Fluid handling – Control by change of position or inertia of system – Vent opening or closing on tipping container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-12
2001-11-20
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Control by change of position or inertia of system
Vent opening or closing on tipping container
C137S571000, C137S587000, C123S516000, C123S519000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318398
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of vehicle fuel systems and more specifically it is concerned with an expansion device (interchangeably referred to also as an expansion tank or an expansion canister).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle fuel systems comprise, among others, a fuel tank fitted with a filler neck, a variety of fuel valves, a tubing for supplying fuel to the ignition system and a fuel vapor treating system (typically a carbon recovery system—canister) to which fuel vapor from the fuel tank flows and is then used for enriching the fuel mixture fed to the ignition system.
Fuel fluid from the fuel tank flows via the one or more valves which are connected, via suitable tubing, to an expansion tank intermediate the fuel vapor recovery system and the tank.
The expansion tank receives fuel fluid flowing from the fuel tank which flow at a relatively high velocity owing to pressure and temperature changes, and thus vapor flowing from the fuel tank carries along with it also a considerable amount of fuel liquid in the form of droplets (as a result of venturi effect). The expansion vessel traps the fuel liquid and allows fuel vapor flow towards the vapor recovery system. The fuel liquid then returns back to the fuel tank via the tubing.
Expansion tanks are typically fitted with a roll over valve (ROV) whereby in case the vehicle rolls over, fuel liquid trapped in the expansion tank does not escape and cause hazardous risk. Alternatively there is fitted a fuel level limit valve (FLVV).
Prior art expansion tanks are made of a housing formed in a blow-molding process, as a single unit, with at least two nipples fitted thereto for connecting the respective tubing thereto. The attachment of the nipples to the housing and the attachment of the respective valve within the housing are carried out by welding, whereby the respective welding areas are not impermeable to fuel vapor, as now required in accordance with many safety and environmental standards. Other expansion tanks are made of metal and are thus expensive as they require more labor in manufacture thereof, in particular as welding is required.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an expansion tank for a vehicle's fuel system, which expansion tank is made of a plastic material and which nevertheless is essentially entirely impermeable to fuel vapor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention calls for an expansion tank usable in a vehicle's fuel system, which expansion tank is entirely made of molded plastic material and is essentially entirely impermeable to fuel vapor.
According to the present invention there is provided a fuel expansion device for a vehicle fuel tank, the device comprising a housing formed of a first housing member and a second housing member; said first and second members being made of an essentially impermeable material and being sealingly and impermeably attached to one another; at least one inlet port for fuel fluid ingress formed in said first member and being in flow communication with the fuel tank; an outlet port formed in said second member and connectable to a fuel fluid handling device.
Typically, the first housing member and the second housing member are formed with mating surfaces which are welded to one another at said surfaces in a sealed and impermeable manner, whereby the housing is essentially entirely impermeable to fuel vapor. Such welding is carried out e.g. by a heat welding or ultrasonic welding process.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second housing members are formed by an injection molding process during which the inlets and outlets ports as well as the mating surfaces are integrally formed with the housing mnembers. Also, the receptacle receiving the respective valve within the housing, is integrally formed therewith.
The present invention calls also for a fuel system comprising a fuel tank, one or more fuel fluid outlets from said fuel tank, a fuel recovery device and a fuel expansion device extending between the fuel fluid outlets and the fuel recovery device, said expansion device comprising a housing formed of a first housing member and a second housing member; said first and second members being made of an essentially non-permeable material and being sealingly attached to one another; at least one inlet port for fuel fluid ingress formed in said first member and being in flow communication with the one or more fuel fluid outlets; an outlet port formed in said second member and connectable to the fuel recovery device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4815436 (1989-03-01), Sasaki et al.
patent: 4872439 (1989-10-01), Sonoda et al.
patent: 4962744 (1990-10-01), Uranishi et al.
patent: 5193511 (1993-03-01), Fujino
patent: 5292922 (1994-03-01), Denz
patent: 6000426 (1999-12-01), Tuckey et al.
Ehrman Moshe
Moalem Zohar
Orenstein Udi
McShane Thomas L.
Raviv Precision Injection Molding
Rivell John
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