Liquid separation and recovery apparatus for fuel tank vent line
First Claim
1. Apparatus for preventing the discharge of a liquid through a vent line from a tank containing said liquid while enabling vapor to pass therethrough, comprising:
- a body, said body including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the vent line from said tank and the outlet in fluid communication with atmosphere,said body further including expandable chamber means in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet for expanding and contracting in area in proportion to fluid pressure;
vapor valve means adjacent said outlet for enabling vapor to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of liquid;
whereby when liquid is delivered to said apparatus through said vent line said liquid is prevented from passing through said apparatus by said vapor valve means and said liquid held in said body increases said fluid pressure which expands the area of said expandable chamber means and is held therein until said fluid pressure falls and said liquid is expelled from said expandable chamber means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel tank venting system for a boat (10) includes a fuel tank (12) the interior of which is open to a filler tube (14) and a vent line (18). A liquid separation and recovery device (20) is connected to the vent line and an outlet line (28) which is open to atmosphere. Vapor delivered to the device through the vent line enters an inlet (24) and passes through an opening (64). The vapor then passes through a screen (86), around a sphere (82) that is buoyant in the liquid fuel, and escapes from the device through an outlet (26). When liquid fuel enters the device, the sphere rises blocking flow to the outlet. The trapped liquid passes through an opening (48) into a cavity (42). The liquid entering the cavity displaces a spring loaded piston (56). When liquid is no longer being delivered to the cavity, the piston pushes the liquid back out the inlet and down the vent line to the fuel tank. In excess pressure situations, when liquid is being delivered to the device, a movable member (66) is displaced upward opening a flow path to the outlet of the device through a second chamber (62). Once the over-pressure condition has subsided, the movable member returns to its original condition to prevent the passage of liquid through the device.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for preventing the discharge of a liquid through a vent line from a tank containing said liquid while enabling vapor to pass therethrough, comprising:
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a body, said body including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the vent line from said tank and the outlet in fluid communication with atmosphere, said body further including expandable chamber means in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet for expanding and contracting in area in proportion to fluid pressure; vapor valve means adjacent said outlet for enabling vapor to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of liquid; whereby when liquid is delivered to said apparatus through said vent line said liquid is prevented from passing through said apparatus by said vapor valve means and said liquid held in said body increases said fluid pressure which expands the area of said expandable chamber means and is held therein until said fluid pressure falls and said liquid is expelled from said expandable chamber means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fuel tank venting system for a vehicle comprising:
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a fuel tank; a filler tube open to said fuel tank for delivering fuel to said tank; a vent line in fluid communication with said fuel tank for venting fluid from said tank; an outlet line to atmosphere; and a liquid return apparatus comprising; an inlet in fluid communication with said vent line; an outlet in fluid communication with said outlet line; expandable chamber means in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet for expanding and contracting in area in proportion to fluid pressure; vapor valve means adjacent said outlet for enabling vapor to pass to said outlet of said apparatus while blocking the passage of liquid; whereby when liquid is delivered to said apparatus through said vent line, said liquid is prevented from passing to said outlet by said vapor valve means and the liquid held in said body increases said fluid pressure which expands the area of said expandable chamber means and is held therein until said liquid pressure falls and said liquid is expelled from said expandable chamber means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for preventing the discharge of a liquid through a vent line from a tank containing said liquid while enabling vapor to pass therethrough, comprising:
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a body, said body including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the vent line from said tank and the outlet in fluid communication with atmosphere; said body further including expandable chamber means in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet for expanding responsive to fluid pressure; vapor valve means adjacent said outlet for enabling vapor to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of liquid; and separating means positioned in said body between said inlet and said outlet for separating liquid from vapor delivered from said tank; whereby liquid is prevented from passing through said apparatus by said vapor valve means and said liquid expands expandable chamber means and is held therein.
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Specification