Abstract: A tubular separation system for separating a mixture of hydrocarbons and air at a fuel tank in an automotive vehicle, comprises; a fuel tank containing hydrocarbon fuel and a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel vapor and air; a fuel filler pipe connected to the fuel tank for conveying hydrocarbon fuel from a source of hydrocarbon fuel into the fuel tank; a separation module comprising a membrane for separating the hydrocarbon vapor from air; a first tubular member between the fuel tank and the separation module for conveying the mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the separation module; a second tubular member between the separation module and the fuel tank for conveying hydrocarbon fuel vapor, separated from the mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel vapor, from the separation module to the fuel tank; and a third tubular member between the separation module and the fuel filler pipe for conveying air, separated from the mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel vapor, from the separation module to

Abstract: An evaporative emissions system is used in an automotive evaporative emission system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The system includes (1) an evaporative emissions canister comprising a unitary molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and (2) a second housing containing a membrane, the second housing located adjacent the fresh air line of the evaporative emissions canister for preventing fuel vapor molecules and pollutants associated therewith, from passing through the membrane while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. A method is provided for preventing or substantially reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister for use in an automotive evaporative emission system to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The canister includes an integrally molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and an internal membrane located above the vapor adsorbent chamber in the fresh air side of the adsorbent chamber for preventing the fuel vapor molecules from passing through the internal membrane while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. The internal membrane is characterized as a cellular fibular material having physical properties sufficient to effectively cause any fuel vapor component molecules and associated pollutants to be sufficiently filtered or separated on the membrane while allowing fresh air molecules to pass freely therethrough.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions system is used in an automotive evaporative emission system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The system includes an evaporative emissions canister comprising a first molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and an auxiliary housing containing a carbon-coated reticulated material, the reticulated housing located in the fresh air line of the evaporative emissions canister for preventing fuel vapor molecules from passing through the carbon-coated reticulated material while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. A method is provided for preventing or reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister comprising an elongate housing, an activated carbon bed, and a volume compensator of resilient, air-permeable foam. The foam volume compensator maintains the canister volume and the position of the activated carbon component, which enables proper adsorption of vapors in the fuel vapor storage canister.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor and collector. An element that is capable of absorbing and releasing hydrocarbons is positioned in the air intake system of a vehicle, upstream from the engine and wholly in the airflow. The element has a plurality of chambers defined in it that allow air to pass through the element. The hydrocarbon sensor and collector also includes a means for detecting the level of hydrocarbons absorbed by the element.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister is provided. The canister includes a vapor storage chamber of variable volume, a partition, vapor adsorbing material, and a volume compensator. The partition is movable within the canister and partially defines the vapor storage chamber. The vapor adsorbing material is located in the vapor storage chamber. The volume compensator includes a spring having at least three legs that are deflected by and exert pressure against the movable partition to control the volume of the vapor storage chamber. In one embodiment, the legs of the spring may be evenly spaced to exert a balanced pressure. The spring may include two pairs of opposing legs, where the spring rate between the pairs of legs may vary. The spring may be comprised of two angularly offset band springs and may be formed from a unitary member.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor and collector. An element that is capable of absorbing and releasing hydrocarbons is positioned in the air intake system of a vehicle, upstream from the engine and wholly in the airflow. The element has a plurality of chambers defined in it that allow air to pass through the element. The hydrocarbon sensor and collector also includes a means for detecting the level of hydrocarbons absorbed by the element.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing noise produced by an engine idle air bypass valve and passage includes positioning an acoustic diverter at the end of the air bypass passage to force the noise away from exterior surfaces of a downstream chamber and toward the internal cavities of the engine such as a cylinder head. The diverter of the present invention reduces noise without causing restriction of air flow through the air bypass passage.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing noise produced by an engine idle air bypass valve and passage includes positioning an acoustic diverter at the end of the air bypass passage to force the noise away from exterior surfaces of a downstream chamber and toward the internal cavities of the engine such as a cylinder head. The diverter of the present invention reduces noise without causing restriction of air flow through the air bypass passage.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister includes a housing containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing material, such as carbon. The canister may be configured to such that a portion acts as a buffer canister of such that the entire canister is used to adsorb hydrocarbon emissions. The canister housing is generally cylindrical with a reduced cross-sectional area portion and is configured in a manner to allow flow along a relatively straight line; with both features acting to increase purge efficiency and reduce restriction, respectively.

Abstract: An automotive evaporative emissions canister includes a housing containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing material, such as carbon. The canister includes a vent port for venting air to the atmosphere upon adsorption of hydrocarbons and for admitting air upon the desorption of hydrocarbon during the purging operation of the canister. A purge port is adapted for connection to the engine to allow the desorbed hydrocarbons to flow into the engine. A plurality of holes is formed through the side wall of the canister housing and are formed at a location remote from the purge port between the vent port and the purge port to define a buffer zone. The holes are adapted for communication with the fuel tank to allow fuel vapor to flow through the tank through the plurality of holes into the buffer zone. Thus, vapor purged directly from the tank to the engine is buffered through the carbon canister to prevent any vapor purge spikes creating the undesirably over-rich condition.

Abstract: In a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a fuel vapor recovery system including a carbon canister connected to the fuel tank for collecting fuel vapors from the fuel tank as the tank is being refilled, an air filtering apparatus is provided to supply a flow of clean and dry purge air to the canister for the purging of vapors therefrom. The air filtering apparatus includes gradually spaced baffle means and filter element means and is remotely connected in the evaporative emission control system by hoses connected to the air inlet and air outlet of the canister.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an automotive vehicle includes a generally cylindrical casing having an adsorption zone containing hydrocarbon adsorbing agent, an antechamber extending within the casing to the adsorption zone, and a swirl inducing inlet passage for conduction of hydrocarbon laden air into the antechamber such that a rotational flow pattern will be established in the antechamber, with the rotational flow having an axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical casing.