GAS-LIQUID SEPARATION APPARATUS
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[OO I] Gas-Liquid Separation Apparatus
[002] The present invention relates to fuel tank, more particularly to gas-liquid separation
apparatus for fuel tank of vehicle.
[003] In vehicles provided with a fuei tank, the amount of fbel lost into the atmosphere due
to evaporation is significant and it is important to take measures to reduce or prevent the
mount of fuel lost into the atmosphere. One of the elements of evaporative emission control
. . system, for this purpose, is a gas-liquid separation apparatus disposed inside the fuel tank in
order to entrap a gaseo& fuel and to ensure that liquid fuel does not get into the other
elements of the evaporative control systems.
[004] Generally, gas-liquid separation apparatus is disposed inside the fuel tank of the
vehicle. The gas-liquid separation apparatus is intended to entrap the gaseous fuel or he1
vapour generated inside the fie1 tank and teads them ta an evaporated fuel vapour retainer.
[OOS] Under the circumstances where the fuel tank inclines, the gas-liquid separation
apparatus may get immersed (partially or Wly) in the liquid fuel depending on the volume of
the liquidfuel and angle of inclination and the other. In the event the evaporated fuel vapur
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W retainer gets flooded with liquid fbel, the efficiency of the evaporated fuel retainer
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. deteriorates and thereby malcing it inadequate for future usage.
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2 [006] The present invention at least partly addresses the aforesaid lacunae.
OBJECT OF THE M N T I O N
[007J The object of the present 'invention involves a gas-liquid separation apparatus which is
intended to entrap the gaseous fuel or he1 vapour generated inside the fuel tank and leads
them to an evaporated fuel vapour retainer.
SUMMARY OF TRE INVENTION
[008] The object of the invention is 'achieved by a gas-liquid separation apparatus according
to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 8.
[009] The present invention describes a gas-liquid separation apparatus for a vehicle. It is
coupled to a fuel tank to entrap fuel vapors from the fuel tank of the vehicle and to lead the
fuel vapors to an evaporated fuel vapor retainer of the vehicle. It contains a separator body
defined as a hollow cavity3 and has at least one partition wall that divides the separator body
into at least two chambers. It also consists of an intermediate comunication hole arranged
on the partition wall, and enables communication between a first chamber and a second
chamber of the -gas-liquid separation apparatus. The apparatus also has a breather pipe
arrangsd into the second chamber or the first chamber. The fuel tank is communicatively
coupled to the first chamber if the breather pipe is arranged into the second chamber; or the
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fuel tank is wmmunicatively coupled to the second chamber if the breather pipe is arranged
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ca into the first chamber. The breather pipe leads the fuel vapors to the fuel vapor retainer.
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[0010] Tbe gas-liquid separation apparatus has a first communication hole arranged in an
V cu . upper s-e and a second communication hole arranged in a lower sudbce. The first
E communication hole enables the fuel tank to communicate with the second.chamber and the s LL second communication hole enables the fuel tank to corrrmunicate with the first chamber. The
2 - size of the first communication hole, the second communication hole, and the intermediate
comunication hole are such that the fuel flow rate through the Entennediate communication
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W hole is lesser than the combined fuel flow rate through the first communication hole and the
a I second communication hole.
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2 .[0011] The gas-liquid separation apparatus contains a bulging portion arranged on an upper
T*P surface and the bulging portion is the highest point inside the separator body where a free end
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c3 of the breather pipe is located. s 7
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I00121 The gas-liquid separation apparatus is to be disposed in an inner upper portion of the
fuel tank around the circumference of the receiving tray around a fuel cap opening portion,
where the receiving tray in its central region is provided with an opening which is further
extended as a tubular part for filling the fuel tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will
become apparent h m consideration of the folIowing detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present
invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied
drawings *wherein like reference numerals represent Iike elements and in which:
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic right side view of a vehicle according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic right side view of fuel tank with a gas-liquid
separation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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e [0016] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic top view of the gas-liquid separation apparatus dong
a I with receiving tray according to'an embodiment of the present invention;
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CV [OOl7] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic top view of the gas-liquid separation apparatus
E L s according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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0 ' [0018] Figure 4a illustrates a schematic top view of a gas-liquid separation apparatus
c?l according.to another embodiment of the present invention;
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4 [0019] Figure 5a illustrates a sectional view of the gas-liiuid separation apparatus along axis
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A-A in the Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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7 [0020] Figure 5b illustrates a sectional view of the gas-liquid separation apparatus along axis
c3 s B-B in the Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
i [0021] Figure 5c illustrates a schematic sectiond view of a gas-liquid separation apparatus
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic rear view of fuel tank with the gas-liquid separation
apparatus disposed therein according to an embodiment of the present invention;
' [0023] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic rear view of he1 tank w+th the gas-liquid separation
apparatus disposed therein wherein the vehicIe I fuel tank is shown as rolled or tilted towards
right side;
[0024] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic rear view of fuel tank with the gas-liquid separation
apparatus disposed herein wherein the :vehicle I fuel tank is shown as rolled or tilted towards
left side.
.[OO25] The drawings referred to in this description .are not to be understood as being drawn to
scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are ody exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWTNGS AND
a I 100261 While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
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specific embodiment thereof 'has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be
C-V described in detail below. It should be .understood, however that it is not intendad to limit the
k ' s invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to wver all
zk modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling .within the spirit and the scope of the . .
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n 100271 The terms "comprises", "comprising'" or any other variations thereof, are intended to
4 cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of
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components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other
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components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In
C-c;, other words, one ,or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "ccmprises. .. a"
does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other dements or additional
7 o ' elements in the system. or apparatus.
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[0028] For better undekstanding of this invention, reference wodd now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description here
below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the
same components in various views.
[(I0291 The terms "front I forward", "rear I rearward", "up 1 upward I upper", "down 1
downward / lower", "left / leftward", "right / rightward" used therein represent the directions
as &en from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr,
U, Lr, L, R in the drawing figures.
[0030] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a saddle riding type vehicle,
however, the gas-liquid separation apparatus and aspects and features thereof can be used
I with other type of vehicles as well, including without Ifmitation, scooter type vehicles,
, motorcycles, mopeds, dl terrain vehicles (Am, three wheelers, off road type vehicles or
the like. It may be 'nolted that fhe terms "saddle riding type vehicle" or ''vvehicle'ke
interchangeably used in the description and refer to the saddle riding type vehicle such as a
two-wheeled vehicle.
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L [0031] For the purpose of describing the present invention, it should be understood that the
a I * gas-liquid separation apparatus 118 as per the present invention, is disposed inside -.+- tank 15 of a vehicle 01, Prim&ily intendiig to prevent the discharge of liquidin fsuidele ftrhoem f tuheel
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fuel tank I 5 into the evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06.
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2 '[0032] Figure f illustrates a schematic right side view of a two-wheeled vehicle Of (herein
7 o referred to as 'vehicle') employing a gasfiquid separation apparatus 08 according to an
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1 embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 02 includes, inter-alia, a h n t fork 04, a
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P handle 02, a seat 12, a swing arm. 14, a rear cushion 13, an engine unit 05, a fuel tank 15, a
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OD front wheel 10 and a rear wheel 11. The engine unit 05 is mounted on the lower part of the
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2 body frame. The, engine 05 is suppIied with air fueI mixtm through a carburetor 07;
** alternatively, two-wheeled vehicle 01 may employ fie1 injectors to inject the fuel into the I
engine 05. The gas-liquid separation appamtus 08 is manged inside the fuel tank 15 and
s primhly inteaded to entrap fuel vapours and Iead them to the evaporated fuel vapour retainer'
7 I ov 06. It may be noted that the vehicle.01 is shown to have include abdve stated parts, however,
those skilled in the art. would appreciate that the vehicle 01 includes other parts which may
not be relevant for explaining Ithe present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0033j The gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is arranged inside the fuel tank 15, however,
the present invention is not limited to the arrangement of gas-liquid separation apparatus 08
in the upper postion of fuel tank 15, as shown, and may also be arranged on the lateral upper
sides of the fuel tank 15 or at any other suitable location.
100341 A carburettor 07 supplies air fuel mixture to the engine unit 05 through the inlet pipe
I 17; alternatively, the vehicle Olmay empIoy fuel injectors to inject the fuel into engine unit
05. The gaseous fuel retained by the evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06 is also supplied to the
I engine unit 05. The fuel fiom the evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06 to the engine unit 05 /
I carburettor 07 is supplied thugh a purge pipe 18. The purge pipe 1 8 may be provided with a
I purge control valve [not shown]. The pwge control valve controls the supply of the gaseous
I fuel from the evaporated fuel vapow retainer 06 to the engine unit 05 1 carburettor 07. The ,
I purge control valve is generally a one way valve, controlling the momt of gkeous fuel to
the engine unit 05 1 carburettor 07. The purge control valve m y be controlled by electronic
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controller based on various vehicle I engine parameters.
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L I00351 The fuel tank 15 of the vehicle 01 is disposed upwardly of the engine unit 05 and is
la 'I ' .= mounted on the front end portion of the body frame. A riding seat 12 on which operator of
I + I - the vehicle 01 sits is disposed rearward of the fuel tank 15 and is supported by the seat rails .
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i E [not visibIe in Figure]. h an embodiment, as shown, the evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06 is
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0 disposed in the space between downward of the fueI tank 15, frontwad / upward of the
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2 engine 05 and rearward of the down tube 20. The evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06 is
7 o supplied with the fuel vapours generated inside the fuel tank 15 through a breather pipe' 39. In
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1 an embodiment, the breather pipe 39 is a metaIlic tube body wherein fke end 43 of the
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0 breather pipe 39 opens in the gas-liqid separation apparatus 08 and the other end opens in
I a the evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06. It is preferable to dispose the evaporated OD fuel vapour
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5 retainer 06 at such location that the length of the breather pipe 39 and the purge pipe 18 is
minimised and the evaporated fuel vapour retainer .06 can be mounted and dismounted easily.
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[0036] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic right side view of the fuel tank 15. The gas-liquid
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Y separation apparatus 08 is disposed inside the fueI tank 15. The fuel tank 15 comprises of an
upper half portion 15a, a lower half portion 15b and a central portion 1 Sc.. The upper half
portion 15a of the fuel tank 15 is generally crowned where a fuel cap opening portion 22 is
provided. The gaslliquid separation apparatus 08 is disposed in the upper portion of the fuel '
tank 15 according to ah embodiment of the invention.
[0037] The fuel cap opening portion 22 is equipped with a receiving tray 23. The receiving
tray 23 in its central region is provided with an opening 24 which is further extended a
tubular part 25 for filling the fuel tank I5 with the fuel from the spout of fuel dispenser pipe.
In an embodiment the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is arranged around the
circumference of the receiving tray 23. In an embodiment5 the gas-liquid separation apparatus
08 can be arranged around the circumference of the tubular part 25.
[0038] Now reference is made to Figure 3, Figure 4, Ff gure 44 Figure 5% Figure 5b and
Figure 5c. The gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is a hollow doughnut like structure. Figure
4a illustrates a schematic top view of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 according to
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' another embodiment of present invention where the .gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is
substantially rectangular OR cuboid h shape. The gas-liquid sepaqtion apparatus 08
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comptises of an outer surface 33, an inner surface 34, an upper plate defining an upper
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rn surface 31 and n lower plate defjning a lower surface 32. Space codmed by the lower
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L -surface 32, upper surface 31, outer .surface 33 and inner surface 34 of the. gas-liquid
a I separation apparatus 08 is a hollow cavity constituting n separator .*- body 35.
[0039] There is provided a pattition wall 36 that divides the separator body 35, into two
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0 chambers, a first chamber as an outer chamber 37 and a second chamber as an inner chamber
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2 38. In an embodiment, the partition wall 36 is running substantidly parallel to the outer
7 o surface 33 and inner surface 34 of the gas-Iiquid separation apparatus 08 to demarcate two
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1 chambers. In an embodiment, the partition wall is parallel to either of the outer surface 33 or
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P the inner surface 34 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. In an embodiment, the partition
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0 0 . wall. is non to the outer surface. 33 and inner d a c e 34 of the gas-liquid separation
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2 apparatus 08. . , ** CC")
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[0040] In an embodiment, the gas-Iiquid separation apparatus 08 is divided .by at least one
? partition waII 36 into at least two chambers such that the number of chambers would always
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9 be plus one to the number of partition wdis. I f there are 'n' number .of partition walls
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dividing the separator body 35, then the number of chambers would be 'n+l' within the
separator body 35.
'[0041] In an embodiment, the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is divided by the partition
wall 36 into two chambers such that area of the outer chamber 37 is same as that of area of
the inner chamber 38. In an embodiment, the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is divided by
the- partition wall 36 into two chambers such that area of the outer chamber 37 is different
than that ,of area of the inner chamber 38. In an embodiment, the gas-liquid separation
apparatus 08 is divided by the partition wall 36 into two chambers such that area of the outer
chamber 37 is more than that of area of the inner chamber 38. In an embodiment, the gasliquid
separation apparatus 08 is divided by the partition wall 36 into two chambers such that
area of the outer chamber 37 is less than that of area of the inner chamber 38.
100421 In an embodiment, the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is partitioned into two
chambers as the outer chamber 37 and the inner chamber 38 such that the cross sectionaI area
of the outer chamber 37 is nsn uniform along the circumference. In an embodiment, the gasliquid
separation apparatus 08 is partitioned into two chambers as the outer chamber 37 and
the inner chamber 38 such that the cross sectional area of the inner chamber 38 is non
uniform dong the circumference.
[OO43] A breather pipe 39 is introduced into the separator body 35 of the gas-liquid
separation apparatus 08, more particulady, into the inner chamber 38 through an insertion
opening 40 provided on the lower surface 32 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. In an
embodiment, the free end 43 of the breather pipe 39 opens into the inner chamber 38 close to
the upper surface 3 1. In' an embodiment, as shown in the Figure 5c a bulging portion 41 is
provided on the upper surface 31 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. The bulging
portion 41 is the highest point inside the separator body 35 of the gas-liquid separation
apparatus 08 wherein the free end 43 of the breather pipe 39 is located.
100441 In an embodiment, the free end 43 of the breather pipe 39 is fixed to the bulging
portion 4 1 provided on the upper surface 3 1 of the gas-Iiquid separation apparatus 08 and the
breather pipe 39 is provided with at least one gas entry hoIe 44 in the upper portion of the
breather pipe 39. The at least one gas entry hole 44 of the breather pipe 39 is provided close
o to its free end 43:The breather pipe 39 can be fixed to the bulging portion 41 using welding r?
process. It is always preferable to position the gas entry hole 44 at higher elevation than the
maximum possible fuel level in the fuel tank f 5 so that liquid fuel does not flow into the
breather pipe 3 9 under normal circumstances.
[0045] The upper surface 3 1 of the gas-liquid separatf onqa pparatus 08 3s provided with a fmt
communication hole 46. The lower surface 32 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 is
provided with a second cornmication hoIe 47. The first cemm&cation hole 46 and the
second communication hole 47 enable the fuel tank 15 to communicate with the outer
chamber 37 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08.
[a0461 The outer chamber 37 and the h e r chamber 38 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus
08 communicate with each other throngh an intermediate communication hole 48. The
intermediate communication hole 48 is provided on the partition wall 36.
[0047] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the intermediate communication
hole 48 is provided on the lower portion or region of the partition wall36 i.e. the intermediate
communication hole 48 is provided on the partition wall 36 close to the lower surface 32.
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However, the pasition of the intermediate communication hole 48 is not restricted to any
particular position on the partition wall 36 and can be provided at any suitable location on the
I e partition d l 36. of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08.
I a I I * I .+- 1 - [0048] Figure 5a and Figure 5b illustrate a schematic cross sectional view along the A-A and
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B-B axes in Figure 4 depicting the positioning of the first communication hole 46, second
communication hole 47 and the intermediate communication hole 48. In an embodiment, the
first communication hoIe 46 and the second comrurication hole 47 can be provided
anywhere on the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32, respectiveIy, such that they
enable the fuel tank to communicate with the outer chamber 37 of the gas-liquid separation
apparatus 08. In an embodiment, the fust communfcation hole 46 is positioned on the, upper
surface 3 1 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 and nearest to the operator of the,vehicle
01. In an embodiment, the second communication hole 47 is positioned on the lower surface
32 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 and farthest to the operator of the vehicle 01. In
an embodiment, the intermediate communication hole 48 is positioned at left extreme of the
3 partition wall 36.
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[0049] In an embodiment, the respective sizes of the first comunication hole 46 and the
second communication hole 47 are different from each other. In an embodiment, the sizes of
the first wmmunication hole 46 and second communication hole 47 are equal to each other.
[0050] In an embodiment, either one or both of the first communication hole 46 and second
communication hole 47 idare circular in shape. In an embodiment, either one or both of the
fmt communication hole 46 and second communication hole 47 islare non circular in shape
viz square, .rectangular, oblong etc.
[0051] For the purpose of describing the working of the present invention, the first
comunication hole 46 is positioned on the upper surface 31 of the gas-liquid separation
apparatus 08 and nearest to the operator of the vehicle 01, the second communication hole 47
is positioned oti the lower surface 32 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 and farthest to
the operator of the vehicle 01, the intermediate communication hole 48 is positioned at left
extreme of the partition wall 36.
[0052] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic rear view of a fuel tank d t h a gas-liquid separation
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. apparatus 08 disposed therein amding to an embodiment of the present invention. The gas-
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a3 liquid separation apparatus 08 is mounted along the circumference of the receiving tray 23.
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L During normal running of the vehicle 0 1 with the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 disposed
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the fuel tank 15, the fuel level (2) in the fuel tank 15 is lower than the lower surface -+ of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. 32
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[0053] During normal course of run, due to splashing of the liquid fuel Inside the fuel tank or
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2 change in the Iiquid level due to the banking of the vehicle 01 during tuning or othemise,
7 o the Iiquid fuel may enter into the outer chamber 37 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08
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1 . through first 46 andlor second communication hoIe 47. The liquid fuel entering inside the
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P outer chamber 37 is returned back to the fuel tank 15 through the second communication hole * 00 47 provided on the lower surface 32 of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. IIurkg normal
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2 ' d n g of the vehicle Ol,,generally liquid fuel does not enter into the breather pipe 39. ** . rn z - [0054] When the vehicle 01 gets rolled, the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 may get fully
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or partially immersed under the liquid fuel level inside the fuel tank 15. The extent sf
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9 immersion of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 under the liquid fuel level depends upon
certain factors such as liquid fuel level in the fuel tank 15, angle of inclination of the vehicle
0 1, etc. It might happen that the vehicle 01 is fallen, and even then the gas-liquid separation
apparatus 08 is not at all or partially immersed under the liquid fuel level.
[0055] The factors affecting the time duration from the instance of first liquid fuel drop entry
into the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 to the entry of liquid fuel into the breather pipe 39
[hereinafter referred as "safe period"] include the physical properties of the gas-liquid
separation apparatus 08, such as size of each of the first communication hole 46, second
communication hole 47 and Intermediate communication hole 48; the direction of rolling
over of the yehicle 01 i.e. leftwards or rightwards; air resistance within the gas-liquid
separation apparatus 08; etc. The increase in the safe period can also be achieved by
providing the lesser fuel flow rate through the intermediate communication hole 48 than the
cornbind he1 flow rate through the fist communi~tion hole 46 and the second
csmmunication hoIe 47.
100561 Figure 7 illustrates the situation when the fuel tank 15 rolls over towards the right
side. The entry of liquid fuel into the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 would depend on the
Iiquid fuel level inside the fuel tank 15. Liquid fuel level (Y) is the level when the fuel tank
15 is rolled towards right and the liquid fuel is just below the first communication hole 46 or
second co~&unication hole 47, whichever is at lower level. Liquid fuel level (Yl) is the
level when the fuel tank 15 is. rolled towards right and the liquid fuel is just below the
intermediate communication hole 48 where the first communication hole 46 and lor second
communication hole 47 are immersed in the liquid fuel. Liquid fuel level (Y2) is the level
when the fuel tank 15 is rolled towards right and the liquid fuel inside the inner chamber 38
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of the separator body 35 is just below the free end 43 of the breather tube 39.
[0057] When the Iiquid fuel leveI inside the fuel tank 15 is at or below the liquid fuel level
(Y), no liquid fuel enters the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. Above the liquid fuel level
(Y), liquid fuel would start discharging into the outer chamber 37 of the gas-liquid separation ,
apparatus 08. When the liquid fuel inside the fuel tank 15 is at or below the liquid he1 level
(Yl) the liquid fuel has flooded into the outer chamber 37 only and no liquid he1 has
discharged into the inner chamber 38 through the intermediate communication hole 48.
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Above the liquid fuel level (Y I), liquid fuel would start discharging into the inner chamber
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chamber 38 is at or below the liquid fuel level (Y2) no liquid fuel enters the breather pipe 39.
Above the liquid fuel level (Y2) liquid fuel would start discharging into the breather pipe 39.
Thus, at any point of time when the liquid fuel level is below the liquid fuel level (YZ), no
liquid enters into the breather pipe 39 and if the vehicle 01 is made vertical, liquid fuel would
return back to the fuel tank 1 5 through the second communication.hole 47.
[0058] Thus, when vehicle 01 rolls over towards right and the liquid fuel is above the fuel
level Y 1, in such situations, liquid .fuel would not start purging into the breathes pipe 39
immediately but the discharge of liquid fuel into the breather pipe 39 starts after a lapse of
time (safe period). Providing the provision of safe period facilitates .the operator and buys
himher time to bring the vehicle 01 back to its normal position without letting any liquid fuel
to enter into the breather pipe 39 which possibly may reach up to the evaporated fuel vapour
retainer 06 causing an undesirable situation.
[0059] Figure 8 illustrates the situation when the. fuel tank 15 rolls over towards the left side.
The entry of liquid fuel into the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08 would depend on the
liquid fuel level inside the fuel tank 15. Liquid fuel level is the level when the he1 tank
15 is rolled towards left and the liquid fuel is just below the first communication hole 46 or
second wmmunication hole 47, whichever is at lower level. Liquid fuel level (X2) is the
level when the fuel tank 15 is rolled towards left and the liquid fuel inside the inner chamber
38 is just below the free end 43 of the breather pipe 3 9.
[0060] When the liquid fuel inside the fuel tank 15 is at or below the liquid fuel level QQ, no
liquid fuel enters the gas-liquid separation apparatus 08. Above the liquid fuel level (X)
liquid fuel would start discharging into the outer chamber 37 of the gas-liqMd separation
apparatus 08. ' Here, since the intermediate communication hole 48 is located below the first
communication hole 46 and second communication hole 47, when the liquid fuel is above the
liquid fuel level (X) and have entered into the outer chamber 37, liquid fuel would readily
enter into the inner chamber 38 through the intermediate communication hale 48. When the
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5 liquid fuel inside the inner chamber 38 is at or below.the liquid fuel level QD), no liquid -*+ enters the breather pipe 39. Above the liquid he1 level (X2) liquid fuel wloiquuldi d sftuaertl
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cy discharging into the breather pipe 3 9. Thus, at any point of time when the liquid fuel level is + 7 .
below the liquid fuel level X2, no liquid enters into the breather pipe 39 and if the vehicIe 01
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is made vertical the liquid fuel would return back to the fuel tank 15 through the second
communication hole 47.
[0061] Thus, when vehicle 01 rolls overtowards left and the liquid fuel level is above the
liquid fuel level X, in such situations, liquid fuel would hot start purging into the breather
pipe 39 immediately but the discharge of liquid fuel into the breather pipe 39 starts after a
lapse of a period (safe period). Safe time period provides the operator a time to bring the
vehicle 01 back to its normal vertical position without letting any liquid fuel to enter into the
breather pipe 3 9 which possibly may reach upto the evaporated fuel vapour retainer 06 which
is an undesirable situation.
[OO62] The increase in the safe period is also achieved by providing the lesser fuel flow rate
through the intermediate communication hole 48 than the combined fuel flow rate through
the first communication hole. 46 and the second communication hole 47. Increase in the safe
period is also caused due to air resistance to the flow of liquid fuel through the first
communication hole 46, the second communication hole 47 and intermediate communication
hole 48.
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al m [0063] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular fcktures of this - Ca ' L invention, it will be appreciatedthat various modifications can be made, and that many
a I.*- changes can be made in the preferred embodiments witliout departing from the principles of -+ the invention. These and other msdificatioh in the nature of the invention or the preferred
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E embodiments will be apparent to those skilled the art from the'disclosure herein, whereby
s it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted
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2 . merely as iIImtmtive of the invention and not as a limitation.
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1. A gas-liquid separation apparatus (08) for a vehicle adapted to be coupled to a fuel
I tank (15) to entrap fuel vapors fiom the fuel tank (15) of the vehicle and to lead the
I fuel vapors to a evaporated fuel vapor retainer (6) of the vehicle, wherein the gas-
I liquid separation apparatus (08) comprises:
I - a separator body (35) defined as a hollow cavity, and
I - at least one partition d l (36) that divides the separator body (35) into at least
I two chambers (37,38)
I - an intermediate communication hole (48) arranged on the partition wall (361,
the intermediate communication hole (48) is adapted to enable communication
between a first chamber (37) and a second chamber (38) of the gas-liquid
separation apparatus (08).
- a breather pipe (39) arranged into the second chamber (38) or the first
chamber (37), wherein the fuel tank (15) is communicatively coupled to the
first chamber (37) if the breather pipe (39) is arranged into the second
chamber (38), or the fuel tank (1 5) is communicatively coupled to the second
chamber (38) if the breather pipe (39) is arranged into the first chamber (37).
2. The gas-liquid separation apparatus (8) for a vehicIe according to claim I, wherein .
the breather pipe (39) leads the fuel vapors to the fuel vapor retainer (6).
3. The gas-liquid separation apparatus (08) according to any of the claims 1 or 2
comprising a first communication hole'(46) arranged in an upper surface (3 1) of the
gas-liquid separation apparatus (08) and a second communication hole (47) m g e d
in a Iower surface (32) of the gas-liquid separation apparatus (08), the first
communication hole (46) is adapted to enable the fuel tank (1 5) to communicate with
the second chamber (37) of the gas-liquid separation apparatus (08), and the second
LI
P communication hole (47) is adapted to enable the fuel tank (1 5) to communicate with
4 the first chamber (3 8) of the gas-liquid separation 00 apparatus (08).
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2** 4. The gas-liquid separation apparatus (08) according to any of the claims 1 to 3,
M
wherein the size of the first.communication hole (461, the second communication
hole (47), and the intermediate communication hoIe (48) are such that the fuel flow
rate through the intermediate communication hoIe (48) is lesser than the combined
fuel flow rate though the first communication hole (46) and the second
communication hole (47).
5. The 'gas-liquid separation apparatus (08) according to any of the claims 1 to 4
comprises a bulging portion (41 1 arranged on an upper surface (3 1) of the gas-liquid
separation apparatus (081, wherein the bdging portion (41) is the highest point inside I
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the separator body (35) of the gas-liquid separation apparatus (08) where a h e end I
i
(43) of the breather pipe (39) is located.
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6. The gas-liquid separation apparatus according to any of the ddms 1 to 5 is adapted to
be disposed in an h e x upper portion of the fuel tank (1 5).
7. The gas-liquid separation apparatus according to claim 6, is adapted to be disposed i
around the circumference of the receiving tray (23) around a fuel cap opening portion i
j
(221, wherein the receiving tray (23) in its central region is provided with an opening I
(24) which is M e r extended as a tubular part (25) for filling the fuel tank (1 5). i
I - 8. A vehicle comprising a gas-liquid separation apparatrrs (08) according to any of the
a rn previous claims.