Electromechanical refueling control system

• US 6,167,920 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
• Original Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Inventors: Enge, Trevor L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/322,458
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 141/4-8, 141/44-46, 141/59, 141/94, 141/302
• US Class Current: 141/5
• 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: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0319 with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0321 characterised by special sensors, the mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03217 Fuel level sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0323 Sensors for detecting presence or absence of the filling nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03576 Venting during filling the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/003 Controlling the feeding of liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus control of electrical fuel pumps F02D41/3082, controlling fuel flow to a common rail F02D41/3845; Failure or leakage prevention; Diagnosis or detection of failure; Arrangement of sensors in the fuel system; Electric wiring; Electrostatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/006 depending on engine operating conditions, e.g. start, stop or ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/08 adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir electrical control of purge system F02D41/003
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/089 Layout of the fuel vapour installation
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0082 Devices inside the fuel tank other than fuel pumps or filters electrical pumps submerged in fuel tanks F02M37/10, jet pumps F02M37/025

Abstract

A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.

Claims

1. A method for recovering vapor during an onboard refueling operation in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a flow path between a fuel tank and a collection canister;

providing a fueling event sensor for detecting at least one of the introduction of fuel into the fuel tank and the introduction of a filler nozzle into a filler neck of the fuel tank, defined as a fueling event;

providing an ORVR solenoid valve in the flow path;

actuating the ORVR valve in accordance with the output of the fueling event sensor to selectively open and close the flow path;

providing a level sensor for detecting a predetermined fuel level in the fuel tank; and

actuating the ORVR valve to selectively open and close the flow path in accordance with an electrical signal output of the fueling event sensor and the level sensor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of opening the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates a fueling event is occurring and if the level sensor indicates a fuel level below the predetermined fuel level.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of closing the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates a fueling event is occurring and if the level sensor indicates a fuel level at the predetermined fuel level.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of closing the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates that no fueling event is occurring.

5. A method for recovering vapor during an onboard refueling operation in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a flow path between a fuel tank and a collection canister;

providing a fueling event sensor for detecting at least one of the introduction of fuel into the fuel tank and the introduction of a filler nozzle into a filler neck of the fuel tank, defined as a fueling event, the fueling event sensor generating a fueling event signal;

providing an ORVR solenoid valve in the flow path;

selectively actuating the ORVR valve in accordance with the output of the fueling event sensor in order to selectively open and close the flow path;

providing a control circuit to evaluate the fueling event signal, the control circuit generating an ORVR signal to control operation of the ORVR solenoid; and

providing a level sensor for detecting a predetermined fuel level in the fuel tank, the level sensor generating a fuel level signal, wherein the control circuit evaluates the fueling event signal and the fuel level signal, the control circuit generating the ORVR signal in accordance with the event and fuel level signals to control operation of the solenoid.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of opening the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates a fueling event is occurring and if the level sensor indicates a fuel level below the predetermined fuel level.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of closing the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates a fueling event is occurring and if the level sensor indicates a fuel level at the predetermined fuel level.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of closing the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates that no fueling event is occurring.

9. A method for recovering vapor during an onboard refueling operation in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a flow path between a fuel tank having a filler neck and a collection canister;

providing a fueling event sensor for detecting a fueling event and sending an electrical signal to an ORVR solenoid;

providing a level sensor for detecting a predetermined fuel level in the fuel tank;

providing an ORVR solenoid in the flow path for selectively opening and closing the flow path; and

selectively opening and closing the flow path in accordance with the output of the fueling event sensor and the level sensor; and

opening the ORVR solenoid in response to an electrical signal output of the fueling event sensor indicating a fueling event is occurring and if the level sensor indicates a fuel level below the predetermined fuel level.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of closing the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates a fueling event is occurring and if the level sensor indicates a fuel level at the predetermined fuel level.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of closing the ORVR solenoid if the output of the fueling event sensor indicates that no fueling event is occurring.