Patent ID: 6347639
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: B60K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for controlling vapor recirculation within a fuel tank comprising the steps of:providing a filler tube; connecting said filler tube to said fuel tank; providing a recirculation tube which is communicatively coupled to said filler tube; providing a first tank portion which is communicatively coupled to and selectively receives said fuel from said filler tube, said first tank portion including an aperture which communicates with said recirculation tube; controllably varying an area within said aperture through which air and vapors may pass into said recirculation tube, effective to automatically regulate air and vapor recirculation based upon an amount of fuel, air and vapor within said first tank portion; wherein said fuel tank further comprises a second tank portion which is communicatively coupled to said first tank portion and which selectively receives fuel from said first tank portion; and providing an outflow regulator which is disposed between said first tank portion and said second tank portion and which selectively controls the amount of fuel which is transferred from said first tank portion to said second tank portion, effective to ensure that said first tank portion remains substantially filled with fuel.