Fuel tank valve assembly with a configurable mounting bracket

Abstract

A mounting bracket for a valve assembly for a fuel tank. The mounting bracket includes a bracket body configured to be releasably clamped around at least a portion of the valve assembly. The bracket body has an internal surface with a plurality of alignment features configured to mate with a plurality of receiving features on the portion of the valve assembly. The mounting bracket includes a pair of legs that respectively extend from distal ends of the bracket body. Each of the legs includes a mounting hole, the mounting holes of the pair of legs being aligned with each other and configured for receiving a fastener when the bracket body is clamped around the valve assembly. The plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the valve assembly.

Description

ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 1 of 19 Fuel Tank Valve Assembly with a Configurable Mounting Bracket TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to a valve assembly for a fuel tank, and particularly relates to a valve assembly with a configurable mounting bracket. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle’s fuel system is designed to manage both liquid fuel delivery and fuel vapor containment in accordance with evaporative emissions regulations. The fuel system of certain types of vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles, includes a fuel tank for storing liquid fuel, a valve assembly for controlling the vapor flow path from the tank, a vapor recovery canister for capturing fuel vapors that flow through the valve assembly, and a vehicle engine that consumes the fuel vapors released from the vapor recovery canister.

[0003] The valve assembly, which may be referred to as a fuel tank isolation valve, is designed to reduce vapor emissions from a vehicle’s fuel system and prevent undesirable operational issues. Integrated into the fuel tank assembly, the valve assembly allows fuel vapors to be temporarily stored within the tank itself, rather than routing them immediately to the vapor recovery canister. This internal trapping mechanism delays vapor flow and prevents premature loading of the canister, particularly during extended periods of vehicle inactivity or high-temperature conditions.

[0004] Such valve assemblies are critical components in modern vehicle evaporative emission control systems. However, integrating a valve assembly into a vehicle’s fuel system presents significant design challenges due to variability in fuel tank geometry, packaging constraints, and mounting requirements across different makes and models of vehicles. While it is technically feasible to design custom mounting structures tailored to each vehicle platform, such an approach incurs substantial costs in design, tooling, validation, and inventory management. These costs scale poorly as the number of vehicle variants increases. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments described here present a fuel tank valve assembly with a flexible mounting structure that addresses the foregoing problems, enabling a single mountable valveACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 2 of 19 assembly design to be mounted securely and effectively across a range of different vehicle architectures. This design approach reduces the need for platform-specific customization, simplifies manufacturing and logistics, and shortens time to market.

[0006] Certain features of the valve assembly are summarized by the clauses below.

[0007] Clause 1. A mounting bracket for a valve assembly, the mounting bracket comprising: a bracket body configured to be releasably clamped around at least a portion of the valve assembly, the bracket body having an internal surface with a plurality of alignment features configured to mate with a plurality of receiving features on the portion of the valve assembly; and a pair of legs that respectively extend from distal ends of the bracket body, each of the legs comprising a mounting hole, the mounting holes of the pair of legs being aligned with each other and configured for receiving a fastener when the bracket body is clamped around the valve assembly; wherein the plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the valve assembly.

[0008] Clause 2. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plurality of alignment features have rotational symmetry.

[0009] Clause 3. The mounting bracket of Clause 2, wherein an order of the rotational symmetry of the alignment features is two or four.

[0010] Clause 4. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plurality of receiving features have rotational symmetry.

[0011] Clause 5. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the valve assembly comprises an upper housing that houses a solenoid and is coupled to a lower housing, and the portion of the valve assembly to which the mounting bracket is configured to releasably clamp around is an exterior surface of the upper housing.

[0012] Clause 6. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the bracket body configured to clamp around the portion of the valve assembly is curved, and the pair of legs are substantially flat.

[0013] Clause 7. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the bracket body comprises relief cutouts at transition locations between the bracket body and the pair of legs, the relief cutouts are configured for providing clearance when a fastener is being fastened to the mounting holes.ACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 3 of 19

[0014] Clause 8. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the bracket body includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, wherein the first edge and second edge each comprise ribs that connect to the pair of legs.

[0015] Clause 9. The mounting bracket of Clause 8, wherein the ribs of the first edge and the ribs of the second edge are separated by a distance configured to provide clearance for a fastener fastened to the mounting holes.

[0016] Clause 10. The mounting bracket of Clause 9, wherein a width of each leg of the pair of legs is less than the distance between the ribs of the first edge and the ribs of the second edge.

[0017] Clause 11. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the bracket includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, wherein the plurality of alignment features are closer to the first edge than to the second edge.

[0018] Clause 12. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plurality of alignment features on the internal surface of the bracket body have corresponding indentations on an external surface of the bracket body.

[0019] Clause 13. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, further comprising: one or more compression limiters configured to be received by the mounting holes.

[0020] Clause 14. The mounting bracket of any one of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plurality of configurations include: a first configuration in which the pair of legs and a header of an upper housing of the valve assembly face a same direction; and a second configuration in which the pair of legs and the header of the upper housing face opposite directions.

[0021] Clause 15. A valve assembly for a fuel tank, comprising: an upper housing containing a solenoid and having an exterior surface with a plurality of receiving features, wherein the plurality of receiving features have rotational symmetry and are configured to mate with a plurality of alignment features on an internal surface of a bracket body of a mounting bracket; a lower housing coupled to the upper housing, the lower housing having (a) an inlet configured to receive fuel vapor from a fuel tank and (b) an outlet configured to dispense the fuel vapor to a canister; and wherein the plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the upper housing.

[0022] Clause 16. The valve assembly of Clause 15, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing have a mating interface that permits the upper housing and the lower housing to be connected in a plurality of relative orientations.ACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 4 of 19

[0023] Clause 17. A mountable valve assembly for a fuel tank, comprising: a valve assembly comprising: an upper housing containing a solenoid and having an exterior surface with a plurality of receiving features; and a lower housing coupled to the upper housing, the lower housing having (a) an inlet configured to receive fuel vapor from a fuel tank and (b) an outlet configured to dispense the fuel vapor to a canister; and a mounting bracket comprising a bracket body configured to be releasably clamped around at least a portion of the upper housing of the valve assembly, the bracket body having an internal surface with a plurality of alignment features configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features on the upper housing; wherein the plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the valve assembly.

[0024] Clause 18. The mountable valve assembly of Clause 17, wherein: the plurality of alignment features have rotational symmetry, and the plurality of receiving features have rotational symmetry;

[0025] Clause 19. The mountable valve assembly of any one of Clauses 17 and 18, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a pair of legs that respectively extend from distal ends of the bracket body, each of the legs comprising a mounting hole, the mounting holes of the pair of legs being aligned with each other and configured for receiving a fastener when the bracket body is clamped around the valve assembly.

[0026] Clause 20. The mountable valve assembly of any one of Clauses 17-19, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing have a mating interface that permits the upper housing and the lower housing to be connected in a plurality of orientations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments in accordance with this disclosure will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] FIG.1 illustrates an example of a mountable valve assembly, including a mounting bracket coupled to a valve assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0029] FIG.2A illustrates a standalone view of the mounting bracket, specifically showing its various components.

[0030] FIG.2B illustrates a standalone valve assembly without the mounting bracket.ACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 5 of 19

[0031] FIG.3 illustrates a mountable valve assembly mounted in place to an example of a mounting site within a vehicle.

[0032] FIGs. 4-7 illustrate different assembly combinations of the mountable valve assembly. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Fuel tank isolation valve assemblies are commonly used to regulate the flow of fuel vapors between a vehicle’s fuel tank and components of the fueling system, such as a vapor recovery canister. These assemblies are typically mounted at a location between the fuel tank and the vapor canister using a dedicated mounting structure. In conventional designs, the mounting structure is either integrated with or permanently fixed to the valve body—such as through ultrasonic welding or molding—rendering it immovable after manufacture. However, because vehicle platforms differ widely in their design specifications and spatial constraints, the mounting and packaging requirements for fuel tank isolation valve assemblies can vary significantly from one vehicle to another.

[0034] Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide an improved mountable valve assembly featuring a versatile and easily adjustable mounting bracket designed to accommodate a wide range of vehicle platforms. The mounting bracket offers flexibility in both orientation and position relative to the valve assembly, enabling repeatable alignment and secure installation across different packaging constraints. This adaptable design further helps maintain a compact overall footprint while meeting the varying spatial and mounting requirements of different vehicles.

[0035] The mounting bracket described herein incorporates design features that streamline the assembly process. It offers sufficient clearance for tooling, ensuring compatibility with existing equipment and fasteners, while also accommodating manual assembly operations. The structure is engineered to be robust, capable of withstanding high mechanical loads as well as harsh thermal and vibration environments typically encountered in automotive applications. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments may include various combinations of dimensional and geometric enhancements that improve the positioning and securement of the valve assembly, contributing to both reliability and ease of installation.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mountable valve assembly 101, which includes a valve assembly 100 coupled to a mounting bracket 102. In certain embodiments, theACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 6 of 19 valve assembly 100 comprises an upper housing 108 and a lower housing 110, which are removably connected. The upper housing 108 may contain a solenoid assembly configured to selectively actuate one or more valve components within the valve assembly 100. A header 112 positioned on the upper housing 108 facilitates connection to an electrical connector that supplies power and control signals to the solenoid. The lower housing 110 houses the valve components and includes an inlet 104 and an outlet 106. When integrated into a fuel tank system, the inlet 104 may be fluidly connected to the fuel tank to receive fuel vapors therefrom. The outlet 106 may be connected to a canister that captures and redirects fuel vapors to the engine. As fuel vapor flows into the valve assembly 100 through the inlet 104, valve components within the valve assembly selectively permit the fuel vapor to pass to the outlet 106 so that it may dispense the fuel vapor to the canister. As shown, the inlet 104 and outlet 106 may be arranged transversely, with their respective axes oriented approximately 90° to each other. However, other configurations are also contemplated, including a parallel arrangement where the axes are aligned at approximately 180°.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the mounting bracket 102 is configured to couple with the upper housing 108 of the valve assembly 100, enabling secure installation within existing mounting locations of a vehicle’s fueling system. A key advantage of this design is its adjustable orientation: the mounting bracket 102 can be rotated relative to the valve assembly 100 and fixed in the desired position once fastened. For instance, while FIG. 1 depicts the bracket facing the same direction as the header 112 of the upper housing 108, it may alternatively be reoriented to face the opposite direction. This flexibility allows the valve assembly to be mounted in a variety of positions, accommodating diverse vehicle layouts and packaging constraints. Although described here as bi-directional, the mounting bracket may be configured at any suitable angle around the valve assembly, ranging from 0 to 360 degrees, depending on the alignment features that will be described in further detail below. This flexible orientation feature enables the mountable valve assembly 101 to adapt to a wide range of fuel system architectures.

[0038] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of the mounting bracket 102 in isolation. In certain embodiments, the mounting bracket 102 is configured as a substantially collar-like structure designed to clamp around the valve assembly 100, securing the components together. The mounting bracket 102 may be constructed from materials that exhibit both stiffness and elasticity—such as plastic or polyurethane—allowing it to flex open at one end and conform around the sidewalls of the valve assembly 100. For example, as shown in FIG.1, the mountingACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 7 of 19 bracket 102 is clamped around the upper housing 108 of the valve assembly, positioned between the header 112 of the upper housing 108 and the inlet 104 of the lower housing 110. This configuration enables a secure fit while accommodating variations in assembly geometry and installation requirements.

[0039] The mounting bracket 102 may include a bracket body 202 and a pair of legs 208, 210. The bracket body 202 features an internal surface geometry tailored to conform to the exterior surface of the valve assembly 101 to which it is secured. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG.1, the side of the upper housing 108 is substantially cylindrical, so the bracket body 202 is designed with a generally cylindrical interior surface to ensure a snug fit around the upper housing 108. The bracket body 202 is substantially continuous but terminates at two open ends 204, 206. From these ends 204, 206, two integrally formed legs 208, 210 extend radially in a generally uniform direction. The spacing between the legs is flexibly adjustable due to the elastic properties of the bracket material. When an outward force is applied to the legs, the mounting bracket 102 expands, allowing it to be positioned around the valve assembly 100. Upon release, the mounting bracket’s 102 elasticity causes the legs 208, 210 to contract, securing the bracket body 202 around the valve assembly 101. These legs 208, 210 also serve as attachment points for fastening the mounting bracket 102 to designated locations within the vehicle’s fuel system.

[0040] Each of the legs 208 and 210 may include a mounting hole 212 configured to receive a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, or other suitable mechanical fastener. When the legs are brought into close proximity, the mounting holes 212 align to allow secure fastening of the mounting bracket 102—and by extension, the valve assembly 100—to a designated installation site within the vehicle’s fuel system. As shown, the mounting holes 212 may be positioned near the center of the legs 208, 210, allowing the mounting holes 212 to be arranged as close as possible to the valve assembly 100 while still providing enough space for accessing the fastener components. This center position may be helpful to reduce torque, stress, loading, etc., making the overall structure less susceptible to vibration and reducing the likelihood of breakage, especially considering that the mounting holes 212 would support a substantial weight of the valve assembly 100 when mounted in place. Moreover, it may be beneficial from a packaging perspective since this geometry offers a relatively compact size, especially along the lateral direction.

[0041] In particular embodiments, compression sleeves (such as the compression sleeve 114 in FIG.1, which, for example, may be made of metal) may be optionally configured insideACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 8 of 19 the mounting holes 212 for structure enhancement, protecting the mounting holes 212 from the torquing that may occur during tightening of the fasteners. As an example and not by way of limitation, the compression sleeve 114 (which may also be referred to as a compression limiter) may be two separate pieces as shown, one mounted on leg 208, and the other on leg 210. Alternatively, the compression sleeve 114 may be a one-piece component that connects between the legs 208 and 210. As an example and not by way of limitation, the compression sleeve 114 may be a rolled form or a barrel form as shown. Alternatively, the compression sleeve 114 may be flanged on one or both ends or configured with any other suitable geometries for retaining or protecting the legs 208 and 210. As an example and not by way of limitation, the compression sleeve 114 may stay flush with the mounting holes 212 at the legs 208 and 210. Alternatively, the compression sleeve 114 may extend beyond the surface of the legs 208 and 210, for example, to accommodate other suitable components such as a grommet used for isolation (e.g., sound or vibration dampening). Moreover, washers, nuts, and other suitable fastening features may be provided along with the fastener to help secure the valve assembly 100 in place and prevent damage to the mounting bracket 102.

[0042] In certain embodiments, a relief cutout 214 may optionally be provided on the bracket body 202, substantially adjacent to each leg 208 and 210. These relief cutouts 214 are strategically positioned near the transition regions where the legs 208, 210 connect to the bracket body 202, allowing for additional clearance during assembly or servicing operations. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the relief cutout 214 for leg 210 is visible. While the corresponding relief cutout 214 for leg 208 is not visible, it is symmetrically designed. The primary function of each relief cutout 214 is to provide space for tooling components such as sleeves, washers, or other assembly aids that may be used during the fastening process. To achieve this, the relief cutout 214 may be dimensioned to match or slightly exceed the expected diameter of the tooling sleeve or washer. Additionally, the relief cutout 214 may be designed to lie substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the legs 208, 218, aligning with the plane in which the tooling sleeve or washer is expected to operate. This alignment helps maintain a compact profile while ensuring that the bracket does not interfere with the fastening process. In some embodiments, the relief cutout may also serve to reduce localized stress concentrations at the leg junctions, further enhancing the structural resilience of the mounting bracket under load and vibration

[0043] For example, during installation of the valve assembly 100, a tooling sleeve may be employed to guide or apply torque to a fastener inserted through the mounting holes 212. These sleeves often have a relatively large outer diameter, as schematically represented by the dottedACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 9 of 19 circle 402 in FIG. 4. Without sufficient clearance, the bracket body 202 could obstruct the tooling sleeve, complicating assembly or risking damage to the bracket. While in an alternative design, the holes 212 may be positioned farther away from the bracket body 202 to provide clearance for the tooling sleeve, it is advantageous to have the holes 212 closer to reduce torque and stress on the mounting bracket 102. The relief cutout 214 thus mitigates this issue by offering a recessed area that accommodates the sleeve’s footprint, ensuring unobstructed access to the fastener and improving overall ergonomics during installation.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the mounting bracket 102 may include one or more structural ribs 216 positioned near the interface between the bracket body 202 and the legs 208 and 210. These ribs are strategically located at the corners where the legs transition from the bracket body to enhance mechanical strength in regions subject to concentrated stress. The bracket body 202 may define a first edge (e.g., a top edge) and a second edge (e.g., a bottom edge) opposite the first. Each of these edges may include ribs 216 that extend toward the legs to reinforce the connection points. Specifically, two ribs 216 associated with leg 210 may extend from the ends of the first and second edges of the bracket body 202 to the base of leg 210. Similarly, two additional ribs 216 (not visible in FIG.2A but have a symmetrical design as the visible ribs 216) may extend from the opposite ends of the bracket body to leg 208. These ribs 216 serve to strengthen the bracket structure, reducing the likelihood of deformation or failure under torque or vibration. By reinforcing the junctions between the bracket body and the legs, the ribs 216 contribute to the overall durability and reliability of the mounting bracket 102, particularly in demanding automotive environments.

[0045] While the ribs 216 provide structural support, they also introduce potential blockages to tooling components used to fasten the mounting bracket 102. Since many tooling components have existing or standard sizes, particular embodiments of the mounting bracket 102 may separate the ribs 216 on the first edge (e.g., top edge) of the mounting bracket 102 from the ribs 216 on the second edge (e.g., bottom edge) by a distance configured to provide sufficient clearance for tooling components and / or fasteners fastened to the mounting holes 212.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the legs 208 and 210 of the mounting bracket 102 may be configured with a variety of shapes and geometries to accommodate diverse mounting constraints and packaging requirements. These geometries may include flat, curved, rounded, rectangular, polygonal, or irregular profiles, depending on the specific application. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG.2, each leg includes a first side 230 and an opposingACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 10 of 19 second side 232. These sides are substantially straight at their distal ends and gradually curve or flare outward as they transition into a widened portion near the base of the legs. This design enables the distal ends of the legs to maintain a narrower width compared to the distance between the ribs 216 located on the first (top) and second (bottom) edges of the bracket body 202. As explained, the widened portion near the base where the ribs 216 are located may be specifically engineered to accommodate larger tooling components—such as sleeves, fasteners, or compression limiters—while the narrowed distal ends of the legs 208, 210 help minimize the overall footprint of the mounting bracket 102. This compact configuration is advantageous for avoiding interference with adjacent components within the fuel tank assembly and for providing sufficient clearance for tools and hands during installation and servicing.

[0047] In alternative embodiments, the legs 208 and 210 may be generally hexagonal in shape. For each hexagonal leg (e.g., 208 or 210), one side of the hexagon may be coupled to the bracket body 202, with two adjacent sides connected to the ribs 216 for structural reinforcement. At the terminating ends of the ribs 216, two additional sides of the hexagonal leg (e.g., 208 or 210) slope toward each other, terminating at the last side of the hexagonal leg. This design causes the distal ends of the legs to be narrower than their bases, which may be strategically made to be wider to accommodate existing tooling components and fasteners, as previously discussed. The relatively narrower distal ends of the legs 208, 210 help decrease footprint and increase the spacing with nearby components, such as the header 112 of the upper housing 108 and the inlet 104 of the lower housing 110. This geometry facilitates easier access to the header and inlet, while also providing clearance for other components such as electrical connectors or tubing that may be attached to the valve assembly.

[0048] In particular embodiments, the bracket body 202 may be provided with one or more alignment features 218 (e.g., bosses, keys, or other suitable protruding surface structures) for positional alignment with the valve assembly 100. For example, as shown, the bracket body 202 may include two alignment features 218 respectively on the internal surface of two sides of the bracket body 202, which may be configured to mate with corresponding receiving features 250 (e.g., recesses, keyways, or other suitable indentations) on the external surface of the valve assembly 100, such as on its upper housing 108, as shown in FIG.2B. In other words, when the mounting bracket 102 is properly clamped around at least a portion of the valve assembly 100, the alignment features 218 of the mounting bracket 102 will be keyed to the receiving features 250 on the valve assembly. The alignment features 218 may have geometriesACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 11 of 19 that fit within the receiving features 250. This way, proper alignment between the mounting bracket 102 and the valve assembly 100 may be guaranteed, ensuring that the mounting bracket 102 is always installed in the desired positions and / or orientations. In addition to providing proper alignment, the alignment features 218 and receiving features 250 may also help prevent relative rotation or shift in position between the mounting bracket 102 and the valve assembly 100 when assembled together.

[0049] In particular embodiments, the alignment features 218 may be positioned such that their distances 220 to an upper edge of the bracket body 202 are different from their distances 222 to the lower edge of the bracket body 202. For example, as shown, the upper distance 220 may be smaller than the lower distance 222. Such an asymmetrical configuration across the center plane may prevent the mounting bracket 102 from being inadvertently mounted upside down to the valve assembly 100, further ensuring its proper positioning and orientation.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the alignment features 218 may be configured to mate with the receiving features 250 in multiple configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body 202 and the valve assembly 100. This multi-orientation compatibility is achieved by designing both the alignment features 218 and the receiving features 250 with rotational symmetry. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG.2, the alignment features 218 exhibit second-order rotational symmetry—meaning they repeat every 180 degrees. In the illustrated configuration where the legs 208 and 210 face to the left, the alignment features 218 are positioned to engage with the receiving features 250 in a specific orientation. When the mounting bracket 102 is rotated 180 degrees—so that the legs face to the right—the alignment features 218 remain in positions that still align with the receiving features 250 due to their symmetric design. This design allows the mounting bracket 102 to be selectively rotated and clamped around the valve assembly 100 in more than one relative configuration, offering greater flexibility during installation and accommodating different packaging or spatial constraints within the fuel system.

[0051] In other embodiments, the number of supported relative orientations between the mounting bracket 102 and the valve assembly 100 may exceed two. For example, instead of two receiving features, a valve assembly may include four receiving features spaced 90 degrees apart, providing rotational symmetry of order four. Correspondingly, the mounting bracket 102 may be equipped with four alignment features positioned to match these receiving features, allowing the bracket to be mounted at 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270° relative to the valve assembly. Alternatively, the mounting bracket 102 may include fewer alignment features than the numberACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 12 of 19 of available receiving features (such as one, two, or three alignment features, in this example) while still maintaining compatibility with the four receiving features on the valve assembly. In such cases, the alignment features would engage with a subset of the available receiving features, enabling the bracket to be installed in multiple discrete orientations while preserving alignment and functionality. While the examples above illustrate configurations supporting two or four orientations, the same design principle can be extended to support any number of rotational positions. By appropriately distributing alignment and receiving features with matching rotational symmetry, the system can be tailored to meet specific installation flexibility and packaging requirements.

[0052] While the foregoing examples describe the alignment features 218 as being located on the mounting bracket 102 and the receiving features 250 on the valve assembly 100, alternative embodiments may reverse this configuration without affecting functionality. For instance, the alignment features 218 may be formed as protrusions on the exterior surface of the upper housing 108 of the valve assembly, while the receiving features 250 may be provided on the internal surface of the mounting bracket 102. This reversed arrangement maintains the same mating and positioning capabilities, allowing the bracket and valve assembly to engage securely in multiple relative orientations. The underlying principle of rotational symmetry and multi-orientation compatibility remains unchanged, ensuring consistent performance regardless of which component carries the alignment or receiving features.

[0053] In particular embodiments, the bracket body 202 or the mounting bracket 102 as a whole may be augmented to accommodate additional functionality. As an example and not by way of limitation, the bracket body 202 may be configured to retain additional features beyond the valve assembly 100. As an example and not by way of limitation, the bracket body 202 may be configured with an industry-standard retaining clip geometry, which, for example, may be used for routing electrical wire harnesses, fluid or vapor carrying lines, etc.

[0054] FIG.3 illustrates the valve assembly 100 and the mounting bracket 102 secured in place to a fixture 302 of the fueling system. For installation, the mounting bracket 102 may be snapped to the valve assembly 100 around its upper housing 108, for example, by pushing the upper housing 108 through the separated legs 208, 210 into the inner space of the bracket body 202. The mounting holes 212 may then be aligned with a hole on the fixture 302. Once positioned, a fastener 304 may be inserted through the mounting holes 212 and the hole on the fixture 302 and then tightened under sufficient force so that the mounting bracket 102 is securely clamped around the valve assembly 100 and affixed to the fixture 302. For example,ACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 13 of 19 once secured, the two legs 208, 210 may be pressed tightly against each other, firmly fixing the mounting bracket 102 relative to the valve assembly 100. Additional washer 306 and bolt 308 may be provided to facilitate securing the mounting bracket 102 while protecting it from damage due to over-tightening or stressing. The fastener 304 may be further secured to the fixture 302, thereby mounting the entire assembly in place in the fueling system. When re- orientation is needed, the fastener 304 may be untightened or removed, releasing the clamping force of the mounting bracket 102 such that it can be turned around the valve assembly 100 to a different orientation.

[0055] FIGs.4-7 illustrate four different assembly variations of how the mounting bracket 102 may be secured to the valve assembly 100, making the assembly suitable for different packaging constraints. Specifically, FIG.4 shows the header 112 of the upper housing 108, the mounting bracket 102, and the inlet 104 of the upper housing 108 pointing in the same direction.

[0056] FIG.5 illustrates an embodiment in which the header 112 of the upper housing 108 and the mounting bracket 102 continue to be oriented in the same direction, but the inlet 104 of the lower housing 110 is oriented in the opposite direction. This configuration may be achieved by allowing the lower housing 110 to be removably coupled to the upper housing 108 in a manner that allows for adjustable orientation—such as a 180-degree rotation—relative to the upper housing. This orientation flexibility can be achieved through the use of complementary snap-fit features designed with rotational symmetry. For example, the interface region of the upper housing 108 may include a set of snap arms arranged around its circumference with rotational symmetry. Correspondingly, the lower housing 110 may include a set of hooks or latches, also arranged with matching rotational symmetry. In this way, the upper and lower housing can be securely joined in multiple relative orientations without compromising alignment or functionality. This design enables greater versatility in assembly and packaging, particularly in applications where spatial constraints or component accessibility vary across vehicle platforms

[0057] By reorienting the mounting bracket 102 relative to the upper housing 108 and / or reorienting the lower housing 110 relative to the upper housing 108, additional configurations may be achieved. FIG. 6 shows the header 112 of the upper housing 108 and the inlet 104 of the lower housing 110 pointing in the same direction, and the mounting bracket 102 pointing in the opposite direction. FIG. 7 shows the header 112 of the upper housing 108 pointing in one direction, and the mounting bracket 102 and the inlet 104 of the lower housing 110 pointingACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 14 of 19 in the opposite direction. In the examples shown, the mounting bracket 102 has two configurations relative to the upper housing 108, and the lower housing 110 has two configurations relative to the upper housing 108. This results in four potential configurations, as shown in FIGS. 4-7. In other embodiments where additional relative orientations are available, the number of potential configurations would increase. For example, if the mounting bracket 102 has four orientations relative to the upper housing 108 (e.g., at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees) and the lower housing 110 continues to have two orientations relative to the upper housing 108, there would be a total of eight potential configurations for the mountable valve assembly.

[0058] Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

[0059] The scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover, although this disclosure describes and illustrates respective embodiments herein as including particular components, elements, feature, functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may include any combination or permutation of any of the components, elements, features, functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. Additionally, although this disclosure describes or illustrates particular embodiments as providing particular advantages, particular embodiments may provide none, some, or all of these advantages.ACTIVE 511329163.1

Claims

ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 15 of 19 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mounting bracket for a valve assembly, the mounting bracket comprising: a bracket body configured to be releasably clamped around at least a portion of the valve assembly, the bracket body having an internal surface with a plurality of alignment features configured to mate with a plurality of receiving features on the portion of the valve assembly; and a pair of legs that respectively extend from distal ends of the bracket body, each of the legs comprising a mounting hole, the mounting holes of the pair of legs being aligned with each other and configured for receiving a fastener when the bracket body is clamped around the valve assembly; wherein the plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the valve assembly.

2. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the plurality of alignment features have rotational symmetry.

3. The mounting bracket of Claim 2, wherein an order of the rotational symmetry of the alignment features is two or four.

4. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiving features have rotational symmetry.

5. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises an upper housing that houses a solenoid and is coupled to a lower housing, and the portion of the valve assembly to which the mounting bracket is configured to releasably clamp around is an exterior surface of the upper housing.ACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 16 of 19 6. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the bracket body configured to clamp around the portion of the valve assembly is curved, and the pair of legs are substantially flat.

7. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the bracket body comprises relief cutouts at transition locations between the bracket body and the pair of legs, the relief cutouts are configured for providing clearance when a fastener is being fastened to the mounting holes.

8. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the bracket body includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, wherein the first edge and second edge each comprise ribs that connect to the pair of legs.

9. The mounting bracket of Claim 8, wherein the ribs of the first edge and the ribs of the second edge are separated by a distance configured to provide clearance for a fastener fastened to the mounting holes.

10. The mounting bracket of Claim 9, wherein a width of each leg of the pair of legs is less than the distance between the ribs of the first edge and the ribs of the second edge.

11. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, wherein the plurality of alignment features are closer to the first edge than to the second edge.

12. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the plurality of alignment features on the internal surface of the bracket body have corresponding indentations on an external surface of the bracket body.

13. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, further comprising: one or more compression limiters configured to be received by the mounting holes.

14. The mounting bracket of Claim 1, wherein the plurality of configurations include: a first configuration in which the pair of legs and a header of an upper housing of the valve assembly face a same direction; andACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 17 of 19 a second configuration in which the pair of legs and the header of the upper housing face opposite directions.

15. A valve assembly for a fuel tank, comprising: an upper housing containing a solenoid and having an exterior surface with a plurality of receiving features, wherein the plurality of receiving features have rotational symmetry and are configured to mate with a plurality of alignment features on an internal surface of a bracket body of a mounting bracket; a lower housing coupled to the upper housing, the lower housing having (a) an inlet configured to receive fuel vapor from a fuel tank and (b) an outlet configured to dispense the fuel vapor to a canister; and wherein the plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the upper housing.

16. The valve assembly of Claim 15, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing have a mating interface that permits the upper housing and the lower housing to be connected in a plurality of relative orientations.

17. A mountable valve assembly for a fuel tank, comprising: a valve assembly comprising: an upper housing containing a solenoid and having an exterior surface with a plurality of receiving features; and a lower housing coupled to the upper housing, the lower housing having (a) an inlet configured to receive fuel vapor from a fuel tank and (b) an outlet configured to dispense the fuel vapor to a canister; and a mounting bracket comprising a bracket body configured to be releasably clamped around at least a portion of the upper housing of the valve assembly, the bracket body having an internal surface with a plurality of alignment features configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features on the upper housing; wherein the plurality of alignment features are configured to mate with the plurality of receiving features in a plurality of configurations corresponding to different relative orientations between the bracket body and the valve assembly.ACTIVE 511329163.1ATTORNEY DOCKET PATENT APPLICATION 006976.2327 18 of 19 18. The mountable valve assembly of Claim 17, wherein: the plurality of alignment features have rotational symmetry, and the plurality of receiving features have rotational symmetry; 19. The mountable valve assembly of Claim 17, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises a pair of legs that respectively extend from distal ends of the bracket body, each of the legs comprising a mounting hole, the mounting holes of the pair of legs being aligned with each other and configured for receiving a fastener when the bracket body is clamped around the valve assembly.

20. The mountable valve assembly of Claim 17, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing have a mating interface that permits the upper housing and the lower housing to be connected in a plurality of orientations.ACTIVE 511329163.1

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