Air Or Fuel Vapor Purging System Patents (Class 123/516)
  • Patent number: 9334109
    Abstract: System and methods for recovering flash gas from at least one flash gas source. A system may include a controllable inlet valve having an input in fluid communications with the flash gas source to receive flash gas; a compressor having an input in fluid communications with an output of the inlet valve to receive the flash gas when the inlet valve is open, the compressor compressing the flash gas to form compressed gas; a controllable recirculation valve in fluid communications with an output of the compressor and the output of the inlet valve; and a controller coupled with and selectively controlling the inlet valve and the recirculation valve between i) a pass-through mode wherein the inlet valve is open and the recirculation valve is closed, and ii) a recirculation mode wherein the inlet valve is closed and the recirculation valve is opened. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: EcoVapor Recovery Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Peter Mueller, David Scott Gorham, Nicholas Taylor Koerner, Richard deCourville Chapman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9308814
    Abstract: A method of controlling pressure of a fuel system of a hybrid vehicle including an engine fed with fuel stored in a tank made of plastics material, and an electric motor, the method including, when the engine is stopped, relaxing pressure inside the fuel tank in full or in part after a given safety duration and as a function of at least one stress accumulation parameter, each stress accumulation parameter being associated with an element of the fuel system and being defined by information concerning temperature, information concerning exposure duration, and information concerning a level of stress on the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Jean-Francois Berard
  • Patent number: 9310349
    Abstract: A system and method controls a ratio of fuel to gas delivered to an internal combustion engine. Fuel for the engine is stored in a fuel supply. The fuel supply generates fuel vapor that is retained in a canister. The canister is in fluid communication with the engine via a flow path. Hydrocarbon concentration of fuel vapor in the flow path is determined. Pressure drop across a restrictive orifice provided in the flow path is measured to determine a flow rate of the fuel vapor in the flow path. A flow of the fuel vapor through the flow path and to the engine is controlled and injection valves that inject fuel into the engine are controlled so that an amount of fuel injected into the engine is based on the determined concentration of hydrocarbons in the fuel vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9243395
    Abstract: A waste water lifting installation includes a collection container (2) and a flange plate (4) which is arranged on the upper side of the collection container (2) and on which a level switch (12) immersing into the collection container (2) is attached. At least one run-in pipe (22), departing from the flange plate (4), extends vertically downwards into the collection container (2) and has such a vertical length that the lower end (28) of the run-in pipe (22) is vertically distanced further from the flange plate (4) than a lower end of the level switch (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Riccardo Dal Canto, Alessandro Iacoponi, Ralf Schomäcker
  • Patent number: 9222445
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processing apparatus may include a first canister and a second canister each having an adsorbent disposed therein. The second canister may include a first passage and a second passage each communicating between the first canister and an atmosphere. The first passage may be configured as an adsorption passage having the adsorbent disposed therein. The second passage may be configured as an air passage through which air flows. A control device may control flow of the air through the air passage. A heating device may heat the air flowing through the air passage. The air passage may be arranged so that the adsorbent of the adsorption chamber is heated by heat of the air that is heated by the heating device and flows through the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Akiyama, Ryuji Kosugi, Junya Kimoto, Masakazu Hasegawa, Shinji Shimokawa
  • Patent number: 9200719
    Abstract: A first hole is connected through a first fluid chamber to an inflow hole. A first valve seat is formed around the first hole. A second fluid chamber is connected through a second hole to the first hole. An outflow hole is connected to the second fluid chamber. A second valve seat is formed around the second hole. A third valve seat is formed around the outflow hole. A first valve element is movable in the first fluid chamber to make contact with the first valve seat. A second valve element is movable in the second fluid chamber to make contact with the second valve seat or the third valve seat. A biasing member biases the second valve element toward the second valve seat. An outer peripheral passage is formed between an outer periphery of the second valve element and the second housing to enable flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoyu Kishi, Yuichiro Miura, Hirofumi Onodera
  • Patent number: 9150268
    Abstract: A fuel tank and pump assembly is provided for supporting a fuel pump on a fuel tank, with a pump support member provided on a tank outer wall of the fuel tank. The fuel pump includes a pumping portion which is inserted into the fuel tank through a pump attachment opening formed a main tank body of the fuel tank. The pump support member includes a plurality of arcuate support plate elements arranged around the pump attachment opening. The fuel pump is secured to fastening sections provided on the support plate elements, and is attached to a main tank body at the pump attachment opening in a sealed, liquid tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Inoue, Kohei Hirano
  • Patent number: 9051907
    Abstract: In an upright state where a vehicle is supported by a main stand, or and a tilted state where the vehicle is supported by a side stand, an inflow port of a fuel filter unit is located at a position higher than an outflow port. The fuel filter unit and the upstream side filter pipe are installed in the vehicle so that the upstream side filter pipe is arranged at a higher position as it goes toward the upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakabayashi, Yuichi Kato, Shigeru Kita, Tomoyuki Okamoto, Masaya Adachi
  • Patent number: 8967128
    Abstract: An air induction system for an engine includes an air filter box configured to receive an air filter that separates the air filter box into an atmosphere side and a filtered air side, a clean-air duct coupled downstream from the air filter box and upstream of the engine relative to a direction of air flow during engine operation, a flow-through hydrocarbon trap positioned within the clean-air duct, and a bypass hydrocarbon trap secured within the air filter box on the filtered air side, the hydrocarbon trap having a plurality of generally flat or coiled layers of hydrocarbon adsorbing material sandwiched together and secured one to another. Mechanical fasteners such as grommets may extend through the plurality of layers to secure the layers together. The fasteners may be secured to ribs extending along an upper surface of the air filter box or an interior surface of the clean-air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew George Bellis
  • Patent number: 8950382
    Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve comprising a housing. The housing comprising inlet and outlet ports in flow communication via first and second valve controlled passages. The first valve controlled passage being configured to admit fuel vapor flow in a direction from the inlet port to the outlet port only when pressure at the inlet port exceeds a predetermined threshold. The second valve controlled passage being configured to admit vapor flow in a direction from the outlet port to the inlet port only when pressure at the inlet port drops below pressure at the outlet port. The fuel vapor control valve further comprising a sealing arrangement disposed at an external portion of the housing between the inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Raval A.C.S. Ltd.
    Inventors: Omer Vulkan, Vladimir Olshanetsky, Alon Levy
  • Patent number: 8944100
    Abstract: An isolation valve includes a flow restrictor disposed in a passage and having a piston with a first orifice and a depressurization valve with a second orifice. The valve also includes a solenoid valve assembly having a coil that is selectively energized by a signal from a controller and an armature that is moveable between first and second positions to open and close the first orifice and/or the second orifice. When the coil is energized, the armature moves to the second position to allow vapor to flow through the first orifice, the depressurization valve selectively opens to allow vapor to flow through the first orifice, the second orifice, or both. The two orifices work together to provide controlled vapor flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Lee Pifer
  • Patent number: 8944101
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Vaughn Mills, Ronald Sexton
  • Patent number: 8931459
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for controlling evaporative emissions in an internal combustion engine. A control valve assembly having a valve housing having an inlet portion, a first outlet portion and a second outlet portion, and a vapor chamber is provided. The vapor chamber is situated within the housing and is in communication with the inlet portion, first outlet portion and second outlet portion. The assembly is configured to receive fuel vapors from a fuel vapor source, through the inlet portion into the valve chamber. The assembly is further configured to selectively actuate a piston member situated at least partially inside the valve chamber for communicating the fuel vapors in the vapor chamber to either: (i) at least one of the atmosphere and an engine air inlet system via the second outlet portion when the engine is operating or otherwise engaged to be operated, or (ii) to a crankcase of the engine via the first outlet portion when the engine is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Aleko D. Sotiriades
  • Patent number: 8931508
    Abstract: A vapor isolation valve includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a fuel tank and a second chamber disposed with respect to the first chamber. A diaphragm is disposed between the first and second chambers, has an orifice allowing fluid communication therebetween, and is moveable between a diaphragm open position and a diaphragm closed position. A third chamber is disposed adjacent the first chamber, relative to the diaphragm, and is in fluid communication with an exit passage. The diaphragm open position allows fluid communication between the first and third chambers, and the diaphragm closed position substantially restricts fluid communication therebetween. A pilot valve is disposed between the second and third chambers and is selectively moveable between a pilot open position configured to allow fluid communication between the second and third chambers and a pilot closed position configured to block fluid communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Martin, Matthew L. Erdmann, James P. Ostrosky
  • Patent number: 8881764
    Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft includes a fuel collector downstream of a boost pump and upstream of an engine fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Joe James Burg, Robert R. Rogstad
  • Patent number: 8869777
    Abstract: A method of controlling an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle includes determining that a refueling event has been requested by a vehicle occupant, detecting a pressure inside a fuel tank, and impeding opening of a fuel tank inlet if the pressure is above a limit value. After the refueling event, an open/closed status of a fuel inlet access door is monitored, a fuel level inside a fuel tank is monitored, and a vehicle engine an operating condition is monitored. Pressure buildup within the fuel tank is disabled if a) the open/closed status has not changed from closed to open, and b) the fuel level has increased, and c) the vehicle engine is operating. An operator alert may be generated, and/or a fault code may be set in a vehicle diagnostic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Espinoza
  • Patent number: 8844561
    Abstract: An isolation valve has an electrically-actuated solenoid valve, at least one port having a port extension, and a sensor assembly coupled to the port extension. The sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit disposed on the circuit board, and at least one pressure sensor coupled to the port extension to measure a vapor pressure in the port extension. In one embodiment, a single sensor assembly can monitor pressure at two or more ports. By integrating the sensor assembly into the isolation valve, the valve has a compact assembly that is easy to install in a vapor control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Dean Keller, Daniel Lee Pifer
  • Patent number: 8833346
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mounting fuel delivery system components to fuel tanks are described herein. An example fuel tank includes a housing having a cavity to store a liquid fuel and a boss integrally formed with and protruding from a surface of the housing to receive a fuel delivery system component. The boss receives a threaded fastener to couple the fuel delivery system component to the surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Sean Whelan, Robert Tate, Brian Scott
  • Patent number: 8833347
    Abstract: This invention relates to an automatically regulated gaseous mixer for small universal gas engine comprising a mixer body, a choker, an air inlet port, a main gas passage, a main metering jet, a mixture outlet port, a throttle valve, a gas connecting passage and an auxiliary gas passage, which is characterized in that an auxiliary gas passage is set parallel to the main gas passage and connected through a vertical gas passage. Its top end is linked to the main gas passage and the lower end is connected with the auxiliary gas passage, one end of the auxiliary passage is connected with the mixture outlet port. The shaft of throttle valve is in line with auxiliary gas passage and is extended into the auxiliary gas passage to form an automatically regulated valve. The advantages of this invention are simple and compact; practical and reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Huachang Yang, Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 8813781
    Abstract: A drop separator for the bleeding line of a fuel container, comprising a drop separator housing that is connected to a space surrounded by the filler tube of the fuel container, preferably directly to the refueling channel of the filler tube, and at least two bleeding line connections, wherein the housing is divided by at least one partition into at least two separate gas paths, wherein a first gas path is designed as a gas inlet channel and a second gas path as a gas outlet channel. The gas inlet channel is closed on the end face by a lid and communicates via a passage of a surrounding wall of the drop separator housing with the filler tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Waldemar Nickel, Manfred Prueser
  • Patent number: 8793059
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a fuel injection system (10) of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel injection system (10) comprises a manifold (24) and a high-pressure pump (20) and a fuel dosing unit (16) is associated with the high-pressure pump (20), wherein the fuel dosing unit (16) controls the amount of fuel delivered, an amount of fuel required for the operation of the internal combustion engine is determined as a function of a correction factor, which is based on a fuel pressure at the inlet of the high-pressure pump (20) and/or on a vapor pressure of the fuel to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Albrecht, Frank Mueller, Bernd Schroeder, Jens Wolber, Markus Amler, Timm Hollmann, Christian Wiedmann
  • Publication number: 20140165971
    Abstract: A fuel-air separator includes a chamber with an interior side-wall surface and adjacent interior top and bottom surfaces. An inlet of the fuel-air separator opens to the interior side-wall surface to admit fuel and air and to cause the fuel and air to flow helically down and along the interior side-wall surface. A diptube opens to the bottom surface and extends along an axis of the interior side-wall surface to a fuel outlet, while the separated air is released to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Myers, Yi Zhang, Syed K. Ali, Mike Dong, Carlos Armesto
  • Patent number: 8753424
    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: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Mohammad Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Mark W. Peters
  • Patent number: 8739766
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine to generate vacuum for a subsequent leak detection routine. During a selected key-off condition, a starter motor is operated to spin the engine unfueled and generate intake vacuum for the leak detection. Fuel vapors drawn during the spinning are stored in an auxiliary canister that is purged along with a main canister during purging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roy Jentz, Mark W. Peters, Ann Irene DeZelia, Aed Mohammad Dudar
  • Patent number: 8733325
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treating device includes a chamber, closest to an atmospheric port, divided into first, second, and third compartments by a partition member having a peripheral wall and a separating wall. The first compartment has an adsorbent layer and one end in communication with the third compartment and another end in communication with a tank port. The second compartment communicates with the first compartment through a first communication portion formed at one end of the peripheral wall. One end of the second compartment communicates with the third compartment through a second communication portion provided in the separating wall, while the other end thereof is closed. The airflow resistance of a second filter covering one end of the peripheral wall and one end of the separating wall is higher than the airflow resistance of a first filter covering one end of the adsorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 8734194
    Abstract: A fuel supply system of an outboard motor includes: a vapor separator which separates a fuel sent from a fuel tank by a low-pressure fuel pump into gas and liquid to release fuel vapor to an atmosphere; a fuel cooler which is disposed under the vapor separator to cool the fuel by cooling water passing through a cooling water pipe; a drain pipe connected to a side surface of the fuel cooler which faces downward while the outboard motor is tilted up; and an in-line high-pressure fuel pump connected in a middle of a fuel pipe connected to a side surface of the fuel cooler different from the side surface to which the drain pipe is connected. It is possible to easily and surely draw off the fuel in the fuel pipe while the outboard motor is tilted up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Takewaki, Gen Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8726887
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hybrid vehicle (1) having an internal combustion engine (2) and an electric machine (4) that can be used individually or jointly to drive at least one axle (9, 10) of the hybrid vehicle (1) by connecting a clutch (15), and having a regeneratable filter device that takes up fuel vapors from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine (2). To improve the comfort in a purely electric driving mode and/or to improve the reproducible operation of a hybrid vehicle during a special exhaust gas test, in a purely electric driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle (1) is driven only by the electric machine (4), the internal combustion engine (2) is switched on with the clutch (15) open to regenerate the filter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Rauner
  • Patent number: 8726886
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel supply pump and a jet pump utilizing flow from the supply pump to supply fuel to a fuel pump reservoir from a main fuel tank. The jet pump includes a body with a main inlet coupled to an outlet of the supply pump provided at its upper end. A nozzle is positioned on an interior of the body. A mixing tube is defined by the body downstream of the nozzle, and defines a channel extending along an axis. A suction inlet of the body is in fluid communication with the mixing tube channel. A jet pump outlet formed in the body is positioned at or above an upper portion of the reservoir such that fuel pours down into the reservoir. The body redirects fuel in a direction away from the axis for discharge through the jet pump outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Mason
  • Patent number: 8725387
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining an air-fuel ratio imbalance among cylinders based on an output value of an air-fuel ratio sensor, an imbalance determination parameter which becomes larger or smaller as a difference among air-fuel ratios becomes larger, and performs determining an air-fuel ratio imbalance among cylinders based on a result of a comparison between the imbalance determination parameter and a imbalance determination threshold. The determining apparatus calculates a purge correction coefficient which compensates for a change in the air-fuel ratio due to an evaporated fuel gas which is generated in a fuel tank, while the evaporated fuel gas is being introduced into an intake passage, and corrects a fuel injection amount with the purge correction coefficient FPG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Iwazaki, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Fumihiko Nakamura, Hiroshi Sawada, Toru Kidokoro
  • Patent number: 8695573
    Abstract: During operation of an internal combustion engine system which has at least one sensor for measuring a hydrocarbon content of a gas stream in a line, a temperature is determined at the at least one sensor. If the temperature is greater than a prespecified temperature, the flow of gas through the line is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Stephan Heinrich, Wolfgang Mai, Paul Rodatz, Manfred Weigl, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 8683852
    Abstract: A leakage diagnosis device can determine whether or not leakage occurs from a fuel vapor processing apparatus by comparing a diagnosis criterion, such as a reference pressure set for diagnosing leakage, with an internal pressure of a process system of the fuel vapor processing apparatus during application of a negative or positive pressure to the process system. The diagnosis criterion has a device that can correct the diagnosis criterion based on a fuel vapor pressure within the process system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Makino
  • 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
  • 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: 8616047
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating a fuel tank venting valve of a motor vehicle during leak testing of a fuel tank venting system where the fuel tank venting valve is arranged in a recovery line that connects a retention vessel to catch fuel vapors from a fuel tank to an inlet manifold of an operating internal combustion engine, comprising sealing the tank venting system from the atmosphere outside the motor vehicle, opening the fuel tank venting valve to expose the fuel tank and the tank venting system to a relative negative pressure present in the inlet manifold of the operating internal combustion engine and regulating the degree of opening of the tank venting valve based upon the external pressure, pA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Grunwald, Wolfgang Ludwig, Matthias Wiese
  • Patent number: 8602003
    Abstract: The present application relates to a fuel tank, which has a vent line from a fresh air filter to a hydrocarbon filter element. It is proposed that a diagnostic valve be permanently arranged between the fresh air filter and the hydrocarbon filter element, the diagnostic valve comprising an operating port, which in an operating position forms a passage for operating gases, and a diagnostic port, which in a diagnostic position can be connected to an external pressure-generating device, and which in the diagnostic position forms a diagnostic passage to the hydrocarbon filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steffen Schoenfuss
  • 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: 8584704
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Vaughn Mills, Ronald Sexton
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130291838
    Abstract: An apparatus for bleeding diesel fuel powered engines and method for using same. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a canister for containing pressurized fuel and having a means for attaching to and engaging with a fuel system. The apparatus may be connected to the inlet side of an engine's fuel filter and, when engaged, will push the fuel into the fuel system and air out of the system without having to separately bleed each injector within the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Ronnie Lee Booth
  • Patent number: 8573255
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Vaughn Mills, Ronald Sexton
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8516997
    Abstract: A fuel pump temperature is regulated by selectively directing liquid fuel to an expansion section to evaporate the liquid fuel and create a drop in temperature to thermally cool the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8511284
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus of an internal combustion engine is provided which can discharge air bubbles or air from within fuel supply paths while increasing pressure within a common rail up to a predetermined pressure level before a start of the internal combustion engine, can reduce a period of time of cranking from when an ignition switch is switched on and which can reduce noise that occurs when the air bubbles or air are being discharged. The fuel supply apparatus is provided with a flow rate control valve that adjusts a flow rate of fuel supplied to the common rail and a pressure control valve that reduces the pressure within the common rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuki, Hirotaka Kaneko, Muneyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8495988
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage and recovery system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank containing a volume of fuel and first and second vapor storage devices fluidly connectable via a controllable valve device. The second vapor storage device includes an electrically heatable substrate thermally coupled to fuel vapor adsorbent material. A vent valve connects to atmospheric air via a second end of the second vapor storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Sam R. Reddy
  • Patent number: 8479708
    Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides, an internal combustion engine comprising a variable volume combustion chamber (10); an air intake passage (103,104) via which air is delivered to the combustion chamber (10); a fuel injector (107) delivering fuel into the air intake passage (103,107); and a fuel storage tank (107) for storing fuel to be injected. The fuel injector (107) is at least in part immersed in fuel, the fuel injector (107) being located at least in part in a fuel chamber (108b) which is connected to or which forms part of the fuel storage tank (108). An escape path is provided for escape of fuel vapor from the fuel injector (107) and/or from the proximity of the fuel injector to the fuel storage tank (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen, Paul Bartholomew Ravenhill, Steven Barraclough, Richard Matthew Hoolahan
  • Patent number: 8474439
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processor has a fuel tank, a canister, a recovery pipe, a fuel pump, a negative pressure generator, a pressure regulator, a fuel intake pipe and a fuel intake regulator. The vapor pipe leads the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank into the canister for trapping the fuel vapor. The recovery pipe connects the fuel tank and the canister for recovering the fuel vapor trapped in the canister into the fuel tank. The fuel intake pipe directly connects the fuel pump provided in the fuel tank with the negative pressure generator for leading fuel to the negative pressure generator. The negative pressure generator generates negative pressure depending on an amount of fuel supplied to the negative pressure generator from the fuel pump. The fuel vapor trapped in the canister is recovered to the fuel tank through the recovery pipe due to the negative pressure. The pressure regulator is connected with the fuel pump for returning excess fuel discharged from the fuel pump into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Junya Kimoto, Masanobu Shinagawa, Takashi Mani, Masakazu Hasegawa
  • 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