Having Fuel Vapor Recovery And Storage System Patents (Class 123/518)
  • Patent number: 8671916
    Abstract: A fuel tank that stores a liquid fuel is equipped with a float member floating on the fuel stored in the fuel tank. In this fuel tank, the float member is so formed as to cover a liquid surface of the liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ogaki, Yoshihide Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8640676
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus includes a control valve having a dead zone range in which an evaporated fuel is blocked even if the opening angle is increased from a close position in opening direction and a communicating range in which the evaporated fuel is allowed to flow therethrough when opening angle is increased from the dead zone range. A control unit determines whether the opening angle is switched between the dead zone range and the communicating range. The switching is determined on the basis of a pressure inside the fuel tank detected with a pressure sensor and an air-fuel ratio detected by an air-fuel ratio sensor. A control valve installed in a communication path between a fuel tank and a canister is prevented from being seized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Horiba, Masakazu Kitamoto, Junji Saiga, Yoshikazu Kaneyasu
  • Publication number: 20140026865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid electric vehicle with a passive venturi pump are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises: during vehicle motion, passing air through a venturi coupled to the vehicle to generate vacuum; storing the generated in an accumulator; and, in response to a condition, discharging the stored vacuum to a vacuum consuming system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Russell Randall Pearce, Scott A. Bohr
  • Publication number: 20140020663
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between two reservoirs. The valve assembly includes a relief valve arranged inside the housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path when the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Vaughn Mills, Ronald Sexton
  • Patent number: 8622048
    Abstract: A three-port valve includes a valve body including a first port, a second port, and a third port, the first port having a first valve orifice and the second port having a second valve orifice. The valve may also include a first valve closure member and a second valve closure member, the first and second valve closure members may be configured to selectively seal the first and second valve orifices, respectively. The valve may further include a solenoid including a first coil and a second coil, at least one of the first and second coils configured to actuate at least one of the first and second valve closure members when energized. Additionally, the valve may include an electrical connection configured to selectively and individually energize the first and second coils. The valve may be configured to operate in at least three different states of operation. For example, the three-port valve may have a first state (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Stoneridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Young, James Rockwell
  • Patent number: 8607765
    Abstract: A method and a fuel tank system for adjusting a pressure in a fuel tank are described. Evaporated fuel tank escapes from the fuel tank under overpressure with respect to the ambient and is transferred to a temporary storage for at least one substance of the evaporated fuel. A venting means, through which the evaporated fuel escapes, is controlled by at least one parameter different from a pressure or at least one information provided in form of data. The pressure in the fuel tank can thereby be more variably adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Harald Hagen
  • Patent number: 8602004
    Abstract: According to the present teaching, a fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a fuel tank, a canister capable of adsorbing fuel vapor produced in the fuel tank, a fuel pump disposed within the fuel tank, a fuel recovery device configured to recover the fuel vapor from the canister into the fuel tank, and a control device configured to stop recovery of the fuel vapor by the fuel recovery device based on at least one of parameters representing the amount of the fuel vapor remaining within the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamotsu Ogita, Takashi Mani
  • Patent number: 8596311
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel tank, a fill head, a vapor canister, and a valve assembly. The fill head is in fluid communication with the fuel tank. Fluid flows from the fill head to the fuel tank. The vapor canister is configured for absorbing vapor therein. A recirculation line is configured to fluidly extend between the fuel tank and the fill head. A vapor line is configured to fluidly extend between the fuel tank and the vapor canister. The valve assembly is operatively disposed along the vapor line or the recirculation line. The valve assembly includes a filter having a membrane formed from a micro-porous element that is fluid impermeable and vapor permeable. Fluid is prevented from flowing through the membrane and into the vapor canister while allowing vapor to flow through the membrane and into the vapor canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Erdmann, Matthew D. Reuther
  • Publication number: 20130312713
    Abstract: A portion of a fuel system of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a motor-generator-starter connected to an engine. The fuel system includes a fuel tank connected to the engine. The portion of the fuel system includes an evaporative emissions system and an evaporative emissions leak check system connected to the evaporative emissions system. The evaporative emissions leak check system includes a vacuum source. The vacuum source includes the motor-generator-starter connected to the engine. The motor-generator-starter actuates the engine when the vehicle is operated in a non-moving, keyed-off condition for creating a vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALTe Powertrain Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt D. McLain
  • Patent number: 8578914
    Abstract: A fuel tank valve structure controlling emission gas in a hybrid vehicle may include a housing having one side connected with a fuel tank and the other side connected to a canister, a check valve mounted to the housing and opening or closing a first fluid passage connected between the canister and the fuel tank, a solenoid valve apparatus selectively connected with the check valve to open or close the first fluid passage to adjust an internal pressure of the fuel tank, a fuel limit vent valve apparatus mounted to the housing and selectively fluid-connecting to a space formed between the check valve and the fuel limit vent valve apparatus in the housing, and a relief valve mounted to the housing and selectively fluid-connecting the fuel tank with the canister through a second fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Unick Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-Hoon Lee, Sung-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8578913
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a fuel injector having a leading end portion that has an internal space in which fuel is stored and an injection nozzle for injecting fuel; and an adsorbent disposed in the internal space, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in a blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol. The adsorbent has a characteristic such that an amount of alcohol adsorption is small when a fuel pressure is low and large when the fuel pressure is high. Adsorption of alcohol onto, and desorption of alcohol from, the adsorbent can be controlled by changing the fuel pressure in the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshioka, Fumito Chiba, Takahiro Tsukagoshi, Ryota Onoe
  • Publication number: 20130291839
    Abstract: A deflector mounts a carbon scrubber element at an atmospheric port of an evaporative emissions canister. A substantially cylindrical shell has an open end and a closed end. A spacer plate extends outwardly from the shell. An elastomeric ring is overmolded within the shell at a longitudinal position between the ends. The elastomeric ring has an inner diameter configured to sealingly receive the carbon element. A plurality of vapor apertures are formed in the shell between the spacer plate and the elastomeric ring. A plurality of elastomeric ribs are overmolded by the interior surface within the shell the vapor apertures and the closed end, and are configured to be spaced around the carbon element to suspend the carbon element spaced away from the shell without blocking a gaseous flow from the vapor vents to the carbon element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jhun-Sou Lin, Mark E. Hipp, Christopher M. Kersman, Mark Cobb
  • Patent number: 8573187
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a hydrocarbon concentration of a gas stream in a line includes at least one sensor for measuring a hydrocarbon concentration, the position of said sensor being set off in relation to the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automobile GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Knittel, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 8551214
    Abstract: An emissions control system is provided that comprises a fuel tank, a hydrocarbon filter element, and a three-way valve coupled between the hydrocarbon filter element and the atmosphere. The three-way valve is comprised of three ports, a purge port, a reference port, and a sealed port, and enables identification of degradation of the emissions control system. The arrangement of the ports on the valve enables a simplified testing method that reduces background errors caused by transitioning between various operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Mohammad Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Mark W. Peters
  • Patent number: 8544451
    Abstract: According to the present teaching, a fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a fuel tank, a canister capable of adsorbing fuel vapor produced in the fuel tank, a fuel pump disposed within the fuel tank, a fuel recovery device configured to recover the fuel vapor from the canister into the fuel tank, and a control device configured to stop recovery of the fuel vapor by the fuel recovery device based on at least one of parameters representing the amount of the fuel vapor remaining within the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamotsu Ogita, Takashi Mani
  • Patent number: 8534266
    Abstract: An oil separator is provided to deposit gas fuel contained in the oil components for connection to a gas fuel line to a gas-powered combustion engine, which is a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for gas fuel, one recorded in the cabinet, which gas fuel then is flowable through the filter element, the sealing between a with the airflow associated stream dream and a receipt with the airflow associated outlet opening starting area is, and one in the inlet opening in the direction of gravity below an outlet with the airflow associated oil collection tank to record in the entrance area by gravity separation from the remote oil gas fuel includes. Furthermore, the oil separator a second oil collection tank to record from the filter element expiring contain oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Jauss, Ingo Zumbroich
  • Patent number: 8529659
    Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing the operability of fuel vapor intermediate stores (4), in particular of activated carbon filters, in tank-venting systems with at least one tank (3) and at least one fuel vapor intermediate store (4). In this case an actual change degree of filling of the fuel vapor intermediate store (4) is determined as a consequence of absorption or desorption processes of gaseous hydrocarbons in the fuel vapor intermediate store (4). The actual change in degree of filling is compared with a desired change in degree of filling and, from the comparison, a conclusion about the operability of the fuel vapor intermediate store (4) is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Streib, Andreas Pape, Andreas Baumann, Werner Haeming
  • Patent number: 8528526
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a vapor vent system for an internal combustion engine such as an outboard marine fuel injected engine. The vapor vent system includes a snap assembly decoupled float vapor vent in order to vent vapors from the vapor separator. The snap assembly design reduces costs, vibration and assembly requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Achor, Jerry Hayes, Michael Richards
  • Patent number: 8528527
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank and a tank ventilation device. The fuel tank is connected via a first and second tank ventilation lines to an intake tract of the internal combustion engine. A hydrocarbon store has first and second chambers separated by a diaphragm. The first chamber is connected in communicating fashion to the first tank ventilation line and the second chamber is connected in communicating fashion to the second tank ventilation line. Valves are arranged in the first tank ventilation line upstream and downstream of the first chamber. A valve is arranged in the second tank ventilation line between the second chamber and the intake tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Stefan Fischer
  • Patent number: 8528528
    Abstract: A vaporized fuel processing device includes a discharging passage having a canister and connected to a fuel tank, the discharging passage being provided with a stop valve and a relief valve that is opened when the pressure in a fuel tank is out of a first pressure range. A vaporized fuel processing device performs a purge flow detection process when the pressure in the fuel tank is within a second pressure range included in the first pressure range. On the other hand, the vaporized fuel processing device opens the stop valve when a purge is being performed, the frequency of performing the purge flow detection process is small, and the pressure in the fuel tank is out of the second pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Fukui
  • Publication number: 20130213364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a venting line (2) which communicates with the atmosphere via at least one fuel vapour filter (5), comprising at least one filler pipe (6) and comprising at least one recirculation line (8) for recirculating fuel vapours during refuelling, via which the venting line (2) is connected to the filler pipe upstream of the fuel vapour filter (5) in the direction of flow, at least one reducing member (9) being provided in the recirculation line for altering the flow cross section depending on the refuelling volumetric flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ibrahim Koukan
  • Patent number: 8511285
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus collects vapor, generated in a fuel tank, in a canister. A bypass passage is provided for an intake passage. An ejector is placed in the bypass passage to generate a negative pressure by air flowing in the bypass passage. When the negative pressure occurs in the ejector, the vapor collected in the canister is drawn from the canister to the ejector through the purge passage and then purged from the bypass passage to the intake passage. An open/close valve placed in the ejector is configured to allow or block the flow of air from the intake passage to the bypass passage according to a pressure difference between the pressure in an upstream portion and the pressure in a downstream portion of the bypass passage during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Konohara, Fumihito Nakatani, Tatsuya Furuhashi
  • Publication number: 20130186374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control device applied to an internal combustion engine provided with a fuel vapor treatment system for treating collected fuel vapor by purging the collected fuel vapor into intake air downstream from an air flowmeter (6) and an exhaust gas recirculation system for recirculating part of exhaust gas in the intake air using intake negative pressure. An electronic control unit (22) performs an advance correction corresponding to the exhaust gas recirculation quantity regarding the MBT ignition timing and the knock limit ignition timing, and corrects the volumetric efficiency of the internal combustion engine, which is used for the calculation of the advance correction quantity used for the advance correction, according to the purge air quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takumi Anzawa, Kenya Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8490603
    Abstract: A fuel tank valve device equipped with a casing, and a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism has a first valve unit having a first valve connecting hole, and a second valve unit that opens and closes the first valve connecting hole. The first valve unit completely closes the valve flow path by moving by the force in the valve closing direction when the pressure of the second communication path exceeds a preset first pressure value. In a state when the first valve unit is closing the valve flow path, when the pressure of the second communication path exceeds a preset second pressure value that is greater than the first pressure value, the second valve unit receives the pressure from the first valve connecting hole and moves to open the first valve connecting hole, communicating with the valve flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Kuwayama, Natsushi Miura
  • Patent number: 8485311
    Abstract: An air duct assembly supplies air from an air cleaner housing to an engine throttle and includes a first duct connected to the air cleaner housing and a second duct connected to the engine air intake. Open ends of the first and second ducts are spaced from one another and the second duct has a flared bell mouth at its open end. The second duct includes a sleeve that defines an attenuation chamber. A flexible bellows overlies the first and second ducts and the sleeve, and extends across the space between the first and second ducts to provide an airtight connection therebetween and flex during relative motion between the air cleaner housing and the engine air intake. A hydrocarbon adsorbing material can be housed within the attenuation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven K. Mackenzie, Eric R. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20130152904
    Abstract: A turbo purge module includes a purge valve connected between a vapor collection canister and an intake manifold. A venturi nozzle receives pressurized air from the turbocharger, when the turbocharger is operating, to create a vacuum to draw vapors from the canister through the purge valve to an inlet of the turbocharger and the intake manifold to be purged in the engine. A first check valve prevents pressure from the intake manifold from reaching the canister when the turbocharger is operating. A second check valve prevents vacuum pressure from the intake manifold from communicating with the venturi nozzle when the turbocharger is at idle, with vapor from the canister being drawn through the purge valve and the intake manifold to be purged in the engine. The purge valve, venturi nozzle, first check valve, and second check valve are integrated into a single component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8459237
    Abstract: A fill head assembly for a fuel storage system includes a check valve disposed within a central region of the fill head assembly. The check valve includes a membrane covering a vent outlet of the fill head assembly. The check valve prevents liquid flow from the central region into the vent outlet, while simultaneously allowing vapor flow from the central region into the vent outlet. The membrane includes a micro-porous material that is liquid impermeable, thereby preventing liquid flow through the membrane, and is vapor permeable, thereby allowing vapor flow through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Erdmann, Bradley N. Kippe
  • Patent number: 8459238
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a fuel burning engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is provided. As one example, the method includes separating a first fuel and a second fuel from a fuel vapor on-board the vehicle, said fuel vapor including at least an alcohol component and a hydrocarbon component and said first fuel including a higher concentration of the alcohol component than the fuel vapor and the second fuel; condensing the separated first fuel from a vapor phase to a liquid phase; delivering the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel to the engine; and combusting at least the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel at the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Patent number: 8459240
    Abstract: A canister for vehicles provided with an activated carbon to absorb an evaporation gas evaporated from a fuel tank, and releasing the absorbed evaporation gas to an engine, may include a housing to receive the activated carbon; an evaporation gas supply passage formed to the housing and fluid-connected to the fuel tank; an air passage formed to the housing and selectively receiving an air from the exterior of the housing; and a purge passage formed to the housing and fluid-connected to a purge line to supply the evaporation gas to the engine according to a flow of the received air, wherein the purge passage is provided with a first purge passage formed to the housing and directly fluid-connecting the housing to the purge line and a second purge passage formed to the housing and having an end portion positioned inside the first purge passage or the purge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sungwon Lee, Jung Soo Park, Ju Tae Song, Won Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 8459015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, an internal combustion engine having a new and novel system for improving the efficiency of the engine. In a preferred embodiment the system comprises an expander effective for receiving condensed engine exhaust and placing said exhaust in contact with copper or a copper alloy and for transforming the exhaust into vapor for transfer into the combustion chamber of the engine. In a preferred embodiment the system further comprises a condenser means for cooling the exhaust exiting the engine sufficiently to condense any water vapor and/or fuel vapor to form a liquid mixture or water and fuel, collecting and storing the liquid mixture, and directing the stored liquid mixture to the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy C. Coletta
  • Patent number: 8448629
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a device that can restrict or prevent flow of gas from a vapor passage into a canister during recovering of fuel vapor from the canister into a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Junya Kimoto, Masanobu Shinagawa, Masaki Ikeya
  • Patent number: 8447495
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Scott Bohr, Christopher Kragh, Timothy DeBastos, Patrick Sullivan, James Michael Kerns, Chad Michael Olson
  • Patent number: 8418678
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel system for a traveling vehicle having an engine mounted on a vehicle body and a ROPS extending upward from the vehicle body. The fuel system includes a fuel tank accommodating an amount of fuel, a canister, an evaporating hose including a first evaporating hose portion and a second evaporating hose portion for sending fuel vapor generated inside the fuel tank to the canister. The first evaporating hose portion is connected to the fuel tank and extending upward from the fuel tank along a vertical post of the ROPS. The second evaporating hose portion extends downward along a vertical post of the ROPS and is connected to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ochi, Masahiro Yamada, Hideya Umemoto, Eiji Satou, Yusuke Shoji, Kazuaki Nogami, Takeshi Komorida, Hiroyuki Tada, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Akira Minoura, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Patent number: 8413640
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emission cleaning system which is disposed on the intake tract of an internal combustion engine and has at least one device for taking in air and also at least one filter unit and a control/regulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Mair, Michael Rampfl, Klaus Breuer
  • Patent number: 8413433
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing hydrocarbon emissions from an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system. One example method comprises flowing exhaust gas over a hydrocarbon trap, the trap having a plurality of layers with different porosity and/or a different adsorptive affinity to hydrocarbon chains, and flowing hydrocarbons from a fuel tank over the hydrocarbon trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Lupescu
  • Patent number: 8372477
    Abstract: A method of adhering a particulate material, such as a hydrocarbon adsorbent material and/or a catalytic material, to a plastic surface, and products comprising the adhered material are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Buelow, Laif R. Alden, John Kauffman, John J. Steger, William McMaster, Zhenguo Liu, Raghuram Gummaraju
  • Patent number: 8353273
    Abstract: A control module and method for operating the same includes a diurnal control valve module that opens a diurnal control valve (DCV) and an evaporative leak check module (ELCM) diverter valve control module that switches on an ELCM diverter valve. The control module includes a correlation module performs a correlation of a ELCM pressure signal and a fuel tank pressure signal and that generates a fault signal in response to the correlation when the DCV valve is open and the ELCM diverter valve is on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt D. Mc Lain, William R. Cadman, David Edward Prout, Miles K. Maxey, Robert Jackson, Kenneth J. Kalvelage
  • Publication number: 20130008413
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel purge device integrally includes a main passage, a fuel inlet passage, a fuel outlet passage, an ejector, an air inlet passage, and an air outlet passage. Evaporated fuel flows into the main passage through the fuel inlet passage, and flow out of the main passage through the fuel outlet passage. Intake air flows into the ejector from a downstream of a turbocharger through the air inlet passage, and flows out of the ejector to an upstream of the turbocharger through the air outlet passage. At least three of the fuel inlet passage, the fuel outlet passage, the air inlet passage, and the air outlet passage are arranged to extend parallel with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, HAMANAKODENSO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsunori INOGUCHI, Shinji Sugihara
  • Patent number: 8336526
    Abstract: A method for testing a vapor purge system (VPS), and the vehicle having the VPS, including a controller for measuring a VPS pressure, closing a first valve coupling a VPS carbon canister and the environment, decreasing VPS pressure if it is greater than a threshold, and monitoring VPS pressure for a time period when the engine is at rest and the vehicle is operating. The pressure is decreased by opening a second valve coupling the fuel tank and the engine while the engine is running, and closing the second valve when the pressure is below the threshold. Another method for testing a VPS includes closing a first valve, closing a second valve, measuring the VPS pressure to provide a reference pressure with an associated profile, and monitoring VPS pressure compared to the profile for a time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Ann Irene Sipes, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed Mohammad Dudar, Mark W. Peters, Guopeng Hu
  • Patent number: 8327830
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a purge air supply device including separation device that can separate gas, which is introduced from within a fuel tank, into a fuel component and an air component. The air component is supplied into a canister for purging the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Junya Kimoto, Masanobu Shinagawa, Takashi Mani
  • Patent number: 8312868
    Abstract: A device and a method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and a tank ventilation system with a line designed to provide pneumatic communication between the tank ventilation system and the at least one cylinder. The line has at least one sensor for determining a hydrocarbon content of a gas flow. A determination, as a function of a measurement signal from the sensor, of a hydrocarbon content of a gas flow flowing from the tank ventilation system to the at least one cylinder is performed. At least one characteristic variable for a fuel quantity to be metered is determined as a function of the determined hydrocarbon content. A metering of fuel into the cylinder is determined as a function of the at least one determined characteristic variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Stephan Heinrich, Wolfgang Mai, Paul Rodatz, Manfred Weigl, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 8297263
    Abstract: A method of operating a boosted engine system is described in which an ejector coupled with a fuel vapor purging system can generate vacuum during both purging and non-purging conditions, and during both boosted and non-boosted conditions. The vacuum can therefore be used to power vacuum actuated brakes, and/or other vacuum actuators, irrespective of the purging conditions, and irrespective of boost levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8297262
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage and recovery apparatus includes a fuel vapor storage canister, said fuel vapor storage canister comprising at least first and second vapor storage compartments filled with an absorbent material, for instance filled with activated carbon, at least a vapor inlet port, an atmospheric vent port and a purge port. Said fuel vapor storage canister defines an air flow path between said vapor inlet port and said atmospheric vent port during shut-off of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. During purging cycles there is defined an air flow path between said atmospheric vent port and said purge port wherein said first and second vapor storage compartments are arranged in concentric relationship and wherein said first and second vapor storage compartments in flow direction are separated from each other by an air gap diffusion barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG, MAST Carbon Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Tobias Lang, Piers Catton, Ulrich Karsch, Tho Truong Huynh
  • Patent number: 8286658
    Abstract: A tank venting system is configured to regulate air and fuel vapor flow between a fuel tank and a fuel vapor recovery canister. A roll-over valve is included in the tank venting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Devall
  • Patent number: 8281769
    Abstract: An evaporative venting system for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for venting fuel vapors are disclosed. The evaporative venting system includes a containment chamber at least in indirect communication with a fuel tank and a passageway defined within the containment chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with the fuel tank and the outlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with an evaporative chamber such that the passageway provides a vent path between the fuel tank and the evaporative chamber such that the vent path allows for both the venting of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and the intake of air into the fuel tank during all angles of positioning of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric B. Hudak, Travis D. Schisel, Edward A. Uebelher
  • Publication number: 20120247432
    Abstract: In order to create enough vacuum pressure for the evaporative emissions, to be drawn into the intake air of an internal combustion engine, the present disclosure recites a purge booster disposed in the airflow between the intake air compressor and the air cleaner, the purge booster has a venturi tube comprising a gradually narrowed inner surface with an introduction passage therein. The airflow drawn from the air cleaner to the intake air compressor passes the inside space of the narrowed inner surface, thus, creating vacuum pressure for purging evaporative emissions by venturi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Cardno
  • Publication number: 20120240903
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes: a first engine-side pipe passage part which extends vertically; a second engine-side pipe passage part which is connected to a lower end of the first engine-side pipe passage part on one side in the vehicle widthwise direction and extends from one side to the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction above the engine body; and a third engine-side pipe passage part which is communicably connected to the second engine-side pipe passage part on the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction and is connected to the engine body, and at least a part of the charge pipe passage between a frame-side support part and an engine-side support part is formed of an elastic tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20120240902
    Abstract: A charge pipe passage includes a second pipe passage part which is connected to a fuel tank by way of a first pipe passage part and extends toward the other side from one side in the vehicle widthwise direction, and a third pipe passage part which is communicably connected with the second pipe passage part on the other side in the vehicle widthwise direction and has a highest part arranged at a highest position of the charge pipe passage at an intermediate position thereof. A first check valve is interposed on the third pipe passage part downstream of the highest part, an atmospheric air introducing pipe passage is connected to the third pipe passage part upstream of the first check valve, and a second check valve is interposed on the atmospheric air introducing pipe passage at a position higher than the highest part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kondo, Hiroshi Inaoka, Teruhide Yamanishi, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Toshiyuki Hyodo, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20120240900
    Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Laitala, Eric M. Kropp, Nathan J. Jochman
  • Publication number: 20120227712
    Abstract: Vaporize, in its simplest form, is gasoline vapors used to fuel a gasoline powered engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Jason Jay Varnum