Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a level of water in real time for a vehicle and using the said estimation to perform one or more vehicle control strategies. In one example, a method may include adjusting a valve in a fuel system of the vehicle responsive to a level of water through which the vehicle is passing. In this way, water inhalation into the vehicle fuel system may be avoided.

Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising: a fuel vapor canister coupled to a fuel tank; a thermal jacket comprising a phase-change material, the thermal jacket spatially sheathing the fuel vapor canister; and an engine coolant passage positioned to transfer thermal energy between engine coolant and the phase-change material. In this way, the phase-change material may buffer the temperature of the fuel vapor canister by absorbing heat generated during hydrocarbon adsorption, and returning the heat to the vapor canister during hydrocarbon desorption. By coupling the phase-change material to engine coolant, the thermal capacity of the thermal jacket can be increased, as heated coolant can thus transfer thermal energy to the phase-change material to replace the thermal energy transferred to the canister during hydrocarbon desorption.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a level of water in real time for a vehicle and using the said estimation to perform one or more vehicle control strategies. In one example, a method may include adjusting a valve in a fuel system of the vehicle responsive to a level of water through which the vehicle is passing. In this way, water inhalation into the vehicle fuel system may be avoided.

Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising: a fuel tank; a thermal regulator comprising a phase-change material, the thermal regulator coupled to the fuel tank; and an engine coolant passage positioned to transfer thermal energy between engine coolant and the phase-change material. In this way, the temperature of the fuel tank may be managed passively by the phase-change material, and actively by engine coolant, thereby allowing heat energy to be shunted away from the fuel tank, cooling the fuel within the fuel tank, and reducing fuel vapor concentration, thus enabling a fuel vapor canister with a reduced size.

Abstract: A fuel storage system includes a storage vessel including a dielectric liner, a voltage sensor formed by a pair of plates disposed on opposing surfaces of the liner, and a controller configured to determine a gas pressure in the storage vessel based on voltages measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising: a fuel tank; a thermal regulator comprising a phase-change material, the thermal regulator coupled to the fuel tank; and an engine coolant passage positioned to transfer thermal energy between engine coolant and the phase-change material. In this way, the temperature of the fuel tank may be managed passively by the phase-change material, and actively by engine coolant, thereby allowing heat energy to be shunted away from the fuel tank, cooling the fuel within the fuel tank, and reducing fuel vapor concentration, thus enabling a fuel vapor canister with a reduced size.

Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising: a fuel vapor canister coupled to a fuel tank; a thermal jacket comprising a phase-change material, the thermal jacket spatially sheathing the fuel vapor canister; and an engine coolant passage positioned to transfer thermal energy between engine coolant and the phase-change material. In this way, the phase-change material may buffer the temperature of the fuel vapor canister by absorbing heat generated during hydrocarbon adsorption, and returning the heat to the vapor canister during hydrocarbon desorption. By coupling the phase-change material to engine coolant, the thermal capacity of the thermal jacket can be increased, as heated coolant can thus transfer thermal energy to the phase-change material to replace the thermal energy transferred to the canister during hydrocarbon desorption.

Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.

Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.

Abstract: A fuel filler system for an automotive vehicle includes a filler pipe connected with a fuel tank and an interceptor mounted about an open end of the filler pipe, with the interceptor and filler pipe defining a generally annular contaminant collector having a drain extending from the collector. A filler cap closes both the open end of the filler pipe and the open end of the interceptor, so as to prevent ambient contamination from entering either the contaminant collector or the filler pipe. Removal of the filler cap from the filler pipe first causes venting of the fuel tank into the collector before a sealing condition between the filler cap and the interceptor is released.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing leak testing on fuel system components in hybrid vehicles during engine-off operating conditions are disclosed. For example, a fuel tank may include a pressure accumulator which may be filled with fuel via a fuel pump in order to generate a vacuum which may be used to diagnose leaks in the fuel system.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle is provided. The system may include a fuel tank including a first and a second interior region at least partially separated from each other. The system may further include a fuel pump including a pick-up positioned in only the first region and a passive-siphoning subsystem with a crossover-siphoning conduit communicating between the first and second regions, the conduit enclosing a wicking element.

Abstract: A fuel filler system for an automotive vehicle includes a filler pipe connected with a fuel tank and an interceptor mounted about an open end of the filler pipe, with the interceptor and filler pipe defining a generally annular contaminant collector having a drain extending from the collector. A filler cap closes both the open end of the filler pipe and the open end of the interceptor, so as to prevent ambient contamination from entering either the contaminant collector or the filler pipe. Removal of the filler cap from the filler pipe first causes venting of the fuel tank into the collector before a sealing condition between the filler cap and the interceptor is released.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing leak testing on fuel system components in hybrid vehicles during engine-off operating conditions are disclosed. For example, a fuel tank may include a pressure accumulator which may be filled with fuel via a fuel pump in order to generate a vacuum which may be used to diagnose leaks in the fuel system.

Abstract: A fuel storage system includes a storage vessel including a dielectric liner, a voltage sensor formed by a pair of plates disposed on opposing surfaces of the liner, and a controller configured to determine a gas pressure in the storage vessel based on voltages measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A fuel storage system includes a fuel tank, a fueling receptacle in fluid communication with the tank, and a coil adjacent the fueling receptacle. The system also includes a controller configured to determine information about a state of fuel in the tank, and to cause a modulated current to be driven into the coil to generate an electromagnetic field. The modulated current represents the information about the state of fuel in the tank.