Vapor control valve with bypass circuit

• US 6,240,950 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1999
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stant USA Corporation (Vapor Acquisition Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Harris, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US09/384,521
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 137/43, 137/198, 137/202
• US Class Current: 137/202
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• 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: Y10T 137/0874 Vent opening or closing on tipping container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3099 Float responsive

Abstract

A vapor control valve includes first, second, and third valves and a housing formed to include first, second, and third chambers and first, second, and third apertures. The first valve is formed to include a vent aperture and is movable relative to the first aperture to partially close the first aperture to limit flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the first aperture. The second valve is movable relative to the first valve to open and close the vent aperture and cooperates with the first valve to close the first aperture to prohibit flow from the first chamber to the second chamber through the first aperture in response to rising liquid fuel. The third valve is biased to normally close the third aperture and configured to open the third aperture in response to pressurized fuel vapor to permit flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through the third aperture. The vapor control valve includes a blocker coupled to the second valve and configured to extend through the first aperture into the third chamber to contact the third valve to maintain closure of the third aperture by the third valve when the first aperture is closed by the first and second valves.

Claims

1. A vapor control valve assembly mounted to a fuel tank comprising:

a valve housing including a vent inlet and a bypass inlet, the vent inlet and bypass inlet in communication with pressurized vapor in the fuel tank,

a discharge outlet,

a vent passageway connecting the vent inlet to the discharge outlet,

a bypass outlet in communication with pressurized vapor in the vent passageway,

a bypass passageway connecting the bypass inlet with the bypass outlet,

first closure means positioned to lie in the vent inlet moveable between opened and closed positions for closing in response to liquid fuel rising in the valve housing, and

second closure means positioned to lie in the bypass outlet for normally closing the bypass passageway, the second closure means opening in response to pressure in the bypass passageway having a magnitude greater than a pre-determined pressure and while the first closure means is in its opened position, the first closure means and the second closure means being positioned to lie in coaxial relation to one another.

2. A vapor control valve assembly comprising:

a valve sleeve defining a valve chamber,

a secondary closure shell coupled to the valve sleeve and defining an exhaust chamber,

a primary closure shell coupled to the valve sleeve and surrounding the secondary closure shell,

a bypass cavity formed between the primary closure shell and the secondary closure shell,

a primary aperture formed within the valve sleeve and permitting fluid communication between the valve chamber and the exhaust chamber,

a secondary aperture formed within the secondary closure shell and permitting fluid communication between the exhaust chamber and the bypass cavity,

a wall formed as part of the valve sleeve and extending between the primary closure shell and the secondary closure shell and separating the valve chamber from the bypass cavity, the wall including a bypass aperture permitting fluid communication between the valve chamber and the bypass cavity,

a two-stage valve positioned within the valve chamber and formed to slide axially within the valve chamber, the valve including a valve body, a nipple, and a stem having a distal tip positioned to extend through the primary aperture and into the exhaust chamber, the valve further including a seal disc positioned between the valve body and the distal tip and having a center orifice adapted to permit the stem to slidably extend therethrough, the two-stage valve being moveable between closed, partially opened, and fully opened positions, and wherein in its fully opened position the seal disc lies in a spaced apart relationship with the primary aperture permitting fuel vapor to flow therethrough, in its partially opened position the seal disc contacts the primary aperture thereby sealing it and the nipple lies in a spaced apart relationship with the center orifice permitting fuel vapor to flow therethrough, and in its closed position the nipple seals the center orifice and the seal disc seals the primary aperture thereby preventing fuel vapor to flow from the valve chamber to the exhaust chamber,

a bypass valve positioned through the secondary aperture and moveable between opened and closed positions and wherein in its opened position the bypass valve permits fuel vapor to flow from the bypass cavity to the valve chamber, wherein the seal disc includes an inward lip, the nipple includes an outward lip which communicates with the inward lip of the seal disc to limit slidable movement of the seal disc relative to the stem, and the distal tip of the stem engages the bypass valve to prevent the bypass valve from opening when the two-stage valve is in its closed position.

3. A vapor control valve assembly comprising:

a valve sleeve defining a valve chamber,

a secondary closure shell coupled to the valve sleeve and defining an exhaust chamber,

a primary closure shell coupled to the valve sleeve and surrounding the secondary closure shell,

a bypass cavity formed between the primary closure shell and the secondary closure shell,

a primary aperture formed within the valve sleeve and permitting fluid communication between the valve chamber and the exhaust chamber,

a secondary aperture formed within the secondary closure shell and permitting fluid communication between the exhaust chamber and the bypass cavity,

a wall formed as part of the valve sleeve and extending between the primary closure shell and the secondary closure shell and separating the valve chamber from the bypass cavity, the wall including a bypass aperture permitting fluid communication between the valve chamber and the bypass cavity,

a two-stage valve positioned within the valve chamber and formed to slide axially within the valve chamber, the valve including a valve body, a nipple, and a stem having a distal tip positioned to extend through the primary aperture and into the exhaust chamber, the valve further including a seal disc positioned between the valve body and the distal tip and having a center orifice adapted to permit the stem to slidably extend therethrough, the two-stage valve being moveable between closed, partially opened, and fully opened positions, and wherein in its fully opened position the seal disc lies in a spaced apart relationship with the primary aperture permitting fuel vapor to flow therethrough, in its partially opened position the seal disc contacts the primary aperture thereby sealing it and the nipple lies in a spaced apart relationship with the center orifice permitting fuel vapor to flow therethrough, and in its closed position the nipple seals the center orifice and the seal disc seals the primary aperture thereby preventing fuel vapor to flow from the valve chamber to the exhaust chamber,

a bypass valve positioned through the secondary aperture and movable between opened and closed positions and wherein in its opened position the bypass valve permits fuel vapor to flow from the bypass cavity to the valve chamber, and wherein the distal tip of the stem engages the bypass valve to prevent the bypass valve from opening when the two-stage valve is in its closed position.

4. A vapor control valve assembly coupled to a fuel tank comprising:

a valve housing including a valve seat and a housing chamber having a vent passageway and a bypass passageway, the housing chamber being in communication with pressurized vapor in the fuel tank, the valve seat being positioned to lie in the vent passageway,

a multi-stage valve positioned in the vent passageway, the multi-stage valve being moveable between opened and closed positions, the multi-stage valve being moveable from the opened position toward the closed position by liquid fuel rising in the fuel tank, and

a second valve positioned in the bypass passageway and the vent passageway, the second valve being moveable between an opened position to permit flow from the bypass passageway to the vent passageway and a normally closed position to prohibit flow from the bypass passageway to the vent passageway, the second valve including a resilient member positioned in the bypass passageway to bias the second valve to the normally closed position, the second valve being moveable from the closed position toward the opened position by pressure in the fuel tank having a magnitude greater than a pre-determined pressure, the second valve being configured to engage the valve seat in the vent passageway.

5. A vapor control valve assembly coupled to a fuel tank comprising:

a valve housing including a vent passageway and a bypass passageway, the vent passageway and bypass passageway being in communication with pressurized vapor in the fuel tank,

a first valve positioned in the vent passageway, the first valve being moveable between opened and closed positions, the first valve being moveable from the opened position toward the closed position by liquid fuel rising in the fuel tank, and

a second valve positioned in the bypass passageway, the second valve being moveable between opened and closed positions, the second valve being moveable from the closed position toward the opened position by pressure in the fuel tank having a magnitude greater than a pre-determined pressure, the first valve including a blocker positioned to abut the second valve to prevent the second valve from opening when the first valve is in its closed position and spaced apart from the second valve to permit the second valve to open when the first valve is in its opened position.

6. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the first valve includes a first member and a second member, the first member is formed to include a vent aperture and is movable relative to the valve housing between a restriction position to restrict the vent passageway and an opened position, the second member includes the blocker and is movable relative to the first member between a closed position to close the vent aperture and an opened position to permit flow through the vent aperture.

7. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 6, wherein the blocker is positioned to lie below the second valve and extends through the vent aperture to abut the second valve when the second member is in its closed position.

8. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 6, wherein the valve housing includes a wall formed to include a wall aperture extending from the bypass passageway to the vent passageway, the second valve extends through the wall aperture and includes a closure portion positioned to lie in the vent passageway and a spring positioned to lie in the bypass passageway.

9. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the closure portion is spaced apart from the wall when the first member is in its restriction position, the second member is in its opened position to open the vent aperture, and fuel vapor is pressurized to a predetermined level to permit fuel vapor to discharge from the bypass passageway into the vent passageway through the wall aperture.

10. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the valve housing includes a wall formed to include a wall aperture extending from the bypass passageway to the vent passageway, the second valve includes a spring positioned to lie in the bypass passageway and a closure portion spaced apart from the spring and positioned to lie in the vent passageway, and the closure portion is movable between a normally closed position in which the closure portion blocks fuel vapor from flowing through the wall aperture and an opened position in which the closure portion permits fuel vapor to flow through the wall aperture.

11. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the spring biases the closure portion to the normally closed position, the closure portion abuts the wall in the normally closed position, and the closure portion is spaced apart from the wall in the opened position.

12. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the wall is horizontal and is positioned to lie between the spring and the closure portion, and the closure portion is positioned to lie below the spring.

13. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the second valve includes a stem and guide flanges extending radially outwardly from the stem, the stem includes a first end coupled to the closure portion and a second end spaced apart from the first end, and the stem and the guide flanges extend through the wall aperture.

14. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 13, wherein the second valve includes a cap positioned to lie in the bypass passageway and formed to include a cap aperture, the second end of the stem is positioned to lie in the cap aperture, and the spring abuts the wall and the cap.

15. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the blocker is coaxial with the second valve.

16. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the blocker is positioned to lie directly below the second valve.

17. The vapor control valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the blocker includes a first end and a second end and the blocker is tapered from the first end to the second end.

18. A fuel vapor recovery system comprising

a housing formed to include a first chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel tank, a second chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel vapor recovery canister, a first aperture, and a second aperture, the first and second apertures being in communication with the first and second chambers,

a first valve movable relative to the first aperture to a limited flow position to limit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber,

a second valve movable relative to the first valve to an opened position to permit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber when the first valve is in the limited flow position and to a closed position to prohibit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber when the first valve is in the limited flow position, and

a third valve biased to normally close the second aperture to prohibit flow from the first chamber through the second aperture to the second chamber and configured to open the second aperture to permit fuel vapor to flow from the first chamber through the second aperture to the second chamber for discharge into the fuel vapor recovery canister when the first valve is in the limited flow position and the second valve is in the opened position, the second and third valves being positioned to lie in coaxial relation to one another.

19. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 18, wherein the first valve is positioned to lie in coaxial relation to the second and third valves.

20. A fuel vapor recovery system comprising

a housing formed to include a first chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel tank, a second chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel vapor recovery canister, a first aperture, and a second aperture, the first and second apertures being in communication with the first and second chambers,

a first valve movable relative to the first aperture to a limited flow position to limit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber,

a second valve movable relative to the first valve to an opened position to permit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber when the first valve is in the limited flow position and to a closed position to prohibit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber when the first valve is in the limited flow position, and

a third valve biased to normally close the second aperture to prohibit flow from the first chamber through the second aperture to the second chamber and configured to open the second aperture to permit fuel vapor to flow from the first chamber through the second aperture to the second chamber for discharge into the fuel vapor recovery canister when the first valve is in the limited flow position and the second valve is in the opened position, the first and second apertures and the third valve being positioned to lie in coaxial relation to one another.

21. A fuel vapor recovery system comprising

a housing formed to include a first chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel tank, a second chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel vapor recovery canister, a first aperture, and a second aperture, the first and second apertures being in communication with the first and second chambers,

a first valve movable relative to the first aperture to a limited flow position to limit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber,

a second valve movable relative to the first valve to an opened position to permit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber when the first valve is in the limited flow position and to a closed position to prohibit flow from the first chamber through the first aperture to the second chamber when the first valve is in the limited flow position, and

a third valve biased to normally close the second aperture to prohibit flow from the first chamber through the second aperture to the second chamber and configured to open the second aperture to permit fuel vapor to flow from the first chamber through the second aperture to the second chamber for discharge into the fuel vapor recovery canister when the first valve is in the limited flow position and the second valve is in the opened position, and

a blocker coupled to the second valve, the blocker being positioned to abut the third valve when the second valve is in its closed position, the blocker being positioned to lie in spaced apart relation to the third valve when the second valve is in its opened position.

22. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 21, wherein the first valve is formed to include a vent aperture and the blocker extends through the vent aperture into the second chamber to abut the third valve.

23. A fuel tank vent system comprising

a first conductor configured to provide a vent passageway,

a second conductor configured to provide a bypass passageway and coupled to the first conductor,

a first valve movable to a restriction position to restrict flow of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a canister through the vent passageway of the first conductor, the first valve being formed to include a vent aperture,

a second valve movable to a closed position to close the vent aperture formed in the first valve and to an opened position to open the vent aperture formed din the first valve,

means for communicating pressurized fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the vent passageway of the first conductor through the bypass passageway of the second conductor when the first valve is in its restriction position and the second valve is in its opened position so that fuel vapor is discharged from the fuel tank through the vent aperture formed in the first valve and the bypass passageway of the second conductor, and

means for prohibiting flow through the bypass passageway to the vent passageway when the first valve is in its restriction position and the second valve is in its closed position.

24. The fuel tank vent system of claim 23, wherein the first and second conductors cooperate to form a wall formed to include a wall aperture extending from the bypass passageway to the vent passageway, the communicating means includes a third valve extending through the wall aperture and movable between a normally closed position in which the third valve blocks fuel vapor from flowing through the wall aperture and an opened position in which the third valve permits fuel vapor to flow through the wall aperture.

25. The fuel tank vent system of claim 24, wherein the third valve includes a spring positioned to lie in the bypass passageway and a closure portion spaced apart from the spring and positioned to lie in the vent passageway, the spring biases the closure portion to the normally closed position in which the closure portion abuts the wall to close the wall aperture, and the closure portion is spaced apart from the wall in the opened position to open the wall aperture.

26. The fuel tank vent system of claim 25, wherein the wall is horizontal and is positioned to lie between the spring and the closure portion, and the closure portion is positioned to lie below the spring.

27. The fuel tank vent system of claim 25, wherein the closure portion is spaced apart from the wall to open the wall aperture when the first valve is in its restriction position, the second valve is in its opened position to open the vent aperture, and fuel vapor is pressurized to a level so that fuel vapor discharges from the bypass passageway through the wall aperture to the vent passageway.

28. The fuel tank vent system of claim 25, wherein the third valve includes a stem and guide flanges extending radially outwardly from the stem, the stem includes a first end coupled to the closure portion and a second end spaced apart from the first end, and the stem and the guide flanges extend through the wall aperture.

29. The fuel tank vent system of claim 28, wherein the third valve includes a cap positioned to lie in the bypass passageway and formed to include a cap aperture, and the second end of the stem is positioned to lie in the cap aperture.

30. The fuel tank vent system of claim 28, wherein the spring includes a first end abutting the wall and a second end abutting the cap.

31. The fuel tank vent system of claim 24, wherein the prohibiting means is coupled to and movable with the second valve and is positioned to extend through the vent aperture.

32. The fuel tank vent system of claim 31, wherein the prohibiting means abuts the third valve when the first valve is in its restriction position and the second valve is in its closed position to maintain the third valve in its normally closed position to prohibit flow from the bypass passageway to the vent passageway.

33. The fuel tank vent system of claim 31, wherein the prohibiting means is positioned to lie in coaxial relation to the third valve.

34. The fuel tank vent system of claim 23, wherein the communicating means is positioned to lie in coaxial relation to the second valve.

35. A fuel vapor recovery system comprising

a housing formed to include a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first aperture in communication with the first chamber and the third chamber, a second aperture in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and a third aperture in communication with the second chamber and the third chamber,

a first valve formed to include a vent aperture and movable in the first chamber to restrict flow through the first aperture,

a second valve movable in the first chamber relative to the first valve to open the vent aperture to permit flow through the vent aperture and to close the vent aperture to prohibit flow through the vent aperture and the first aperture when the first valve is positioned to restrict flow through the first aperture, and

a third valve movable through the third aperture in the second and third chambers to permit fuel vapor to flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through the third aperture when the first valve is positioned to restrict flow through the first aperture and the second valve is positioned to open the vent aperture, the second and third valves being positioned to lie on a common axis.

36. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 35, wherein the first valve is positioned to lie on the common axis.

37. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 36, wherein each of the first, second, and third valves are movable along the common axis.

38. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 36, wherein each of the first and third apertures is positioned to lie on the common axis.

39. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 35, wherein at least a portion of the first chamber is positioned to lie below the third chamber and at least a portion of the second chamber is positioned to lie above the third chamber.

40. A fuel vapor recovery system comprising

a housing formed to include a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first aperture in communication with the first chamber and the third chamber, a second aperture in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and a third aperture in communication with the second chamber and the third chamber,

a first valve formed to include a vent aperture and movable in the first chamber to restrict flow through the first aperture,

a second valve movable in the first chamber relative to the first valve to open the vent aperture to permit flow through the vent aperture and to close the vent aperture to prohibit flow through the vent aperture and the first aperture when the first valve is positioned to restrict flow through the first aperture, and

a third valve movable through the third aperture in the second and third chambers to permit fuel vapor to flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through the third aperture when the first valve is positioned to restrict flow through the first aperture and the second valve is positioned to open the vent aperture, the first aperture, the third aperture, and at least one of the second valve and the third valve being positioned to lie on a common axis.

41. A fuel vapor recovery system comprising

a housing formed to include a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first aperture in communication with the first chamber and the third chamber, a second aperture in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and a third aperture in communication with the second chamber and the third chamber,

a first valve formed to include a vent aperture and movable in the first chamber to restrict flow through the first aperture,

a second valve movable in the first chamber relative to the first valve to open the vent aperture to permit flow through the vent aperture and to close the vent aperture to prohibit flow through the vent aperture and the first aperture when the first valve is positioned to restrict flow through the first aperture,

a third valve movable through the third aperture in the second and third chambers to permit fuel vapor to flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through the third aperture when the first valve is positioned to restrict flow through the first aperture and the second valve is positioned to open the vent aperture, and

a blocker coupled to the second valve and configured to contact the third valve so that the third valve closes the third aperture to prohibit flow through the third aperture when the second valve closes the vent aperture.

42. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 41, wherein the blocker extends through the vent aperture and the first aperture into the third chamber and is movable with the second valve.

43. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 41, wherein the blocker extends through the vent aperture and includes a first end fixed to the second valve and a second end spaced apart from the second valve to contact the third valve in the third chamber.

44. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 43, wherein the blocker is tapered between the first and second ends of the blocker to adjust the flow through the vent aperture.

45. The fuel vapor recovery system of claim 41, wherein the blocker is positioned to lie in coaxial relation to the second and third valves.