Purge Valve Controlled By Engine Parameter Patents (Class 123/520)
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Patent number: 9022008Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a canister for temporarily storing vaporized fuel from the fuel tank, a charge pipe that connects the fuel tank and the canister and that introduces vaporized fuel from the fuel tank to the canister, a purge pipe that connects the canister with an intake system of an internal combustion engine, and a vent pipe that connects the canister with ambient air outside of the canister. An opening of the vent pipe is arranged to open upwardly with respect to the vehicle body in a recessed portion that is formed in a hollow shape and opens downwardly in the vehicle body. A space is formed to partially open in an interval to a recessed portion sidewall of the recessed portion, and a locking member is also provided to cover the opening of the recessed portion from below.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masayuki Hirukawa
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Publication number: 20150114361Abstract: If a pressure deviation ?P (amount of pressure decrease) after a first predetermined time period T1 has elapsed since a bypass valve (canister opening/closing valve) is controlled from an opened to closed state by actuating a negative pressure pump when the engine is stopped and a purge valve is opened is less than a first predetermined pressure P1, it is determined that the bypass valve is in an open sticking state, and if the pressure deviation ?P is not less than the first predetermined pressure P1, it is determined that the bypass valve is not in an open sticking state. Moreover, a pressure deviation ?P after a second predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the bypass valve is subsequently controlled to be opened decreases by not less than a second predetermined pressure P2, it is determined that the bypass valve 37 is not in a closed sticking state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideo MATSUNAGA, Hitoshi KAMURA
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Publication number: 20150114360Abstract: A method for purging fuel vapors, comprising: purging fuel tank vapors directly from a fuel tank to an engine intake, bypassing a canister, via a venturi, while drawing canister vapors via the venturi into the purged fuel tank vapors en route to the engine intake. In this way, fuel tank vapors may be used to enable purging of a fuel vapor canister, even under conditions where there is insufficient manifold vacuum to enable a canister purge routine. By increasing the frequency of purge opportunities, bleed emissions from a saturated canister may be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Werner, Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Andrew M. Gitlin
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Publication number: 20150114362Abstract: A method for purging a fuel tank includes providing a three-way valve connected to the fuel tank via a first purging line, connected to a second purging line opening into a suction duct and connected to a third purging line opening into an adsorption container. A first path can be released in the three-way valve, based on the pressure inside the fuel tank exceeding a first predetermined opening pressure inside the fuel tank and the engine being in operation, such that the fuel vapours are caused to be purge out of the fuel tank into the suction duct. A second path can also be released in the three-way valve, based on the pressure inside the fuel tank exceeding a second predetermined opening pressure inside the fuel tank and the engine being not in operation, such that the fuel vapours are caused to be purged out of the fuel tank into the adsorption container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Etienne COSTA-PATRY, Michael Knieling
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Publication number: 20150114370Abstract: Systems and methods for separating higher octane fuel from a fuel mixture are presented. In one example, fuel vapors may be limited or constrained from migrating to fuel tanks storing lower octane fuels. The systems may vent fuel vapors from a plurality of fuel tanks to a single fuel vapor storage canister. Alternatively, the systems may vent fuel vapors from the plurality of fuel tanks to a plurality of fuel vapor storage canisters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Leone, James Eric Anderson
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Publication number: 20150107562Abstract: A method for operating a fuel system is disclosed. The method includes sequentially purging fuel vapors from each of a plurality of regions of a canister. Purging a region includes opening an air inlet valve associated with that region and maintaining air inlet valves associated with each other region closed to direct fuel vapors to at least one purge outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Niels Christopher Kragh, Scott A. Bohr, Mark Bunge, Mark W. Peters
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Publication number: 20150101577Abstract: A purge vapor system, which includes a fuel tank, a fuel tank isolation valve in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a carbon canister in fluid communication with the fuel tank isolation valve. The purge vapor system also includes a canister vent valve in fluid communication with the carbon canister, an air filter in fluid communication with the canister vent valve, and a latching mechanism for changing the canister vent valve between an open position and a closed position, where the latching mechanism is part of the canister vent valve. The latching mechanism is energized as the latching mechanism changes the canister vent valve between the open position and the closed position, and the latching mechanism is de-energized as the canister vent valve is held in the open position or the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
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Publication number: 20150096541Abstract: A boost purge ejector tee arrangement for a fuel vapor emissions system can include a boost purge ejector tee having a body that can define a first inlet port, a second inlet port and an outlet port. The first inlet port and the outlet port can be fluidly coupled along a first flow path. The body can define a second flow path from the second inlet port that can intersect the first flow path upstream of the outlet port. A nozzle can be positioned in the first flow path such that an outlet of the nozzle can be proximate the intersection of the second flow path with the first flow path. The boost purge ejector tee can be integrated into an air box that can be associated with an engine such that the outlet port exits into an inside of the air box.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Daniel H. Edmund, Roger C. Sager, William B. Blomquist, Michael R. Grote, Frederick A. Gibb, Christopher G. Hadre
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Publication number: 20150090235Abstract: A method and system for testing an evaporative emission control system for leaks. The method includes opening a canister purge valve by an amount sufficient to provide a flow equivalent to a predetermined orifice diameter. Then, a vacuum pump evacuates a reference volume consisting of the portion of the evaporative emission control system extending from the canister purge valve to an evacuation level control monitor. The system determines the pressure in the reference volume at the end of a specified evacuation time, and that value is stored as the threshold test value. Then, the system closes the canister purge valve and proceeds to evacuate the entire evaporative emission control system for a predetermined time. At the end of that time, the system identifies the absence of a leak if the system pressure falls at least to the threshold test value. A powertrain control module controls the canister purge valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: RUSSELL RANDALL PEARCE, AED M. DUDAR
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Publication number: 20150090233Abstract: Embodiments for controlling fuel vapors are provided. In one example, a method comprises initiating a purge of a fuel vapor canister responsive to a temperature profile at a vent side of the fuel vapor canister. In this way, release of fuel vapors to the atmosphere may be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
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Publication number: 20150090234Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that indicates the level of loading of a carbon canister of the system. The system has multiple thermocouples positioned space apart from each other along a vapor flow path within the carbon canister. A controller is connected to each thermocouple, which monitors the temperature of the thermocouples. The controller indicates the level of saturation of the carbon canister based on certain pre-determined temperature criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: AED M. DUDAR, DENNIS SEUNG-MAN YANG, MARK DANIEL BUNGE
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Publication number: 20150090232Abstract: Embodiments for controlling fuel vapors are disclosed. In one example, a method comprises during a purge of a fuel vapor canister, adjusting a heater of the fuel vapor canister based on a rate of a purge flow exiting the fuel vapor canister and a concentration of hydrocarbons released from the fuel vapor canister. In this way, a fuel vapor canister purge efficiency may be increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark W. Peters, Mark Daniel Bunge, Michael G. Heim, Russell Randall Pearce
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Patent number: 8991361Abstract: A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine (2) that is supplied with fuel from a fuel tank (7), and having a regeneratable filter device (6) for taking up fuel vapors from the fuel tank (7). To improve properties of fuel vapor retaining systems during operation of motor vehicles, the method includes carrying out a forced start of the internal combustion engine (2) promptly after a refueling process in order to regenerate the filter device (6).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Andreas Menke
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Publication number: 20150083087Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying leaks on each of a fuel tank and a canister side of a fuel system using a single leak check module. A position of a switching valve coupled in the vapor line of the fuel system is adjusted to selectively couple the leak check module to either the fuel tank or the canister. Leak is detected based on a change in pressure at a reference orifice of the leak check module following applying of vacuum from a vacuum pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
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Publication number: 20150083089Abstract: Systems and methods to control fuel tank pressure to reduce fuel oxidation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are disclosed. A method comprises routing vapors from a fuel system canister to the fuel tank to maintain the fuel tank pressure at a desired pressure. In this way, the engine may be maintained off for greater durations while still retaining fuel quality of fuel stored on-board the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Kenneth J. Kuenzel
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Publication number: 20150083088Abstract: A method for detecting blockage within a recirculation tube of the evaporative emission control system of a PHEV measures the rise in interior temperature of a canister of the EVAP system, during the process of refueling, and notes an initial state of loading of the canister before refueling, indicative of the amount of hydrocarbons contained within the canister It is inferred that the recirculation tube is operative reliably if the rise in canister temperature is below a pre-determined temperature value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: RUSSELL RANDALL PEARCE, DENNIS SEUNG-MAN YANG, AED M. DUDAR
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Publication number: 20150075502Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reference voltage for an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on ingestion of hydrocarbons from a fuel system canister and/or an engine crankcase. During conditions when purge or crankcase ventilation hydrocarbons are ingested in the intake aircharge, the intake oxygen sensor is transitioned from operating at a lower reference voltage to a higher reference voltage where the effects of the ingested hydrocarbons on the sensor output are nullified. An EGR dilution of the intake aircharge is estimated based on the output of the sensor at the higher reference voltage while an amount of hydrocarbons ingested is estimated based on a difference between sensor outputs at the higher and lower reference voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel A. Makled, James Alfred Hilditch, Richard E. Soltis, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles
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Publication number: 20150075501Abstract: A method for verifying the reliable operation of a fuel tank pressure transducer positioned within a fuel tank of a PHEV. The method detects the initiation of a refueling cycle, which leads to opening a system vent valve positioned between a carbon canister and a system vent, and opening a fuel tank isolation valve. A controller monitors fuel system pressure within the fuel tank and at the vent valve, and that device determines rates of change of the fuel system pressure within the fuel tank and at the outlet vent. Reliable operation of the fuel tank pressure transducer is indicated upon a determination that the rates of change of the fuel system pressure in the fuel tank and at the outlet vent are uniform within a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: MARK W PETERS, ROBERT ROY JENTZ, AED M DUDAR, ROMAN SCHESNUK, JACK MARSHALL
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Publication number: 20150075503Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reference voltage for an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on ingestion of hydrocarbons from a fuel system canister and/or an engine crankcase. During conditions when purge or crankcase ventilation hydrocarbons are ingested in the intake aircharge, the intake oxygen sensor is transitioned from operating at a lower reference voltage to a higher reference voltage where the effects of the ingested hydrocarbons on the sensor output are nullified. An EGR dilution of the intake aircharge is estimated based on the output of the sensor at the higher reference voltage while an amount of hydrocarbons ingested is estimated based on a difference between sensor outputs at the higher and lower reference voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel A. Makled, Richard E. Soltis, Stephen B. Smith
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Publication number: 20150068499Abstract: A fuel apparatus includes a vapor passage for guiding evaporation gas in a fuel tank to a canister, a sealing valve for closing the vapor passage in normal condition to keep the interior of the fuel tank in a sealed state, a leak detection portion for detecting leak of the evaporation gas from the closed space of the fuel tank in the sealed state to outside, and an opening control portion for opening the sealing valve when leak of the evaporation gas from within the fuel tank is detected. Alternatively, the fuel apparatus includes a bypass passage connecting an upstream portion of the vapor passage located upstream of the sealing valve and a downstream portion of the vapor passage located downstream of the sealing valve to each other to bypass the sealing valve, and a bypass valve provided in the bypass passage, for opening the bypass passage in the closed state when leak of the evaporation gas from within the fuel tank is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Takayuki SANO
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Publication number: 20150068498Abstract: A system for a vehicle, comprising: a tank pressure control valve coupled in a first conduit between a fuel tank and a fuel vapor canister; a refueling valve coupled in a second, different, conduit between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor canister, the second conduit in parallel to the first conduit. In this way, two smaller, less complex valves may be utilized to control fuel tank vapor purging and fuel tank depressurization during refueling. This in turn may lower system cost and increase system functionality.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark W. Peters, Mark Daniel Bunge, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
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Publication number: 20150059711Abstract: A valve element in a valve chamber is movable between an OFF position and an ON position to switch a flow quantity of fluid between a large flow quantity and a small flow quantity. The valve chamber has a fluid passage including an outer passage defined between an inner periphery of the valve chamber and an outer periphery of the valve element. The valve chamber has a throttle shape to decrease in inner diameter gradually from upstream toward downstream to decrease a minimum passage area of the fluid passage in a non-linear form. The valve chamber increases a differential pressure across the valve element in a linear form relative to a stroke of the valve element when the valve element moves from the OFF position toward the ON position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventor: Ryoyu Kishi
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Patent number: 8967122Abstract: When fuel tank internal pressure is at a first predetermined pressure P1 or above over a first predetermined time length t1, a fuel tank shutoff valve is opened and a vapor solenoid valve is closed to make piping internal pressure equal to the fuel tank internal pressure. Then, a purge control valve is opened to emit fuel evaporative gas from the fuel tank into an intake passage. When the fuel tank internal pressure is continuously at a second predetermined pressure P2 or below over the first predetermined time length t1, the fuel tank shutoff valve is closed, and when accumulated volume in high-pressure purge finishing phase reaches a second predetermined volume iv2 or above, the vapor solenoid valve is opened. When the accumulated volume in high-pressure purge finishing phase reaches a first predetermined volume iv1 or above, the purge control valve is opened and the engine is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiyuki Miyata, Katsunori Ueda, Hideto Ide
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Patent number: 8967121Abstract: In a control of an internal combustion engine control apparatus, the control apparatus includes: a fuel tank that stores a fuel; a vaporized fuel tank that is connected to an intermediate portion of an intake passageway of an internal combustion engine and that stores a vaporized fuel that is formed by vaporization of the fuel; an in-tank fuel supply device that supplies the fuel from the fuel tank into the vaporized fuel tank; and a normally-closed vaporized fuel supply valve that opens and closes a connecting portion between the vaporized fuel tank and the intake passageway. The control apparatus estimates air/fuel ratio in the vaporized fuel tank, and produces the vaporized fuel in the vaporized fuel tank by driving the in-tank fuel supply device, with the vaporized fuel supply valve closed, until the estimated air/fuel ratio becomes substantially zero, during operation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Sato, Yasuyuki Irisawa, Sinichi Mitani, Takashi Tsunooka, Shigeyuki Urano, Satoshi Yoshizaki
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Patent number: 8967193Abstract: A device for ventilating and aerating a fuel tank includes a tank shut-off valve and two tank pressure control valves. One of the tank pressure control valves opens in response to an overpressure in the fuel tank and the other one of the tank pressure control valves closes in response to a negative pressure in the fuel tank. A valve unit which is formed from one or multiple of the valves is mountable vertically or horizontally and has a fuel connection which communicates with the fuel tank and a filter connection which communicates with an activated carbon filter. The two connections are generally oriented parallel and point downwards in vertical mounting position of the valve unit and in sideward direction(s) in horizontal mounting position of the valve unit and are arranged at or near the bottom side of the valve unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Harald Hagen
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Patent number: 8972096Abstract: A method and device for detecting the blocking of a bleed valve (4) of a gasoline vapor filter (3) for a vehicle internal combustion engine (1), the method includes a step of controlling the maintenance of the internal combustion engine at a constant non-idle speed during a start or pre-stop phase, and at least one sequence of the following steps when maintaining the constant speed of the internal combustion engine: a step of changing the state of the bleed valve (4), a step of measuring at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine associated with the mixture fed into the engine, a step of comparing the values of the parameter measured before and after the change of state of the bleed valve and of determining if the variation of the parameter is greater than a pre-determined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Thierry Collet
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Patent number: 8960163Abstract: A fuel evaporation gas discharge suppressing device of an internal combustion engine includes a gas storage tank for storing a fuel evaporation gas in a communication passage for causing an air intake passage and a fuel tank in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle to communicate with each other in the communication passage. Control unit controls canister opening/closing unit, fuel tank opening/closing unit and gas tank opening/closing unit based on an internal pressure of the fuel tank. The control unit opens the canister opening/closing unit and opens the fuel tank toward the communication passage, and then opens the gas storage tank toward the communication passage when reducing the internal pressure of the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Takayuki Sano, Atsushi Wakamatsu, Hiroaki Kageyama
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Publication number: 20150047615Abstract: An engine system including an air intake duct positioned upstream of an engine cylinder may include an ice ingestion feature for retaining condensation. An ice ingestion feature may include indents formed in the bottom of an air intake duct wall. As such, the ice ingestion feature may include compartments and/or grooves of varying depths, widths, and/or angles such that the ice retention rate may be based on the surface area of the compartment or grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Scott M. Rollins, Christopher B. Bishop
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Patent number: 8958941Abstract: A method for detecting the blockage of the purge valve (4) of a vapor filter (3) for a hybrid fuel drive vehicle including at least one internal combustion engine (1) and one electric generator/motor, includes a step of making the electric motor drive the internal combustion engine (1) so as to keep the internal combustion engine (1) at a constant speed, during a start-up phase or a phase preliminary to stopping, and at least one sequence of the following steps during this time that the internal combustion engine is kept at a constant speed: a step of opening the purge valve (4); a step of measuring at least one operating parameter of the electric motor; a step of comparing the values of the measured parameter before and after opening the purge valve (4) and of determining whether the variation in the parameter is above a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Thierry Collet
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Patent number: 8950616Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a tank that stores fuel, a leveling valve that decides a limit liquid surface, a filler pipe that is provided with a fuel filler opening to which a blocking cover is attached at an end portion of the filler pipe, a recirculation pipe that communicates with the filler pipe, a discharge passage that is connected to the leveling valve and branches to a first passage and a second passage, a seal valve, and a release valve that is connected to the tank at a position higher than the limit liquid surface and one of the recirculation pipe and the filer pipe, and is released by a pressure lower than a pressure caused by a head difference between the limit liquid surface and a liquid surface of the fuel at the fuel filler opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Kenichi Kunii
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Patent number: 8950382Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve comprising a housing. The housing comprising inlet and outlet ports in flow communication via first and second valve controlled passages. The first valve controlled passage being configured to admit fuel vapor flow in a direction from the inlet port to the outlet port only when pressure at the inlet port exceeds a predetermined threshold. The second valve controlled passage being configured to admit vapor flow in a direction from the outlet port to the inlet port only when pressure at the inlet port drops below pressure at the outlet port. The fuel vapor control valve further comprising a sealing arrangement disposed at an external portion of the housing between the inlet and outlet ports.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Raval A.C.S. Ltd.Inventors: Omer Vulkan, Vladimir Olshanetsky, Alon Levy
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Publication number: 20150020780Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing apparatus includes a blocking valve configured to selectively allow and shut off communication between a canister and a fuel tank, and adsorbs evaporated fuel by the canister by opening the blocking valve during fuel filling, wherein the evaporated fuel occurs in the fuel tank, and performs a purge operation of introducing purge gas into an intake air line of an internal combustion engine with the blocking valve closed while the internal combustion engine is operating, wherein the purge gas contains a fuel component released from the canister. A diagnostic apparatus is configured to diagnose whether or not the blocking valve is abnormal, based on sensing of evaporated fuel flowing through the blocking valve while the purge operation is being performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Shinsuke Takakura, Isao Otsu
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Patent number: 8931459Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for controlling evaporative emissions in an internal combustion engine. A control valve assembly having a valve housing having an inlet portion, a first outlet portion and a second outlet portion, and a vapor chamber is provided. The vapor chamber is situated within the housing and is in communication with the inlet portion, first outlet portion and second outlet portion. The assembly is configured to receive fuel vapors from a fuel vapor source, through the inlet portion into the valve chamber. The assembly is further configured to selectively actuate a piston member situated at least partially inside the valve chamber for communicating the fuel vapors in the vapor chamber to either: (i) at least one of the atmosphere and an engine air inlet system via the second outlet portion when the engine is operating or otherwise engaged to be operated, or (ii) to a crankcase of the engine via the first outlet portion when the engine is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Aleko D. Sotiriades
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Patent number: 8919327Abstract: A method for operating a fuel system is disclosed. The method includes sequentially purging fuel vapors from each of a plurality of regions of a canister. Purging a region includes opening an air inlet valve associated with that region and maintaining air inlet valves associated with each other region closed to direct fuel vapors to at least one purge outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Niels Christopher Kragh, Scott A. Bohr, Mark Bunge, Mark W. Peters
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Patent number: 8924133Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a turbocharged engine. The system includes a fuel vapor canister in fluid communication with an intake manifold of the engine, a purge valve positioned between the intake manifold and the canister, a bypass valve positioned between the purge valve and the canister and connected to the atmosphere, and an evaporative system integrity monitor operable to seal the canister from the atmosphere when the engine is off. In operation, the monitor is closed so as to seal the canister from the atmosphere, the purge valve is closed so as to isolate the intake manifold from the canister, and the bypass valve is opened so as to connect the canister to the atmosphere. Proper operation of the monitor is determined if the monitor toggles from closed to open when a vacuum in the fuel vapor canister reaches a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Christopher G. Hadre, Roger C. Sager, Paul J. Gregor, Richard J. Carnaghi
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Publication number: 20140373813Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for venting a fuel tank (3). The system (1) has a gas vessel (9), a first line (11), and a second line (13). The gas vessel (9) is designed to receive fuel vapor (7) from the fuel tank (3). The first line (11) connects the gas vessel (9) to an air supply path (21) of an internal combustion engine (19). The second line (13) connects the gas vessel (9) to a fuel supply path (30) of the internal combustion engine (19).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Georg Mallebrein, Martin Klenk, Werner Haeming, Marko Lorenz, Hartmut Krueger, Timm Hollmann, Dennis Glemser, Stefan Gollnisch, Peter Schroepfer, Martina Homeyer, Franz Raichle, Wolfgang Fischer, Andreas Pape, Andreas Gutscher, Juergen Schwarz, Thomas Keller, Andreas Posselt, Georg Kurz
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Patent number: 8915234Abstract: A cap assembly includes a body and a tether. The body is configured to be fastened to a container for closing an opening in the container. An aperture is formed in the body, and the tether has a fastener, where a portion of the fastener extends through the aperture in the body. A gap is formed between the portion of the fastener and the body that allows for venting of vapors from the container around the portion of the fastener that is extending through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: John Gulke, Christy L. Matuszewski, Geoffrey P. Zabrowski, Elliot Matel, Peter D. Shears
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Patent number: 8905005Abstract: An evaporative fuel treatment apparatus for a vehicle includes a direct purge channel for supplying evaporative fuel to a purge channel without involving a canister; a purge control valve for controlling communications between the canister and an air-intake system of an internal combustion engine by an opening and closing operation; a direct purge control valve for controlling communications between a fuel tank and the air-intake system by another opening and closing operation; and a two-way valve provided in a charge channel. During a purge mode of the apparatus, evaporative fuel adsorbed in the canister is purged to the air-intake system by closing the direct purge control valve and opening the purge control valve during operation of engine. During a direct purge mode of the apparatus, evaporative fuel in the fuel tank is purged to the air-intake system by closing the purge control valve and opening the direct purge control valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Shimura, Takahiro Imamura, Satoshi Okayama
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Patent number: 8904762Abstract: An embodiment (control apparatus) for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention determines, based on an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor disposed downstream of a three-way catalyst, determines which air-fuel ratio request, a rich request or a lean request, is occurring. The control apparatus sets a target upstream air-fuel ratio to a target rich air-fuel ratio when the rich request is occurring, and sets the target upstream air-fuel ratio to a target lean air-fuel ratio when the lean request is occurring. Each of the target rich air-fuel ratio and the target lean air-fuel ratio is varied depending on an intake air amount. Further, the control apparatus increases a purge amount of an evaporated fuel as a magnitude (air-fuel ratio change amount ?AF, |afLean?afRich|) of a difference between the target rich air-fuel ratio and the target lean air-fuel ratio becomes larger.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Suzuki, Shuntaro Okazaki
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Publication number: 20140345576Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus includes a diagnosis section for leak diagnosis of an evaporated fuel tightly-closed system. In first diagnosis stage in which an atmosphere on-off valve is in close state after an ignition switch is turned off, the diagnosis section performs first leak diagnosis, based on relationship between tank internal pressure detected by a tank internal pressure sensor and first threshold value; and in second diagnosis stage in which the atmosphere on-off valve is in close state after completion of first leak diagnosis, the diagnosis section performs second leak diagnosis, based on relationship between tank internal pressure detected by the tank internal pressure sensor and second threshold value. The atmosphere on-off valve is once opened after completion of first leak diagnosis. First threshold value is set with larger deviation from the atmospheric pressure compared with second threshold value used in second diagnosis stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Taisuke FURUHATA, Mahito SHIKAMA, Ayumu HORIBA
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Publication number: 20140345575Abstract: A method for desorbing fuel vapors from a canister of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank includes detecting the temperature within the interior of the fuel tank using a temperature sensor positioned within the fuel tank. The canister is in fluid communication with the fuel tank and an intake manifold of the engine of the vehicle. A vapor bypass valve is positioned along a flow line between the fuel tank and the canister. The vapor bypass valve is opened if the temperature inside the fuel tank falls below a pre-determined value. The low pressure region created within the fuel tank due to fall in temperature is utilized to route ambient air along with the fuel-vapors contained within the canister, towards the fuel tank, through the opened vapor bypass valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: MARK W. PETERS, ROBERT ROY JENTZ, DENNIS SEUNG-MAN YANG, AED M. DUDAR
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Patent number: 8887696Abstract: A fuel cap includes a communication chamber configured to make a charge path and the inside of the fuel tank communicate with each other while in a closed state. The communication chamber includes: a positive pressure control valve configured to open, and send evaporated fuel, which occurs inside the fuel tank, to an evaporated fuel reservoir via the communication chamber and the charge path when the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure; and a negative pressure control valve configured to open, and send air from the evaporated fuel reservoir to the fuel tank via the communication chamber and the charge path when the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes equal to or less than the predetermined pressure. In addition, a key cylinder sets the negative pressure control valve open upon inserting a key into the key cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Shimura, Ikuo Hara, Tadaaki Nagata, Shinji Kobayashi, Takahiro Imamura
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Patent number: 8869777Abstract: A method of controlling an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle includes determining that a refueling event has been requested by a vehicle occupant, detecting a pressure inside a fuel tank, and impeding opening of a fuel tank inlet if the pressure is above a limit value. After the refueling event, an open/closed status of a fuel inlet access door is monitored, a fuel level inside a fuel tank is monitored, and a vehicle engine an operating condition is monitored. Pressure buildup within the fuel tank is disabled if a) the open/closed status has not changed from closed to open, and b) the fuel level has increased, and c) the vehicle engine is operating. An operator alert may be generated, and/or a fault code may be set in a vehicle diagnostic system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Robert Joseph Espinoza
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Publication number: 20140311461Abstract: A method for a fuel system coupled to an engine comprising: under vacuum conditions, opening the fuel vapor canister purge valve, and generating pressure pulsations in a conduit coupled to the fuel vapor canister purge valve by opening and closing a fuel vapor canister vent valve one or more times while maintaining the fuel vapor canister purge valve open. In this way, contaminants and/or debris that may prevent the canister purge valve from closing completely may be dislodged and evacuated to the intake manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Kevin William Plymale
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Patent number: 8863729Abstract: A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine (1) that is supplied with fuel from a fuel tank (4). A regeneratable filter device (6) is associated with the fuel tank (4) and can be connected to a vacuum storage device (20) for purging the filter device (6). To simplify and/or improve the regeneration of the filter device, the vacuum storage device (20) is arranged outside an intake tract of the internal combustion engine (1) and is associated with the fuel tank (4).Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Andreas Menke
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Publication number: 20140299110Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger and a compressor, a discharge point of a tank ventilation system is provided in the intake passage of the internal combustion engine upstream from the turbocharger or the compressor. A Venturi nozzle is situated between the discharge point and a tank venting valve of the tank ventilation system. A defect or a detachment of the line between the Venturi nozzle and the discharge point is detectable with the aid of a change of an adaption value and/or of a correction factor in a control unit of the internal combustion engine or in a computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Friedemann Heller, Michael Senger, Philip Heuser
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Patent number: 8850803Abstract: A system includes a main engine operating on gaseous fuel from a tank. An auxiliary engine operates using gaseous fuel vented from the tank. A first exhaust passage receives a first stream of exhaust gas from the main engine. A second exhaust passage receives exhaust gas from the auxiliary engine, which passes through an ammonia-producing catalyst. A third exhaust passage is fluidly connected to the first and second exhaust passages and routes exhaust gas through a NOx reducing catalyst. The system operates such that a mass flow of ammonia generated by the ammonia-producing catalyst substantially matches a total mass flow of NOx gas in the third exhaust passage that is treated within the ammonia-producing catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Cory A. Brown
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Publication number: 20140283795Abstract: An evaporated fuel treating device for an engine having an intake pipe, the evaporated fuel treating device includes a fuel evaporation system, a purge valve, a non-return valve, a seal valve mechanism, and an ECU. The system includes a fuel tank, an adsorber, purge passage. The adsorber adsorbs evaporated fuel. The purge valve adjusts a flow rate of the evaporated fuel flowing in the purge passage. The non-return valve prevents a reverse flow of gas in the purge passage from inside of the intake pipe towards the adsorber. The seal valve mechanism seals the system. The ECU configured to (a) open and close the purge valve after causing, the seal valve mechanism to seal the system, when the engine is stopped, and (b) detect an open failure state of the non-return valve based on a pressure difference inside the system when the purge valve is opened and closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kenji Kimura
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Publication number: 20140283794Abstract: A pressure control valve controls a pressure of a gaseous fuel according to an engine operation state. The pressure control valve has a movable valve body, a manifold chamber that communicates with an intake manifold, and a passage that is connected to an injector. An intake manifold pressure from the manifold chamber moves the movable valve body in a valve opening direction and an output pressure from the passage moves the movable valve body in a valve closing direction. In such manner, the pressure control valve changes a magnitude of a differential pressure between the output pressure and the intake manifold pressure according to a magnitude of the intake manifold pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Akira Takagi, Makoto Kondo, Yuichi Takemura
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Patent number: 8839767Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that can perform an overpressure relief function to vent fluid from a first component, such as to vent fuel vapor from a fuel tank, to a second component, such as a carbon canister, without being affected by the vapor pressure in the vent line to the second component. That is, the valve opens to provide pressure relief when needed regardless of the vapor pressure against which it opens. The valve assembly may also include a solenoid that is controllable to allow fluid flow separately from the movement in response to vapor pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert Dean Keller