Float Vent Valve Assembly for Fuel Vapor Venting and Liquid Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank valves struggle to effectively prevent liquid fuel from reaching the vent outlet while allowing vapor venting, particularly during fueling, and require separate components that complicate assembly and inventory management.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a housing comprising a first and second body portion enclosing a cavity, featuring a cap, nozzle, and seat formed as one piece, and a float movable between positions to control vapor flow through an orifice, using a seal that engages the seat to prevent fluid communication when displaced, with integral components for seamless manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for cap, nozzle, and seat, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity and inventory management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap, nozzle, and seat are merged into a single integrated body portion that is molded as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate components and assembly steps, reducing device complexity and inventory management requirements while maintaining the functional capabilities of each individual component.
2Reliability
If the seal is positioned close to the seat, then liquid fuel prevention is improved, but vapor venting capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal position is made dynamic through the float mechanism. The float moves in response to liquid fuel level changes, dynamically adjusting the seal's position relative to the seat. When liquid fuel is detected, the float rises and pushes the seal against the seat to prevent liquid ingress. When only vapor is present, the float remains in a position that keeps the seal spaced from the seat, allowing vapor venting through the orifice.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate parts are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap, nozzle, and seat are combined into a single molded part, eliminating multiple manufacturing steps and assembly operations. This single-piece construction reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the functional benefits of having distinct cap, nozzle, and seat features integrated into one component.
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 ensures efficient vapor venting during fueling while preventing liquid fuel ingress, simplifies assembly by eliminating separate parts, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a float (58X) disposed inside the cavity (22X) and movable between an initial position and a displaced position
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve assembly includes a housing having first and second body portions cooperating to enclose a cavity. The first body portion includes a cap having a nozzle that extends from the cap, and the nozzle defines an outlet. The first body portion includes a seat defining an orifice in fluid communication with the outlet and the cavity. A float is disposed inside the cavity. A seal is spaced from the seat when the float is in the initial position and the seal engages the seat when the float is in the displaced position. In certain configurations, the cap, the nozzle, and the seat are formed together as one piece. In certain configurations, a second side wall surrounds the float and extends across the window to obstruct direct fluid communication between the window and the float. A gap is unobstructed between a first side wall and the second side wall.