Patent · US Active

Marine fuel vapor separator with vent control device

US7503314B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
20References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 4, 2006
Grant dateMar 17, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86324
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A fuel supply system for an outboard marine engine includes a vapor separator (28) having a uni-directional vapor vent device (36) for preventing fuel leakage when the engine (12) is tipped on its side. The vapor separator (28) includes an enclosed interior chamber (50) which is filled with liquid fuel by a suction pump. A separate, high pressure pump transfers the liquid fuel from the interior chamber (50) to a fuel injection system (32) of the engine (12). The vapor vent device (36) includes a generally tubular casing having an enclosed top end permeated by an escape passage (84), and a float (94) slidably disposed within the casing (82) for movement toward and away from sealing engagement with the escape passage (84). A spring (98) urges the float (94) toward a sealed condition against the escape passage (84), but is too weak to overcome the weight of the float (94) unless the engine (12) is tipped more than about 25 degrees from vertical, or unless the level of fuel in the interior chamber (50) lifts the float (94).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.