A pressure relief valve (10, 70) is provided having a first tubing (14a) connectable to a fuel tank (62) and a second tubing (14b) connectable to a fuel vapor treating device (64), the pressure relief valve comprising: an externally actuated (hereinafter EA) valve (20) disposed between the first tubing (14a) and the second tubing (14b) and being configured for pulsed actuation by a controller (28) thereby allowing pulsed fluid flow through a primary port (18a) disposed between the first tubing (14a) and the second tubing (14b).

A method for depressurizing a vehicular fuel storage system including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being in fluid communication with a closable filler head opening, the first portion being separated from the second portion by a valve, the method including: in a first time period, depressurizing the first portion by bringing the first portion in communication with the atmosphere, while the valve and the filler head opening are closed; in a second time period, depressurizing the second portion by bringing the second portion in communication with the atmosphere; and obtaining readiness for access to the filler head opening as from the end of the first time period.

A pressure relief valve (10) is provided for controlling fluid flow between a first fluid path (12a) and a second fluid path (12b). The pressure relief valve includes a housing (14), a diaphragm member (24) movably affixed within the housing and having a fluid port (18), a first biasing member (20) for urging the diaphragm member in a first direction, and a sealing member (26) movably mounted in the housing and configured for reversibly sealing the fluid port (18). When a pressure at the second fluid path (12b) exceeds a first predetermined threshold the diaphragm member (24) is pushed against the first biasing member (20), and the sealing member (26) is initially urged towards the fluid port (18) and subsequently becomes disengaged with the fluid port, allowing fluid communication between the second fluid path (12b) and the first fluid path (12a) via the fluid port. When the pressure at the second fluid path (12b) decreases below a second predetermined threshold, the sealing member (26) becomes disengaged from the diaphragm member (24), allowing fluid communication between the first fluid path and the second fluid path via the fluid port. A valve assembly including the pressure release valve (10) and an externally actuated valve (60) is also provided.

A tank passage is connected at its one end to a fuel tank, which stores fuel. A canister is connected to the other end of the tank passage and adsorbs evaporated fuel generated by evaporation of fuel in the fuel tank. An electric control valve is operable with current supply to control an amount of fluid flowing through the tank passage by varying an open rate of the tank passage. A fill-up detection part detects that the fuel tank is filled up with fuel based on a fuel level in the fuel tank. A control part controls an operation of the electric control valve. The control part controls the electric control valve in the valve closing direction, which decreases the open rate, when the fill-up detection part detects that the fuel tank is filled up with fuel.

A flow inhibiting member that inhibits a flow of vapor is provided, between a full-tank regulating valve and a sealing valve, at a communication pipe that communicates a canister and a full-tank regulating valve of a fuel tank.

A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a canister, a closing valve and a filler door. A control device for the vehicle includes a valve controller that performs depressurization control for decreasing a tank pressure by opening the closing valve, a door controller that issues a normal driving command to a drive unit that opens the filler door when the tank pressure becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure by the depressurization control, a detector that detects an open/close state of the filler door and a determiner that determines whether or not detection by the detector can be performed. If the detection by the detector cannot be performed, the door controller issues, when the tank pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure, a forced driving command for causing the drive unit to generate output power higher than normal power preferentially to the normal driving command.

A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank including a fuel inlet. A fuel cap is threadably engageable with the fuel inlet. The fuel cap has a grip provided for manipulation by a user. A vent path extends between a vent channel and the interior of the fuel tank. In a first configuration, the fuel cap is fully threaded to the fuel inlet to a fully closed position. The assembly is operable to transition to a second configuration in which the vent path is unobstructed and the fuel cap is fully threaded to the fuel inlet to the fully closed position. To enable unthreading of the fuel cap from the fuel inlet, the fuel tank assembly is operable to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a movement that does not alter the threaded engagement with the fuel inlet.

A fuel evaporative emission processing system suitable for a hybrid vehicle includes a shut-off valve, a first purge control valve and a second purge control valve. The shut-off valve is selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor passage between a fuel tank and a canister. The first purge control valve selectively opens and closes a purge passage between the canister and the intake passage of an internal combustion engine. The second purge control valve selectively opens and closes a tank opening passage between the canister and the fuel tank. When releasing a pressure for refueling, the second purge control valve with a small diameter opens prior to opening of the shut-off valve so that blow-by of gas associated with opening of the shutoff valve is prevented.

Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling the fuel tank. One example method includes adjusting a latchable refueling valve to a latched open position to enable vapor flow from the fuel tank to a vapor canister at a first rate, and responsive to fuel tank pressure being higher than a first pressure threshold after a pre-determined duration at the latched open position, modifying the latchable refueling valve to an unlatched open position. The unlatched open position of the latchable refueling valve enables a second flow rate for fuel vapors, the second flow rate higher than the first flow rate at the latched open position.

A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank including a fuel inlet. A fuel cap is threadably engageable with the fuel inlet. The fuel cap has a grip provided for manipulation by a user. A vent path extends between a vent channel and the interior of the fuel tank. In a first configuration, the fuel cap is fully threaded to the fuel inlet to a fully closed position. The assembly is operable to transition to a second configuration in which the vent path is unobstructed and the fuel cap is fully threaded to the fuel inlet to the fully closed position. To enable unthreading of the fuel cap from the fuel inlet, the fuel tank assembly is operable to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a movement that does not alter the threaded engagement with the fuel inlet.