Fuel-vapor discharge structure in a fuel tank for engine apparatus

• US 7,540,276 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Makino, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie; Mahmoud
• Application Number:
  US11/511,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20080178851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 123/520, 123/519, 123/518, 123/516, 137/840, 137/171, 137/179, 137/213, 137/216, 137/216.2, 137/583, 137/587, 137/588, 137/589, 137/43, 220/746
• US Class Current: 123/518
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 33/08 returning to the fuel tank

Abstract

A fuel tank has a fuel-vapor discharge structure in which the piping connecting to external equipment is not obtrusive. The fuel-vapor discharge structure allows the passage of fuel vapor between an upper space in the fuel tank and an induction system. The communication passage can be formed by a communication tube arranged vertically within the interior of the fuel tank and a connecting tube located outside the fuel tank. A lower portion of the fuel tank includes a one-way valve which allows fuel vapor to flow from the fuel tank to the induction system.

Claims

1. A fuel-vapor discharge structure for a fuel tank comprising:

a communication passage between an upper space of a fuel tank and outside of the fuel tank;

an extraction portion disposed at a bottom of the fuel tank, wherein a portion of the communication passage includes a conduit having an upper portion terminating at an open end of the conduit and a lower portion extending into the extraction portion so as to support the entire conduit within the fuel tank in an erect configuration;

an air induction system, wherein a distal end portion of the communication passage disposed outside the fuel tank is in flow communication with the air induction system so that fuel-vapor from the upper space enters the engine; and

a one-way valve disposed in the fuel tank and configured to allow fuel-vapor to pass from the conduit to the air induction system only when a fuel vapor pressure of the fuel vapor exceeds a predetermined pressure.

2. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the communication passage located between the extraction portion and the upper space is a communication tube having its axis oriented in a substantially vertical direction.

3. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 2 further comprising a cylindrical portion projecting downward from the bottom of the fuel tank, and wherein a lower end portion of the communication tube is connected to the cylindrical portion.

4. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 3 further comprising a recess, the recess being formed in the bottom of the fuel tank, and wherein the extraction portion is disposed within the recess.

5. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the communication tube on the outside of the fuel tank is formed with a connecting tube connected to the extraction portion.

6. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 1 further comprising a one-way valve disposed within the communication passage, the one-way valve being adapted to open when a fuel vapor pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

7. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 3, wherein the one-way valve is disposed within a hole in the extraction portion.

8. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the communication passage is in flow communication a portion of the air induction system disposed below the fuel tank.

9. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the air induction system is disposed directly beneath the fuel tank.

10. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 1, wherein the extraction portion comprises a cylindrical projection extending downwardly from a bottom of the fuel tank, the lower portion of the conduit being cylindrical and being fit into the cylindrical portion of the extraction portion so as to support the entire conduit within the fuel tank.

11. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 10, wherein the one-way valve is disposed within the cylindrical portion of the conduit which is disposed in the cylindrical portion of the extraction portion.

12. A fuel-vapor discharge system for a fuel tank comprising:

a communication passage between an inside and outside of a fuel tank, a portion of the communication passage being disposed within the fuel tank, the communication passage comprising a conduit having an upper portion terminating at an open end disposed in an upper portion of the fuel tank;

an extraction portion being disposed at the bottom of the fuel tank, wherein the conduit further comprises a lower portion extending into the extraction portion;

a one-way check valve disposed within the lower portion of the communication passage and configured to allow fuel vapor to pass only when a fuel vapor pressure of the fuel vapor exceeds a predetermined pressure; and

an induction system in flow communication with the communication passage.

13. The fuel-vapor discharge system according to claim 12, wherein the one-way check valve is disposed within the extraction portion.

14. The fuel-vapor discharge system according to claim 12, wherein the extraction portion is a separate member attached to the fuel tank.

15. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 12, wherein the induction system includes an air filter and a carburetor located downstream of the air filter.

16. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 12, wherein a portion of the communication passage between the inside and outside of the fuel tank has an axis that is disposed in a substantially vertical direction.

17. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the extraction portion is cylindrically shaped and projects from a bottom surface of the fuel tank in a downward direction.

18. The fuel-vapor discharge structure according to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the communication tube disposed outside the fuel tank includes a connecting tube, the connecting tube being connected to the extraction portion.

19. The fuel-vapor discharge structure in a fuel tank for an engine apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a one-way valve, the one-way valve being disposed in the communication passage and being configured to open when vapor pressure within the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined value.

20. The fuel-vapor discharge system according to claim 12, wherein the communication passage is in flow communication a portion of the air induction system disposed below the fuel tank.

21. The fuel-vapor discharge system according to claim 12, wherein the portion of the air induction system is disposed directly beneath the fuel tank.

27. The fuel tank according to claim 14, wherein the communication passage is in flow communication a portion of the air induction system disposed below the fuel tank.

22. A fuel tank for an engine generator comprising:

a lower surface;

an internal upper region;

a member having at least a portion disposed within the fuel tank, the portion including an internal passageway that extends between the upper region and the lower surface;

an extraction portion disposed on the lower surface and in flow communication with internal passageway, the portion of the member extending into the extraction portion so as to support the entire portion within the fuel tank and wherein a size of the extraction portion is configured to allow the portion of the member to be inserted into the fuel tank through the extraction portion; and

an air induction system in flow communication with the internal passageway so that fuel-vapor from the internal upper region enters the engine generator.

23. The fuel tank according to claim 22, wherein the extraction portion is integral to the fuel tank.

24. The fuel tank according to claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the member has an axis that is disposed in a substantially vertical direction.

25. The fuel tank according to claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the extraction portion has a cylindrically shape and projects from the lower surface in a downward direction.

26. The fuel tank according to claim 22 further comprising a one-way valve disposed within the extraction portion, the one-way valve being adapted to open when a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined value.

28. The fuel tank according to claim 22, wherein the portion of the air induction system is disposed directly beneath the fuel tank.

29. The fuel tank according to claim 22 additionally comprising a one-way check valve disposed within the portion of the member and the extraction portion.