Evaporative emissions filter

• US 7,344,586 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FRAM Group IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Stremler, Bryon W., Berkey, Richard J., Bause, Daniel E., Zulauf, Gary B., Unger, Peter D., Rohrbach, Ronald P., Smith, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins; Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US10/978,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20050145224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 961/21, 961/08, 961/54, 96143-147, 95143-147
• US Class Current: 95/143
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/108 Zeolites
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/20 Organic adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/202 Polymeric adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/304 Linear dimensions, e.g. particle shape, diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/306 Surface area, e.g. BET-specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/702 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40086 by using a purge gas B01D2259/4009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4516 for fuel vapour recovery systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4566 for use in transportation means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/02 by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0407 Constructional details of adsorbing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0415 Beds in cartridges
• 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 25/0854 Details of the absorption canister
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/0218 acting by absorption or adsorption; trapping or removing vapours or liquids, e.g. originating from fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/024 using filters, e.g. moistened F02M35/026 takes precedence; cleaning of the filtering material F02M35/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10019 Means upstream of the fuel injection system, carburettor or plenum chamber F02M35/10013 takes precedence

Abstract

An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system outside the direct air flow path. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.

Claims

1. A hydrocarbon adsorber, comprising:

a first permeable layer of material secured to a second layer of permeable material, wherein a layer of hydrocarbon adsorbent media is disposed between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer, the hydrocarbon adsorber being configured to define a first portion and a second portion each being secured to each other by a hinge portion, and the first portion is capable of being disposed in a facing spaced relationship with regard to the second portion; and

a plurality of fastening portions defined by the first permeable layer being secured to the second permeable layer and no hydrocarbon adsorbent media is disposed between the first permeable layer and the second permeable at the plurality of fastening portions and a portion of the plurality of fastening portions being located within an area defined by a periphery of the hydrocarbon adsorber.

2. The hydrocarbon adsorber as in claim 1, wherein the first portion has a periphery identical to a periphery of the second portion.

3. The hydrocarbon adsorber as in claim 1, wherein a width of the hinge portion defines the facing spaced relationship between the first portion and the second portion.

4. The hydrocarbon adsorber as in claim 1, wherein the fastening portions assist in uniform dispersement of the hydrocarbon adsorbent media between the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer.

5. The hydrocarbon adsorber as in claim 1, wherein a portion of the plurality of fastening portions have mounting openings disposed therein.

6. A method of securing a hydrocarbon adsorber to a housing of an air induction system, the method comprising:

positioning a first portion of the hydrocarbon adsorber about a plurality of heat staking members of the housing, wherein the first portion is in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the housing;

folding a second portion of the hydrocarbon adsorber over the first portion and the plurality of heat staking members wherein the second portion is in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the first portion; and

applying heat to the plurality of heat staking members in order to fixedly secure the hydrocarbon adsorber to the plurality of heat staking members.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the hydrocarbon adsorber further comprises a hinge portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

8. The method as in claim 6, wherein the plurality of heat staking members each have a first shoulder portion configured for engaging the first portion and a second shoulder portion configured for engaging the second portion.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein the first shoulder portion is larger than the second shoulder portion.

10. An adsorptive filter for adsorbing a desired gaseous adsorbate, the filter comprising:

a first member;

a second member opposed to, and spaced a predetermined distance from the first member; and

a hinge member joining the first and second members;

wherein each of the first member and second member include;

a first layer of a flexible polymeric material having an outer surface;

a second layer of a flexible polymeric material spaced from the first layer to form an area between the first and second layers, the second layer having an outer surface;

a plurality of fasteners located at predetermined areas across the first and second layer outer surfaces, the plurality of fasteners extending from the outer surface of the first layer to the outer surface of the second layer, wherein the plurality of fasteners subdivides the area into a plurality of at least partially enclosed chambers;

a predetermined amount of adsorptive media disposed within each of the plurality of at least partially enclosed chambers, the plurality of at least partially enclosed chambers adapted to substantially evenly distribute the adsorptive throughout the filter;

a plurality of throughbores extending from the outer surface of the first layer to the outer surface of the second layer, and adapted to receive attachment members for mounting the filter to a desired surface; and

at least one gaseous adsorbate flow path in gaseous communication with at least one of the outer surfaces of the first and second layers;

wherein each of the first and second layer polymeric materials includes pores that are permeable to the gaseous adsorbate, and wherein each of the first and second layer polymeric materials pores are substantially impermeable to the adsorptive media.

11. The filter as defined in claim 10 wherein the desired surface is an automotive air induction system having a direct flow path, and the gaseous adsorbate is evaporative hydrocarbon emissions, and wherein the air induction system includes an air resonator and a housing containing an air filter, and wherein the filter is mounted within at least one of the air resonator and the air filter housing and substantially outside of the direct air flow path.