuel within the fuel tank.
[0009] A vent is preferably positioned with respect to the floating
body and further arranged in fluid communication with the valve.
The vent preferably creates an outlet for vapor from the vent
valve. A vent hose is further positioned with respect to the vent
and forms a vapor path from the valve to an exterior of the fuel
tank.
[0010] The valve may include a valve float having an internally
positioned valve channel. The valve float is preferably rotatably
positioned within the floating body so that the valve channel
within the valve float and correspondingly rotates relative to the
floating body. The valve channel is sized to permit vapor to escape
through the vent valve but prevent the free flow of fluid through
the vent valve.
[0011] A check valve is preferably positioned relative to the vent
and may include two O-rings positioned to flex and permit either
the entry of vapor or the exit of vapor from within the vent valve.
The vapor is thereupon directed through the vent hose and to the
exterior of the fuel tank. The check valve preferably permits a two
way exchange of pressure between the interior and exterior of the
fuel tank.
[0012] The floating body preferably includes a plurality of
channels positioned between the floating body and the valve. In
addition, the valve and/or the floating body may include a
plurality of baffles to permit passage of vapor from an exterior of
the vent valve to an interior of the vent valve.
[0013] It is one object of this invention to provide a buoyant vent
valve that vents vapor from a fuel tank through a vent hose that
passes through a sending unit in a sidewall of the fuel tank.
[0014] It is another object of this invention to provide a buoyant
vent valve that provides a vent for a fuel tank.
[0015] It is another object of this invention to provide a buoyant
vent valve that maintains a predetermined pressure range within the
fuel tank.
[0016] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
buoyant vent valve that will operate across a wide range of
temperatures.
[0017] It is still another object of this invention to provide a
buoyant vent valve that will not allow any fuel to escape from the
fuel tank in the event of a rollover or extreme inclination.
[0018] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
buoyant vent valve that shuts off all flow when the fuel tank is in
an overfill condition.
[0019] It is still another object of this invention to provide a
buoyant vent valve that works in any orientation and does not
require mounting holes in the fuel tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this
invention will be better understood from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vent valve according
to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded side and partial cutaway view of a
vent valve according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a vent valve in a fuel tank
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a vent valve
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a vent valve
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a vent valve
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a vent valve
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and
[0028] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a body stem
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 show vent valve 10 according to one preferred
embodiment of this invention. As shown schematically in FIG. 3,
vent valve 10 is buoyant within fuel tank 80.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, vent valve 10 is designed to vent fuel
vapors from an interior of a fuel tank 80 through a vent hose 70
that extends through sending unit 85 and ultimately to the exterior
of fuel tank 80, such as to a charcoal filter 87 (not shown). An
overview of several basic elements of vent valve 10 include:
floating body 20 floatable within fuel tank 80; valve 30 positioned
with respect to floating body 20; and vent hose 70 positioned with
respect to valve 30 and extending between floating body 20 and
sending unit 85.
[0031] Floating body 20 is preferably incorporated into vent valve
10 and comprises a buoyant material that is resistant to the
corrosive environment present in a typical fuel tank, particularly
a material that is resistant to gasoline.
[0032] Valve 30 is preferably positioned with respect to floating
body 20. Valve 30 may be positioned at least partially within
floating body 20, such as shown in FIG. 2, or completely internal
or external to floating body 20, depending upon the preferred
embodiment of the invention. Valve 30 is designed to open and close
depending upon an internal pressure of fuel tank 80 and/or a level
of fuel within fuel tank 80 and/or a relative position of fuel
within fuel tank 80.
[0033] Floating body 20 may be a unitary component or may include
two components, as shown in FIG. 2, such as dome float 22 and body
27. Aside from providing buoyancy, dome float 22 may additionally
baffle fluid that is within vent valve 10 from splashing.
[0034] Vent 65 is preferably positioned with respect to floating
body 20 and further arranged in fluid conununication with valve 30.
Vent 65 preferably creates an outlet for vapor from vent valve 10.
In a static state within fuel tank 80, air and vapor preferably
flow freely through floating body 20 and valve 30 and into vent
65.
[0035] Vent hose 70 is preferably positioned with respect to vent
65 and forms a vapor path from valve 30 to an exterior of fuel tank
80, as shown schematically in FIG. 3. Vent hose 70 is preferably at
least as long enough to permit extension of vent valve 10 to every
extremity of fuel tank 80. According to one preferred embodiment of
this invention, vent hose 70 is constructed from a buoyant
material. In addition, vent hose 70 is preferably constructed of a
non-binding, kink-free material and geometry.
[0036] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention,
valve 30 comprises valve float 35 having an internally positioned
valve channel 40. Valve float 35 is preferably rotatably positioned
within floating body 20 so that valve channel 40 correspondingly
rotates within valve float 35 and relative to floating body 20.
Valve channel 40 should be of an appropriate size to permit vapor
to escape through vent valve 10 but prevent free flow of fluid
through vent valve 10. According to one preferred embodiment of
this invention, valve channel 40 is 5 mm in diameter.
[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, valve
30 is freely rotatable within floating body 20 and positionable
between an open position and a closed position. In an open
position, such as shown in FIG. 4, valve channel 40 extends between
vent 65 and a portion of the sidewall of floating body 20, such as
detente 24. In the open position, vapor flows freely from an
interior of fuel tank 80 into an interior of vent valve 10 between
floating body 20 and valve float 35, through vent channel 40 and
then out through vent 65 and vent hose 70.
[0038] Valve 30 may further include valve seat 45 fixed with
respect to floating body 20 and permitting the rotation of valve
float 35 with respect to floating body 20. Valve seat 45 as shown
in FIG. 2, partially encloses a portion of valve float 35 to permit
rotation of valve float 35 with respect to floating body 20. Valve
seat 45 further helps maintain orientation of valve float 35 when
fuel tank 80 is not in overfill mode. Valve seat 45 assists in
shutoff of vent valve 10 into a closed position when high
angulation of vent valve 10 occurs.
[0039] Valve float 35 may comprise a unitary component, or
alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, valve float 35 may comprise a
combination of components, such as ball 37 and cap 33. In such an
arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, ball 37 preferably contains
valve channel 40. Preferably, a level of fluid within vent valve 10
directly controls movement of valve float 35 relative to floating
body 20.
[0040] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention,
vent valve 10 further comprises body stem 50 for attachment of vent
hose 70, such as shown schematically in FIG. 3.
[0041] Check valve 55, preferably a two-way check valve, is
preferably positioned within body stem 50. Check valve 55 according
to one preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 8.
Check valve 55 may include two O-rings 60 positioned along body
stem 50, each O-ring 60 positioned to flex and permit either the
entry of vapor or the exit of vapor from within vent valve 10. The
vapor is thereupon directed through vent hose 70 and to the
exterior of fuel tank 80. Such an arrangement as shown in FIG. 8
permits a two way exchange of pressure between the interior of fuel
tank 80 and the exterior of fuel tank 80.
[0042] As best shown in FIGS. 2-7, floating body 20 preferably
includes a plurality of channels 25 positioned between floating
body 20 and valve 30. In addition, valve 30 and/or floating body 20
include a plurality of baffles 43 to permit passage of vapor from
an exterior of vent valve 10 to an interior of vent valve 10.
[0043] In practice, vent valve 10 preferably operates as shown in
FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of vent valve 10
illustrating an open position of vent valve 10. The open position
is a position wherein fuel tank 80 is generally level and static.
In the open position shown in FIG. 4, valve 30 is floating on the
top of fuel, allowing vapor and air to exchange with fuel tank 80.
This exchange, and thus the internal pressure of fuel tank 80, is
controlled by an operating condition of the automobile or other
vehicle.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows vent valve 10 angulated to a maximum operating
position. This position allows for valve 30 to operate within a
30.degree. requirement as mandated by automobile manufacturers.
Valve float 35 of valve 30 interacting with fuel level directly
effects this angulation. Baffles 43 and a tight clearance between
valve float 35 and floating body 20 eliminate or greatly reduce the
possibility of fuel splashing into orifice of vent 65.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows vent valve 10 reaching a critical level of fuel
within fuel tank 80 so that valve float 35 forces valve channel 40
into a fully closed position. When vent valve 10 is trapped against
a top of fuel tank 80, valve channel 40 and thus valve 30 is forced
in the fully closed position.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows vent valve 10 when fuel tank 80 is in an
overfill condition. The overfill condition may occur during a
roll-over event. A secure cut-off condition is preferably obtained
in the overfill condition. A lower end of valve channel 40 within
valve 30 is preferably open to a side of an inner chamber between
floating body 20 and valve 30 to allow fuel to drain before valve
30 rotates into the closed position.
[0047] In operation, fuel tank 80 is vented by vent valve 10 when
vapor is discharged through valve 30 from an interior of fuel tank
80 to an exterior of fuel tank 80, preferably through sending unit
85 or similar preexisting component positioned through a sidewall
of fuel tank 80. Vapor is preferably discharged through vent hose
70 that tethers vent valve 10 with respect to the sidewall of fuel
tank 80. Valve 30 rotates within floating body 20 based upon an
angle of a fuel level within fuel tank 80. When fuel tank 80
becomes inverted or otherwise distressed within a predetermined
tolerance, valve 30 closes relative to floating body 20, thus
stopping fuel and/or vapor discharge through vent 65/vent hose 70.
Just prior to valve 30 obtaining the closed position, a small
amount of fuel present in valve channel 40 is drained from valve 30
and into fuel tank 80.
[0048] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been
described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and
many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the vent valve
according to this invention is susceptible to additional
embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be
varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of
the invention.
* * * * *