Systems and methods for managing bleed emissions in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

• US 9,050,885 B1
• Filed: 12/09/2013
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dudar, Aed M., Yang, Dennis Seung-Man, Pearce, Russell Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Elchanti, Hussein A.
• Application Number:
  US14/101,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20150158377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• 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 2015/0319 with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting for LPG tanks B60K2015/03013
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03414 associated with the fuel tank for cooling heated fuel
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18036 Reversing
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 2025/0881 with means to heat or cool the canister
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0827 by monitoring engine running conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/089 Layout of the fuel vapour installation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/904 Component specially adapted for hev

Abstract

A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, comprising: during a first condition, including an engine-off condition and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle coupled to an external power source, cooling a vapor canister based on an ambient temperature. In this way, bleed emissions may be reduced in PHEVs during conditions when the vehicle is parked and recharging at a high ambient temperature.

Claims

1. A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:

during a first condition, including an engine-off condition, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle coupled to an external power source, a fuel vapor canister load above a threshold, a fuel tank vacuum below a threshold, and an ambient temperature above a threshold, cooling a fuel vapor canister using power from the external power source.

2. The method of claim 1, where cooling the fuel vapor canister includes operating an engine cooling fan.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

opening grill shutters based on an engine compartment temperature being greater than an ambient temperature.

4. The method of claim 1, where cooling the fuel vapor canister includes circulating coolant through a circuit coupled to the fuel vapor canister.