Fuel Evaporation Canister Reinforcement

An industry leader in fuel systems designed a new evaporation canister, part of a vehicle’s emissions system. The assembly was composed of plastic, with a chamber where gasoline fumes are filtered through charcoal and a lid with a cylindrical hose fitting though which fumes are able to flow. The original design did not offer any reinforcement to the plastic hose fitting, and the OEM was concerned about its ability to maintain structural integrity over the lifespan of the fuel system.

The reinforcing component had to be self-retaining, resistant to the harsh corrosive environment, and allow fumes to flow freely through its center. The customer initially considered using Slotted Pins to reinforce the plastic tube; however they requested SPIROL’s assistance in determining the best component for their application.

After evaluating the application, SPIROL Engineering recommended the use of a stainless steel light duty Coiled Pin. Similarly to the Slotted Pin, the light duty pin is self-retaining, yet unlike the Slotted Pin, the light duty Coiled Pin does not exert excessive force that could damage the plastic tube. The Coiled Pin is manufactured from 300 series stainless steel to eliminate the risk of corrosion. Due to the thin layers of wrapped stainless steel, the light duty Coiled Pin provides the largest inner diameter of any standard Spring pin, allowing maximum functional volume for fume flow through the center of the pin.

The spring properties of the light duty Coiled Pin provide ample structural integrity; while the associated flexibility keeps the plastic host from cracking or deforming.

SPIROL’s pro-active approach to the customer’s original request for samples resulted in a formal recommendation that resolved their application problem and exceeded their expectations for responsiveness and technical assistance.

Complimentary Applications Engineering Support: SPIROL Engineers will review your application needs and work with your design team to recommend the best solution.