Valve assembly for high-pressure fluid reservoir
First Claim
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1. A valve assembly configured for controlling fluid flow between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, each reservoir being arranged externally with respect to the valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
- a valve housing;
a relief valve arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a pressure inside the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value;
a solenoid assembly arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a second fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is above a predetermined reference value;
a flow restrictor arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a third fluid flow path inside the valve housing when the rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is below the predetermined reference value, and when the pressure inside the first reservoir is below a second predetermined pressure value;
a stop plate configured to limit travel of the piston toward the flow restrictor; and
a catch mechanism arranged inside the valve housing and operatively connected to the solenoid assembly;
wherein;
the solenoid assembly includes an armature configured to selectively open and close the flow restrictor;
the armature includes a piston and a plunger; and
the catch mechanism connects the piston to the plunger and is configured to permit the plunger to translate away from the flow restrictor such that the third fluid flow path is opened without displacing the piston.
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Abstract
A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between two reservoirs. The valve assembly includes a relief valve arranged inside the housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path when the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A valve assembly configured for controlling fluid flow between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, each reservoir being arranged externally with respect to the valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
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a valve housing; a relief valve arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a pressure inside the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value; a solenoid assembly arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a second fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is above a predetermined reference value; a flow restrictor arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a third fluid flow path inside the valve housing when the rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is below the predetermined reference value, and when the pressure inside the first reservoir is below a second predetermined pressure value; a stop plate configured to limit travel of the piston toward the flow restrictor; and a catch mechanism arranged inside the valve housing and operatively connected to the solenoid assembly; wherein; the solenoid assembly includes an armature configured to selectively open and close the flow restrictor; the armature includes a piston and a plunger; and the catch mechanism connects the piston to the plunger and is configured to permit the plunger to translate away from the flow restrictor such that the third fluid flow path is opened without displacing the piston. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An evaporative emissions control system comprising:
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a controller; a first reservoir; a second reservoir; and a valve assembly configured to control fluid flow between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, wherein each reservoir is arranged externally with respect to the valve assembly, the valve assembly including; a valve housing; a relief valve arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a pressure inside the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value; a solenoid assembly regulated by the controller, arranged inside the valve housing, and configured to open a second fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is above a predetermined reference value; a flow restrictor arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a third fluid flow path inside the valve housing when the rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is below the predetermined reference value, and when the pressure inside the first reservoir is below a second predetermined pressure value; a catch mechanism arranged inside the valve housing and operatively connected to the solenoid assembly; and a stop plate arranged inside the valve housing; wherein; the solenoid assembly includes an armature configured to selectively open and close the flow restrictor, and the armature includes a piston and a plunger; the catch mechanism connects the piston to the plunger and is configured to permit the plunger to translate away from the flow restrictor such that the third fluid flow path is opened without displacing the piston; and the stop plate is configured to limit travel of the piston toward the flow restrictor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification