Patent ID: 6311675
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B60K,F02M,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A vapor vent valve for a fuel tank, comprising:a vapor outlet communicating an interior of the fuel tank with an exterior of the fuel tank and through which fuel vapor may flow out of the fuel tank;a fill cup having an opening at one end and a sidewall extending to the open end;a shell defining an interior space, disposed in part in the fill cup and having a sidewall with an opening therethrough and an upper edge;a flow passage defined between the fill cup sidewall and the shell sidewall communicating with the opening of the fill cup and the opening through the sidewall to permit fluid which flows into the opening of the fill cup to enter the interior space through the opening in the sidewall of the shell;a first float having an opening aligned with the vapor outlet, slidably received in the interior space and responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the interior space to partially close the vapor outlet at or above a certain first level of fuel in the fuel tank and permit fluid flow through the vapor outlet only through the opening in the first float;a second float slidably received in the interior space, responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the interior space to close the opening in the first float when acted on by liquid fuel at or above a second level of fuel in the fuel tank to prevent fluid flow through the opening in the first float;a baffle surrounding an upper portion of the shell including the upper edge of the shell; anda vapor flow path communicating with the interior of the fuel tank at a location above the second level and having an inlet defined at least in part between the baffle and the shell disposed under the upper edge of the shell, and having a portion defined above the upper edge of the shell with the vapor outlet and shell arranged so that in order for fluid in the fuel tank to reach the vapor outlet through the vapor flow path, the fluid must travel upwardly between the baffle and shell, laterally over the edge of the shell, further laterally to the vapor outlet and upwardly to flow through the vapor outlet, permitting fuel vapor to exit the fuel tank while preventing liquid fuel flow through the vapor outlet.