IP Library Patent Application 12066349
Patent Application
App. No. 12/066,349

Ventilation Device for a Fuel Container

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/066,349
Abstract

A ventilation device ( 1 ) for a fuel container ( 2 ) with a liquid trap ( 3 ) and a suction jet pump ( 8 ) which is provided for emptying the liquid trap ( 3 ) has a filling-level limit switch ( 11 ) for detecting the filling level of fuel in the liquid trap ( 3 ). A valve ( 10 ) which is connected to the filling-level limit switch ( 11 ) is connected upstream of the suction jet pump ( 8 ). The suction jet pump ( 8 ) is first activated by means of the valve ( 10 ) when the intended filling level of fuel in the liquid trap ( 3 ) is exceeded.

Claims (26)

1 . A ventilation device for a fuel container, comprising:

a liquid trap connected to at least one ventilation line,

a suction jet pump, arranged in the liquid trap, for the conveyance of fuel out of the liquid trap into the fuel container, and

a valve connected to the suction jet pump wherein the valve is switched as a function of the filling level of fuel in the liquid trap.

2 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein a filling-level limit switch for switching the valve is arranged in the liquid trap.

3 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the filling-level limit switch has a float.

4 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is switched electrically.

5 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve has an electric actuator and a valve body movable against a valve seat is connected to the actuator.

6 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the electric actuator has an electromagnet or a piezo-element.

7 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the filling-level limit switch has an electrical contact.

8 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contact of the filling-level limit switch is arranged in series with the electric actuator of the valve.

9 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contact of the filling-level limit switch and the electric actuator of the valve are connected to a common electronic control unit.

10 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein a baffle provided for mounting in the fuel container has an electromotive fuel pump, a conveying line of the fuel pump is connected to the suction jet pump, and wherein the baffle forms with the liquid trap a structural unit.

11 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve body of the valve is guided movably toward a nozzle of the suction jet pump.

12 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is arranged in the conveying line.

13 . A method for ventilating a fuel container, comprising the steps of:

connecting a liquid trap to at least one ventilation line,

conveying fuel out of the liquid trap into the fuel container by a suction jet pump, arranged in the liquid trap, and

switching a valve connected to the suction jet pump, as a function of the filling level of fuel in the liquid trap.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the filling-level limit switch has a float.

15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the valve is switched electrically.

16 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the valve has an electric actuator and a valve body movable against a valve seat is connected to the actuator.

17 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the electrical contact of the filling-level limit switch is arranged in series with the electric actuator of the valve.

18 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the electrical contact of the filling-level limit switch and the electric actuator of the valve are connected to a common electronic control unit.

19 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein a baffle provided for mounting in the fuel container has an electromotive fuel pump, a conveying line of the fuel pump is connected to the suction jet pump, and wherein the baffle forms with the liquid trap a structural unit.

20 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the valve body of the valve is guided movably toward a nozzle of the suction jet pump.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Oct 5, 2009
From: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 023325/0438 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2008
From: KROGULL, CHRISTIAN; MEYER, KNUT, DR.; REITER, FRANK
To: VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
Reel/Frame 021234/0509 →