US3586016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel tank liquid vapor separator system having attitude sensing means
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1970-01-22
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1990-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Electrical switches actuated by a liquid fuel sensing device and by a pressure device are connected in series with each other and with a solenoid valve controlling fluid flow through a conduit connected to the upper interior of the fuel tank. The solenoid valve opens only when tank pressure exceeds a predetermined minimum and the conduit opening is free of liquid fuel. A fuel tank attitude sensing mechanism prevents the valve from opening whenever tank attitude varies from normal tank attitude by some predetermined amount.
Inventors
- 👤 David O Meyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:33
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/22; B65D90/32; B65D90/34; F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/08; G; G05; G05D; G05D16/00; G05D16/20; G05D16/2006; G05D16/2013; F02M2025/0845; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0753; Y10T137/0777; Y10T137/0874; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3084; Y10T137/309; Y10T137/3099; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 1 in which the liquid fuel sensing means includes a buoyant means mounted movably in the opening of the conduit, said buoyant means moving from a rest position to a buoyed position when liquid fuel is present at the conduit opening, and the attitude means includes a weight mounted to bear on said buoyant means only when tank attitude exceeds the predetermined variation, said weight then moving the buoyant means to its buoyed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 2 in which the liquid fuel sensing means comprises a magnetic means embedded in said buoyant means and the switch controlled by said liquid level sensing means is a magnetically actuated reed switch located where the magnetic field of said magnetic means actuates said switch when the buoyant means is in its rest position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 in which the attitude means comprises a mercury switch electrically in series with said electrically operated valve means, said mercury switch preventing opening of the valve means when fuel tank attitude exceeds said predetermined variation from normal tank attitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 4 in which said electrically operated valve means is normally closed and said mercury switch is also in series with the switches controlled by said pressure sensing means and said liquid fuel sensing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3242937A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |