Having An Adsorbent Canister Patents (Class 123/519)
  • Patent number: 7550118
    Abstract: Multilayer mats, pollution control devices containing the multilayer mats, and methods of making the multilayer mats are provided. The multilayer mats include a non-intumescent layer sandwiched between two intumescent layers. The outer layers of the mats contain intumescent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Richard P. Merry
  • Publication number: 20090151706
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a container and an adsorption member positioned within the container. The adsorption member can adsorb a fuel vapor as a gas containing the fuel vapor flows through the adsorption member. A first electrode and a second electrode are attached to the adsorption member, so that the adsorption member can produce heat as a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes across the adsorption member. The first and seconds electrodes are spaced from each other in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the gas through the adsorption member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuhiko MAKINO
  • Patent number: 7547350
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap that includes a sheet paper element and a plurality of fingers. The paper element is at least partially formed of a material capable of adsorbing and desorbing gaseous hydrocarbons. The paper element is arranged into a plurality of adjacent sheet members. The fingers are disposed between and support adjacent pairs of the sheet members so that each adjacent pair of the sheet members forms a flow channel. A method for filtering gaseous hydrocarbons from an air flow is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J Callahan, Mark T Van de Bogert
  • Patent number: 7543573
    Abstract: A recovery system for fuel for motor vehicles includes a canister having an absorbent media such as activated charcoal. The canister includes an inlet in fluid communication with the blow-by vent of an internal combustion engine and an outlet in communication with the air intake manifold of the engine. Control valves may be incorporated into the system to control fluid flows. As a single vaporization temperature fuel or fuel constituent such as ethanol that has mixed with engine oil during startup vaporizes when the oil reaches its vaporization temperature, it is first absorbed in the activated charcoal and then slowly released and burned in the engine. The system has particular applicability to E85 fueled vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Olree
  • Patent number: 7543574
    Abstract: A canister includes a casing having a gas passage which extends from a first passage end formed with a charge port to let in fuel vapor and a purge port to let out the fuel vapor, to a second passage end formed with an atmospheric air port to let in air, and which includes a heat storing and adsorbing chamber in which a granular adsorbing material and a granular heat storing material are held. The granular heat storing material contains capsules each including a phase-change material enclosed in a multilayer outer shell which includes an inner layer of a hydrophobic resin and an outer layer of a hydrophilic resin covering the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignees: Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation, Oskak Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yamazaki, Takashi Hasumi, Kenji Seki
  • Publication number: 20090139495
    Abstract: A carbon canister includes a housing and a carbon bed located in the housing. A discharge tube is coupled to the housing and arranged to conduct fuel vapor from the canister to a vapor-delivery system coupled to an engine to clean the carbon bed in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: STANT MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventor: Jason M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20090126701
    Abstract: A gas engine is driven by fuel gas supplied from a cassette gas canister, and includes a vaporizer device provided between a cylinder block and a muffler. The vaporizer device vaporizes liquid fuel gas, led out from the cassette gas canister, using heat of exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishikawa, Kazuhisa Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7536251
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle of the invention, when a voltage level E of a low-voltage battery exceeds a preset alert reference value Eth1 (step S115), fueling control activates a negative pressure pump with a preset amount of power consumption for standard fuel vapor treatment (step S125). When the voltage level E of the low-voltage battery exceeds a low charge reference value Elow but is not higher than the preset alert reference value Eth1 (steps S115 and S120), the fueling control activates the negative pressure pump with a smaller amount of power consumption (step S130). When the voltage level E of the low-voltage battery is not higher than the low charge reference value Elow (step S120), the fueling control inactivates the negative pressure pump (step S135). Such control enables at least a voltage of the low charge reference value Elow to be reserved in the low-voltage battery even after regulation of internal pressure of a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimio Saito, Nobuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7530348
    Abstract: A fuel tank includes a canister and a fuel control valve arranged in an expanding room. The canister has two guiding pipes communicated respectively with an entrance of an engine and environment. The fuel control valve is communicated with the expanding room. A double-lane valve is arranged between the canister and the fuel control valve. The double-lane valve has an entrance communicated with the fuel control valve, an exit communicated with the canister, a first valve and a second valve arranged between the entrance and the exit. The second valve withstands a spring and is arranged on the first valve. The first valve can detect an expending press produced by volatilized fuel gas to control whether the fuel gas enter into the entrance of the engine. The second valve can detects a vacuum press of the fuel tank to control whether air enter into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Sentec E & E Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron Wang, Chun-Chao Huang
  • Patent number: 7527045
    Abstract: A canisterless evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel tank for the internal combustion engine wherein vaporized fuel is generated and a microcondenser device for processing the vaporized fuel received from the fuel tank. An inlet passageway establishes fluid communication between the fuel tank and the microcondenser device for delivering the vaporized fuel from the fuel tank to the microcondenser device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis B. Chung
  • Patent number: 7527044
    Abstract: A power source is provided for a machine. The power source includes an engine and an engine fuel system of the type that generates fuel vapor containing hydrocarbon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Dunkle, Josh J. Mullins, Louis T. Frank
  • Publication number: 20090101118
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of supplying a gaseous fuel from a fuel storage vessel to a secondary device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dieter Hasenauer, Ulrich Eberle, Rittmar Von Helmolt
  • Publication number: 20090101119
    Abstract: A carbon canister filter box having an integrated cap. The integrated cap incorporates one or more components, such as vent solenoids, pressure sensors, an internal honeycomb feature for assisting in trapping hydrocarbons from the fuel vapor, and purge ports. The integrated cap sealingly attaches to a carbon canister vapor recovery system and can be manufactured to be implemented on existing canister units. The cap connects to the automotive emission storage canister in relation to the fuel tank of the vehicle, used to recapture fuel vapor before it is released into the atmosphere. A sealing means is positioned between the cap and the canister, preventing the leakage of fuel vapor into the outside atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: A. Kayser Automotive Systems, GmbH, a German corporation
    Inventor: Stephan Ammermann
  • Patent number: 7520271
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel adsorbing mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes an adsorbing member provided in an intake passage of the internal combustion engine to adsorb evaporated fuel that flows back through the intake passage when the engine is stopped. The adsorbing member includes a connecting portion connected to an inner peripheral surface of the intake passage, an end portion that is away from the inner peripheral surface, and that is disposed downstream of the connecting portion in an intake-air flow direction in which intake air flows, and an upstream-side surface that faces toward an upstream side in the intake-air flow direction, and a downstream-side surface that faces toward a downstream side in the intake-air flow direction. The upstream-side surface and the downstream-side surface extend from the connecting portion to the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruhiko Saito
  • Publication number: 20090090330
    Abstract: A fuel pump control device including an electric component for controlling a fuel pump is placed in a fuel tank. The electric component is hermetically enclosed in a housing. An adsorbent of a cartridge type for adsorbing fuel vapor is provided in the housing. The housing includes a housing body and a covering member closing an opening of the housing body. The electric component includes a control circuit unit and an external terminal extending from the control circuit unit. The external terminal is provided passing through the covering member to the outside. The adsorbent is charged between the covering member and the control circuit unit so that the external terminal is placed passing through the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru Tateishi, Tetsuji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7513244
    Abstract: A heater for heating a fluid intended to pass through a fuel tank canister is provided. The heater includes a casing provided with a coupler for coupling to the canisters, at least two plates placed inside the casing in substantially parallel planes, and at least one heating element housed between the plates. The at least two plates are place inside the casing such that the fluid flows between the two plates. The coupler is placed in a plane substantially parallel to at least one plane of one of the plates and the projected area of the coupler on the plane of one of the plates lies substantially within the projected area of the casing on the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Vincent Potier
  • Publication number: 20090084084
    Abstract: In a method for correcting the fuel concentration in a regeneration gas flow of a tank venting device, the fuel concentration is determined, and a defined regeneration gas flow rate is set and supplied to the engine to use the regeneration gas in the combustion process. Then, a reference composition is determined and the flow rate is varied. Then, a first injection amount correction value is determined based on the fuel concentration and the flow rate adjustment amount. A pre-specified quantity of fuel is corrected by the first correction value and the exhaust gas composition is determined again after the corrected fuel quantity has been supplied. A second correction value is determined by which the corrected fuel quantity is further corrected to set the exhaust gas composition to the reference composition. The fuel concentration of the regeneration gas flow is corrected by the first and the second correction values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mai, Jens Pache
  • Publication number: 20090084362
    Abstract: Compositions for use in evaporative emission control systems are disclosed and described. The compositions include a fuel adsorbent material mixed with a catalyst. The catalyst is polymeric and has a specific heat that is higher than the specific heat of the fuel adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Wing Chan, Kevin Mulkeran
  • Patent number: 7509949
    Abstract: A vaporized fuel processing device attached to a fuel tank, includes a casing for forming an outer shell of the vaporized fuel processing device, a diaphragm valve unit opened at the time of increasing the pressure in the fuel tank, and a vent passage communicating with atmospheric air. In the vaporized fuel processing device, the diaphragm valve unit is disposed in a space formed in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Muto, Hiroya Tagami, Hideki Matsumoto, Naomasa Kaneko, Tadahisa Nakamura, Shinya Murabayashi, Junichi Koseki, Daisuke Sato, Toshiaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 7506639
    Abstract: A diagnostic control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided for shortening the time required for a failure diagnosis of an evaporation purge system. After introducing the inlet-pipe's negative pressure into the evaporation purge system 51, the evaporation control unit 52 diagnoses failure states concerning the evaporation purge system 51 such as a leak by detecting changes in inner tank pressure over a prescribed time. In order to shorten such failure diagnosis control time, a motor generator 12 is driven to assist the engine when introducing the inlet-pipe's negative pressure into the evaporation purge system 51. With such assist-driving, it becomes possible to reduce engine load, therefore, the throttle valve 67 of the engine 11 can be controlled to be on the closed side, making it possible to create sufficient inlet-pipe's negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7507278
    Abstract: A canister, for inhibiting a diffusion phenomenon in an adsorbent layer as much as possible and certainly adsorbing fed evaporated fuel to inhibit blow-by of the evaporated fuel into the atmosphere, is constituted by filling a first adsorbent layer of the canister with activated carbon A having a large evaporated fuel adsorption and a weak holding power, and filling a second and a third adsorbent layers with activated carbon B having an intermediate evaporated fuel adsorption and a weak holding power and therefore having characteristics that the residual amount of the low boiling point components in the evaporated fuel after purge is small, whereby after the high temperature standing of the canister, the discharge of the evaporated fuel into the atmosphere can be inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Ryuji Kosugi, Tomonari Toki
  • Patent number: 7493894
    Abstract: A tank assembly and a closure device for a tank assembly. The tank assembly may comprise a tank housing defining an interior and an exterior and an opening between the interior and the exterior, a liquid being containable in the interior, vapor being produceable from the liquid, a flow path being defined between the interior and the exterior, a closure housing connectable to the tank housing to selectively close the opening, and adsorption media supported by at least one of the tank housing and the closure housing, vapor being routed along the flow path from the interior of the tank assembly, through the adsorption media and to the exterior of the tank assembly. In some aspects, the adsorption media is supported by the closure housing. In some other aspects, the tank housing includes a receptacle portion having a receptacle interior, the receptacle portion defining the flow path, and the adsorption media is supportable in the receptacle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kelch Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Davis, Michael Joseph Holz, Robert Daniel Tharp, Austin Raymond Savio Braganza
  • Publication number: 20090044785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle, with a fuel tank which has tank ventilation, the tank ventilation for adsorption of fuel vapors having an activated charcoal filter through which a flushing air flow can flow, and with a vehicle unit which has a vacuum pump, in particular a brake booster. It is provided that the delivery side of the vacuum pump produces compressed air for driving the flushing air flow and/or that the compressed air forms the flushing air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Christian MALY
  • Patent number: 7488376
    Abstract: The vehicle canister comprising: the first chamber filled with the active carbon and funneled with the tank port, where the evaporating gas is infused through and the second chamber filled with the active carbon and funneled with the atmosphere port and neighboring the first chamber via the isolation wall. Also, it involves the vehicle canister installed in the canister housing which has the absorption and desorption improver to improve the absorption and desorption efficiency with heat conduction with temperature change of the active carbon occurred during the absorption and desorption of evaporation gas infused into the canister housing. The absorption and desorption improver is composed with the first and the second absorption and desorption improver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Daeki Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kyu Kim, Min Yong Park, Sang Hoon Park, Joon Won Min
  • Publication number: 20090031997
    Abstract: An adsorption/desorption device is communicated with an upper space of a fuel tank via a vapor passage. The adsorption/desorption device is configured to selectively adsorb or desorb air components contained in vapor. The adsorption/desorption device and the vapor passage are not communicated to the external atmosphere. The fuel tank is provided with a pressure detecting device for detecting the internal pressure of the fuel tank. A pressure regulating device is provided to the vapor passage for controlling and maintaining the pressure applied to the adsorption/desorption device. When the internal pressure of the fuel tank is higher than the atmospheric pressure, the internal pressure of the fuel tank is pressure-fed to the side of the adsorption/desorption device via the pressure regulating device until the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuhiko MAKINO
  • Patent number: 7484500
    Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment apparatus includes a canister, a fuel vapor supply tube and a booster pump. The booster pump compresses fuel vapors retained in the canister and feeds the fuel vapors in the form of a compressed gas to fuel injectors of an engine via the fuel vapor supply tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Terada
  • Publication number: 20090025694
    Abstract: A fuel vapor control device include a fuel tank for storing fuel, a canister for adsorbing fuel vapor produced in the fuel tank, and an evaporation path communicating between the fuel tank and the canister. The tank has a resiliently deformable wall portion that can resiliently deform in response to an amount of the fuel vapor in the fuel tank, so that volume of the fuel tank can be varied. A pressure regulating valve can perform a relief function for opening the evaporation path during the expansion of volume of the fuel tank to a set volume. The pressure regulating valve closes the evaporation path if pressure inside the fuel tank is lower than the set value. On the other hand, the pressure regulating valve opens the evaporation path if the pressure inside the fuel tank is equal to or higher than the set value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanobu SHINAGAWA, Hiroshi TAKAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20090013973
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister for adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated from a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a casing provided with charge and purge ports at its first end and an atmospheric port at its second end. At least first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers are respectively located near the first and second ends of the casing. In this arrangement, the first fuel vapor adsorbent layer is larger in cross-sectional area perpendicular to flow direction of fuel vapor than the second fuel vapor adsorbent layer. The first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers respectively include first and second granular fuel vapor adsorbents. The first granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a microporous structure, while the second granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a macroporous structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Koji YAMASAKI
  • Patent number: 7476269
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control canister for adsorbing fuel vapors from a fuel tank on a marine vessel. The canister comprises a polymeric extruded housing that may be formed to any desired length or cut from extruded stock. Identical end caps having tubing connectors are bonded to opposite ends of the housing, defining an inlet and an outlet. Marine-grade pelletized activated carbon is disposed within the housing between porous slidable plates that are spring loaded against the end caps to pack the carbon tightly against the housing walls. Mounting brackets at each end are rotatably attached to the end caps so that opposite ends of the assembly may be attached to different surfaces of the vessel's hull, thus relieving stress which might be introduced into the assembly. Preferably, the assembly is wrapped in a fire retardant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris C. Begley, Charles H. Covert
  • Patent number: 7472694
    Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery apparatus includes a canister including a housing formed to include a first port exposed to the atmosphere and a second port exposed to fuel tank fuel vapor. A carbon bed is located in an interior region of the housing between the first and second ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. King
  • Patent number: 7467620
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an adsorbent canister in a vehicle and an adsorbent having a nearly linear isotherm provided in the adsorbent canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam R. Reddy
  • Publication number: 20080308073
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher D. Allen, James T. Dumas, Randy C. Foster, Donald L. Gepper
  • Publication number: 20080308076
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank assembly includes a tank for holding fuel, a canister and a fuel pump assembly. The fuel pump assembly includes: an electric motor, a pump and an electronics unit. The electronics unit and canister are arranged so that, in use, a dry bay is defined between the electronics unit and the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: AIRBUS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew David Reynolds, Michael David Ward
  • Publication number: 20080312808
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller for an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a fuel vapor treatment device having a collector for collecting fuel vapor generating in a fuel tank; a purge line that introduces purge gas into an intake passage of the engine, the purge gas being a mixture of fuel vapor released from the collector and air; and a purge valve provided in the purge line to adjust flow rate of the purge gas. The fuel injection controller corrects an amount of fuel injected from an fuel injection valve based on an amount of fuel vapor contained in the purge gas flowing into a combustion chamber of the engine. The fuel injection controller comprises an estimation section for estimating the inflow amount of the purge gas flowing into the combustion chamber based on a passed amount of purge gas that has passed through the purge valve and a compensation value for compensating transportation delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota MINO, Hirohiko Yamada, Hideki Teshima, Hidetoshi Tsutsumi
  • Publication number: 20080308074
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher D. Allen, James T. Dumas, Randy C. Foster, Donald L. Gepper
  • Publication number: 20080308075
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher D. Allen, James T. Dumas, Donald L. Gepper
  • Patent number: 7464698
    Abstract: There is provided an air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine capable of learning an air-fuel ratio and performing purge at the same time. When purge is being performed, in an air-fuel ratio learning routine, an air-fuel ratio deviation between an air-fuel ratio detected by an air-fuel ratio sensor and a target air-fuel ratio is computed by the use of a fuel vapor concentration detected in a concentration detection routine and then a learning correction value flaf to correct the computed air-fuel ratio deviation is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Maegawa
  • Publication number: 20080302341
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an adsorbent canister in a vehicle and an adsorbent having a nearly linear isotherm provided in the adsorbent canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Sam R. Reddy
  • Publication number: 20080302340
    Abstract: Described herein is a control system for controlling the emissions of fuel vapours from a vehicle comprising a first adsorption system and a second adsorption system. The first adsorption system is formed by a canister preferably filled with activated carbons having a grain size greater than 4 mm. The second adsorption system is made up of a tubular housing, which has a ratio between the equivalent diameter D and the axial height H of between 1:2.5 and 1:4.5 and is filled with activated carbons having a grain size greater than 4 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: DAYCO FLUID TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Defilippi
  • Patent number: 7462224
    Abstract: The invention relates to an array of shaped activated carbon articles having channels extending through said array of shaped activated carbon articles, wherein said array of shaped activated carbon articles includes at least two shaped monolithic activated carbon articles containing channels, which channels of the at least two shaped monolithic activated carbon articles are connected so as to communicate with each other and the free cross-sectional areas formed by the channel cross-sections thereof have different values in said first and second shaped monolithic activated carbon articles. The invention also relates to a tank venting system and a motor vehicle containing an array of shaped activated carbon articles of the invention. Finally, the invention relates to a process for the production of said array of shaped activated carbon articles of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Helsa-Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Wolff
  • Patent number: 7458367
    Abstract: A canister is taught that includes a container 10 containing granular adsorbent materials 30 that can adsorb fuel vapor generated from a fuel tank, and a plate-shaped dividing member 40, 45, 48, 65 and 72 that is disposed in the container 10 in order to carry the adsorbent materials 30. The dividing member 40, 45, 48, 65 and 72 is formed with a large number of elongated ventilating holes 60 and 68 for flowing the fuel vapor. Each of the ventilating holes 60 and 68 has an opening length 60L larger than a length 30L of the adsorbent materials 30 and an opening width 60w that can restrict passage of the adsorbent materials 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazusato Kasuya
  • Patent number: 7455054
    Abstract: A canister for a motor vehicle is connected to a fuel tank and a throttle pipe to adsorb fuel gas containing noxious constituents, which are generated in a fuel tank. A first space and a second space, through which the fuel gas flows, are defined, the fuel gas flows in opposite directions through the respective first and second spaces, the second space is divided into space parts by a plurality of support filters, a fuel gas reducing device is installed in one space part, which is delimited by two support filters, and air flow through the fuel gas reducing device is perpendicular to air flow through the first and second spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Korea Fuel-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Won Suk Oh, Ki Kyung Bea, Hyun Ki Kim, Kyoo Kang Sim
  • Patent number: 7451746
    Abstract: A canister assembly is mounted between a fuel tank and an internal combustion engine. The canister assembly includes a canister holding a carbon charge for adsorbing fuel vapors emanating from the fuel tank. A trap box defines a plenum and is mounted on the canister and a canister pipe stub permits the plenum to communicate with the carbon charge. The trap box has a load port disposed thereon and the load port is connectable to the fuel tank for passing a flow of fuel vapors from the tank into the plenum with the fuel vapors becoming adsorbed by the carbon charge as the vapors flow from the plenum and through the canister pipe stub and into the carbon charge in response to an overpressure in the fuel tank. The canister pipe stub is arranged in the plenum so as to permit any liquid fuel accompanying the vapor flow to become trapped in the plenum thereby preventing the liquid fuel from reaching the carbon charge and causing the latter to become degraded thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel J. Bellmore
  • Patent number: 7448367
    Abstract: A plug-in hybrid vehicle is driven by one or more electric motors powered by a battery system with supplemental electric power provided by a gasoline engine powered generator. A canister, connected by a fuel vapor vent passage, is used to admit and temporarily adsorb fuel vapor from a vehicle fuel tank during refueling. The canister also has a first fuel vapor and air flow passage for venting the canister and introducing ambient air (in the reverse flow direction) for removing vapor stored in the canister during tank refueling. The canister has a second passage for conducting air and purged vapor from the canister to the operating engine. The first and second passages are opened only during engine operation for purging of stored fuel vapor. The first flow passage is selectively opened when the tank is being refueled. The sealed fuel system eliminates diurnal fuel tank vapor generation and canister bleed emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam R. Reddy, Timothy E. Mc Carthy
  • Patent number: 7448366
    Abstract: Heater for a fluid intended to pass through a canister for a fuel tank, comprising a casing fitted with two end pieces, a hollow body situated inside the casing and at least one heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Vincent Potier, Philippe Georis
  • Publication number: 20080271716
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus has a frame, an engine disposed inwardly of the frame and configured to drive a generator, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The canister includes a communicating tube, which places the canister in communication with the atmosphere. The canister is also in communication with an intake system. The canister is movably positioned in a space S between the frame and the intake system so as to prevent an increase in the size of the power generating apparatus when the canister is added to the power generating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Takahide Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20080271717
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus has a simplified structure for introducing fuel vapor from a fuel tank and blow-by gas produced in an engine into the engine's intake system so as to facilitate the manufacturing of the power generating apparatus. The power generating apparatus includes an engine for driving a generator, a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing thereonto fuel that evaporates from a fuel tank, an evaporative fuel inlet pipe for introducing fuel vapor purged from the adsorbent into an engine intake system, and a blow-by gas inlet pipe for introducing blow-by gas produced in the engine into the intake system. A first end of the evaporative fuel inlet pipe is connected to the canister, and a second end of the evaporative fuel inlet pipe is connected to an intermediate portion of the blow-by gas inlet pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Takahide Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7444996
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage and recovery apparatus for a fuel system of a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine with an exhaust pipe and a fuel tank containing a fuel vapor/air mixture above a liquid fuel, the exhaust pipe being close to the fuel tank. The apparatus includes a vapor storage canister including a fuel vapor adsorbent material therein, a thermal insulation mechanism for thermally insulating at least a portion of the fuel tank from the heat generated by the exhaust pipe, and a beat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to heat to a purge temperature air guided there through by absorbing heat from the thermal insulation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Vincent Potier
  • Publication number: 20080264391
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus includes an engine for driving a generator, a muffler cover for covering a muffler for exhaust supplied from the engine from an external side of the muffler, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing thereonto fuel that evaporates from the fuel tank. The canister includes a communicating tube, which places the canister in communication with the atmosphere. The canister is also in communication with an intake system of the engine. The communicating tube of the canister has its opening at a position near to the muffler as well as to an inner surface, on the side of the muffler, of the muffler cover, to improve the purge characteristics of the adsorbent so that the usable live of the adsorbent is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Takahide Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7438060
    Abstract: A diagnostic control system for a purge valve that regulates fuel vapor flow from a fuel system into an intake manifold for an engine includes a calculation module and a malfunction module. The calculation module estimates a plurality of areas based on a plurality of pressure signals and calculates an average rate of increase of vacuum pressure in the fuel system during operation of the purge valve. The malfunction module determines whether the average rate of increase of vacuum pressure is within a predetermined range generating a purge valve functioning signal, and generates a purge valve malfunction signal when the average rate of increase of vacuum pressure is not within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt D. Mc Lain