Receptacles – Closures – With condition responsive vent or valve
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-23
2001-07-17
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
With condition responsive vent or valve
C220S203260, C220S203280, C220S086200, C220SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260726
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a pressure and/or vacuum relief valve for fitting in a cap assembly for an automotive tank filler neck, with a substantially cylindrical valve housing, in which a valve spindle controlling a first valve gap is mounted axially movably, on which, if necessary, a sleeve controlling a second valve gap is guided axially movably.
In known pressure vacuum relief valves for fitting in tank cap assemblies, either no valve spindle whatsoever is included, or in other words the valve disk is pressed floatingly against the valve seat by a compression spring, or there is provided a valve spindle which is guided in the valve housing only at one end, or in other words is unsupported at the other end. In the first case, the valve seat can become defective. Even in the second case, problems with proper valve function have been observed in practice during continuous operation, although heretofore the causes thereof have not been recognized or closely investigated. Instead, it has been assumed that the valve seat deteriorates in the course of time.
The object of the invention is to provide a pressure and/or vacuum relief valve for fitting in a cap assembly for an automotive tank filler neck which retains its functional capability for a long period. This object is achieved according to the invention by the fact that the valve spindle passes through a central aperture in the upper end and a central aperture in the lower end of the valve housing and is axially guided by those apertures.
It is to the Applicant's credit that it was the first to have recognized that the defective valve function of the known designs is due to the fact that the severe shaking during vehicle operation eventually brings about “seizing” of the valve spindle in its bearing, if it is supported only at one end and projects without support at its other end. In contrast thereto, the valve spindle in the design according to the invention is axially guided at both ends, and so it remains completely mobile for a long period even in the presence of severe shaking.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve housing comprises an approximately pot-shaped container part of formed sheet metal and a substantially disk-shaped cover part of rigid material sealing this, the circumferential rim of which is embraced by the upper rim of the container part and together therewith forms the circumferential flange serving as means for anchoring in the cap assembly. This permits particularly inexpensive fabrication and at the same time provides a circumferential flange for anchoring the valve in the cap assembly.
Between container part and cover part there is preferably secured an annular sealing element, on which there bears, in a first annular region, a first valve disk carried by the valve spindle and, in a second, radially distinct annular region, a second valve disk carried by the sleeve. The use of a single annular sealing element for both the pressure relief valve and vacuum relief valve function in combination with the fastening means between the two valve housing parts permits further simplification of fabrication.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3715049 (1973-02-01), McMullen et al.
patent: 4458824 (1984-07-01), Baaker et al.
patent: 4498493 (1985-02-01), Harris
patent: 4498599 (1985-02-01), Avrea
patent: 4887733 (1989-12-01), Harris
patent: 5480055 (1996-01-01), Harris et al.
patent: 5794806 (1998-08-01), Harris et al.
patent: 5829620 (1998-11-01), Harris et al.
Muth Manfred Karl Joachim
Palvolgyi Sandor
Eloshway Niki M.
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Shoap Allan N.
Tesma Motoren- und Getriebetechnik Ges.mbH
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