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 valve apparatus for use in a liquid tank, includes a casing, an extractor, and a float. The casing defines a main chamber, the main chamber having an inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. The extractor includes at least one wall member extending substantially across the main chamber and being adapted for extracting droplets present in a vapour stream coming from the liquid tank and entering the main chamber via the inlet orifice. The float includes a closure element capable of closing off the outlet orifice(s), the float being slidably mounted along the at least one wall member.

Abstract: A method for welding a heat shield during manufacturing of a vehicle component made from a thermoplastic material. The heat shield includes: a reinforcement layer made from a thermoplastic material which is weldable to the thermoplastic material of the vehicle component; and a heat shielding material that differs from the thermoplastic material of the reinforcement layer and is configured to decrease transfer of heat through the reinforcement layer to the vehicle component. The method includes: heating the heat shield to bring the thermoplastic material of the reinforcement layer in a molten state; placing the heated heat shield in a mold; bringing into the mold the thermoplastic material of the vehicle component in a molten state; welding the thermoplastic material of the reinforcement layer being in a molten state to the thermoplastic material of the vehicle component being in a molten state, by blow molding the vehicle component in the mold.

Abstract: A method for assembling a tank, including: providing a plastic first shell, a plastic second shell with an opening, and at least one connecting member with a plastic end part configured to be arranged in or around the opening, the first and second shell delimiting an internal volume of the tank, and the connecting member being dimensioned for connecting the first and second shell in the internal volume of the tank; welding a circumference of the first shell to a circumference of the second shell; arranging the end part in or around the opening; and connecting the end part of the connecting member to a wall part of the second shell by heating an external area of the second shell surrounding the opening and/or by heating the end part of the connecting member.

Abstract: A method for assembling a tank, including: providing a plastic first shell, a plastic second shell with an opening, and at least one connecting member with a plastic end part configured to be arranged in or around the opening, the first and second shell delimiting an internal volume of the tank, and the connecting member being dimensioned for connecting the first and second shell in the internal volume of the tank; welding a circumference of the first shell to a circumference of the second shell; arranging the end part in or around the opening; and connecting the end part of the connecting member to a wall part of the second shell by heating an external area of the second shell surrounding the opening and/or by heating the end part of the connecting member.

Abstract: A tank for storing an internal combustion engine exhaust gas liquid additive, the tank including a wall defining an internal volume, an electrical component located in the internal volume, and at least one electric cable configured to connect the electrical component to a voltage source outside the tank, at least one portion of the electric cable being inserted into an intermediate part connected to a base plate mounted over an opening in the wall, the base plate incorporating a casing mounted leaktight around an orifice in the base plate. The intermediate part is fastened by a quick-connect coupling including an electrical connector to which the electric cable is connected leaktight with aid of a seal and that emerges from the orifice in the base plate to outside the tank. The seal is inserted between the intermediate part and the connector and/or into a housing of the intermediate part.

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 assembling a tank including: providing a first shell and a second shell; putting edges of the first and second shells into contact with each other and mutually connecting the edges; providing the first shell with a first connecting member extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first shell, the first connecting member including a hole; and after the edges of the first and second shells are put into contact with each other, connecting the first connecting member to the second shell by inserting a pin shaped element through a hole in the second shell and the hole in the first connecting member.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for use in a liquid tank, the valve apparatus including a casing defining a main chamber, the main chamber having at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice; a float including a closure element, the float being movable inside the main chamber between a first position and a second position in which the at least one outlet orifice is closed off by the closure element; a weight control system configured for controlling the weight of the float by transferring a load in and out from the float, such that the weight of the float in the second position is lower than the weight of the float in the first position.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for use in a liquid tank, includes a casing, an extractor, and a float. The casing defines a main chamber, the main chamber having an inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. The extractor includes at least one wall member extending substantially across the main chamber and being adapted for extracting droplets present in a vapour stream coming from the liquid tank and entering the main chamber via the inlet orifice. The float includes a closure element capable of closing off the outlet orifice(s), the float being slidably mounted along the at least one wall member.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for activating/deactivating a biological catalyst used in a conversion system on board a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a source of energy adapted to activate the biological catalyst for converting a compound into reaction product. The method comprises the steps of: —detecting (SI) an event indicative of a filling/refilling of the conversion system with biological catalyst; —determining (S2) an amount of energy available at the source of energy; —starting at least one conversion operation comprising the steps of: (i) verifying (S3) whether the amount of energy available is greater than or equal to an amount of energy needed for activating the biological catalyst so as to achieve a predetermined level of conversion of said compound; (ii) if said verifying (i) is positive, activating (S4) the biological catalyst; —terminating (S7) said at least one conversion operation.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a container for the storage of ammonia solution; a vehicle consuming unit; and a line including at least one residence time chamber arranged between the container and the vehicle consuming unit. The container is in fluid communication with the vehicle consuming unit through the line. The residence time chamber is arranged to be in thermal communication with a heat source on-board the vehicle. The heat source is the vehicle consuming unit and the residence time chamber forms loops coiled around the vehicle consuming unit.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprising a fuel cell, at least one container for the storage of ammonia precursor, and a first and second fuel generator. The first and second fuel generators are configured to convert the ammonia precursor into fuel for use in the fuel cell. The first fuel generator is configured to carry out the ammonia precursor conversion within a lower temperature range than the second fuel generator.

Abstract: A module for use on-board a vehicle. The module includes a heater and at least a first and a second storage compartment. The first compartment at least partially surrounds the heater, and the second compartment at least partially surrounds the first compartment. The first compartment is configured to perform a first function in a first temperature range, and the second compartment is configured to perform a second function in a second temperature range, the second temperature range being lower than the first temperature range. The first compartment is in fluid communication with the second compartment. One function of the first and second function is receiving an ammonia precursor, and decomposing the ammonia precursor using a catalyst to generate an ammonia solution.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the nitrogen oxides found in the exhaust produced by a vehicle engine, the system comprising a NOx trap and a first adding means for adding a reducing agent to the exhaust gas. The first adding means is positioned downstream of the engine and either upstream of or within the NOx trap.

Abstract: A system for storing an internal combustion engine exhaust gas liquid additive, and including a tank for storing the additive, the tank including two halve shells manufactured as two separate parts that are assembled, at least one of the shells including an active component fixed inside of it.

Abstract: A method is provided for loading or reloading a decomposition unit of an SCR system, the SCR system being mounted on board a vehicle and including a filler pipe in communication with the decomposition unit. The method is such that at least one capsule containing at least one protein component adapted to decompose ammonia precursor is introduced through the filler pipe and is then guided through the filler pipe towards the decomposition unit.

Abstract: A method for welding a heat shield during manufacturing of a vehicle component made from a thermoplastic material. The heat shield includes: a reinforcement layer made from a thermoplastic material which is weldable to the thermoplastic material of the vehicle component; and a heat shielding material that differs from the thermoplastic material of the reinforcement layer and is configured to decrease transfer of heat through the reinforcement layer to the vehicle component. The method includes: heating the heat shield to bring the thermoplastic material of the reinforcement layer in a molten state; placing the heated heat shield in a mold; bringing into the mold the thermoplastic material of the vehicle component in a molten state; welding the thermoplastic material of the reinforcement layer being in a molten state to the thermoplastic material of the vehicle component being in a molten state, by blow molding the vehicle component in the mold.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for use in a liquid tank, the valve apparatus including a casing defining a main chamber, the main chamber having at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice; a float including a closure element, the float being movable inside the main chamber between a first position and a second position in which the at least one outlet orifice is closed off by the closure element; a weight control system configured for controlling the weight of the float by transferring a load in and out from the float, such that the weight of the float in the second position is lower than the weight of the float in the first position.

Abstract: A vehicle storage system, including: a tank configured to contain vapor or liquid and vapor, and a gas convertor to chemically convert at least one part of the vapor contained in the tank into liquid reaction products. The gas convertor contains, in use, a biological catalyst for the conversion of the vapor.