Safety and venting cap for vehicle fuel tanks
US4457325A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/6253
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fuel tank cap (10,130) having a venting valve (56,56A) adapted to relieve pressure and temperature in the tank and prevent spilling fuel from the tank. A cover plate (28,28A) is automatically (34,34A) removed from the cap by excessive temperature so as to allow fluid in the tank to escape. The valve body (56) has a spin chamber (98), having generally circular cross sections (102,104) and at least one tangentially directed side wall inlet opening (106). The chamber cross sections decrease in diameter upwardly of the inlet opening (88) to a point below a circular outlet opening whereby gas venting through the chamber spins a light weight buoyant ball (94) around the chamber so as to prevent the ball from closing during venting. The ball (94) is lifted onto a seat (92) at the outlet to close it when liquid enters the chamber to a predetermined level. A heavy ball (96) in the chamber holds the light ball (94) on the seat when the chamber has been tilted a predetermined amount. A second heavy ball (90), externally of the chamber in the cap body (30) adjacent the outlet opening (88), moves the light weight ball (94) off the seat when the liquid is below a predetermined level and the ch…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.