FUEL LIMIT VENT VALVE HAVING VAPOR PERMEABLE MEMBRANE

• US 20160290520A1
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Published: 10/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2013
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Memmer, Matthew, Moy, Curtis T., Pai, Sreenivas, Mohite, Sanjay, Mills, Vaughn K.
• Granted Patent: US 10,274,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03289 Float valves; Floats therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/02 the substance being ammonia or urea
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1406 Storage means for substances, e.g. tanks or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1413 Inlet and filling arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/142 Controlling the filling of the tank
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1466 Means for venting air out of conduits or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2900/1814 Tank level
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2066 Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/126 actuated by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/044 the float being rigidly connected to the valve element, the assembly of float and valve element following a substantially translational movement when actuated, e.g. also for actuating a pilot valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/22 with the float rigidly connected to the valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A fill limit vent valve configured for use with a reductant tank includes a valve body, a float and a vapor permeable membrane. The valve body can define an inner chamber and has a valve outlet. The float has a float body configured to be received within the inner chamber and configured to sealingly engage the valve body. The vapor permeable membrane can be configured to permit vapor to pass through while inhibiting liquid from passing through. The float is movable between (i) an open position wherein vapor flows along a first flow path through the valve inner chamber and out of the valve body; and (ii) a closed position wherein the float sealingly engages the valve body and precludes vapor from flowing along the first flow path while allowing flow along a second flow path through the vapor permeable membrane and out of the valve body.

Claims

1. A fill limit vent valve configured for use with a reductant tank, the fill limit vent valve comprising:

a valve body having a circumferential wall that extends between an upper tank mounting end and an opposite end, the valve body defining a valve body seat, at least one valve opening and a valve inner chamber;

a vapor permeable membrane disposed adjacent to the at least one valve opening and configured to permit vapor to pass through the vapor permeable membrane and into the at least one valve opening while inhibiting liquid from passing therethrough;

a float having a float body configured to be received within the valve inner chamber, the float further comprising a float seal configured to sealingly engage the valve body seat; and

the float movable between (i) an open position wherein vapor flows along a first flow path through the valve inner chamber and out of the valve body; and

(ii) a closed position wherein the float seal sealingly engages the valve body seat and precludes vapor from flowing along the first flow path, wherein vapor is permitted to flow along a second flow path through the vapor permeable membrane, through the at least one valve opening and out of the valve body.

2. The fill limit vent valve of claim 1 wherein the valve body comprises an annular lip that extends into the valve inner chamber, the annular lip defining an upper travel limit for the float.

3. The fill limit vent valve of claim 2 wherein the annular lip defines a central opening, wherein the first flow path flows through the central opening along the first flow path.

4. The fill limit vent valve of claim 2 wherein the valve body seat is formed on the annular lip.

5. The fill limit vent valve of claim 4 wherein the valve body comprises an annular flange wherein the at least one valve opening is formed through the annular flange.

6. The fill limit vent valve of claim 1 further comprising:

a clip that mounts around the circumferential wall of the valve body at the upper tank mounting end, the clip aligning around the vapor permeable membrane.

7. The fill limit vent valve of claim 6 wherein the clip further comprises a series of fingers extending therefrom, the fingers including gripping distal end portions.

8. The fill limit vent valve of claim 7 wherein the valve body includes protruding ridges having corresponding ramp portions formed thereon, wherein the gripping distal end portions of the fingers are configured to ride over the ramp portions until passing the protruding ridges whereupon the fingers locate in an assembled position.

9. The fill limit vent valve of claim 8 wherein the valve body further comprises a rim having a notch formed therein, wherein the clip includes a locating tab configured to locate in the notch in the assembled position to inhibit rotation of the clip.

10. A fill limit vent valve configured for use with a reductant tank, the fill limit vent valve comprising:

a valve body that defines an inner chamber and has a valve outlet;

a float having a float body configured to be received within the inner chamber and configured to sealingly engage the valve body;

a vapor permeable membrane disposed in the vent valve, the vapor permeable membrane configured to permit vapor to pass through while inhibiting liquid from passing through; and

the float movable between (i) an open position wherein vapor flows along a first flow path through the valve inner chamber and out of the valve body; and

(ii) a closed position wherein the float sealingly engages the valve body and precludes vapor from flowing along the first flow path, wherein vapor is permitted to flow along a second flow path through the vapor permeable membrane and out of the valve body.

11. The fill limit vent valve of claim 10 wherein the valve body has a circumferential wall that extends between an upper tank mounting end and an opposite end, the valve body defining a valve body seat, and at least one valve opening.

12. The fill limit vent valve of claim 11 wherein the vapor permeable membrane is disposed adjacent to the at least one valve opening.

13. The fill limit vent valve of claim 12 wherein the float further comprises a float seal configured to sealingly engage the valve body seat.

14. The fill limit vent valve of claim 10 wherein the valve body defines a valve window.

15. The fill limit vent valve of claim 14 wherein the float defines a float window, wherein in the closed position, vapor is permitted to pass through the valve body window, through the float window and through the vapor permeable membrane.

16. The fill limit vent valve of claim 13 wherein the vapor permeable membrane is disposed on the float body and provides an outer boundary of a float chamber provided on the float.

17. The fill limit vent valve of claim 16 wherein the float includes a knob that defines a float passage, wherein vapor flows through the float passage in the closed position.

18. The fill limit vent valve of claim 10 further comprising:

a clip that mounts around the valve body, the clip aligning around the vapor permeable membrane, wherein the clip further comprises a series of fingers extending therefrom, the fingers including gripping distal end portions.

19. The fill limit vent valve of claim 18 wherein the valve body includes protruding ridges having corresponding ramp portions formed thereon, wherein the gripping distal end portions of the fingers are configured to ride over the ramp portions until passing the protruding ridges whereupon the fingers locate in an assembled position.

20. The fill limit vent valve of claim 19 wherein the valve body further comprises a rim having a notch formed therein, wherein the clip includes a locating tab configured to locate in the notch in the assembled position to inhibit rotation of the clip.