Vehicle, In Particular A Motor Vehicle With A Tank Ventilation System

• US 20090044785A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: MALY, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/519
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0818 having means for pressurising the evaporative emission space

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle, with a fuel tank which has tank ventilation, the tank ventilation for adsorption of fuel vapors having an activated charcoal filter through which a flushing air flow can flow, and with a vehicle unit which has a vacuum pump, in particular a brake booster. It is provided that the delivery side of the vacuum pump produces compressed air for driving the flushing air flow and/or that the compressed air forms the flushing air flow.

Claims

1. A vehicle with a fuel tank which has tank ventilation, the tank ventilation for adsorption of fuel vapors having an activated charcoal filter through which a flushing air flow can flow, and with a vehicle unit which has a vacuum pump, in particular a brake booster, wherein the delivery side of the vacuum pump functions to produce at least one of compressed air for driving a device for producing flushing air flow and compressed air as a flushing air flow.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle unit is a brake booster.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein in the tank ventilation downstream from the fuel tank and upstream from the activated charcoal filter there is a nonreturn valve which blocks in the direction to the fuel tank.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein there is an overpressure valve in a compressed air line which connects the delivery side of the vacuum pump to the activated charcoal filter.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein downstream from the activated charcoal filter there is an exhaust air line which has a tank ventilation valve, which connects the filter to the induction tract of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle, and which downstream from the air filter discharges into the induction tract.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the exhaust air line upstream from the exhaust gas turbocharger of the internal combustion engine discharges into the induction tract of the internal combustion engine.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein downstream from the activated charcoal filter there is an intake jet pump which produces the flushing air flow and which is driven by the compressed air of the vacuum pump.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1 including a flushing air feed opening (33) of the activated charcoal filter (4), which opening is connected to the exterior.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the activated charcoal filter is connected via an intake duct for intaking fuel vapors to a changeover valve for switching the negative pressure supply of the vehicle unit and of the activated charcoal filter by way of the intake side of the vacuum pump and the delivery side of the vacuum pump discharges into the induction tract by way of the tank ventilation valve.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the changeover valve is an electrical changeover valve.

11. The vehicle according to claim 1 including an oil separator which is located downstream from the delivery side of the vacuum pump.

12. In a motor vehicle having an engine, a fuel tank operatively connected to an intake manifold of said engine, an activated charcoal filter disposed in a line delivering fuel to said intake manifold of said engine for adsopting fuel vapor emanating from said fuel tank and a component of said vehicle provided with a vacuum pump, a ventilation system comprising means interconnecting a high pressure outlet of said vacuum pump with said filter for supplying air under pressure to said filter.

13. A ventilation system according to claim 12 including a one-way valve disposed in said interconnecting means, configured to preclude the return of fuel vapors to said tank.

14. A ventilation system according to claim 12 wherein an outlet of said filter is connected to said engine intake manifold.

15. A ventilation system according to claim 12 wherein said filter is vented to the atmosphere.