Valve assembly for high-pressure fluid reservoir

Abstract

A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between two reservoirs. The valve assembly includes a relief valve arranged inside the housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path when the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value.

1 . A valve assembly configured for controlling fluid flow between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the valve assembly comprising:
 a valve housing;   a relief valve arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a pressure inside the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value; and   a solenoid assembly arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a second fluid flow path inside the valve housing when a rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is above a predetermined reference value.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flow restrictor arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a third fluid flow path inside the valve housing when the rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is below the predetermined reference value, and when the pressure inside the first reservoir is below a second predetermined pressure value. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first predetermined pressure value is greater than the second predetermined pressure value. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the solenoid assembly includes an armature configured to selectively open and close the flow restrictor, a solenoid spring configured to generate a force sufficient to close the restrictor by displacing the armature, and a coil configured to energize the armature, overcome the solenoid spring, and thereby open the restrictor. 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the coil is configured to overcome the solenoid spring when the rate of the fluid flow is below the predetermined reference value. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the solenoid spring is configured to generate a force sufficient to close the third fluid flow path when the pressure inside the first reservoir is a positive value, but insufficient to close the third fluid flow path when the pressure inside the first reservoir is a negative value. 
     
     
         7 . The valve assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a spring configured to urge the flow restrictor to open, wherein the flow restrictor is configured to be normally closed. 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the relief valve and the flow restrictor includes an inward-sloped pressure seal configured to seal the corresponding relief valve and the flow restrictor against the valve housing. 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a cover configured to retain the relief valve, the flow restrictor, and the solenoid assembly inside the valve housing, and wherein the cover engages and interconnects with the valve housing via a snap-fit. 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly according to  claim 9 , further comprising a static seal configured to seal the cover against the valve housing. 
     
     
         11 . The valve assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the static seal is an O-ring type seal. 
     
     
         12 . An evaporative emissions control system for a vehicle having a first reservoir and a controller, the emissions control system comprising:
 a second reservoir; and   a valve assembly configured to regulate fluid flow between the first reservoir and the second reservoir, wherein each reservoir is arranged externally with respect to the valve assembly, the valve assembly including:
 a valve housing; 
 a relief valve arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path inside the valve housing in response to the controller when a pressure inside the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value; and 
 a solenoid assembly regulated by the controller, arranged inside the valve housing, and configured to open a second fluid flow path inside the valve housing in response to the controller when a rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is above a predetermined reference value. 
   
     
     
         13 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a flow restrictor arranged inside the valve housing and configured to open a third fluid flow path inside the valve housing in response to the controller when the rate of the fluid flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir is below the predetermined reference value, and when the pressure inside the first reservoir is below a second predetermined pressure value. 
     
     
         14 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first predetermined pressure value is greater than the second predetermined pressure value. 
     
     
         15 . The evaporative emissions control system to  claim 13 , wherein the solenoid assembly includes an armature configured to selectively open and close the flow restrictor, a solenoid spring configured to generate a force sufficient to close the restrictor by displacing the armature, and a coil configured to energize the armature, overcome the solenoid spring, and thereby open the restrictor. 
     
     
         16 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 15 , wherein the coil is configured to overcome the solenoid spring when the rate of the fluid flow is below the predetermined reference value. 
     
     
         17 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 15 , wherein the solenoid spring is configured to generate a force sufficient to close the third fluid flow path when the pressure inside the first reservoir is a positive value, but insufficient to close the third fluid flow path when the pressure inside the first reservoir is a negative value. 
     
     
         18 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a spring configured to urge the flow restrictor to open, wherein the flow restrictor is configured to be normally closed. 
     
     
         19 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the relief valve and the flow restrictor includes an inward-sloped pressure seal configured to seal the corresponding relief valve and the flow restrictor against the valve housing. 
     
     
         20 . The evaporative emissions control system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a cover configured to retain the relief valve, the flow restrictor, and the solenoid assembly inside the valve housing, wherein the cover engages and interconnects with the valve housing via a snap-fit.