Purge control valve and system

Claim 2

The combination with an internal combustion engine having an induction system, the induction system including a throttle, of fuel containing means associated with said engine, means connecting said fuel containing means with said induction system downstream of said throttle to draw fuel and crankcase vapors into the engine for burning, and a purge control valve connected in said connecting meaNs and arranged to normally permit vapor flow therethrough, said valve including electrically heated actuating means operable upon being electrically heated to temporarily shut off vapor flow through said connecting means and to gradually return to the normal flow condition upon cooling following termination of such electrical heating.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said purge control valve means is connected for actuation through means controlled by an engine starting signal.

Claim 4

In combination with an internal combustion engine having a crankcase and an induction system, the induction system including a throttle, fuel containing means associated with said engine, means connecting said fuel containing means with said crankcase to direct fuel vapors thereto for storage or disposal, first ventilating means connecting said crankcase with said induction system upstream of said throttle to supply ventilating air to said crankcase and to permit the relief of crankcase pressures into the induction system, second ventilating means connecting said crankcase with said induction system downstream of said throttle to draw fuel and crankcase vapors into the engine for burning, a purge control valve disposed in said second ventilating means and arranged to normally permit vapor flow therethrough, air conducting means connecting said purge control valve with said induction system upstream of said throttle, said valve connecting said air conducting means with said second ventilating means but normally blocking air flow through the connection, said purge control valve having electrically actuatable means operable upon electric actuation to temporarily close said second ventilating means to vapor flow from said crankcase while permitting air flow from said air conducting means into said second ventilating means, said valve means being operative upon termination of such electrical actuation to gradually return to said normal flow conditions

Claim 5

In combination with an internal combustion engine having a crankcase and an induction system, the induction system including a throttle, fuel containing means associated with said engine, means connecting said fuel containing means with said crankcase to direct fuel vapors thereto for storage or disposal, first ventilating means connecting said crankcase with said induction system upstream of said throttle to supply ventilating air to said crankcase and to permit the relief of crankcase pressures into the induction system, second ventilating means connecting said crankcase with said induction system downstream of said throttle to draw fuel and crankcase vapors into the engine for burning, a purge control valve disposed in said second ventilating means and arranged to normally permit vapor flow therethrough, air conducting means connecting said purge control valve with said induction system upstream of said throttle, said valve connecting said air conducting means with said second ventilating means but normally blocking air flow through the connection, said purge control valve having electrically actuatable means operable upon electric actuation to temporarily close said second ventilating means to vapor flow from said crankcase while permitting air flow from said air conducting means into said second ventilating means, said valve means being operative upon termination of such electrical actuation to gradually return to said normal flow conditions

Claim 6

A purge control valve in combination with an internal combustion engine having a crankcase utilized as a storage reservoir for fuel vapors during engine shutdown, an induction system having a throttle and electrical starting means, said purge control valve comprising a valve housing having first and second inlet means and an outlet means, said first inlet means being connected with said crankcase, said second inlet means being connected with said induction system upstream of said throttle and said outlet means being connected with said induction system downstream of said throttle, a valve element in said housing and movable between first and second positions in which flow to said outlet means is blocked from said second and first inlet means, respectively, while flow is permitted from the other of the respective inlet means, and electrically actuated operating means connecting with said valve element, said operating means being effective to normally maintain said valve element in said first position and said operating means being connected with said electrical starting means and responsive to an electrical signal therefrom to move said valve element into said second position, said operating means acting to gradually return said valve element to said first position following termination of said electrical signal.

Claim 7

A purge control valve in combination with an internal combustion engine having a crankcase utilized as a storage reservoir for fuel vapors during engine shutdown, an induction system having a throttle and electrical starting means, said purge control valve comprising a valve housing having first and second inlet means and an outlet means, said first inlet means being connected with said crankcase, said second inlet means being connected with said induction system upstream of said throttle and said outlet means being connected with said induction system downstream of said throttle, a valve element in said housing and movable between first and second positions in which flow to said outlet means is blocked from said second and first inlet means, respectively, while flow is permitted from the other of the respective inlet means, and electrically actuated operating means connecting with said valve element, said operating means being effective to normally maintain said valve element in said first position and said operating means being connected with said electrical starting means and responsive to an electrical signal therefrom to move said valve element into said second position, said operating means acting to gradually return said valve element to said first position following termination of said electrical signal.