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Fuel System Emissions Targeted by Freudenberg-NOK Valve Development Program

22 May 2000

Fuel System Emissions Targeted by Freudenberg-NOK Valve Development Program

    PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 22 Through a $20-million development
program that began last year, Freudenberg-NOK is applying its Technology
Specialist and total system sealing capabilities to develop fuel system
components which will help automakers to meet the stricter U.S. emissions
standards planned for 2003 and beyond (LEVII and ZEV).
    Leveraging the global Freudenberg and NOK Group's years of experience in
valve technology, a team of engineers and technical experts is developing
designs which could help cut emissions caused by the fuel system by as much as
90 percent, according to J. Jeffrey Hildebrand, Freudenberg-NOK's director -
Valve Business Unit.
    "In the year since the launch of the North American Valve Business Unit,
we've made remarkable progress," Hildebrand said.  "We have a highly qualified
team of technical experts in place in North America who are working
collaboratively with our colleagues in Europe and Asia.  We are well into the
development of fuel system valves which will not only meet customers' new
emissions requirements, but also reduce total system cost and complexity."
    With U.S. regulations leading the way in emissions standards globally,
Hildebrand said, his North American unit has established itself as the global
lead in fuel system valve technology for the worldwide Freudenberg and NOK
Group.
    Fuel system innovations being driven through the current development
program at Freudenberg-NOK include:
    *  Valves with patented seal designs offering a two-stage shut-off feature
enabling consumers to top off their fuel tanks;
    *  Multi-function, zero-leak valves which can be easily welded to plastic
fuel tanks;
    *  A patented valve body design which increases liquid/vapor separation to
maintain the effectiveness of the vapor recovery canister; and
    *  A clean-sheet fuel system design that could dramatically reduce the
number of fuel tank openings, valves and connections, as well as the length of
fuel lines, to minimize potential leaks and reduce cost.

    "With current fuel system designs featuring as many as six tank openings
and perhaps 10 to 15 connections, we see huge potential for improvement,"
Hildebrand said.  "By starting from scratch with a 'design for zero emissions'
approach early on, and leveraging our affiliates' expertise in fuel line and
quick connect expertise, we can help our customers achieve major reductions in
fuel system emissions, complexity, cost and warranty."
    According to Hildebrand, fuel system components now offered by
Freudenberg-NOK include: onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) control
valves, fill limit vent valves, roll over valves, fuel cut valves, inlet check
valves, canister purge valves, vapor management valves, refueling control
valves, flow management valves, ORVR filler head assemblies, check valves and
other sealing and NVH components.
    The company has been producing ORVR control valves in North America since
1997 and will launch production of a new refueling control valve in North
America later this summer.  Through its Valve Business Unit, Freudenberg-NOK
also offers a broad range of solenoid and diaphragm actuated valves for
application in various vehicle systems, including air induction, engine and
transmission control, steering, braking and all-wheel drive.
    Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg-NOK is part of the Freudenberg and NOK
Group Companies, which have total annual sales of nearly $7 billion.  With
global automotive sales of approximately $4 billion, the Freudenberg and NOK
Group ranks among the world's top 20 automotive suppliers and is one of only
eight in the top 100 that has global balance in each of the three major
automotive markets - Asia, Europe and North America.
    Through a global network of facilities spanning 27 countries with some
23,000 automotive employees worldwide, the supplier group offers its
automotive customers globally integrated products, including sealing packages
for transmissions, engines, brakes, axles and steering, NVH (noise, vibration
and harshness) components and packages, and all rubber, plastic and PTFE
components for suspension, electrical and fuel systems.
    The Freudenberg and NOK Group also offers an extensive portfolio of
precision-molded products for the aerospace, appliance, business machine,
fluid power, marine, medical, off-highway equipment and recreational vehicle
markets.  For more information, visit the Freudenberg-NOK web site at
http://www.freudenberg-nok.com .