METHOD FOR RELEASING THE PRESSURE IN A FUEL SYSTEM IN A CRASH

• US 20150192064A1
• Filed: 06/26/2013
• Published: 07/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
• Original Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme) (Solvac SA)
• Inventors: Criel, Bjorn
• Granted Patent: US 9,657,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/035 characterised by venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/14 responsive to accident or emergency, e.g. deceleration, tilt of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01252 Devices other than bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2306/01 Reducing damages in case of crash, e.g. by improving battery protection
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/082 relating to valves

Abstract

A method for controlling depressurization of a fuel system mounted on board of a vehicle including a vehicle impact sensor, the method including: detecting, using the vehicle impact sensor, whether an impact on the vehicle is present; and when the impact on the vehicle is detected, using a controller for generating at least one signal for controlling an opening of at least one valve disposed in the fuel system, to release internal pressure of the fuel system.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A method for controlling depressurization of a fuel system mounted on board of a vehicle, the vehicle including a fuel tank connected in a communicating manner to a canister, and a vehicle impact sensor, the method comprising:

detecting, using the vehicle impact sensor, whether an impact on the vehicle is present; and

when the impact on the vehicle is detected, using a controller for generating at least one signal for controlling an opening of at least one valve disposed in the fuel system, to release internal pressure of the fuel system;

wherein the controller generates a first signal for controlling opening of a fuel tank isolation valve, to allow fuel vapors within the fuel tank to flow towards the canister; and

wherein the fuel tank isolation valve is disposed in a first venting line through which the canister can communicate with the atmosphere.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the fuel system further includes an intake manifold connected in a communicating manner to the canister, and wherein the controller generates a second signal for controlling opening of a purge valve, to allow fuel vapors stored in the canister to flow towards the intake manifold.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the controller generates a third signal for controlling an opening of an additional valve disposed in a third venting line through which the fuel tank can communicate with the canister.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein at least one valve is an electromagnetic valve.

26. A method according to claim 22, wherein the vehicle impact sensor is an airbag crash sensor.

27. A method according to claim 22, wherein the controller generates at least one of the signal based on data obtained by at least one other sensor mounted on board of the vehicle.

28. A method according to claim 22, wherein the controller is included in a Fuel System Control Unit.

29. A method according to claim 22, wherein the controller is included in a central control unit.

30. A method according to claim 22, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

37. A non-transitory computer-readable storage means storing a computer program for use in a fuel system, and including a set of computer executable instructions executable by a computer for implementing the method according to claim 22.

31. A fuel system of a vehicle comprising:

a controller for generating at least one signal for controlling an opening of at least one valve disposed in the fuel system, to release internal pressure of the fuel system when an impact on the vehicle is detected;

a fuel tank isolation valve and a first venting line through which the canister can communicate with the atmosphere;

wherein the controller is configured to generate a first signal for controlling opening of the fuel tank isolation valve, to allow fuel vapors within the fuel tank to flow towards the canister; and

wherein the fuel tank isolation valve is disposed in the first venting line through which the canister can communicate with the atmosphere.

32. A fuel system according to claim 31, further comprising an intake manifold connected in a communicating manner to the canister via a purge valve, and wherein the controller is configured to generate a second signal for controlling opening of the purge valve, to allow fuel vapors stored in the canister to flow towards the intake manifold.

33. A fuel system according to claim 31, further comprising a third venting line through which the fuel tank can communicate with the canister and an additional valve disposed in the third venting line, wherein the controller is configured to generate a third signal for controlling an opening of the additional valve.

34. A fuel system according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the valves is an electromagnetic valve.

35. A fuel system according to claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to generate at least one of the signals based on data obtained by at least one other sensor mounted on board the vehicle.

36. A fuel system according to claim 31, further comprising a fuel system control unit including the controller.

38. A vehicle comprising a fuel system comprising:

a fuel tank connected in a communicating manner to a canister;

a vehicle impact sensor;

wherein the fuel system is according to claim 31.

39. A vehicle according to claim 38, wherein the vehicle impact sensor is an airbag crash sensor.

40. A vehicle according to claim 38, wherein at least one of the valves is an electromagnetic valve.

41. A vehicle according to claim 38, wherein the controller is included in a central control unit of the vehicle.

42. A hybrid vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 38.