Thermally actuated fuel pump vapor vent valve
US5655892A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7737
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermally actuated vapor vent valve in a fuel pump module allows hot vapor to escape from the fuel pump module when the module is at a temperature significantly above normal operating temperatures. The vent valve is carried by a retainer in the fuel pump module and, at normal operating temperatures, the vent valve is closed on a valve seat of the vapor outlet to prevent vapor flow through the vapor outlet. The valve and the retainer are formed of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion such that when the fuel pump module becomes heated to a temperature sufficiently above normal operating temperatures the retainer expands and disengages the valve from the valve seat. This allows the hot vapor within the fuel pump module to flow out of the module and thereby prevents the fuel pump from overheating or reaching temperatures which can damage the electric motor that drives the fuel pump.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.