Adjustable length vent valve system for fuel tanks

摘要

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.