Method and Apparatus for Evaporative Emissions Control

• US 20130247882A1
• Filed: 05/29/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Espinoza, Robert Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,869,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/520
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/08 adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir electrical control of purge system F02D41/003

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle comprising:

monitoring an open/closed status of a fuel inlet access door;

monitoring a fuel level inside a fuel tank;

detecting that a vehicle engine is in an operating condition; and

disabling a pressure buildup within the fuel tank 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.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the pressure buildup is disabled by opening an isolation valve between the fuel tank and a canister.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting that the vehicle is in motion and disabling the pressure buildup if the vehicle is in motion.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

generating an occupant alert indicating that pressure buildup is disabled.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

setting a fault code in a vehicle diagnostic system if pressure buildup is disabled.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the open/closed status of the fuel inlet access door is detected by a contact sensor.