METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE VOLATILITY OF A FUEL

• US 20160061802A1
• Filed: 08/12/2015
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
• Original Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
• Inventors: CRIEL, Bjorn, Hill, David, Chaussinand, Antoine
• Granted Patent: US 9,841,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03 Fuel tanks chassis frame comprising fluid storage compartment B62D21/16 ; Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank F02M37/0076
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0321 characterised by special sensors, the mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0612 determined by estimation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0076 Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 7/00 Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements G01L11/004 takes precedence; transmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements by electric , e.g., photoelectric or magnetic means G01L9/00; measuring differences of two or more pressure values G01L13/00; measuring two or more pressure values simultaneously G01L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/22 Fuels, explosives liquid hydrocarbons G01N33/28

Abstract

It is proposed a method for determining the volatility of fuel in a fuel storage system, the method comprising:

• • determining that a refueling event has occurred (210) and that the fuel storage system has subsequently been sealed (220);
  • performing a first pressure measurement (230) at a first time after the determining;
  • performing a second pressure measurement (240) at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time;
  • determining a pressure evolution rate (250) from the first pressure measurement at the first time and the second pressure measurement at the second time; and
  • deriving an estimation (260) of the volatility of the fuel from the pressure evolution rate.

Claims

1. A method for determining the volatility of fuel in a fuel storage system, the method comprising:

determining that a refueling event has occurred and that the fuel storage system has subsequently been sealed;

performing a first pressure measurement in the fuel storage system at a first time after the determining;

performing a second pressure measurement in the fuel storage system at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time;

determining a pressure evolution rate from the first pressure measurement at the first time and the second pressure measurement at the second time; and

deriving an estimation of the volatility of the fuel from said pressure evolution rate.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first time is less than 1 minute after said determining.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said deriving further takes into account one or more of an ambient temperature, a fuel temperature, a vapor dome temperature, a fuel level, a refueling rate, a canister load, fuel system design parameters, an ambient pressure, and an altitude of the fuel storage system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first pressure measurement and said second pressure measurement are carried out at a vapor dome inside said fuel tank.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first pressure measurement and said second pressure measurement are carried out outside said fuel tank, in a cavity that is in fluid communication with a vapor dome inside said fuel tank.

7. A fuel storage system comprising:

a fuel tank;

means for detecting a refueling event of said fuel tank;

means for detecting sealing of said fuel storage system;

a pressure sensor; and

a controller operatively connected to said means for detecting a refueling event, said means for detecting sealing of said fuel storage system, and said pressure sensor;

wherein said controller is configured to carry out the method according to claim 1.

8. The fuel storage system according to claim 7, wherein said pressure sensor is arranged in a vapor dome inside said fuel tank.

9. The fuel storage system according to claim 7, wherein said pressure sensor is arranged in a cavity that is in fluid communication with a vapor dome inside said fuel tank.

10. A motor vehicle comprising the fuel storage system according to claim 7.

6. (canceled)