Fuel Tank Vent Valve Membrane for Leak-Free Vapor Reopening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank systems face challenges in safely venting fuel vapors while preventing unintentional leakage of liquid fuel, particularly during over-filling or changes in ambient conditions, and require designs that ensure prompt restoration of vapor release functionality.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a float assembly and a membrane system, where the membrane is secured to the float assembly and designed to seal and reopen a vent orifice based on the float's position, utilizing a slack portion and curvature to manage pressure differentials and ensure reliable sealing and venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent orifice is provided for releasing fuel vapors, then vapor release functionality is improved, but liquid fuel may leak through the same passage during over-filling
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is positioned to seal the vent orifice when liquid fuel reaches a certain level. The membrane deforms under liquid pressure to allow vapor passage while blocking liquid fuel, and returns to its original position when liquid level decreases, automatically restoring vapor release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element between the vent orifice and the fuel vapor/liquid. It selectively allows vapor to pass through while blocking liquid fuel, mediating the interaction between the two phases and preventing harmful liquid leakage while maintaining vapor release.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the vent orifice is sealed to prevent liquid fuel leakage, then leakage prevention is improved, but vapor release functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed to be dynamic rather than static, changing its state based on liquid fuel level. When liquid level rises, the membrane deforms to seal the orifice; when liquid level falls, the membrane returns to its original position to allow vapor passage, ensuring both leakage prevention and maintained vapor release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the membrane based on liquid level parameters. The membrane transitions from an open state (allowing vapor) to a sealed state (blocking liquid) and back again, with its configuration parameter changing in response to liquid level changes to maintain both safety functions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a membrane is used to seal the vent orifice, then liquid fuel leakage is prevented, but the membrane may fail to reopen promptly when fuel level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is given a curved configuration with a predetermined shape that facilitates its movement and deformation. The curvature is designed to enable the membrane to peel away from the vent orifice in a controlled manner during reopening, ensuring prompt restoration of vapor release functionality when liquid level decreases.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's interaction with the vent orifice is segmented into distinct phases: sealing phase when liquid rises and reopening phase when liquid falls. The membrane is designed to peel away progressively from one end during reopening, rather than opening all at once, ensuring controlled and prompt restoration of vapor release.
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 system effectively prevents liquid fuel leakage and promptly restores vapor release functionality by using a flexible membrane that seals and reopens the vent orifice in response to fuel level changes, ensuring safe and consistent operation under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a float assembly movable along a longitudinal axis of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a membrane elongated along a lengthwise axis and including a first end secured to a first attachment of the float assembly... corresponding to an uppermost position of the float assembly, the membrane is configured to cover and seal the vent orifice
Implementation Method 3
based on the float assembly moving away from the uppermost position, the membrane is configured to reopen the vent orifice, the reopening associated with the first end initiating a peeling away of the membrane from the vent orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly includes a housing having an inner chamber, a float assembly provided within the inner chamber, and an elongated membrane. The inner chamber is provided with a vent orifice in fluid communication with a vent outlet. The float assembly is movable along a longitudinal axis of the housing, and includes an angled platform disposed on an upper surface of the float assembly. The membrane includes a first end secured to a first attachment of the float assembly, a second end provided opposite the first end and secured to a second attachment of the float assembly, and a slack portion associated with the second end.