Vapor pressure control system

• US 5,676,116 A
• Filed: 08/29/1996
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Wan-tae
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis, Thomas N.
• Application Number:
  US08/705,342
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 123/516, 123/518, 123/519, 123/520, 137/587
• US Class Current: 123/518
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/035 characterised by venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03504 adapted to avoid loss of fuel or fuel vapour, e.g. with vapour recovery systems
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0032 Controlling the purging of the canister as a function of the engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/089 Layout of the fuel vapour installation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86324 Tank with gas vent and inlet or outlet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vapor pressure control system which include a canister containing activated carbon therein, a tank pressure sensor connected to a fuel tank to sense internal vapor pressure of the fuel tank, a control valve mounted in a path from the fuel tank to the canister to control the internal vapor pressure of the fuel tank, and a cut valve mounted below a filler cap to lead the vapor flowing backward from the fuel tank to the canister, so that vehicles can have vapor stability and reduce air pollution.

Claims

1. A vapor pressure control system comprising:

a canister containing activated carbon, said canister having an inlet to which a first vapor conduit is connected and through which said canister may receive vapor, and said canister having an outlet through which said canister may release vapor;

a joint in communication with said first vapor conduit, said joint having a first and a second inlet through which said joint may receive vapor, and said joint having an outlet that is in vapor communication with said first vapor conduit;

a second vapor conduit in communication with said joint first inlet, and in communication with a cut valve so that vapor may travel from said cut valve to said joint, said cut valve being in communication with a fuel filler inlet in order to receive vapor therefrom;

a fuel tank capable of containing fuel therein which would establish a fuel level within said fuel tank, and said fuel tank having a fuel inlet that is in communication with said fuel filler inlet so that fuel may be placed into said fuel tank through said fuel filler inlet;

a fuel tank pressure sensor located to monitor vapor pressure in said fuel tank;

a first valve located on said fuel tank, said first valve being capable of closing when said fuel tank is full;

a second valve located on said fuel tank, said second valve being capable of allowing vapor to exit said fuel tank when said fuel level is between said first valve and said second valve, wherein said first and second valves are in communication with a control valve through a third vapor conduit; and

an electronic control unit which utilizes a signal from said fuel tank pressure sensor to determine when to open and shut said control, wherein said control valve is in communication with said second inlet of said joint in order to permit communication of vapor from said fuel tank to said canister.

2. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said first valve is an on-board refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve.

3. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said second valve is a vapor valve.

4. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said cut valve being capable of allowing vapor flow from said fuel filler inlet to said canister but said cut valve preventing vapor flow from said canister to said fuel filler inlet, thereby preventing vapor from traveling from said canister to said fuel tank.

5. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said first valve and said second valve being jointly controlled by said control valve in order to regulate vapor communication with said canister.

6. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, the output of said cut valve and output from said first and second valves being combined to enter said canister as a single vapor source.

7. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said fuel tank pressure sensor electrically communicating internal vapor pressure of said fuel tank to said electronic control unit.

8. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said control valve opening when vapor pressure in said fuel tank is higher than a predetermined value and dosing when the vapor pressure in said fuel tank is close to atmospheric pressure.

9. A vapor pressure control system as claimed in claim 1, said canister further comprising:

an air inlet;

a close valve for controlling air flow to said air inlet, wherein said close valve is electrically controlled by an electronic control unit; and

an air filter in communication with said close valve, and being positioned to filter air prior to the air travelling to the canister.