Integrated Fuel Vent Valve for Rollover and Pressure Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rollover vent valves in vehicle fuel systems face challenges in efficiently managing pressure changes and fuel flow, leading to potential fuel leakage or tank deformation due to expansion in hot climates and pressure decreases in low temperatures, while also requiring space and cost-effective solutions for integration with check valves.
Innovation Solution
A dual-function valve integrating a primary rollover vent valve and a pressure-responsive auxiliary check valve within a common housing, utilizing a float member and piston with deformable sealing members to manage fuel flow and pressure, allowing for efficient venting and pressure retention, and facilitating fluid flow in response to fuel levels and pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rollover vent valve is provided to allow venting of fuel vapor and ensure closure under rollover conditions, then fuel vapor venting is enabled and rollover prevention is achieved, but the valve requires complex valve means to regulate fuel and vapor flow under different conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a rollover vent valve with a check valve into a single integrated valve assembly. The housing contains both the float mechanism for rollover detection and the piston/check valve for pressure regulation, merging two separate valve functions into one unified device that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a rollover vent valve that closes during rollover events, a check valve that prevents backflow, and a pressure regulation device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate valve components while achieving comprehensive fuel system protection.
2Reliability
If various types of check valves are installed between the fuel tank and carbon canister to prevent fuel leakage and tank deformation, then fuel leakage prevention is improved, but space consumption and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the check valve functionality directly into the rollover vent valve housing. The piston member with check valve apertures and the float mechanism share the same housing and fluid passage, eliminating the need for a separate check valve component and reducing the overall space required in the fuel vapor management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated valve performs both rollover venting and check valve functions, allowing the system to prevent fuel leakage and tank deformation without requiring additional space for separate valve assemblies. The unified design reduces both volume and manufacturing complexity.
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 integrated valve effectively manages fuel flow and pressure changes, preventing fuel leakage and tank damage by ensuring proper venting and pressure retention, while offering space and cost savings through a compact design that adapts to varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
spring biasing together with buoyancy forces acting on the float member tend to press the membrane strip into sealing engagement with the outlet aperture
Implementation Method 2
spring biasing means located within the housing and bearing on the float member so as to spring bias it in the direction of the outlet
Implementation Method 3
a deformable sealing member fitted for sealing engagement of the apertures
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel valve comprising a primary valve and a pressure responsive auxiliary valve, both being axially accommodated and displaceable within a common housing formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet port, and a partition extending between the primary valve and the auxiliary valve. The partition comprising a flow passage extending between a primary port at a bottom face of the partition and an auxiliary port at a top face of the partition. The primary port is sealable by a sealing member of the primary valve and the auxiliary port sealable by a sealing member of the auxiliary valve.