FUEL STORAGE AND VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM

• US 20100252006A1
• Filed: 04/07/2009
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: REDDY, SAM R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,495,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/519
• 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 2015/0319 with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03514 with vapor recovery means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03523 Arrangements of the venting tube
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0854 Details of the absorption canister

Abstract

A fuel vapor storage and recovery system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank containing a volume of fuel and first and second vapor storage devices fluidly connectable via a controllable valve device. The second vapor storage device includes an electrically heatable substrate thermally coupled to fuel vapor adsorbent material. A vent valve connects to atmospheric air via a second end of the second vapor storage device.

Claims

1. A fuel storage and vapor recovery system for a vehicle, comprising:

first and second vapor storage devices fluidly connectable via a controllable valve device;

the first vapor storage device fluidly connected to a vapor space of a fuel tank;

the second vapor storage device including an electrically heatable substrate thermally coupled to a fuel vapor adsorbent material; and

a vent valve that connects to atmospheric air via a second end of the second vapor storage device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the second vapor storage device including the electrically heatable substrate thermally coupled to a heat exchanger element coated with the fuel vapor adsorbent material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrically heatable substrate comprises a positive-temperature-coefficient thermo-resistive device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising the positive-temperature-coefficient thermo-resistive device powered by an alternating current power supply.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising the positive-temperature-coefficient thermo-resistive device powered by an alternating current power supply located remote from the vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, comprising the positive-temperature-coefficient thermo-resistive device having a maximum operational temperature of 170°

C.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second vapor storage device is fluidly connectable to the fuel tank via the controllable valve device fluidly connected to a vent line having a one-way check valve inserted into the volume of fuel in the fuel tank.

8. A vehicular vapor recovery system for a fuel tank containing a volume of fuel comprising:

first and second vapor storage devices fluidly connectable via a controllable valve device;

the first vapor storage device connected to a vapor space of the fuel tank;

the second vapor storage device including an electrically heatable substrate thermally coupled to a fuel vapor adsorbent material;

a vent valve that fluidly connects an opening of a second end of the second vapor storage device to atmospheric air; and

an opening on a first end of the second vapor storage device fluidly connectable to the fuel tank via the controllable valve device fluidly connected to a vent line having a one-way check valve inserted into the volume of fuel in the fuel tank.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising the second vapor storage device including the electrically heatable substrate thermally coupled to a heat exchanger element coated with the fuel vapor adsorbent material and powered by an electrical power supply that is located external to the vehicle.

10. A fuel storage and vapor recovery system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first vapor storage device including a chamber having a first opening fluidly connected to a vapor space of a fuel tank;

a second vapor storage device fluidly connectable to a third opening of the first vapor storage device via a controllable valve device;

a vent valve that selectively connects a second end of the second vapor storage device to atmospheric air;

the second vapor storage device fluidly connected to the controllable valve device fluidly connectable to a vent line having a one-way check valve inserted into a volume of fuel in the fuel tank; and

the second vapor storage device comprising a fuel vapor adsorber device including a fuel vapor adsorbent material thermally coupled to an electrically heatable substrate.

11. The fuel storage and vapor recovery system of claim 10, wherein the second vapor storage device comprising a fuel vapor adsorber device including a fuel vapor adsorbent material thermally coupled to an electrically heatable substrate is electrically connected to an electric power supply that is located external to the vehicle.

12. A fuel storage and vapor recovery system, comprising:

a fuel tank including a vapor space;

a first fuel vapor adsorption canister having respective first and second openings;

a first vent line coupling the vapor space of the fuel tank to the first opening of the first fuel vapor adsorption canister;

a second fuel vapor adsorption canister having respective first and second openings and a fuel vapor adsorber;

a controllable canister vent valve connected to the second opening of the second fuel vapor adsorption canister, and effective in an open position to couple the second fuel vapor adsorption canister to atmospheric air and effective in a closed position to isolate the second fuel vapor adsorption canister from atmospheric air;

a second vent line connected at a first end to the fuel tank and having a second end;

a controllable three-way valve connected to the second opening of the first fuel vapor adsorption canister, to the first opening of the second fuel vapor adsorption canister, and to the second end of the second vent line, and effective in a first position to seal the second opening of the first fuel vapor adsorption canister and to couple the first opening of the second fuel vapor adsorption canister to the second end of the second vent line, and effective in a second position to seal the second end of the second vent line and to couple the second opening of the first fuel vapor adsorption canister to the first opening of the second fuel vapor adsorption canister;

a control module purging the second fuel vapor adsorption canister by controlling the canister vent valve to the closed position, controlling the three-way valve to the first position and applying heat to the fuel vapor adsorber sufficient to desorb fuel vapor from the fuel vapor adsorber.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising the control module controlling the canister vent valve to the open position, controlling the three-way valve to the second position and ceasing the application of heat to the fuel vapor adsorber subsequent to purging the second fuel vapor adsorption canister.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the second vent line terminates at a one-way check valve within the fuel tank.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the fuel vapor adsorber comprises an electrically heatable substrate.