Vapour recovery system and vapour control method
First Claim
1. A vapour recovery system for recovering vapour coming from a vehicle tank comprising:
- a valve configured for being positionable in a closed position, an open position creating a passageway with a first size, and one or more intermediate positions each creating a passageway with a size which is smaller than said first size;
an actuator configured for operating said valve;
an electronic controller configured for controlling said actuator to position said valve in a sequence of positions over time, wherein said sequence comprises at least one of said one or more intermediate positions during a time period, said time period being larger than 1 second;
wherein the valve is arranged in a line of the vapour recovery system between a vapour outlet of the vehicle tank and the atmosphere;
wherein the actuator is a stepper-motor based linear actuator;
wherein the controlling comprises selecting at least one intermediate position of said one or more intermediate positions, the selection consisting in selecting a number of steps to be set from a predetermined reference position; and
wherein the controller is configured to;
in response to a positive detection of a refuelling event, position the valve in the open position;
monitor a level of liquid in the vehicle tank and, in response to the level reaching a predetermined threshold level, position the valve in the closed position; and
then reopen the valve by positioning the valve in an intermediate position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vapour recovery system recovers vapour coming from a vehicle tank. The system includes a valve that is positionable in a closed position, an open position creating a passageway with a first size, and one or more intermediate positions each creating a passageway with a size smaller than the first size. The system also includes an electronic controller to control an actuator to position the valve in a sequence of positions over time. The sequence includes at least one of the intermediate positions during a time period larger than 1 second. The valve is arranged in a line of the vapour recovery system between a vapour outlet of the vehicle tank and the atmosphere. The actuator is a stepper-motor based linear actuator. The controlling includes selecting at least one intermediate position, and the selection includes selecting a number of steps to be set from a predetermined reference position.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vapour recovery system for recovering vapour coming from a vehicle tank comprising:
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a valve configured for being positionable in a closed position, an open position creating a passageway with a first size, and one or more intermediate positions each creating a passageway with a size which is smaller than said first size; an actuator configured for operating said valve; an electronic controller configured for controlling said actuator to position said valve in a sequence of positions over time, wherein said sequence comprises at least one of said one or more intermediate positions during a time period, said time period being larger than 1 second; wherein the valve is arranged in a line of the vapour recovery system between a vapour outlet of the vehicle tank and the atmosphere; wherein the actuator is a stepper-motor based linear actuator; wherein the controlling comprises selecting at least one intermediate position of said one or more intermediate positions, the selection consisting in selecting a number of steps to be set from a predetermined reference position; and wherein the controller is configured to; in response to a positive detection of a refuelling event, position the valve in the open position; monitor a level of liquid in the vehicle tank and, in response to the level reaching a predetermined threshold level, position the valve in the closed position; and then reopen the valve by positioning the valve in an intermediate position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vapour control method comprising:
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controlling a vapour flow from a vehicle tank using a valve, said valve being configured for being positionable in a closed position, an open position creating a passageway with a first size, and one or more intermediate positions each creating a passageway with a size which is smaller than said first size; wherein said controlling comprises positioning the valve in a sequence of positions over time, including positioning the valve in the open position in response to a positive detection of a refuelling event; positioning the valve in the closed position in response to a level of liquid in the vehicle tank reaching a predetermined threshold level; and after positioning the valve in the closed position, reopening the valve by positioning the valve in an intermediate position, wherein said valve is positioned in the intermediate position for a time period larger than 1 second, and wherein said controlling comprises selecting at least one intermediate position of said one or more intermediate positions, the selection consisting in selecting a number of steps to be set from a predetermined reference position by a stepper-motor based linear actuator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification