Isolation valve with fast depressurization for high-pressure fuel tank

Abstract

An isolation valve includes a flow restrictor in a passage and having an orifice and configured to provide a first, second, and third flow paths. A spring may bias the flow restrictor to an open position that opens the second flow path. A solenoid assembly may include a coil and an armature moveable between an extended position that moves the flow restrictor to close the first, second, and third flow paths, and a retracted position that opens the first flow path. The first flow path may include a path from a first reservoir through the orifice to a second reservoir. The second flow path may include a first flow direction from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via a second path, the second path including a space between the flow restrictor and the passage. The third flow path may include a second flow direction from the second reservoir to the first reservoir via the second path.

1 - 20  (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An isolation valve, comprising:
 a flow restrictor disposed in a passage, the flow restrictor having an orifice and configured to provide a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path;   a flow restrictor spring that applies a biasing force to the flow restrictor to bias the flow restrictor to an open position that opens the second flow path; and   a solenoid assembly, including:
 a coil; and 
 an armature that is moveable between (i) an extended position that overcomes the biasing force of the flow restrictor spring to move the flow restrictor to a closed position that closes the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path, and (ii) a retracted position that opens the first flow path, 
   wherein when the coil is energized, the armature moves to the retracted position to allow vapor to flow through the first flow path at least until the biasing force of the flow restrictor spring overcomes a vapor pressure in a first reservoir to open the second flow path;   wherein the first flow path includes a first path from the first reservoir through the orifice to a second reservoir; the second flow path includes a first flow direction from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via a second path, the second path including space between the flow restrictor and the passage; and the third flow path includes a second flow direction from the second reservoir to the first reservoir via the second path.   
     
     
         22 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the flow restrictor is configured to open the third flow path while the coil is not energized if a vapor pressure in the second reservoir is sufficiently greater than the vapor pressure in the first reservoir that a vapor pressure differential and the biasing force of the flow restrictor spring overcome a biasing force of a solenoid spring of the solenoid assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , including a pressure relief valve configured to provide a fourth flow path, wherein the fourth flow path includes a path from the first reservoir through the pressure relief valve to the second reservoir if the vapor pressure in the first reservoir is greater than a third predetermined value. 
     
     
         24 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , including a seal, wherein in the extended position of the armature, the seal is in contact with the armature, a piston of the flow restrictor, and a wall of the passage. 
     
     
         25 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the passage includes a funnel-shaped portion and a piston of the flow restrictor is configured to move in the funnel-shaped portion. 
     
     
         26 . The isolation valve of  claim 25 , wherein the funnel-shaped portion includes a maximum diameter proximate the first reservoir and a minimum diameter proximate the second reservoir. 
     
     
         27 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the passage includes a step. 
     
     
         28 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the passage includes a plurality of steps and an inner diameter of the passage is different at each step. 
     
     
         29 . The isolation valve of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of steps includes at least three steps. 
     
     
         30 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the passage includes a tapered wall. 
     
     
         31 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the passage include a plurality of tapered walls. 
     
     
         32 . The isolation valve of  claim 21 , wherein the passage includes one or more guide ribs disposed around a perimeter of the passage. 
     
     
         33 . The isolation valve of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the one or more guide ribs includes an upper end with a tapered lead-in. 
     
     
         34 . The isolation valve of  claim 32 , wherein the armature is engaged with at least one of the one or more guide ribs. 
     
     
         35 . An isolation valve, comprising:
 a flow restrictor disposed in a passage having a funnel-shaped portion, the flow restrictor including:
 an orifice; and 
 a piston configured to move in the funnel-shaped portion; 
   a flow restrictor spring configured to apply a biasing force on the flow restrictor to bias the piston to an open position; and   a solenoid assembly, including:
 a coil; and 
 an armature that is moveable between (i) an extended position that overcomes the biasing force of the restrictor spring to move the flow restrictor to a closed position and to close the orifice, and (ii) a retracted position to open the orifice, 
   wherein when the coil is energized, the armature moves to the retracted position to allow vapor to flow through the orifice at least until the biasing force of the flow restrictor spring overcomes a vapor pressure; and, the open position of the flow restrictor allows vapor to flow through a space between the flow restrictor and the funnel-shaped portion of the passage.   
     
     
         36 . The isolation valve of  claim 35 , wherein the passage includes one or more guide ribs disposed around a perimeter of the passage, and at least one of the one or more guide ribs includes an upper end with a tapered lead-in. 
     
     
         37 . An isolation valve, comprising:
 a flow restrictor disposed in a passage having a stepped portion, the flow restrictor having:
 an orifice; and 
 a piston configured to move in the stepped portion; 
   a flow restrictor spring that applies a biasing force on the flow restrictor to bias the piston to an open position; and   a solenoid assembly, including:
 a coil; and 
 an armature that is moveable between (i) an extended position that overcomes the biasing force of the restrictor spring to move the flow restrictor to a closed position and to close the orifice, and (ii) a retracted position to open the orifice, 
   wherein when the coil is energized, the armature moves to the retracted position to allow vapor to flow through the orifice at least until the biasing force of the flow restrictor spring overcomes a vapor pressure; and, the open position of the flow restrictor allows vapor to flow through a space between the flow restrictor and the stepped portion of the passage.   
     
     
         38 . The isolation valve of  claim 37 , wherein the stepped portion includes a plurality of steps and an inner diameter of the passage is different at each step. 
     
     
         39 . The isolation valve of  claim 37 , wherein the stepped portion includes at least three steps and an inner diameter of the passage is different at each step. 
     
     
         40 . The isolation valve of  claim 37 , wherein the passage includes one or more guide ribs disposed around a perimeter of the passage, and at least one of the one or more guide ribs includes an upper end with a tapered lead-in.