Vehicle fuel system
First Claim
1. A fuel system, comprising:
- a fuel tank having at least one opening into an interior of the fuel tank;
an electrically operated vent valve having an inlet in communication with the interior of the fuel tank and an outlet through which fuel vapor is vented from the fuel tank, the vent valve being movable at least in part in response to an electric signal between an open position to allow fuel vapor to flow from the interior of the fuel tank through the outlet and a closed position to restrict fuel vapor flow through the outlet;
a float that is movable in response to the movement of the vent valve between a position spaced from the outlet and a position at least substantially restricting fluid flow through the outlet; and
a controller operably communicated with the vent valve to control application of an electric signal to the vent valve and thereby control at least in part the movement of the vent valve between its open and closed positions.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel system with a fuel tank having at least one opening into an interior of the fuel tank, and an electrically operated vent valve having an inlet communicated with the interior of the fuel tank and an outlet for venting fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The vent valve is movable in response to an electric signal between an open position allowing fuel vapor through the outlet and a closed position to restrict fluid flow through the outlet. A controller is operably communicated with the vent valve to control application of an electric signal to the vent valve and thereby control at least in part the movement of the vent valve between its open and closed positions. In one embodiment the controller is responsive to a fill level in the fuel tank to control the position of the vent valve and thereby the fill level attained within the fuel tank.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A fuel system, comprising:
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a fuel tank having at least one opening into an interior of the fuel tank; an electrically operated vent valve having an inlet in communication with the interior of the fuel tank and an outlet through which fuel vapor is vented from the fuel tank, the vent valve being movable at least in part in response to an electric signal between an open position to allow fuel vapor to flow from the interior of the fuel tank through the outlet and a closed position to restrict fuel vapor flow through the outlet; a float that is movable in response to the movement of the vent valve between a position spaced from the outlet and a position at least substantially restricting fluid flow through the outlet; and a controller operably communicated with the vent valve to control application of an electric signal to the vent valve and thereby control at least in part the movement of the vent valve between its open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A vent valve for controlling the fuel level and venting of a fuel tank, comprising:
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a housing having an outlet operably communicated with fluid within a fuel tank; an electrically operated valve element carried by the housing, and movable in response to application of an electric signal to the valve for movement between a first position and a second position; and a float received in the housing for movement relative to the outlet in response to movement of the valve element, the float being movable between an open position permitting fluid flow through the outlet and a closed position at least substantially restricting fluid flow through the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification