The present invention relates to a fuel inlet valve that covers an opening in a fuel tank, and more particularly to a fuel inlet valve containing multiple apertures associated with components in a fuel emissions system.
A vehicle fuel emissions system may include multiple components, such as valves, disposed inside a fuel tank and vented outside the tank through corresponding apertures through the fuel tank. The fuel tank may also include additional apertures corresponding to, for example, fuel lines, purge nipples, ports, and other system components.
To minimize emissions, the system should have a low level of permeability to both liquid fuel and fuel vapor. Each opening, or “penetration,” formed in the fuel tank to accommodate the apertures also creates a permeation path, and the permeability of the fuel tank increases as the number of permeation paths increase. Thus, it is desirable to reduce the number of fuel tank penetrations, especially in view of the particularly strict emissions requirements for Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV) and Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEV). On the other hand, there still needs to be a sufficient number of fuel tank penetrations to accommodate all of the apertures needed to link the fuel tank with the other components in the emissions system.
There is a desire for an arrangement that can provide multiple apertures to accommodate multiple components in the fuel system without increasing the permeability of the fuel tank.
A fuel inlet valve for a fuel tank according to one embodiment may include a flange that is attachable to the fuel tank and a first aperture and a second aperture formed in the flange. The inlet valve may also include a fuel valve associated with the first aperture and a fill pipe nipple associated with the first aperture. The fuel valve and the fill pipe nipple may form a fuel path through the first aperture. The inlet valve may also have at least one nipple associated with the second aperture and connectable to said at least one nipple is connectable to a purge line, a fuel pump, or a fuel line.
A fuel inlet valve for a fuel tank according to another embodiment may include a flange that is attachable to the fuel tank and an aperture formed in the flange. A fuel valve and a fill pipe nipple may both be associated with the first aperture to form a fuel path through the first aperture. The inlet valve may also include at least one purge nipple extending at an angle from a base of the fuel pipe nipple.
The inlet valve 10 of
The flange 16 may have any appropriate shape, such as a round or oval shape, depending on the configuration of other elements in the inlet valve 10 as described in greater detail below.
In the embodiment shown in
The ICV 20b may have or be associated with a fill pipe nipple 20c to allow connection of a fill pipe (not shown). In this embodiment, the ICV 20b is also connected to the fuel line nipple 20c disposed outside the tank, thereby creating a fuel path. The fill pipe nipple 20c may also have an associated barb 22 to provide a more secure connection. The ICV 20b itself may have any configuration that allows it to act as a check valve. The ICV 20b shown in the Figures includes a flapper 24 to be disposed inside the fuel tank, but the ICV 20b may have other closure mechanisms without departing from the scope of the invention.
Since the purge nipples 20a, 20a′ and the ICV 20b are both disposed in the same flange 16, the flange 16 provides two apertures associated with three elements (i.e., the purge nipples 20a, 20a′, the ICV 20b, and the fill pipe nipple 20c) while allowing only one opening/penetration 16 in the fuel tank. As a result, the inlet valve 10 provides multiple apertures through the fuel tank without increasing the number of fuel tank openings 16 that could increase the permeability of the fuel tank.
Note that although the embodiment of
The purge nipples 20a, 20a′ together may form an elbow 28, creating a curved purge path. A portion of the elbow 28 may extend into the fuel path formed by the ICV 20b and the fill pipe nipple 20c, as shown in
While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
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Entry |
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European Patent Office, International Search Report and Written Opinion in corresponding PCT/US2012/039398. Date of Mailing: Sep. 11, 2012. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120298228 A1 | Nov 2012 | US |