Patent attributes
A fuel supply system for an outboard marine engine includes a vapor separator (28) having a uni-directional vapor vent device (36) for preventing fuel leakage when the engine (12) is tipped on its side. The vapor separator (28) includes an enclosed interior chamber (50) which is filled with liquid fuel by a suction pump. A separate, high pressure pump transfers the liquid fuel from the interior chamber (50) to a fuel injection system (32) of the engine (12). The vapor vent device (36) includes a generally tubular casing having an enclosed top end permeated by an escape passage (84), and a float (94) slidably disposed within the casing (82) for movement toward and away from sealing engagement with the escape passage (84). A spring (98) urges the float (94) toward a sealed condition against the escape passage (84), but is too weak to overcome the weight of the float (94) unless the engine (12) is tipped more than about 25 degrees from vertical, or unless the level of fuel in the interior chamber (50) lifts the float (94).
