초록 ▼

A fuel level responsive vent valve assembly adaptable to a variety of different mounting requirements in a vehicle fuel tank. In general, the vent valve assembly comprises a standard, valve body, a top cover adapted to mate with the standard valve body at a vent outlet interface for a sealed vapor v

A fuel level responsive vent valve assembly adaptable to a variety of different mounting requirements in a vehicle fuel tank. In general, the vent valve assembly comprises a standard, valve body, a top cover adapted to mate with the standard valve body at a vent outlet interface for a sealed vapor venting connection, and separately formed longitudinal connector means having a preassembly end for preassembly to a standard interface on the lower surface of the top cover, and an assembly end for longitudinally locking the standard valve body to the top cover. The standard assembly end of the longitudinal connectors can be varied in length to accommodate different valve height mounting requirements in different fuel tank applications. In a preferred embodiment the longitudinal connectors comprise metal pins or rods which can be pre-formed or cut to length to accommodate the standard valve body at different distances from the top cover. In addition to providing a longitudinal lock between the valve body and the top cover, the connector pins also provide an impact-resistant reinforcement to the sealed connection at the vent outlet interface.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be limiting beyond the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, we claim:] [1.] A fuel level responsive vent valve assembly adaptable to a variety of different mounting requirements in vehicle fuel tanks, co

[ The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be limiting beyond the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, we claim:] [1.] A fuel level responsive vent valve assembly adaptable to a variety of different mounting requirements in vehicle fuel tanks, comprising:a standard valve body including a fuel-level responsive valve means and a standard vent outlet formed thereon;a top cover formed separately from the standard valve body and designed to be mated with the standard valve body and to mount the standard valve body to the fuel tank, the top cover having a vent outlet interface designed to be mated with the vent outlet on the standard valve body to form a sealed connection with the vent outlet, an upper surface having at least one external vapor venting port, and a lower surface including a standard preassembly interface; andlongitudinal connector means formed separately from the standard valve body and the top cover for longitudinally locking the standard valve body to the top cover independently of the sealed connection at the vent outlet interface, the longitudinal connector means comprising a standard preassembly end for being preassembled to the standard preassembly interface on the top cover, and a standard assembly end for assembly to a mating assembly portion on the standard valve body in a longitudinal sliding fit.