US4679581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel tank vent valve
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1986-04-18
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2006-04-18
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a valve configuration including a spring balanced, semi buoyant valve head containing within it a ball in a vertical channel. Closure of the valve head against a valve seat permits the escape of vapors through the veritcal channel until the presence of liquid fuel closes the ball against a second seat.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Mears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/035; B60K15/03519; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/22; B65D90/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0753; Y10T137/0874; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3084; Y10T137/309; Y10T137/3099; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7838; Y10T137/7841
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A fuel tank vent valve comprising: (a) a hollow, elongated housing adapted to be positioned at a vertical or near vertical position within a liquid fuel tank, said housing having at its upper end a valve seat communicating with the exterior of said tank and having at least one port communicating with the interior of said tank; (b) a float slidably mounted within said housing and adapted to form a liquid-tight seal when seated against said valve seat of said hollow, elongated housing, and having an interior hollow channel communicating with the exterior of said tank when said float is seated against said valve seat and communicating with the port in said housing; (c) a ball positioned within said interior hollow channel adapted to seal said interior channel when said float is positioned against said valve seat of (c), said ball having a density greater than that of the liquid fuel present or to be present in the fuel tank; and (d) means for urging said float, upwardly against said valve seat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A fuel tank vent valve comprising: (a) a hollow, elongated housing adapted to be positioned at a vertical or near vertical position within a liquid fuel tank, said housing having at its upper end a valve seat communicating with the exterior of said tank and having at least one port communicating with the interior of said tank; (b) a float slidably mounted within said housing and adapted to form a liquid-tight seal when seated against said valve seat of said hollow, elongated housing, and having an interior hollow channel communicating with the exterior of said tank when said float is seated against said valve seat and communicating with the port in said housing; (c) a ball positioned within said interior hollow channel adapted to seal said interior channel when said float is positioned against said valve seat of (c), said ball having a density greater than that of the liquid fuel present or to be present in the fuel tank; and (d) means for urging said float, upwardly against said valve seat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fuel tank vent of claim 1 wherein said means for urging is a spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fuel tank vent valve of claim 1 wherein said interior hollow channel contains two balls, one ball being less dense than the liquid fuel and the second ball being more dense than said liquid fuel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fuel tank valve of claim 1 wherein said float has a conical exterior surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |