Abstract: A method may verify that a fuel tank cap is present and properly closed after refueling of a motor vehicle fuel tank. The method may include, in response to a request for refueling: (a1) enabling refueling of the motor vehicle fuel tank by opening a first vent valve connected in series in a vent line, downstream from a first port of a recirculation line coupled to the vent line, so that to vent the motor vehicle fuel tank to the atmosphere through a fuel vapor canister; (b1) disabling refueling of the motor vehicle fuel tank by closing the first vent valve; (c1) monitoring the internal pressure within the motor vehicle fuel tank when the refueling request is finished; and (d1) concluding that the fuel tank cap is deemed present and properly closed when the internal pressure increases and/or remains higher than the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leak detection system on board of a vehicle comprising a fuel tank (301, 401), a filler pipe (302, 402), a venting line (303, 403) for recirculating fuel vapors from the tank to the filler pipe, said system having a combination pressure and temperature sensor mounted in the vapor dome of the fuel tank, and a pressure sensor located in the recirculation line above the highest possible liquid level that could be present in the recirculation line and to methods to detect said leak.

Abstract: Fuel tank (1) having: a wall (12) defining an internal volume (20) of the tank, and a temperature sensor (4) located inside the internal volume of the tank and at least partially enveloped with a material (21) having a thermal diffusivity comprised between 2×10?7 and 2×10?5 m2/s at 20° C. The temperature sensor measure an internal tank temperature, such as a vapor dome temperature.

Abstract: A module (49, 149, 249) for use in a vehicle fuel system, said module comprising a housing (7) having a first port (9), a second port (41) and a passage (57) between the first port and the second port; a closure body (11) that is moveably arranged in said housing; wherein said closure body is configured for closing the passage between the first port and the second port in a first position of the closure body and for allowing access to the passage in a second position of the closure body; and a pump (13) that is integrated in said housing (7), wherein said pump (13) communicates with the first port (9) and is configured for pumping fluid into or out of the first port (9) while the closure body (11) is in the first position, characterized in that the module (49, 149) further comprises a motor (15) and a closure body actuator (67) configured for positioning the closure body (11, 111) in at least the first position and the second position, wherein said closure body actuator is driven by said motor (15), and said

Abstract: A method tests the state of an internal reinforcement element connecting two opposed walls of a liquid tank including an initial amount of liquid measurable by a level sensor. The method includes: a) determining a first threshold based on the initial amount of liquid and an initial internal pressure of the liquid tank; b) monitoring a level sensor output and a pressure sensor output; c) if the pressure sensor output is above the first threshold, determining a second threshold and a third threshold; d) comparing the level sensor output to the second and third thresholds; e) if the level sensor output is above the second threshold, sending a first predetermined signal indicating that the internal reinforcement element is broken, and/or if the level sensor output is below a third threshold, sending a second predetermined signal indicating that the internal reinforcement element is broken.

Abstract: A method tests the state of an internal reinforcement element connecting two opposed walls of a liquid tank including an initial amount of liquid measurable by a level sensor. The method includes: determining a first threshold based on the initial amount of liquid and an initial internal pressure of the liquid tank; monitoring a level sensor output and a pressure sensor output; if the pressure sensor output is above the first threshold, determining a second threshold and a third threshold; comparing the level sensor output to the second and third thresholds; if the level sensor output is above the second threshold, sending a first predetermined signal indicating that the internal reinforcement element is broken, and/or if the level sensor output is below a third threshold, sending a second predetermined signal indicating that the internal reinforcement element is broken.

Abstract: The fuel tank (1) comprises: an electronical board, a first sensor connected to the electronical board, the first sensor being a pressure sensor, a pressure port (7) forming a hole through a wall (12) of the tank, at least one second sensor (4) extending fully inside the tank, and a connector (10) connecting the second sensor to the electronical board through the pressure port, a first part (14) of the connector being connected to the second sensor by at least one first wire (13) and a second part (9) of the connector being connected to the electronical board by at least one second wire (8).

Abstract: The fuel tank (1) comprises: —a wall (12) defining an internal volume (20) of the tank, and —a temperature sensor (4) located inside the internal volume of the tank and at least partially enveloped with a material (21) having a thermal diffusivity comprised between 2×10?7 and 2×10?5 m2/s at 20° C.

Abstract: Determining the thermodynamic state of fuel includes opening the venting connection to release the tank pressure while monitoring the derivative pressure (dP/dt), closing the venting connection when one of the following conditions is met, the derivative pressure (dP/dt) is lower than a predetermined threshold DP1 or the opening time ?t1 reaches a predetermined value, if the closing of the venting connection occurs when the opening time ?t1 reaches the said predetermined value, determining that the fuel is boiling and aborting the method if the closing of the venting connection occurs when the derivative pressure (dP/dt) is lower than the said threshold DP1, measuring an initial tank pressure at the closing of the venting connection, measuring the final tank pressure after a closure time ?t2, calculating the pressure variation (?P/?t2), comparing the pressure variation (?P/?t2) with a first threshold PV1, if the pressure is lower then aborting the method.

Abstract: The fuel tank (1) comprises: an electronical board, a first sensor connected to the electronical board, the first sensor being a pressure sensor, a pressure port (7) forming a hole through a wall (12) of the tank, at least one second sensor (4) extending fully inside the tank, and a connector (10) connecting the second sensor to the electronical board through the pressure port, a first part (14) of the connector being connected to the second sensor by at least one first wire (13) and a second part (9) of the connector being connected to the electronical board by at least one second wire (8).

Abstract: A module (49, 149, 249) for use in a vehicle fuel system, said module comprising a housing (7) having a first port (9), a second port (41) and a passage (57) between the first port and the second port; a closure body (11) that is moveably arranged in said housing; wherein said closure body is configured for closing the passage between the first port and the second port in a first position of the closure body and for allowing access to the passage in a second position of the closure body; and a pump (13) that is integrated in said housing (7), wherein said pump (13) communicates with the first port (9) and is configured for pumping fluid into or out of the first port (9) while the closure body (11) is in the first position, characterized in that the module (49, 149) further comprises a motor (15) and a closure body actuator (67) configured for positioning the closure body (11, 111) in at least the first position and the second position, wherein said closure body actuator is driven by said motor (15), and said

Abstract: A method for controlling a pressure inside a fuel tank system on board a vehicle, the fuel tank system having a fuel tank and a venting circuit having at least one controllable pressure relief valve, the vehicle having a source of energy adapted to activate said at least one pressure relief valve so as to move it from a closed position to a pressure relief position. The method entails: detecting a key off event indicative of the vehicle shut-down; determining an amount of energy available at the source of energy; starting at least one pressure relief operation by verifying whether the amount of energy available is lower than a first predetermined threshold amount and, if the verification is positive, activating the at least one pressure relief valve; and terminating the at least one pressure relief operation.

Abstract: Determining the thermodynamic state of fuel includes opening the venting connection to release the tank pressure while monitoring the derivative pressure (dP/dt), closing the venting connection when one of the following conditions is met, the derivative pressure (dP/dt) is lower than a predetermined threshold DP1 or the opening time ?t1 reaches a predetermined value, if the closing of the venting connection occurs when the opening time ?t1 reaches the said predetermined value, determining that the fuel is boiling and aborting the method if the closing of the venting connection occurs when the derivative pressure (dP/dt) is lower than the said threshold DP1, measuring an initial tank pressure at the closing of the venting connection, measuring the final tank pressure after a closure time ?t2, calculating the pressure variation (?P/?t2), comparing the pressure variation (?P/?t2) with a first threshold PV1, if the pressure is lower then aborting the method.

Abstract: A method for controlling a pressure inside a fuel tank system an board a vehicle is provided. The fuel task system comprises a feel tank and a venting circuit having at least one controllable pressure relief valve. The vehicle comprises a source of energy adapted to activate the pressure relief valve so as to move it from a closed position to a pressure relief position. The method composes detecting a key off event indicative of the vehicle shut-down; determining an amount of energy available at the source of energy; starting at least one pressure relief operation comprising: verifying whether the amount of energy available is lower than a first predetermined threshold amount, and if the verifying is positive, activating the pressure relief valve. The method further composes terminating the pressure relief operation.

Abstract: A method for determining the volatility of fuel in a fuel storage system which entails: determining that a refueling event has occurred (210) and that the fuel storage system has subsequently been sealed (220); performing a first pressure measurement (230) at a first time after the determining; performing a second pressure measurement (240) at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time; determining a pressure evolution rate (250) from the first pressure measurement at the first time and the second pressure measurement at the second time; and deriving an estimation (260) of the volatility of the fuel from the pressure evolution rate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a filling operation of a vehicular liquid storage system including a tank equipped with a filler pipe and a shut-off valve, the method including detecting the start of a refilling event; while the shut-off valve is open, observing whether a measured fill level of the tank has reached a predetermined fill level; if the predetermined fill level has been reached, performing the following steps: closing the shut-off valve to induce a shut-off of a filling nozzle; when a first pressure criterion is met, opening the shut-off valve; and when a second pressure criterion is met, closing the shut-off valve. The second pressure criterion includes a decrease of pressure inside the tank below a predetermined pressure level.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for detecting a leak in a fuel system of a combustion engine comprising a fuel tank. The method is such that it comprises the steps of: obtaining a first set of data comprising at least a pressure data measured in the fuel system at a first time; adding energy to fluids contained in the fuel system, said energy being produced or wasted by means already present on board the vehicle for other purposes; obtaining a second set of data comprising at least a pressure data measured in the fuel system at a second time; determining the presence/absence of a leak in said fuel system by calculating a predetermined function on the basis of said first and second sets of data.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for determining the volatility of fuel in a fuel storage system, the method comprising: determining that a refueling event has occurred (210) and that the fuel storage system has subsequently been sealed (220); performing a first pressure measurement (230) at a first time after the determining; performing a second pressure measurement (240) at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time; determining a pressure evolution rate (250) from the first pressure measurement at the first time and the second pressure measurement at the second time; and deriving an estimation (260) of the volatility of the fuel from the pressure evolution rate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a filling operation of a vehicular liquid storage system including a tank equipped with a filler pipe and a shut-off valve, the method including detecting the start of a refilling event; while the shut-off valve is open, observing whether a measured fill level of the tank has reached a predetermined fill level; if the predetermined fill level has been reached, performing the following steps: closing the shut-off valve to induce a shut-off of a filling nozzle; when a first pressure criterion is met, opening the shut-off valve; and when a second pressure criterion is met, closing the shut-off valve. The second pressure criterion includes a decrease of pressure inside the tank below a predetermined pressure level.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for detecting a presence of a leak in a fuel system mounted on board of a vehicle. The method is such that it comprises the steps of: a) obtaining (S1,S6) temperatures and pressures in the fuel system at a first time and at a second later time; b) calculating (S8) a pressure expected in the fuel system at the second time, on the basis of at least one of the temperatures and pressures obtained at the first and second times, and a coefficient that represents the natural evolution of pressure in the fuel system over time; c) detecting (S9) a leak by comparing the calculated expected pressure and the pressure obtained at the second time to at least one predetermined threshold.