Tank ventilation device for a motor vehicle

• US 9,592,730 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2012
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Revink, Ingo, Just, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): PRICE, CRAIG JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/006,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20140007963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,824 Days
• Field of Search: 137/265, 137/266, 137/587, 137/588, 137/43, 137/202, 731/143.8, 731/143.9
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03289 Float valves; Floats therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03509 with a droplet separator in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03514 with vapor recovery means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03576 Venting during filling the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0458 Details of the tank inlet
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0493 Means for checking absence or presence of closure cap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting

Abstract

A tank ventilation device for a motor vehicle includes a ventilation line, connected on one side to an accumulator for gaseous hydrocarbons and connected on another side via a connection to a filling tube for filling a tank of the motor vehicle, wherein the ventilation line is connected to the tank so that gaseous hydrocarbons which are displaced during refueling are re-circulated toward the connection via the ventilation line, a device for applying a pressure on the ventilation line for carrying out a leakage test of the tank ventilation device, when the filling tube is closed with a closure device, and a float body provided in a region of the connection of the ventilation line to the filing tube for preventing entering of liquid fuel into the ventilation line.

Claims

1. A tank ventilation device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a ventilation line comprising a first branch and a second branch, wherein the first branch is connected via a connection to a filling tube for filling a tank of the motor vehicle and the second branch is connected to an accumulator for gaseous hydrocarbons, wherein the ventilation line is connected to the tank so that gaseous hydrocarbons which are displaced during refueling are re-circulated toward the connection into the filling tube via the ventilation line;

a device for applying a pressure to the ventilation line for performing a leakage test of the tank ventilation device, when the filling tube is closed by a closure device;

a float body provided in a chamber of the connection to the filing tube for preventing entering of liquid fuel into the ventilation line; and

a retention element constructed as a grid arranged across a width of the chamber of the connection and located always entirely below the float body, said retention element preventing the float body from moving out of the chamber.

2. The tank ventilation device of claim 1, wherein the connection includes an outlet, said outlet forming a valve seat for the float body.

3. The tank ventilation device of claim 2, wherein the float body is constructed spherical.

4. The tank ventilation device of claim 1, wherein the ventilation line is coupled with a liquid separator arranged on the tank, said liquid separator being fluidly connected with at least one operating ventilation device of the tank.

5. The tank ventilation device of claim 1, wherein the ventilation line includes a U-shaped region configured for passage underneath at least one component of the motor vehicle.