VALVE FOR EVAPORATIVE LOSS CONTROL

• US 3,741,232 A
• Filed: 10/12/1970
• Issued: 06/26/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George A. Soberski
• Original Assignee: George A. Soberski
• Inventors: Soberski, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zupcic, A. M.
• Application Number:
  US05/079,946
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 137/218,512.15,512.4,496,525,102,63R
• US Class Current: 137/102
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0854 Details of the absorption canister
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/1402 having an integral flexible member cooperating with a plurality of seating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/144 the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2544 Supply and exhaust type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/784 Integral resilient member forms plural valves

Abstract

Diaphragm valve spring biased into a closed position and responsive to fuel tank vapor pressure to effect opening of valve, and to fuel tank vacuum as the valve is closed, to vent the tank to atmosphere.

Claims

1. A vacuum and pressure operated valve apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber therein having a first passage opened to the atmosphere and a second passage cmmmunicating pressure or vacuum to said apparatus;

a diaphragm secured within said housing and dividing said first chamber into second and third chambers, said first passage communicating with said second chamber and said second passage communicating with said third chamber;

said diaphragm having continuous inner and outer area portions, said inner portion having a thicker cross section than said outer portion to define a diaphragm more flexible over said outer portion than said inner portion, said inner portion further having a plurality of openings adjacent its outer extremity;

a plate affixed to one side of said diaphragm and of sufficient area to extend over said openings in said inner portion to prevent communication between said first and second passages when said second passage is at pressure at least equal to atmosphere;

spring means in said second chamber biasing said plate toward said third chamber; and

means forming a third passage in said third chamber communicating with said second passage wheN said second passage is at pressure at least equal to atmosphere and sealed from said second passage by said inner portion when said second passage is at vacuum.

2. The valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner portion of said diaphragm has a raised annular rib construction at its outer extremity in sealing engagement with said plate when said second passage is at positive pressure, said openings in said inner portion being disposed inwardly of said rib.

3. The valve apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inner portion of said diaphragm has a raised projection extending from one side at its center and said plate has a central opening which snugly receives said projection to maintain said plate in position.