Fuel Tank Vent Valve Flow Reducer for Leak-Safe Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vent valve systems for motorcycle tanks suffer from excessive fuel leakage during steep descents, sudden braking, or sharp turns, especially when the tank is full, as they fail to effectively manage fluid communication and pressure differences, leading to fuel spillage into the canister or directly on the road.
Innovation Solution
A vent valve with a piston and pendulum mechanism, combined with a flow reducer and pressure control device, that adjusts fluid communication based on vehicle orientation and pressure thresholds to minimize fuel leakage and ensure efficient ventilation, featuring an asymmetrical pendulum and elastically deformable elements to manage fluid flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve is kept open to ensure ventilation, then oxygen supply to the tank is maintained, but fuel leaks excessively during steep descents or sudden braking
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system transitions from a static open/closed state to a dynamic controlled state. The vent valve incorporates a flow reducer that can be adjusted to different positions, allowing the system to adapt the degree of flow restriction based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the valve to maintain ventilation when needed while restricting fuel flow during aggressive driving maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters by introducing a variable flow reducer element. By adjusting the position or opening degree of the flow reducer, the system modifies the flow characteristics to balance ventilation requirements against fuel leakage prevention. This parameter change allows optimal performance across different operating scenarios.
2Productivity
If the valve opening is enlarged to improve venting, then ventilation efficiency increases, but fuel spillage during sudden acceleration or braking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into multiple functional elements: a primary valve body for ventilation control and a separate flow reducer mechanism for fuel flow management. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - the valve opening can be sized for adequate ventilation while the flow reducer separately controls fuel flow to prevent spillage during dynamic maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow reducer acts as an intermediary element between the tank and the external environment. It mediates the conflict between ventilation needs and fuel leakage prevention by selectively restricting fuel flow while allowing air passage. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve both ventilation efficiency and fuel containment.
3Loss of substance
If a canister is installed to collect leaked fuel, then fuel loss is reduced, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of collecting fuel after it leaks (as a canister would), the system takes preliminary action by preventing fuel leakage in the first place through the flow reducer. The flow reducer proactively restricts fuel flow under conditions that would cause spillage, eliminating the need for downstream fuel collection and recovery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fuel containment function from the canister system and integrates it directly into the valve mechanism through the flow reducer. By moving the prevention function upstream into the valve itself, the system eliminates the need for a separate canister component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fuel loss prevention.
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
Significantly reduces fuel leakage during aggressive driving conditions by controlling fluid communication and pressure, maintaining efficient ventilation while preventing excessive fuel loss and ensuring the tank remains oxygenated.
Implementation Method 1
a pendulum (30) hinged to the valve body (10) and coupled to the piston (20) so as to promote the movement of the piston (20) from the open configuration to the closed configuration and vice versa as a function of an orientation assumed by the pendulum (30)
Implementation Method 2
a pendulum (30) hinged to the valve body (10) and coupled to the piston (20) so as to promote the movement of the piston (20) from the open configuration to the closed configuration and vice versa as a function of an orientation assumed by the pendulum (30)
Implementation Method 3
a second valve, normally closed, which includes a spring pressing on a spherical cap, which opens in the event of overpressure
Implementation Method 4
a flow reducer (40) operatively interposed between the outlet opening (12) and the piston (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid vent valve (1) for a fuel tank, comprising: a valve body (10) having an inlet opening connected or connectable to a tank, an outlet opening and a main chamber (13) interposed between said inlet opening and said outlet opening (12); a piston (20) inserted or insertable in the main chamber (13) and movable therein so as to define a closed configuration and an open configuration; a pendulum (30) hinged to the valve body (10) and coupled to the piston (20) so as to promote a movement of the piston (20) between the two configurations; a flow reducer (40) operatively interposed between the outlet opening (12) and the piston (20).