Importance

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Abstract

The subject invention includes a fill limit control valve assembly (10) having a valve portion (16) and a float portion (18). The valve portion (16) includes a vent opening (28) for venting vapors from the fuel tank (12) to a vapor canister. A float (30) is movably supported by the float portion (18) for movement between an open position spaced from the vent opening (28) and a closed position seating a seal (56) against a seat (64) about the vent opening (28). A liquid fuel trap or discriminator member is disposed above the vent opening (28) to limit liquid fuel flow through an outlet connector (22). The liquid fuel trap includes a baffle barrier (32) surrounding the vent opening (28) and a return cup (34) having a base (36) overlying the baffle barrier (32) and a depending rim (38) surrounding the baffle barrier (32) for forcing the flow of vapor from the vent opening (28) through a U-turn. A stem (54) extends from the top end of the float (30) downwardly to a distal end (58). A guide disk (60) extends across the float cavity and is in sliding engagement with the stem (54) for guiding and stabilizing movement of the float (30) in the float cavity between the positions. A spring (62) reacts between the guide disk (60) and the top of the stem (54) for biasing the stem (54) toward the closed position. During a rollover situation, the float (30) fills with fuel and does not float as it is forced against the seat (64) by the spring (62). A steel ball (72) engages and forces the distal end (58) of the stem (54) upward in response to the vertical axis of the valve, i.e., the axis of the stem (54), moving to a predetermined angle with vertical.

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First Claim