CAPLESS REFUELING ASSEMBLY

摘要

The present invention is a capless re-fueling assembly (10) for a motor vehicle fuel tank. The capless refueling assembly has a housing assembly (17) having a nozzle-receiving opening (32) in fluid communication with the fuel tank such that a fuel nozzle can be inserted in the nozzle-receiving opening and supply liquid fuel to the fuel tank. A primary seal (50) is mounted within the housing assembly for pivotal movement between a sealed position wherein the primary seal sealingly closes the nozzle-receiving opening and an open position. The pivotal movement is responsive to a fuel nozzle being inserted into and removed from the nozzle-receiving opening. A closure (30) is pivotally mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a covering position wherein the closure covers a mouth of the nozzle-receiving opening and an access position wherein a fuel nozzle can be inserted into the nozzle-receiving opening. A vapor venting valve (16, 68, 73) engages the primary seal (50) for cooperative movement therewith. The vapor valve includes a first biasing element (64) for biasing the primary seal (50) to the sealed position. The venting valve is movable between a venting position wherein fuel vapor in the fuel tank is permitted to vent from the fuel tank through a vapor flow path (19) anda valve closed position wherein fuel vapor in the fuel tank is prevented from venting through said vapor flow path. The venting valve includes a second biasing element (72) for biasing the venting valve t o the valve closed position. The movement of the venting valve (16) is responsive to a fuel nozzle being inserted into and removed fr om the fuel nozzle-receiving opening (32) and responsive to a pressure condition in the fuel tank. The primary seal (50) is movable from t he sealed position overcoming the first biasing element (64) in response to a vacuum condition in the fuel tank.