Having An Adsorbent Canister Patents (Class 123/519)
  • Patent number: 6237574
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister includes a housing containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing material, such as carbon. The canister may be configured to such that a portion acts as a buffer canister of such that the entire canister is used to adsorb hydrocarbon emissions. The canister housing is generally cylindrical with a reduced cross-sectional area portion and is configured in a manner to allow flow along a relatively straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James Richard Jamrog, Michael Anthony Pierce, Philip Jeffrey Johnson
  • Patent number: 6230693
    Abstract: An auxiliary canister operates with a storage canister of an evaporative emissions control system to reduce the amount of fuel vapor emitted from a vehicle to very low levels. The storage canister contains a first sorbent material and has a vent port in communication therewith. The auxiliary canister comprises an enclosure, first and second passages, a heater and a connector. Inside the enclosure, a second sorbent material is in thermal contact with the heater. Attached at one end to the bottom of the enclosure, the first passage is connectable at its other end to the vent port to allow flow between the storage and auxiliary canisters. Attached at one end to a top of the enclosure, the second passage is connectable at its other end to a vent valve of the control system to allow flow between the auxiliary canister and the vent valve. Incorporated into the enclosure, the connector is used to convey electrical power from the vehicle to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Meiller, Charles Henry Covert, Susan Scott Labine, Richard William Wagner
  • Patent number: 6227037
    Abstract: At the time of a stop of an engine, a diagnostic control unit shuts off a purge line with a purge control valve and an atmospheric port of a canister with a drain cut valve, and thereby holds an evaporative emission control circuit inclusive of a fuel tank and the canister in a state of a closed space during an off period of the engine. At the time of a next start of the engine, the diagnostic control unit measures a pressure in the closed circuit with a pressure sensor and checks a pressure decrease due to condensation of fuel vapors in the closed circuit to determine the existence or nonexistence of leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawamura, Akihiro Kawano
  • Patent number: 6202632
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an adjustable canister purge valve (9) and method having a first connection (10) for an intake pipe (11) of an engine and a second connection (14) for an activated carbon filter (5). The first (10) and second connection (14) are interconnected by means of a first adjustable valve (16) enabling the flow of a regenerating mixture (8) of air and fuel-vapor. A second valve having a larger flow cross-section (22) is connected in parallel with the first valve (16) and allows a large regeneration air flow, even with a low suction vacuum, and thus improved purge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Geiger, Martin Kloda, Christof Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6189515
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the purging of vapor from a carbon canister based on identification of a vacuum loss in the manifold. The system and method of the present invention store target values for the tank pressure and purge duty cycle. A differential pressure between current system levels and target levels is calculated and compared to predetermined critical levels. If the currently calculated level exceeds a calibrated threshold value, a countdown timer is set and reset until the calculated differential drops below the threshold value. If the engine air mass drops below a critical calibrated air mass value before the timer has completed counting down, the purge flow is reset and slowly reintroduced to prevent rich engine air/fuel ratio conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Jamrog, Douglas Alan Stukenborg
  • Patent number: 6182693
    Abstract: A vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel tank having an interior chamber and a tank opening communicating with the interior chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly also includes an insert disposed in the interior chamber and the tank opening and forming a vapor plenum chamber in the tank opening and a canister chamber therein. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly includes a canister bed disposed in the canister chamber to absorb vapor fuel in the vapor plenum chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly further includes a coaxial line having one end for connection to an engine of the vehicle and another end connected to the vapor plenum chamber to allow liquid fuel to communicate with the interior chamber and vapor fuel to communicate with the vapor plenum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Francis Stack, Michael Paul Murphy, Gregory Thomas Roth
  • Patent number: 6182642
    Abstract: A leak detection apparatus for an evaporative emission control system is provided. By the apparatus, a current through a motor driven air pump is detected and determined as a judgment level when the air pump is ON and a directional control valve is in a position of connecting a fresh air inlet of a canister to an atmospheric vent, for thereby allowing air from the air pump to pass through a reference orifice of a bypass conduit and thereafter be released to the open air through the directional control valve. Then, it is established a condition in which the air pump is ON and the directional control valve is in a position of connecting the fresh air inlet to an outlet of the air pump so that air from the air pump passes through the directional control valve and the fresh air inlet of the canister and is supplied to the purge line, and this condition is maintained for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 6182641
    Abstract: A forward flow region in which forward intake air currents are produced and a reverse flow region in which reverse intake air currents are produced are formed in the throttle bore of a throttle body 3 included in an internal-combustion engine, and the boundary between those regions extends below a throttle valve 5. A fuel vapor control system for an internal-combustion engine has a purge tube 13 joined to the throttle body 3 to supply fuel vapor into the throttle body 3 and is provided with an opening 22 which acts as a purge port. The opening 22 is positioned at a distance from the inner surface 21 of the throttle body 3 defining a throttle bore on the boundary between the forward intake air currents and the reverse intake air currents. Fuel vapor jetted through the opening 22 of the purge tube 13 into the throttle bore flows toward an intake manifold 2, diffusing into both the forward intake air currents and the reverse intake air currents from the boundary between the intake air currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Yamada, Kenji Kanehara, Hiroshi Okano, Kazuhiko Norota
  • Patent number: 6164123
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel system has on-board diagnostics for leak testing with correction for different operating conditions. An electronic control unit (ECU) is arranged to carry out a periodic two stage leak test, when the engine is running. Stage A includes evacuation of the fuel tank, monitoring bleedup and recording the pressure rise dP.sub.-- A over a predetermined period A following increase of pressure to a predetermined value p2. Stage B includes measuring the amount dP.sub.-- B by which the pressure in the tank rises above atmospheric due to vapor generation over a predetermined period B following venting and closure fuel system. The ECU calculates a value X representative of leakage from the difference between dP.sub.-- A and dP.sub.-- B using a scaling factor K. The test duration is adjusted in accordance with measured values of fuel level and ambient temperature to ensure that the measured pressure changes are dependent on leakage over a range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William John Corkill
  • Patent number: 6161526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solenoid valve fixing structure. In an apparatus for suppressing evaporated fuel gas emission, of the prior art, the solenoid valve is fixed to a frame of a vehicle independently from the fixing of a check valve or an air filter. Hence, there are drawbacks, for example, that the number of the fabrication elements is large, and the fabrication performance is small.The present invention propose a solenoid valve fixing structure constructed as a module comprised of a solenoid valve, a check valve and an air filter. Namely a solenoid valve 10 and a check valve 8 are fixed onto a cover 3 of an air filter 1. The number of the fabrication elements can be reduced. The size of the apparatus can be made small, by using the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sakata, Tatsuya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6138644
    Abstract: A purge passage is communicated to the upstream side of a compressor of a turbosupercharger, and on the other hand, a purge control valve and an electrically powered pump are mounted in the middle of said purge passage. Then, either a constant drive current is provided to said electrically powered pump, and the opening of the purge control valve is controlled in correspondence to the requested purged air flow rate, or the purge control valve is controlled to be fully opened, and the drive current of said pump is controlled in correspondence to the requested purged air flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Saruwatari, Junichi Furuya
  • Patent number: 6122908
    Abstract: Apparatus for the purification of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines is disclosed including a conduit for connecting the exhaust pipe from the engine with a canister containing an adsorbent for at least one of the components of the exhaust gases, and a valve associated with the conduit for selectively directing the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe to the canister when the valve is open. Methods for purification of such exhaust gases are also disclosed including monitoring an operating condition for the internal combustion engine and controlling the flow of the exhaust gases from the engine to the exhaust pipe in response to the monitored operating condition, controlling of the flow including selectively directing at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Goran Wirmark
  • Patent number: 6105612
    Abstract: Valve mechanism for controlling the fluid flows when refueling a fuel tank provided with a filler neck, having: a housing in which there are constructed a first opening, a second opening and a third opening; a valve member which is mounted movably in the housing between a first and a second position and has at least one sealing surface; a valve seat which in the housing is arranged between the openings and cooperates with the sealing surface(s) of the valve member in order, in the first position, to set up a first fluid connection between the first opening and the second opening, and a second fluid connection between the second opening and the third opening, and, in the second position, to interrupt the first and the second fluid connections; and a third fluid connection which is constructed in the housing between the second opening and the third opening and has a higher flow resistance than the second fluid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tesma Motoren-und Getriebetechnik Ges.m.b.H
    Inventor: Rudolf Schaar
  • Patent number: 6047687
    Abstract: A canister for treating fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank and for supplying fuel vapor to an intake system of an engine via a purge passage. First and second adsorbent compartments are defined in a casing by a partition for accommodating adsorbents. First and second dispersion compartments are defined in the casing for dispersing fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The first and the second dispersion compartments are located at one end of the first and second adsorbent compartments, respectively. A valve device is positioned at one side of the second adsorbent compartment for selectively opening and closing in accordance with the difference between internal and external pressures of the casing. A tank valve is connected to one side of the casing corresponding to the first adsorbent compartment for adjusting the pressure in the fuel tank. An external dispersion compartment is connected to a wall of the casing to communicate with the first dispersion compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ishikawa, Yoshihiko Hyodo, Hideo Yamada
  • Patent number: 6016793
    Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system. A pump disposed within interior space of the module has an inlet in communication with the interior space and a flow passage through which the evaporative emission space is pressurized by the pump. A vent valve within the interior space is selectively operable to a first state that vents the flow passage to the interior space of the module and to a second state that does not vent the flow passage to the interior space. An electromechanical actuator within the interior space operates both the pump and the vent valve. The actuator has an electromagnet coil disposed on the middle leg of an E-shaped core comprising a stack of ferromagnetic laminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John E. Cook, Paul D. Perry
  • Patent number: 6012435
    Abstract: In an engine comprising a fuel vapor purge mechanism which mixes fuel vapor from a fuel tank with the intake air of the engine after fuel vapor has been adsorbed by a canister, a uniform fuel-air mixture and a stratified fuel-air mixture are selectively produced. When the engine is running with a stratified fuel-air mixture, purge of fuel vapor is prohibited. On the other hand, when the fuel vapor adsorption amount in the canister has reached a predetermined value, the engine is forcibly run with a uniform fuel-air mixture and purge of fuel vapor is performed, In this way, the fuel vapor adsorption amount in the canister is prevented from becoming excessive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Takahashi, Takeaki Obata, Keisuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6003568
    Abstract: An automatic fueling system includes a pump having a telescoping arm capable of placement in three-dimensional space, a flexibly mounted nozzle on the end of the arm and a docking cone to mate with the fuel port on a vehicle. A camera provides a view of the side of the vehicle on a monitor with guides visible to the operator of the vehicle to assist in locating the vehicle within range of the pump. A light and a camera located adjacent to the nozzle are used to recognize retro-reflective light from an annular target about the intake port. Multiple approximations of the distance and location of the intake port are made with the nozzle moving closer to mating with the intake port. A data link is provided through the mated nozzle with a keypad accessible by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: R. Strnad Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Rudolph A. Strnad, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6000426
    Abstract: A system to collect and control the flow of fuel vapor within a vehicle fuel system. In one embodiment, a vapor control unit mounted in the fuel tank permits fuel vapor to be drawn into a tank fill pipe when liquid fuel is being added to the fuel tank to condense at least a portion of the fuel vapor. In a second embodiment a diaphragm actuated valve permits fuel vapor flow from the fuel tank into the tank fill pipe when liquid fuel is being added to the tank to condense at least a portion of the fuel vapor. By condensing the fuel vapor the system reduces the total amount of fuel vapor within the fuel system while preventing the escape of fuel vapor which is hazardous to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Tuckey, Billy R. Blackwell, Lawrence E. Egle
  • Patent number: 5992396
    Abstract: A tank venting system for motor vehicles, having an internal combustion engine supplied from a fuel tank. A filter housing with an adsorption filter, and an air inlet and an air outlet that can be connected to a venting neck of the fuel tank. An air pump device for error diagnosis, which is integrated with a pump housing that has a pump inlet and a pump outlet. To attain a compact design of the tank venting system that is economical in terms of installation space, the pump housing is mounted with the pump outlet oriented coaxially to the air inlet on the filter housing and secured on the filter housing by means of spring-elastic fastening elements. The transition between the pump outlet and the air inlet is sealed off in airtight fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Krimmer, Tilman Miehle, Wolfgang Schulz, Manfred Zimmermann, Andreas Blumenstock
  • Patent number: 5988145
    Abstract: Blockage of a drain pipe of a canister due to freezing or clogging with mud is prevented with a simple structure comprised of a small number of parts. A drain pipe, mounted to a canister body having an adsorbent accommodated therein, includes an inner shell which extends downwards from the canister body and opens at its lower end, and an outer shell which opens at its upper and lower ends. The lower end of the inner shell is inserted into the opening in the upper end of the outer shell with a gap left therebetween. Even if the opening in the lower end of the outer shell is blocked due to freezing or clogging with mud, surplus fuel or the exterior air can flow from the canister body via the opening in the upper end of the outer shell. If the opening in the lower end of the outer shell is submerged in water when evaporated fuel is purged into intake system, the drawing of water into the canister body can be prevented, because the opening in the upper end of the outer shell opens into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Horiuchi, Ryuji Fujino, Takeshi Honda
  • Patent number: 5979418
    Abstract: A three-way valve is mounted in the middle of a bypass passage bypassing the upstream and downstream of a compressor, and a purge passage is connected to the three-way valve. When the negative throttle pressure is equal to or above a predetermined value (close to vacuum), the recirculation of the supercharged pressure is performed through the bypass passage. On the other hand, when the negative throttle pressure is below the predetermined value, the purging of the canister is performed on the upstream side of the compressor through the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Saruwatari, Junichi Furuya
  • Patent number: 5975062
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically air-washing a charcoal canister and for testing leak-tightness of a closed fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine in which a reversible electric air pump is installed in a line connecting the fuel system and the canister to the intake manifold of the engine upstream of the choke valve. In one direction of operation of the pump, ambient air is sucked through the canister and fed to the intake manifold to wash the canister and in the other direction of operation of the pump, air is pumped from above the choke valve in the intake manifold to the fuel system to pressurize the system to check leak-tightness thereof. When the engine is turned off, the pump is shut off and the fuel supply system is connected to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Pierburg AG
    Inventors: Michael Bonse, Gunter Van De Venne
  • Patent number: 5957113
    Abstract: The present invention is provides a fuel vapor recovery apparatus for automobiles that includes a canister for cooling and condensing the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank and a membrane separation means for separating the fuel vapor flowed from the canister. The present invention also provides for a membrane separation means for separating the fuel vapor from a canister storing fuel vapor into a fuel rich mixture and a means for liquefying and condensing this separated fuel rich mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiteru Masaki, Hideyuki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 5957114
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister includes a housing containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing material, such as carbon. The canister may be configured to such that a portion acts as a buffer canister of such that the entire canister is used to adsorb hydrocarbon emissions. The canister housing is generally cylindrical with a reduced cross-sectional area portion and is configured in a manner to allow flow along a relatively straight line; with both features acting to increase purge efficiency and reduce restriction, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Philip Jeffrey Johnson, James T. Dumas, Roger Khami
  • Patent number: 5944076
    Abstract: An on-board refueling vapor recovery system for a motor vehicle comprising a fuel tank constructed to store a quantity of liquid fuel. A nozzle-receiving portion has a nozzle-receiving opening fluidly communicated with the fuel tank. Closure structure is constructed to be moved into closing engagement with the nozzle-receiving portion to close the nozzle-receiving opening. An exhaust passage communicates the fuel tank to an atmosphere outside of the motor vehicle to thereby allow fuel vapor to vent from the fuel tank to the atmosphere. The exhaust passage includes a filtration device communicated with the fuel tank to filter environmentally harmful elements from the fuel vapor as it vents from the fuel tank to the atmosphere. A closure structure sensing device is configured to transmit electric signals based on whether the closure structure is in closing engagement with the nozzle-receiving portion. A valve control unit is configured to control whether the valve is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Blau International, Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Sandor Palvoelgyi
  • Patent number: 5924410
    Abstract: An automotive evaporative emissions canister includes a housing containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing material, such as carbon. The canister includes a vent port for venting air to the atmosphere upon adsorption of hydrocarbons and for admitting air upon the desorption of hydrocarbon during the purging operation of the canister. A purge port is adapted for connection to the engine to allow the desorbed hydrocarbons to flow into the engine. A plurality of holes is formed through the side wall of the canister housing and are formed at a location remote from the purge port between the vent port and the purge port to define a buffer zone. The holes are adapted for communication with the fuel tank to allow fuel vapor to flow through the tank through the plurality of holes into the buffer zone. Thus, vapor purged directly from the tank to the engine is buffered through the carbon canister to prevent any vapor purge spikes creating the undesirably over-rich condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James T. Dumas, Philip Jeffrey Johnson, Gregory S. Green, Roger Khami
  • Patent number: 5915364
    Abstract: A canister for use in an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle is provided which includes a box-like casing, an inlet port formed in one end wall of the casing through which fuel vapors generated within a fuel tank are drawn into the canister, and a plurality of vapor-adsorbing passages each of which is filled with activated carbon and has a given length through which the fuel vapors drawn through the inlet port flow. The vapor-adsorbing passages are all arranged within said casing in parallel to each other. This arrangement allows the casing to be of a flat shape which facilitates easy installation of the canister within a flat space around a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoya Katou, Hideaki Itakura, Tohru Yoshinaga, Tokio Kohama, Katsuo Azegami, Kazuto Maeda, Nobuhiko Koyama
  • Patent number: 5914457
    Abstract: An antidiffusion layer is provided between a first fuel adsorption layer communicated with a fuel tank and a second fuel adsorption layer communicated with air. Since adsorbing ability of the antidiffusion layer is lower than that of the first and second fuel adsorption layers, pore diffusion of the fuel vapor from the first fuel adsorption layer to the second fuel adsorption layer is reduced. Since the antidiffusion layer forms a plurality of nonlinear passages, air diffusion of the fuel vapor is reduced. Therefore, the diffusion of the fuel vapor is suppressed with a thin, small and simple antidiffusion layer, and the canister can be simplified and the reduction of the number of parts and the cost thereof can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Itakura, Naoya Kato, Tohru Yoshinaga, Tokio Kohama, Kazuto Maeda
  • Patent number: 5910637
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister including a mass of carbon granules in a carbon bed chamber of the canister, a liquid trap having a polygonal internal chamber between a vapor inlet port and the carbon bed chamber, and a purge duct traversing the polygonal chamber. The polygonal chamber includes a plurality of three sides which define the gravitational bottom of the chamber in respective ones of a plurality of three orientations of the vapor storage canister. A pick-up tube in the polygonal internal chamber has an outboard end at the convergence of the aforesaid plurality of three sides and an inboard end surrounding an orifice in the vapor purge duct. The inboard end of the pick-up tube is vertically above the maximum level of liquid fuel in the polygonal internal chamber in each of the aforesaid plurality of three orientations of the vapor storage canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Meiller, Timothy Michael Beadnell, Charles Henry Covert
  • Patent number: 5906189
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel controller for an internal combustion engine to prevent blow-off of fuel and/or outflow of emissions immediately after fuel is fed into a fuel tank, and to prevent a large quantity of evaporative fuel from flowing into a canister during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Mukai, Harumi Suzuki, Hitoshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 5901689
    Abstract: A fuel tank device has a canister suitably mounted inside a fuel tank. The fuel tank device includes a tank body in which fuel is stored, a filler tube connected at one end to the tank body for supplying the fuel into the tank body, and a canister hung and supported by the edge of an opening formed through the tank body via a support member and a sealing member, for adsorbing and storing evaporative fuel generated in the tank body. The canister is mounted entirely within the tank body and located so as not to be directly exposed to the fuel when the fuel is being supplied from the filler tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Kimura, Masao Uesugi, Masafumi Kunimitsu, Kiyoshi Mori, Hirokuni Seto, Kenji Kato
  • Patent number: 5878725
    Abstract: A combination vent valve/purge valve apparatus (10) for an automotive fuel vapor recovery system canister (14) comprises a purge valve (26) and a vent valve (16) in a single housing. When open, the vent valve (16) allows outside air to enter the canister (14). The purge valve (26), when open, allows fuel vapor to flow from the canister (14) into a vacuum source (12). A gas channel (28, 130, 168) extends between a vent chamber (18) within the vent valve (16) and a purge chamber (28) within the purge valve (26). When the purge valve (26) is open and a purge plunger (86) within the purge chamber (28) is positioned away from the gas channel (28, 130, 168), the manifold vacuum draws air from one side of a diaphragm (126) within the vent chamber (18) drawing the diaphragm (126) and a vent plunger (152) downward against a spring to close the vent valve (16). When the purge plunger (86) is positioned to block the gas channel (28, 130, 168), the spring forces the vent plunger (152) upward to open the vent valve (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Osterbrink
  • Patent number: 5878728
    Abstract: A back-pressure chamber of a tank internal pressure regulating valve and a canister are connected to each other by a communicating passage. During purging, since the negative pressure in an evaporative purge system is introduced into the back-pressure chamber, the valve opening pressure setting of the tank internal pressure regulating valve is lowered. As purge-cutting is started, the internal pressure of the canister instantly rises to the valve opening pressure of an air intake valve, thereby increasing the pressure introduced into the back-pressure chamber. Consequently, the valve opening pressure setting of the tank internal pressure regulating valve rises, thereby suppressing the valve opening operation. Thus, diagnosis is prevented from becoming erroneous as the pressure regulating valve in the evaporative purge system opens during the failure diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kidokoro, Naoya Takagi
  • Patent number: 5868428
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a canister to an automobile wherein transmission of vibration generated by a wheel is reduced so as to prevent adsorbing agents in the canister from being worn. Wheels are mounted to left and right side members via respective suspensions. A cross member is connected between the left and right side members. The container, which accommodates adsorbing agents, is mounted to the cross member in the center between the left and right side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5863025
    Abstract: An evaporator control valve is capable of opening a diaphragm in a desired pressure, thereby preventing a fuel tank from being deformed owing to negative pressure in the fuel tank, and also the evaporator control valve is provided with a solenoid for diagnosing trouble capable of forcibly opening or closing the diaphragm only at the time when an evaporating system is diagnosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamotsu Noya
  • Patent number: 5861050
    Abstract: Described are preferred vapor recovery canisters which are useful in on-board vehicle fuel vapor recovery systems. The preferred canisters incorporate thermal management of solid adsorbent with phase change materials to improve both adsorptive and desorptive capacity of the canisters. Also described are preferred encapsulation members for use in the vapor recovery canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Store Heat and Produce Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Pittel, Alexander P. Rafalovich, John D. Cathcart
  • Patent number: 5858034
    Abstract: A dust filter unit for a canister is provided. An inlet port and an outlet port are formed in a housing and opening into the atmosphere. A communication port is formed in the housing and leading to the canister. A filter is arranged within the housing at a location between the inlet port and the output port. A first one-way valve is arranged within the housing at a location between the communication port and the outlet port, for allowing evaporative fuel to flow from the communication port to the outlet port. A second one-way valve is arranged within the housing at a location between the filter and the communication port, for allowing fresh air to flow from the filter to the communication port. Thus, the inlet port, outlet port, communication port, and first and second one-way valves are all provided in one piece within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Shida, Takeaki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5855198
    Abstract: A canister system is installed in a vehicle having a body having a substantially closed space defined therein, and a subframe mounted on the body and having a substantially closed space defined therein. An air intake passage is connected to a canister for drawing and delivering fresh air into the canister, and an air exhaust passage is connected to the canister for exhausting air resulting from removal of evaporative fuel components from an evaporative fuel-air mixture by adsorption of the evaporative fuel components by the canister into the atmosphere. An open end of the air intake passage remote from the canister is formed in the body of the vehicle, and an open end of the air exhaust passage remote from the canister is formed in the subframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeaki Nakajima, Shoichi Hokazono, Koichi Hidano, Kiyofumi Shida, Masaaki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 5851268
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a canister comprising: a casing having an interior therein and a separator for separating the interior into first and second interior sections, the first interior section containing an absorbent and having a fuel vapor inlet and a fuel vapor outlet, the second interior section containing an absorbent and having an opening which is open to the outside air, the separator having fuel vapor channels therein and being formed by compressing a flexible filtering material to elongate the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hyodo, Takaaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 5840104
    Abstract: A canister structure for absorbing fuel vapor in the fuel tank and supplying the fuel vapor into the engine together with purge air is provided. The canister structure includes a canister body filled up with absorbents for absorbing the fuel vapor, a purge pipe connected to the canister body for introducing the purge air into the canister body and a separator for removing moisture contained in the purge air. To the separator, the purge pipe is connected downwardly. The separator is provided on the bottom side with an air inlet of which diameter is larger than that of the purge pipe. With the above-mentioned arrangement, since the separator is so formed as to have a diameter larger than that of the purge pipe, it is possible to reduce a flowing speed of the purge air by means of the separator, so that moisture contained in the purge air can be trapped and eliminated by the separator certainly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hashimoto, Tomoyuki Sato, Junichi Hanai, Kei Orita
  • Patent number: 5819796
    Abstract: The fuel storage system includes a control valve having a valve body which is movable along the inner circumferential wall surface of a filler pipe and which defines a passage isolated from the inner space of the filler pipe. A fuel tank and a canister communicate with each other via a main vapor line. When a fuel cap is attached to the filler port of the filler pipe, the valve body of the control valve is pushed by the fuel cap to be shifted away from the filler port, whereby a first sub-vapor line extending between the fuel tank and the control valve via the passage defined by the valve body is communicated to a second sub-vapor line extending between the control valve and the middle part of the main vapor line, permitting evaporative fuel gas to be introduced from the fuel tank into the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Kunimitsu, Kiyoshi Mori, Tomokazu Muraguchi, Yoichiro Ando
  • Patent number: 5816287
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing discharge of fuel vapor has a differential pressure valve. Before a fuel tank opens to the atmosphere due to removal of a fuel cap, the apparatus leads fuel vapor in the lower pressure chamber of the differential pressure valve to a canister for processing therein and opens the differential pressure valve to lead fuel vapor in the fuel tank to the canister for processing therein. The fuel tank is connected to the canister via the differential pressure valve. The lower pressure chamber of the differential pressure valve is connected to the canister via a connection pipe, a communication valve, and a connection pipe. When a fuel lid is opened, the communication valve is opened to lead fuel vapor in the lower pressure chamber of the differential pressure valve to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hyodo, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5809978
    Abstract: An adsorption filter for a fuel vapor retention system of a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine. The system has a valve that can be connected to an intake tube of the engine via a connecting line that is attached to the valve and to the fuel tank via a tank line. The tank line is attached to a housing of the adsorption filter and the valve is secured on the housing of the adsorption filter so that the valve can be slid into an opening provided in the housing. The adsorption filter according to the invention is suited for a fuel vapor retention system, for mixture compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Krimmer, Wolfgang Schulz, Tilman Miehle
  • Patent number: 5803054
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel-processing system for an internal combustion engine for use in a vehicle. A passage extends between the fuel tank and the intake passage, for guiding evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank, for processing, across which a canister is arranged. A first passage and a second passage are connected to the canister. A first valve is arranged across the first passage to allow air to flow into the canister through the first passage and inhibit air containing evaporative fuel from being discharged from the canister through the first passage. A second valve is arranged across the second passage to inhibit air from flowing into the canister through the second passage and allow air containing evaporative fuel to be discharged from the canister through the second passage. A filter is arranged in the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumi Yamazaki, Teruo Wakashiro, Koichi Hidano, Takeshi Hara, Takeaki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5803055
    Abstract: A determination is made as to whether or not a fuel tank for an engine or the like is being replenished with fuel. The temperature of the fuel in the fuel tank is detected, and if the fuel temperature is dropping a determination of fuel tank replenishment is arrived at. Desirably, it is determined that the fuel tank is being replenished, if fuel temperature dropping has occurred for a predetermined number of times over a predetermined time period. Further, by using such a detecting device in a breakdown diagnosis device for an evaporated fuel processing mechanism which diagnoses whether or not fuel leakage is taking place in a predetermined section of a flow path from the fuel tank to an intake passage of an automobile engine erroneous diagnosis is prevented by preventing diagnosis during fuel tank replenishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Goto, Atsushi Iochi
  • Patent number: 5794599
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for checking the tightness of a tank system of an internal combustion engine having an intake pipe. The tank system includes: a fuel tank wherein fuel vapor forms, a regeneration valve connected to the intake pipe; an adsorption filter connected between the regeneration valve and the fuel tank; the regeneration valve being movable between a closed position and an open position wherein the fuel vapor is drawn by suction into the intake pipe; the adsorption filter having a venting line; and, a shutoff valve for the venting line and being movable between a first position wherein the venting line is closed off pressure tight and a second position wherein the venting line is open to the adsorption filter; and, a pump for generating a diagnostic overpressure in the tank system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Blumenstock
  • Patent number: 5778865
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel control system for an internal combustion engine having a throttle valve includes a canister for adsorbing evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank, a purging passage for purging evaporative fuel into the intake system of the engine, and a purge control valve for controlling a flow rate of the evaporative fuel to be purged into the intake system through the purging passage. An ECU sets an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient applied in air-fuel ratio feedback control, based on the concentration of a specific component in exhaust gases emitted from the engine, calculates a first learned value of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient during execution of the air-fuel ratio feedback control, and controls the purge control valve such that the flow rate of the evaporative fuel is changed according to the calculated first learned value. A second learned value of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient suitable for the transient operating condition of the engine is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Tachibana, Toru Wada, Satoru Kubo
  • Patent number: 5776228
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister having a screen module between carbon granules in the canister and a purge port of the canister. The screen module includes a module body defining a plenum, a flat plastic foam screen seated on an uninterrupted edge of a raised boss on the module body around the plenum, and a retainer clamped to the module body over the flat foam screen. A tubular stem on the module body plugs into a socket in the storage canister. An interference fit between the tubular stem and the socket prevents migration of carbon granules between the socket and the tubular stem. The foam screen is exposed to the carbon bed chamber through a window in a planar side of the retainer which planar side, in a seated position of the retainer on the module body, cooperates with the uninterrupted edge of the raised boss in compressing a segment of the foam screen to define a seal around the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Meiller, Timothy Michael Beadnell, Charles Henry Covert, Robert Augustine Zaso, Gordon Richard Paddock
  • Patent number: 5776568
    Abstract: A hollow body with an internal supporting frame (10) which is connected to a housing (14) at at least two contact points. The housing and the supporting frame are made of synthetic resin material with the housing, which is produced by blow molding, enclosing the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Andress, Arthur Klotz, Arnold Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5776227
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister having a screen assembly between a mass of carbon granules in the storage canister and a purge port of the storage canister. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a cup-shaped plastic body defining a carbon bed chamber and a plenum in the canister body covered by the screen assembly. The screen assembly includes a pair of concentric cylindrical bosses around the plenum, a plastic foam screen over the plenum seated on a circular edge of each of the concentric cylindrical bosses, and a retainer having a plurality of flexible barbs and flexible reinforcements resiliently biased against opposite sides of the outermost one of the cylindrical bosses. Concentric circular segments of the plastic foam screen are compressed tightly between an annular planar side of the retainer and each of the circular edges of the concentric cylindrical bosses to positively prevent migration of carbon granules around the foam screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Meiller, Timothy Michael Beadnell, Charles Henry Covert, Robert Augustine Zaso, Gordon Richard Paddock