Patent ID: 6199574
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B60K,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture formed in a fuel tank, the apparatus comprisinga housing adapted to be mounted in an aperture formed in a fuel tank, the housing being formed to include a venting outlet,a valve positioned to lie in the housing and move between an opened position allowing flow of fuel vapor through the venting outlet formed in the housing and a closed position preventing flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through the venting outlet, anda valve actuator including a fluid actuator valve mover and an electronic liquid detector coupled to the valve mover, the valve mover being positioned to lie in the housing and arranged to move the valve between the closed position and the opened position, the electronic liquid detector including a valve mover controller coupled to the valve mover to control fluid at said fluid actuated valve mover and an electronic liquid sensor coupled to the valve mover controller and positioned to lie in a fixed position relative to the housing to sense the presence of liquid fuel at a predetermined position, the valve mover controller being configured to instruct the valve mover to move the valve to the closed position in response to sensing of liquid fuel at the predetermined position by the electronic liquid sensor.