Patent ID: 6173741
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B60K,F02M,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A pressure compensating valve arrangement for a fuel tank defining a tank interior wherein an underpressure can develop, the arrangement comprising:a housing defining an interior space;a membrane mounted in said interior space so as to define a control chamber therein bounded by said membrane;a pressure compensating channel opening into said control channel and communicating with said tank interior;said membrane having a first side facing toward said control chamber and said tank interior and a second side facing away from said control chamber;a reference pressure source for charging said second side of said membrane with a reference pressure;said membrane being a deflectable membrane which deflects in response to said underpressure when said underpressure is less than said reference pressure;a valve unit mounted in said housing and defining an interface between said control chamber and the ambient atmosphere;said valve unit including a valve seat defining a passage between said ambient atmosphere and said control chamber; and,a valve body moveable between an open position wherein said tank interior communicates with the ambient atmosphere via said control chamber to allow air to flow in a flow direction from the ambient atmosphere into said tank interior and a closed position wherein said valve body rests seal tight against said valve seat to seal off said tank interior from the ambient atmosphere; and,connecting means for operatively connecting said valve body to said deflectable membrane so as to cause said valve body to move into said open position from said closed position in response to the deflection of said membrane caused by said underpressure thereby allowing air to flow in said flow direction into said fuel tank.