Systems and methods for limited emissions refueling

• US 10,364,763 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dudar, Aed M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hakomaki, James R
• Application Number:
  US15/013,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20170217753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 141 5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03504 adapted to avoid loss of fuel or fuel vapour, e.g. with vapour recovery systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0319 with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting for LPG tanks B60K2015/03013
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03375 to improve security
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0045 Estimating, calculating or determining the purging rate, amount, flow or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0809 Judging failure of purge control system

Abstract

A method is presented, comprising, during a first condition, including an active refueling event, receiving an indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister; and restricting flow of fuel vapor through a fuel vapor canister vent pathway responsive to the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough. Restricting the fuel vapor canister vent pathway will cause fuel tank pressure to increase, thus triggering an automatic shutoff of a refueling dispenser. In this way, the refueling event may be terminated without releasing significant quantities of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

during a first condition, including an ongoing refueling event with a canister purge valve maintained closed, receiving an indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough from a fuel vapor canister; and

during the ongoing refueling event with the canister purge valve maintained closed, restricting flow of fuel vapor through a fuel vapor canister vent pathway responsive to the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough by closing a valve.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating one or more fuel system parameters following termination of the refueling event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more fuel system parameters comprise a fuel vapor canister purge schedule.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein closing the valve includes closing a canister vent valve coupled within the fuel vapor canister vent pathway.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein closing the valve includes closing a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and the fuel vapor canister.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister comprises an output of a hydrocarbon sensor coupled within the fuel vapor canister vent pathway, between a fresh air port and a canister vent valve, increasing above a threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein restricting flow of fuel vapor through the fuel vapor canister vent pathway responsive to the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough comprises restricting flow of fuel vapor through the fuel vapor canister vent pathway regardless of a fuel fill level.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a request for a refueling event;

opening a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and the fuel vapor canister; and

granting access to a fuel filler neck responsive to an absolute fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first condition comprises limited emission refueling parameters being activated.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

during a second condition, including an active refueling event, maintaining non-zero flow of fuel vapor through the fuel vapor canister vent pathway regardless of the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough, including even when the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough is generated.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein limited emission refueling parameters are inactive during the second condition.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

during a third condition, receiving a refueling request; and

maintaining the fuel tank isolation valve closed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third condition comprises active limited emission refueling parameters and a canister load above a threshold.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

indicating that the fuel vapor canister must be purged prior to enabling the refueling event.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the limited emission refueling parameters have been overridden;

receiving a second request for a refueling event;

opening the fuel tank isolation valve; and

granting access to the fuel filler neck responsive to the absolute fuel tank pressure decreasing below the threshold.

16. A method for a vehicle, comprising:

receiving a request for a refueling event;

receiving an indication that limited emission refueling parameters are active;

venting a fuel tank to atmosphere via a fuel vapor canister;

allowing access to a fuel filler neck responsive to an absolute fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold;

monitoring an output of a hydrocarbon sensor coupled in a vent line between the fuel vapor canister and atmosphere during an ongoing refueling event with a canister purge valve maintained closed; and

responsive to the output of the hydrocarbon sensor increasing above a threshold during the ongoing refueling event with the canister purge valve maintained closed, restricting flow of fuel vapor between the fuel tank and atmosphere along the vent line regardless of a fuel fill level in the fuel tank by closing a valve.