Integrated Fuel Tank Isolation Valve for Vapor Venting and Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank isolation valves for high-pressure systems face challenges in efficiently managing fuel vapor emissions and pressure relief, leading to increased system complexity and component costs, particularly in compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank isolation valve assembly with a transverse connection architecture and integrated or separable pressure sensing device, featuring a housing with a solenoid assembly, poppet, and biasing members, which allows for selective vapor venting and over-pressure relief, reducing component count and simplifying housing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing isolation valves are used for high-pressure fuel tank systems, then vapor isolation function is provided, but system complexity and component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the isolation valve, over-pressure relief valve, and pressure sensing device into a single integrated assembly. The housing contains multiple cavities (isolation valve cavity, OPR valve cavity, pressure sensing device cavity) that work together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing system complexity while maintaining vapor isolation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: vapor isolation through the isolation valve, over-pressure relief through the OPR valve, and pressure monitoring through the integrated pressure sensing device. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the vapor emission control system.
2Reliability
If existing isolation valves are used for high-pressure fuel tank systems, then vapor isolation function is provided, but component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valves and sensing devices into a single integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. This consolidation lowers component costs while maintaining the required vapor isolation function.
3Reliability
If complex vapor emission control systems are implemented, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but packaging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve assembly consolidates multiple functional components into a single compact unit that fits within the fuel tank system. The housing contains all necessary cavities and components in a space-efficient arrangement, improving packaging efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance through complete vapor emission control functionality.
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for vapor management, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple vapor management functions into a single manufacturable assembly. The housing is designed with multiple cavities that can be formed in one piece or assembled with minimal steps, and the coupling mechanisms enable efficient assembly with the fuel tank. This integration significantly improves manufacturing efficiency compared to producing and assembling multiple separate components.
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 enables efficient control of fuel vapor flow and pressure relief, reducing system complexity and costs while improving packaging and manufacturing efficiency, and effectively managing fuel tank pressures to comply with regulatory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid assembly can be disposed in the housing and configured to selectively lift a seal in a flow passage cavity off a valve seat allowing vapor to pass from the inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
The hat valve is normally urged against the inboard seal portion by a biasing member
Implementation Method 3
The conical cavity can urge the stem to positively located relative to the hat valve
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel tank isolation valve assembly configured to selectively vent fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a vapor recovery canister includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The valve assembly is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the vapor recovery canister. The inlet is fluidly coupled to a vapor space of the fuel tank, and the outlet is fluidly coupled to the vapor recovery canister. The housing generally defines an inlet cavity, a flow passage cavity that defines a flow passage cavity axis, an over-pressure relief (OPR) cavity that defines an OPR cavity axis and an outlet cavity. The flow passage cavity axis and the OPR cavity axis are colinear.