Electromechanically controlled refueling valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system, comprising:
- a fuel tank;
a vapor recovery canister;
a vapor passage between the fuel tank and the vapor recover canister;
an electrically operated ORVR valve disposed in the vapor passage, the ORVR valve enabling vapor to pass between the fuel tank and canister when in an open position and preventing liquid and vapor from passing between the fuel tank and canister when in a closed position;
a fill sensor, the fill sensor detecting when fuel is being introduced into the fuel tank, defined as a fueling event, the fill sensor generating a fill signal to indicate the fueling event, wherein the ORVR valve is responsive to the fill signal and opens during a fueling event; and
a level sensor, the level sensor detecting at least one fuel level within the fuel tank, the level sensor generating an electronic level signal to indicate that the fuel level within the tank is in proximity to a full level, wherein the ORVR valve is responsive to the fill and level signals for electronically closing the ORVR valve, either upon absence of a fueling event or upon receiving an electronic level signal from said level sensor.
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Abstract
An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system, comprising:
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a fuel tank;
a vapor recovery canister;
a vapor passage between the fuel tank and the vapor recover canister;
an electrically operated ORVR valve disposed in the vapor passage, the ORVR valve enabling vapor to pass between the fuel tank and canister when in an open position and preventing liquid and vapor from passing between the fuel tank and canister when in a closed position;
a fill sensor, the fill sensor detecting when fuel is being introduced into the fuel tank, defined as a fueling event, the fill sensor generating a fill signal to indicate the fueling event, wherein the ORVR valve is responsive to the fill signal and opens during a fueling event; and
a level sensor, the level sensor detecting at least one fuel level within the fuel tank, the level sensor generating an electronic level signal to indicate that the fuel level within the tank is in proximity to a full level, wherein the ORVR valve is responsive to the fill and level signals for electronically closing the ORVR valve, either upon absence of a fueling event or upon receiving an electronic level signal from said level sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system, comprising:
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a fuel tank;
a vapor recovery canister;
a vapor passage between the fuel tank and the vapor recovery canister;
an electrically operated ORVR valve disposed in the vapor passage, the ORVR valve enabling vapor to pass between the fuel tank and canister when in an open position and preventing vapor from passing between the fuel tank and canister when in a closed position;
a fill sensor, the fill sensor detecting when fuel is being introduced into the fuel tank, defined as a fueling event, the fill sensor generating a fill signal to indicate the fueling event, wherein the ORVR valve is responsive to the fill signal and opens during a fueling event; and
a control circuit formed internally with the ORVR valve, the control circuit receiving the fill signal from the fill sensor, the control circuit generating a control signal to actuate the ORVR valve in accordance with the fill signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification