Fuel tank venting control valve assembly

Claim 1

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for delivering fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the blocking means to apply a closing pressure to the blocking means to assist in moving the blocking means to the flow-blocking position, and means for using pressurized fuel vapor from the filler neck to selectively block flow of fuel vapor through the delivery means so that delivery of pressurized fuel vapor to the blocking means is controlled to control movement of the blocking means between the flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions.

Claim 2

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for delivering fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the blocking means to apply a closing pressure to the blocking means to assist in moving the blocking means to the flow-blocking position, and means for using pressurized fuel vapor from the filler neck to selectively block flow of fuel vapor through the delivery means so that delivery of pressurized fuel vapor to the blocking means is controlled to control movement of the blocking means between the flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions.

Claim 9

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising a housing defining an interior region and formed to include an outlet aperture, first conducting means extending within the interior region for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the interior region, first blocking means disposed within the interior region for selectively blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the first conducting means, the first blocking means being operable between a closed position preventing flow from the first conducting means to the interior region and opened positions allowing flow from the first conducting means to the interior region, the first blocking means being positioned to receive a closing pressure from the filler neck and an opening pressure from the first conducting means so that the first blocking means moves to the open position when the opening pressure exceeds the closing pressure by at least a predetermined amount, second conducting means extending within the interior region for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the outlet aperture, and second blocking means disposed within the interior region for selectively blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the second conducting means, the second blocking means being operable between a closed position preventing flow of vapor through the outlet aperture and opened positions allowing flow of vapor through the outlet aperture, the second blocking means being positioned to receive a closing pressure from the interior region and an opening pressure from the second conducting means.

Claim 10

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising a housing defining an interior region and formed to include an outlet aperture, first conducting means extending within the interior region for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the interior region, first blocking means disposed within the interior region for selectively blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the first conducting means, the first blocking means being operable between a closed position preventing flow from the first conducting means to the interior region and opened positions allowing flow from the first conducting means to the interior region, the first blocking means being positioned to receive a closing pressure from the filler neck and an opening pressure from the first conducting means so that the first blocking means moves to the open position when the opening pressure exceeds the closing pressure by at least a predetermined amount, second conducting means extending within the interior region for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the outlet aperture, and second blocking means disposed within the interior region for selectively blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the second conducting means, the second blocking means being operable between a closed position preventing flow of vapor through the outlet aperture and opened positions allowing flow of vapor through the outlet aperture, the second blocking means being positioned to receive a closing pressure from the interior region and an opening pressure from the second conducting means.

Claim 16

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, and a housing defining an interior region, the actuating means being positioned in the interior region and cooperating with the housing to define a vapor flow channel in communication with the filler neck and separate from the conducting means.

Claim 17

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, and a housing defining an interior region, the actuating means being positioned in the interior region and cooperating with the housing to define a vapor flow channel in communication with the filler neck and separate from the conducting means.

Claim 18

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, and passageway means separate from the conducting means for interconnecting the filler neck and the actuating means.

Claim 19

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, and passageway means separate from the conducting means for interconnecting the filler neck and the actuating means.

Claim 20

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, and means for communicating an actuation signal between the filler neck and the actuating means without passing through the conducting means.

Claim 21

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, and means for communicating an actuation signal between the filler neck and the actuating means without passing through the conducting means.

Claim 22

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, and means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, the actuating means included a diaphragm assembly situated outside of the conducting means and means for yieldably biasing the diaphragm assembly toward its flow-blocking position.

Claim 23

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, means disposed in the conducting means for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means, the blocking means being operable between a flow-blocking position and flow-delivery positions, and means for actuating the blocking means in response to development of pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck so that the blocking means is actuated to move away from its flow-blocking position towards its flow-delivery position allowing discharge of fuel vapor through the conducting means to the fuel vapor treatment site when the pressure of fuel vapor in the filler neck exceeds a predetermined level, the actuating means included a diaphragm assembly situated outside of the conducting means and means for yieldably biasing the diaphragm assembly toward its flow-blocking position.

Claim 24

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck closable by a fuel cap engageable with the filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, a diaphragm assembly situated to block flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means and operable between an opened position allowing flow through the conducting means and a closed position preventing flow through the conducting means, means for using pressurized fuel vapor to move the diaphragm assembly to said opened position, and means for connecting the using means and the filler neck so that the diaphragm assembly moves to the closed position in response to removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.

Claim 25

An apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank having a filler neck closable by a fuel cap engageable with the filler neck, the apparatus comprising means for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a fuel vapor treatment site, a diaphragm assembly situated to block flow of fuel vapor through the conducting means and operable between an opened position allowing flow through the conducting means and a closed position preventing flow through the conducting means, means for using pressurized fuel vapor to move the diaphragm assembly to said opened position, and means for connecting the using means and the filler neck so that the diaphragm assembly moves to the closed position in response to removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.