Having An Adsorbent Canister Patents (Class 123/519)
  • Patent number: 7438059
    Abstract: A small engine fuel tank vapor emission system is described with a separate surge tank having a vapor vent/rollover valve and separate a vapor storage space which may be found in a common housing or remote from the surge tank. The surge tank is located at a level above the fuel tank and is connected to have its inlet receive vapor from the fuel tank. The outlet of the vapor vent/rollover valve is connected to supply vapor purge flow to the engine air inlet either directly or through the storage space, which may be charged with adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Vaughn K. Mills, Peter G. Belanger, Andrew W. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 7438058
    Abstract: In order to discharge air cleaned free from evaporated fuel vapor in a canister installed under the front seat floor, have none of the air coming inside a passenger room and inhibit water, dirt and dust from being absorbed in a drain pipe in a canister, the following drain pipe in a canister is invented. The drain pipe in canister is connected with a canister body installed under a front seat floor of a vehicle. The drain pipe in the canister comprises a first part extending from the canister body up to an upper portion of an engine room disposed on a front side of a passenger room, and a second part extending from the first part to a portion under a floor of the passenger room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuhiro Ito, Naritoshi Muramatsu, Takenobu Haga, Hiroaki Mihara, Yasuhiro Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20080251054
    Abstract: A utility engine has a cylinder body extending obliquely upward from a crankcase and a cylinder head attached to an end of the cylinder body. The utility engine has a carburetor attached to a side of the cylinder head and an air cleaner attached to a side of the carburetor opposite the cylinder head. The canister is located below the carburetor and adjacent to the air cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA MOTOR POWER PRODUCTS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiko Otsuka, Osamu Suzuki, Shinya Tsuda, Satoshi Makino
  • Publication number: 20080251055
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system for an engine including a fuel tank having a fuel tank vapor space, a carburetor coupled to the fuel tank, and a fuel tank cap having fuel vapor adsorption media that adsorbs vapor from the fuel tank vapor space. The fuel tank cap is in fluid communication with the carburetor via the vapor space and is configured to permit fuel vapor stored in the fuel adsorption media to be purged into the carburetor via the vapor space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob Schmalz, John Gulke, Elliot Matel
  • Patent number: 7435289
    Abstract: An air cleaner for an engine that includes a fuel tank and an air-fuel mixing device. The air cleaner includes a housing that defines an internal filter space and a canister at least partially formed as part of the housing. The canister is substantially non-permeable to fuel vapor. A first aperture provides fluid communication between the fuel tank and the canister and a second aperture provides fluid communication between the canister and the air-fuel mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Shears, John Gulke
  • Patent number: 7431021
    Abstract: A fuel vapor separator used in fuel delivery systems of a marine engine for recovery of fuel vapors and to prevent fuel spills when the engine is tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Federal - Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle D. Achor
  • Publication number: 20080230038
    Abstract: A vapor fuel recovery system for fuel tanks is provided. The vapor recovery system comprises: a canister that captures vapor fuel expelled from the fuel tank; a vent valve that controls ventilation of vapor fuel from the fuel tank to the canister; and a vent bypass disposed between the canister and the vent valve that controls the flow of vapor fuel from the fuel tank to the on-board recovery canister when a fuel level in the fuel tank is full. The bypass includes a bypass valve and at least one orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, Eugene V. Gonze, Gregory E. Rich, Bernard Toton
  • Patent number: 7424885
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel vapor control system, purge valve and methods are described. The system includes a fuel supply, internal combustion engine, vapor canister, and a purge valve. The purge valve includes a sensor disposed in the body housing of the purge valve and in communication with the flow passage to provide a signal indicative of the magnitude of chemicals in the fuel vapor being provided to the engine. Various methodologies relating the system, purge valve and sensors are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Everingham, Craig Andrew Weldon, Andre Veinotte
  • Patent number: 7422628
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorption unit for recovery of volatile hydrocarbons which emanate from several sources and which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere through the air cleaner of an automobile engine when the engine is shut-off. The unit is positioned in the air intake system such that all air flowing through the engine passes through the unit. The unit comprises a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The housing contains a substrate and a volatile hydrocarbon adsorber material coated on the surface of the substrate. The adsorber material may be silica gel, a molecular sieve and/or activated carbon. The material further contains a binder that will cause the material to adhere to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Catalysts LLC
    Inventors: John S. Foong, Jeffrey B. Hoke
  • Patent number: 7418953
    Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment apparatus includes a first determiner that determines a concentration of purged fuel based on an amount of deviation from a target air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel ratio detected by a sensor provided in an exhaust pipe. A second determiner that determines the concentration of purged fuel in a state in which a purge control valve is closed. Air-fuel ratio controller controls a fuel injection quantity to bring an air-fuel ratio to the target air-fuel ratio on the basis of the concentration of the purged fuel. The air-fuel ratio controller uses the concentration of fuel determined by the second determiner when purge is started or restarted, and uses the concentration of fuel determined by the first determiner thereafter in the course of performing purge. It is possible to increase a purge ratio when purge is started or restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Annoura
  • Publication number: 20080202479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipurpose engine including a canister that adsorbs evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank as well as desorbs a desorbs the fuel so that the fuel can be led to an air suction system of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Chikaya Ito, Kazuhiro Maki
  • Publication number: 20080202480
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus includes an engine for driving a generator; a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine therein, and a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing thereonto fuel that evaporates from the fuel tank to inhibit release of the fuel vapor into the atmosphere. The canister includes a communicating tube, which places the canister in communication with the atmosphere. The canister is in communication with an intake system of the engine. The canister is positioned proximate an exhaust system of the engine to improve the purge characteristics of the adsorbent so that a usable life of the adsorbent is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA MOTOR POWER PRODUCTS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Takahide Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7409946
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel system includes a fuel vapor recovery canister containing a carbon bed configured to capture hydrocarbon material associated with fuel vapor discharged from the fuel tank into the canister. A purge vacuum is applied to the canister to draw fuel vapor carrying reclaimed hydrocarbon material from the canister into an intake manifold coupled to an engine so that the reclaimed hydrocarbon material can be burned in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy James King
  • Patent number: 7409947
    Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment apparatus is provided with a purging passage for introducing and purging fuel vapor produced in a fuel tank to an intake system for an internal combustion engine, a volume chamber located in the purging passage for enlarging a passage volume and a pump received in the volume chamber for generating a fluid flow in the purging passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Koyama
  • Publication number: 20080184973
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Koji Yamazaki, Takashi Hasumi, Kenji Seki
  • Patent number: 7395817
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel adsorbing apparatus includes a surge tank provided in an intake system for an internal combustion engine; a resonator connected with only the surge tank; and a fuel adsorbing member that adsorbs evaporated fuel. The fuel adsorbing member is provided in the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fujishiro, Toshikazu Harada
  • Patent number: 7395816
    Abstract: The evaporative emissions control device comprises a housing having an inlet connectable to a vent port of an evaporative emissions control canister and an outlet for venting to the atmosphere, the housing containing a carbon filter, a bypass passage, and a valve for selectively closing the bypass passage and/or outlet. In a first operating state the valve closes the bypass passage and opens the outlet, whereby gases from the vent port of the canister pass through the adsorbent material before the air is released via the outlet port. In a second operating state the valve opens both the outlet and the bypass passage, whereby the gases can bypass the adsorbent material to provide a high flow rate, for example during refuelling. In a third operating state the valve closes both the outlet and bypass passage, preventing the release of any fuel vapour through the outlet and into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Remi B Loevenbruck
  • Publication number: 20080149075
    Abstract: A canister device includes a main canister, a sub-canister, and a hose. The main canister includes a charging port, a purging port, and a main canister-side connection port. The sub-canister is separated from the main canister and located on a side of the main canister, and includes a drain port opened to the atmosphere and disposed on the same side as the main canister-side connection port of the main canister and a sub-canister side connection port disposed on the opposite side from the drain port. The hose provides fluid communication between the main canister-side connection port and the sub-canister-side connection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Toyoda, Kaoru Haishi
  • Publication number: 20080127949
    Abstract: An inlet conduit for an engine air induction system is provided, the inlet conduit having a plurality of openings located about a portion of the inlet conduit, the plurality of openings being disposed in a cavity of the inlet conduit; a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed in the cavity, the hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member covering the plurality of openings; and a covering member secured to the inlet conduit, the covering member being configured to cover and seal the hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member within the cavity, the covering member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface facing the hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member while the exterior surface is flush with an exterior surface of the inlet conduit when the covering member is secured to the inlet conduit and wherein hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system af
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Michael L. Herald, Berry Carter
  • Patent number: 7380543
    Abstract: In a fuel vapor release suppression system for a fuel tank, a main tank and a sub tank communicate with each other, and the sub tank and a canister communicate with each other. When the main tank has a higher temperature, fuel vapor of the main tank is supplied to the sub tank where the fuel vapor is liquefied. When the main tank has a lower temperature, fuel vapor of the sub tank is supplied to the main tank. At this time, low concentration fuel vapor is supplied from the canister to the main tank, thereby accelerating generation of fuel vapor corresponding to sub tank fuel vapor pressure, so that the sub tank fuel vapor pressure decreases. Therefore, liquefaction is accelerated in the sub tank when the main tank temperature increases. Thus, fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank is effectively liquified irrespective of ambient air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gaku Hatano, Koichi Hidano, Masakazu Kitamoto, Shigeo Hidai, Shoji Uhara, Hiroshi Kitamura, Takahiro Imamura
  • Publication number: 20080110440
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Won Suk Oh, Ki Kyung Bea, Hyun Ki Kim, Kyoo Kang Sim
  • Patent number: 7370641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monolith retainer for a fuel canister. The retainer has a head portion for retaining a monolith within a chamber of the fuel canister and a plurality of resiliently biased leg members, which extend from the head portion along a length of the monolith being retained. The legs are resiliently biased toward the inner wall of the chamber such that, when the monolith resides within the chamber, contact feet of the resiliently biased leg members abut against the monolith. A support ridge is also provided for preventing the monolith from traveling too far into the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pawel Zuchara, Jaroslaw Ziolkowski
  • Patent number: 7367324
    Abstract: A fuel feed apparatus is provided to a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member, a canister, and a fuel pump. The lid member covers a through hole of the fuel tank. The canister connects with the lid member. The canister is accommodated in the fuel tank for removably absorbing fuel vapor in the fuel tank. The canister has a cross section, which is in a substantially semicircle shape. The canister has an outer peripheral wall that partially defines a remaining space on the lateral side of the canister. The fuel pump is received in the remaining space on the lateral side of the canister in the fuel tank for pumping fuel in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Izutani, Keiichi Yamashita, Noriya Matsumoto, Koji Miwa
  • Patent number: 7363803
    Abstract: In a failure diagnostic system for a fuel vapor processing apparatus, a processing flow path comprising a vapor line, a canister and a purge line is closed with a vapor control valve and a purge control valve. The interior of the processing flow path is reduced in pressure or pressurized by rotating an air pump of a pump module in a forward or reverse direction. An electronic control unit (ECU) closes the vapor control valve and the purge control valve to close the processing flow path after stop of the engine and, when the fuel temperature detected by a temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined value, reduces the internal pressure of the processing flow path through an air pump, then checks air-tightness of the interior of the processing flow path based on behavior of a vapor pressure detected by a pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masamitsu Hayakawa, Masaharu Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7353809
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister is used in an automotive evaporative emission system to separate liquid fuel entrained with fuel vapor and to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere, the system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine. The canister includes an integrally molded housing having side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and a liquid-fuel trap located above the vapor adsorbent chamber for separating fuel vapor and liquid fuel. A method is provided for preventing or reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fluid Routing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alicia Peterson, Christopher D. Allen, Anthony R. St. Amour, John M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7350511
    Abstract: A system for reducing escape to the atmosphere of hydrocarbon fuel vapors from a fuel tank for a combustion engine powered device including at least one functional member that directly communicates with the fuel tank and is constructed to receive and retain hydrocarbon vapors therein. The functional member may further include a bed of activated carbon-based material for adsorbing and purging of the hydrocarbon vapors. The functional member is otherwise useful to the device beyond the vapor handling function and may be incorporated into a handlebar assembly, frame component, housing, cover, and the like thereby reducing component parts and reducing cost and complexity of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Roche, Mark S. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7350512
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the integrity of a leak detection test for a purge valve of a fuel system in a vehicle reduces or eliminates false failures. The method is executed on an engine control module (ECM) and is configured to determine when vehicle soak conditions meet first criteria conducive to fuel vapor condensation in the fuel tank. The first criteria include a predetermined temperature drop in ambient air temperature between successive drive cycles. The ECM is further configured to determine when a vehicle maneuver meets second criteria indicative of the capability of the maneuver to initiate fuel slosh in the fuel tank, to thereby establish a trigger event. The ECM is further configured to determine, after the trigger event, the maximum slope of a fuel tank vacuum increase. The ECM is still further configured to produce a slope ratio as a function of the maximum vacuum increase slope and a reference vacuum slope corresponding to a slope that is unaffected by any slosh/condensation events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Meacham, Timothy K. Sheffer, Mitchell G. Ober, Kenneth M. Simpson, Carol Galskoy
  • Patent number: 7347192
    Abstract: A fuel vapor pressure management apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a printed circuit board. The pressure operable device moves between first and second configurations with respect to the housing. The printed circuit board is supported by the housing and includes a delay and a sensor. The delay commences upon internal combustion engine shutdown and concludes after a preset period. And the sensor indicates movement of the pressure operable device in the first configuration after the conclusion of the preset period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Continential Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Perry, Andre Veinotte
  • Patent number: 7347194
    Abstract: Concentration measurement is performed multiple times from a period in which pressure in a purge device increases due to generation of fuel vapor after operation of an engine is stopped. A concentration stabilization period, in which a change in the fuel vapor concentration is equal to or less than a reference value, is calculated based on results of the multiple times of the concentration measurement. Leak diagnosis is performed during the concentration stabilization period. As a result, even if a period for the pressure in the purge device to stabilize fluctuates due to an environment in which a vehicle is located, the leak diagnosis can be performed immediately when the pressure in the purge device stabilizes and a state suitable for the leak diagnosis is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuki Sato
  • Patent number: 7343904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a canister close valve device for opening or closing a passage of a canister collecting evaporation gas evaporated in a fuel tank and a passage communicating with the atmosphere. The canister close valve device includes a housing which has a first vapor line making the fuel tank communicate with a canister, a second vapor line making the atmosphere communicate with the canister, and a coupling part coupling the first vapor line to the second vapor line. Further, the device includes a first diaphragm valve assembly opening or closing the first vapor line, a second diaphragm valve assembly opening or closing the second vapor line, and a solenoid valve mounted to the coupling part and including a magnetic body which is coaxially and slidably connected to the first and second diaphragm valve assemblies to move the first and second diaphragm valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: P & K Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Gil Hyun Jo
  • Patent number: 7341046
    Abstract: A fuel delivery assembly including a fuel pump module having a mounting flange and a reservoir housing carried by the mounting flange, and an emissions canister pivotally mounted to the reservoir housing of the fuel pump module, wherein the emissions canister is pivoted relative to the reservoir housing when the assembly is inserted through an access opening of a fuel tank and assembled thereto. Preferably, the assembly is positioned within the fuel tank so that respective bearing surfaces of the fuel pump module and emissions canister are in substantially the same plane against the bottom of the fuel tank, and a longitudinal axis of the emissions canister is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fuel pump module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: TI Automotive Fuel Systems SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Leymarie, Robert Renaud
  • Patent number: 7341048
    Abstract: A concentration-detecting unit detects concentration of fuel vapor flowing in a concentration-detecting passage branched from a purge passage. The concentration-detecting passage communicates with a communicating passage of a canister. Air including the fuel vapor of which concentration is detected by a concentration-detecting unit is returned to the communicating passage of the canister. The fuel vapor is adsorbed by an absorbent accommodated in a accommodating chamber to restrict a discharge of the fuel vapor into atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Koyama, Kenji Nagasaki, Shinsuke Kiyomiya
  • Publication number: 20080041348
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions fuel system for a general-purpose engine includes a fuel tank with a valve assembly located within the fuel tank for guiding fuel vapor to a canister. The canister contains activated charcoal to treat the fuel vapor and guide the vapor to a carburetor which burns the fuel vapor and hydrocarbons. The valve assembly has a valve opening for receiving the fuel vapor and a float responsive to the fuel within the tank for sealing the valve opening when the fuel within the tank is at a feel level capable of entering the valve opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Grant, John E. Buck, Dawei (David) Chen, Michael A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7331335
    Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment system includes a three-position valve for switching between a first measuring state and a second measuring state, and a pressure sensor for measuring pressure produced by a restriction in a measurement line. In the first measuring state, air flows through the measurement line. In the second measuring state, air-fuel mixture flows through the measurement line. The behavior of change in a first pressure in the first measuring state and the behavior of change in a second pressure in the second measuring state are measured. When that the behaviors of change in the first and second pressures are substantially identical to each other, it is determined that an abnormality occurs in an operation of switching the three-position valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okuda
  • Patent number: 7322343
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister for an automotive vehicle, includes a casing formed thereinside with charge, purge and drain ports connected to a gas passage. First, second, third and fourth adsorption layers are disposed in the gas passage and arranged in order of first, second, third and forth adsorption layers from side of the charge port along a longitudinal direction of the gas passage. Each adsorption layer includes a fuel vapor adsorbent. Additionally, a first space section is formed between the first and second adsorption layers. A second space section is formed between the second and third adsorption sections. A third space section is formed between the third and fourth adsorption sections. Each space section has a width in the longitudinal direction of the gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Yamada, Masaru Nakano, Masashi Uchino, Takahiro Osaki
  • Patent number: 7323041
    Abstract: A gas storage canister for use in an automotive vehicle, includes a case having first and second end sections which are opposite to each other in a direction of flow of gas. The first end section has a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port. The second end section has an atmosphere-opened port. A gas adsorbing material is disposed inside the case. Additionally, a heat accumulative agent is provided including a phase changing material which causes absorption and release of latent heat to occur in accordance with a temperature variation. The heat accumulative material is mixed with the gas adsorbing material and disposed inside the case. Here, a mix proportion of the heat accumulative agent changes in the gas flow direction between the first and second end sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignees: Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshida, Koji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7320314
    Abstract: A general-purpose engine fuel tank fuel vapor treatment system includes: a canister mounted on a peripheral part of a fuel filler opening of a fuel tank mounted on a general-purpose engine, the canister housing a fuel adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor generated in the interior of the fuel tank; and an air vent provided in a tank cap fitted into the filler opening of the fuel tank. The air vent has an inner end opening in the interior of the fuel tank, and an outer end opening to the atmosphere. The canister is connected to the air vent. The interior of the fuel tank is made open to the atmosphere via the canister and the air vent. Thus, need for special piping is eliminated and fuel vapor within the fuel tank is treated while always stably maintaining the interior of the fuel tank at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Souji Kashima, Katsuya Tajima, Eiichi Utsugi, Shosaku Chiba
  • Patent number: 7311088
    Abstract: An emission control module (14) includes a housing (52) that includes an atmospheric air opening (102) and a vapor emission inlet (104) for communication with a vapor region (32) of a fuel reservoir (16). A hydrocarbon filter (56) is disposed between the atmospheric air opening (102) and the vapor emission inlet (104) to passively filter vapor emissions within the vapor region (32). The housing (52) is configured for purging of the hydrocarbon filter (56) due to a low-pressure draw from the vapor emission inlet (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas John Callahan, Brent J. Ertl, Juris J. Pruzinskis, Michael P. Farrey, Hans Bishop
  • Patent number: 7311089
    Abstract: A technique is provided for purging an adsorption canister in a fuel tank vent system. The technique provides a relatively high purge flow under conditions wherein the intake manifold vacuum is relatively low. A sonic nozzle is placed in the purge line between the existing purge valve and the adsorption canister. The sonic nozzle includes a tap at its throat for producing a vacuum in response to flow in the purge line. The vacuum is used to control a vacuum operated diaphragm valve in a parallel purge line. The system therefore supplements purge flow through the adsorption canister to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Canada Inc.
    Inventor: David William Balsdon
  • Patent number: 7309381
    Abstract: A vapor storage canister used to treat fuel vapor of an automotive internal combustion engine. The vapor storage canister includes a casing. A granular formed heat accumulative material is disposed in the casing and includes a powdered heat accumulative agent formed of micro-capsules each of which contains a phase changing material which makes adsorption and release of latent heat in accordance with a temperature change. The granular formed heat accumulative material further includes a binder for binding the heat accumulative agents. Additionally, a granular gas adsorbing material disposed in the casing and mixed with the heat accumulative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignees: Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yamazaki, Kenji Seki
  • Patent number: 7305974
    Abstract: An activated carbon adsorbing and desorbing evaporative fuel has pores formed therein with the following rates: a rate of a pore whose pore diameter is smaller than or equal to 20 ? in which butane is apt to remain with respect to a pore whose pore diameter is smaller than or equal to 100 ? is less than or equal to 20%, and a rate of a pore whose pore diameter is greater than 20 ? and smaller than or equal to 25 ? that is effective in adsorbing low boiling point gas components with respect to the pore whose pore diameter is smaller than or equal to 100 ? is between 15 and 25%. An evaporative fuel treatment apparatus has a filling chamber filled with the activated carbon as an adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Nakano
  • Patent number: 7299787
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake device is configured to improve the uniformity with which purge gas or other introduced gas is distributed to the cylinders of an engine. The intake device basically has a throttle chamber, an intake air collector, an air induction pipe, a partitioning part and a gas introducing pipe. The air induction pipe is provided between the throttle valve and the intake air collector. The partitioning part divides the space inside the air induction pipe into first and second air induction spaces. The gas introducing pipe is configured and arranged to introduce purge gas into the space inside the air induction pipe at a position between the throttle valve and the partitioning part. In one embodiment, the partitioning part is configured such that an upstream portion thereof is slanted with respect to a rotary shaft of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Sasaki, Hitoshi Jinno
  • Patent number: 7293552
    Abstract: A method for managing vapors generated by a first and second reservoir onboard a vehicle traveling on the road, the method comprising of inducting vapors from the first and second reservoirs during engine operation; and reducing flow of vapors from first the reservoir to second reservoir and from the second reservoir to the first reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 7294179
    Abstract: Two types of activated charcoals having different adsorption and desorption functions are appropriately disposed in a canister. Gas movement is evenly dispersed via an air space and diffuser equipped between the two activated charcoals. Thereby, leakage of fuel vapor from the canister to the atmosphere is minimized without implementing a supplementary component (e.g., a subsidiary canister), and reduction of the consumption amount of the activated charcoal by eliminating a dead volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eui Sik Kim, Chun Kyu Park
  • Publication number: 20070256671
    Abstract: A pressure management apparatus (10) includes a housing (30) defining a fluid communication passage between first and second fluid ports (46, 48). A poppet (40) is disposed in the housing and is movable between first and second positions. The first position prevents fluid communication between the first and second ports and the second position permits fluid communication between the first and second ports. The poppet includes a structure (75) translatable along an axis relative to the housing. At least a portion of the structure includes a permanent magnet (72). A member (78) is fixed with respect to the housing and is associated with the structure. At least a portion of the member is of ferrous material such that the magnet is attracted to the member so that at least a portion of the poppet frictionally engages the member to create a dashpot damping of resonance of the poppet in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: Paul D. Perry
  • Publication number: 20070256669
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a canister close valve device for opening or closing a passage of a canister collecting evaporation gas evaporated in a fuel tank and a passage communicating with the atmosphere. The canister close valve device includes a housing which has a first vapor line making the fuel tank communicate with a canister, a second vapor line making the atmosphere communicate with the canister, and a coupling part coupling the first vapor line to the second vapor line. Further, the device includes a first diaphragm valve assembly opening or closing the first vapor line, a second diaphragm valve assembly opening or closing the second vapor line, and a solenoid valve mounted to the coupling part and including a magnetic body which is coaxially and slidably connected to the first and second diaphragm valve assemblies to move the first and second diaphragm valve assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: P & K Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Hyun Jo
  • Patent number: 7290534
    Abstract: A fuel supply system (100) for a combustion engine (180) has at least one fuel injector (110), a fuel pump (130) and a conduit (150) connecting the fuel pump (130) with the fuel injector (110). An air intake valve (160) connects the conduit (150) to the atmosphere. The air intake valve (160) is a one-way valve that prevents sub-atmospheric pressures in the conduit (150) by allowing air to enter the conduit (150) when the pressure in the conduit (140) is lower than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kjell Fischer
  • Patent number: 7290535
    Abstract: A lag time is set in a period from the time when a leak down is finished to the time when measurement of the amount of fuel vapor is started for the purpose of returning a deformed fuel tank to its original shape. A fuel vapor amount estimating means is provided that estimates the amount of fuel vapor produced in the fuel tank during the time of the leak down. This means is so set as to make the lag time shorter as the amount of fuel vapor increases. With this, undesired precision in measuring the amount of fuel vapor produced under a condition wherein the amount of fuel vapor is large can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamikazu Kimura
  • Publication number: 20070251509
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakano, Yoshinori Maegawa
  • Patent number: 7287542
    Abstract: A vapor vent/tipping valve has a diaphragm with a bleed therethrough responsive to the differential pressure of bleed flow to control vapor venting to the canister and vapor recirculation to the filler tube. A dip tube causes rising fuel in the tank to close the dip tube and prevent vapor flow to the diaphragm bleed thereby starving the recirculation line and allowing nozzle discharge to create a vacuum in the filler and effect nozzle shutoff. Alternatively, float operated shutoff valves may be employed in the dip tube and vapor vent chamber inlet, the shutoff valves may include inertial members for closing the float valves to afford tipping/rollover protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Harold Allman, Daniel Lee Pifer, Russell Carl Jahnke