Patent ID: 8931459
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: F01M,F02M,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling evaporative emissions in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: providing a control valve assembly with a valve housing that includes an inlet portion, a first outlet portion and a second outlet portion, a vapor chamber situated within the housing in communication with the inlet portion, first outlet portion by way of a first outlet chamber opening and second outlet portion by way of a second outlet chamber opening; a piston member having a piston sealing portion situated inside the vapor chamber and a piston actuating portion secured to the piston sealing portion and situated exterior of the vapor chamber, with the piston sealing portion including a first sealing assembly and a second sealing assembly that are each positioned at least substantially within the vapor chamber, the first sealing assembly including a part that is affixed to the piston member and the second sealing assembly including a part that is also affixed to the piston member, spaced apart from and in fixed relation to the first sealing member part, and a spring situated in the vapor chamber and configured to provide a force only toward the second outlet chamber opening; receiving fuel vapors from a fuel vapor source, through the inlet portion into the vapor chamber; and selectively actuating the piston member to communicate the fuel vapors in the vapor chamber to at least one of the atmosphere and an engine air inlet system via the second outlet portion by positioning the part of the first sealing assembly against the valve housing to cover the first outlet chamber opening when the engine is operating or otherwise engaged to be operated, or to a crankcase of the engine via the first outlet portion by positioning, using the force of the spring that is only toward the second outlet chamber opening, the part of the second sealing assembly against the valve housing to cover the second outlet chamber opening when the engine is not operating.