Duckbill Valve Deformation Prevention in Fuel Caps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel caps struggle to effectively vent pressurized fuel vapors from internal combustion engine tanks without disrupting the operation of the duckbill valve, leading to increased hydrocarbon emissions, especially under varying pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating deformation prevention members, such as outwardly and inwardly arranged bosses or spacer rings, on the duckbill valve to maintain operational integrity and prevent deformation, ensuring consistent airflow and pressure management within the fuel cap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fuel cap vents pressurized fuel vapor without deformation prevention members, then airflow venting is improved, but the duckbill valve deforms under pressure which reduces venting effectiveness and increases hydrocarbon emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating deformation prevention members (bosses or spacer rings) into the fuel cap structure before pressure buildup occurs. These members are positioned to contact the duckbill valve and prevent deformation when pressurized vapor flows through, ensuring the valve maintains its operational integrity while still allowing effective venting of fuel vapors.
2Speed
If higher pressure is applied to vent trapped vapor, then vapor release speed is improved, but the duckbill valve deforms which reduces airflow and increases emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation prevention members are pre-installed in the fuel cap to cushion and protect the duckbill valve from pressure-induced deformation. This allows the system to safely operate at higher pressures to accelerate vapor release while the prevention members prevent valve deformation that would otherwise reduce airflow and increase hydrocarbon emissions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel cap operates in non-climate controlled environments with temperature variations, then adaptability is improved, but thermal expansion and contraction affect valve operation and increase emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation prevention members provide continuous support to the duckbill valve throughout temperature cycles. By preventing deformation from both pressure and thermal effects, these members ensure consistent valve operation across varying environmental conditions, maintaining airflow control and preventing hydrocarbon emissions that would result from valve malfunction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the duckbill valve's ability to operate under higher pressures without reducing airflow, effectively reducing hydrocarbon emissions and maintaining the fuel cap's functionality across different operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the duckbill valve member may deform or otherwise change shape when the duckbill valve member becomes too deformed
Data Source
AI summary
A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.