Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110166765 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL - A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system. | 07-07-2011 |
20110168140 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL - A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system. | 07-14-2011 |
20110265768 | Method and System for Fuel Vapor Control - Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel vapor recovery system having a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. Fuel vapors are purged from the fuel tank to a canister buffer over a plurality of purge pulses. The pulses are adjusted based on the buffer capacity, a purge flow rate, and a fuel tank pressure to improve control of canister loading and reduce air-to-fuel ratio disturbances. | 11-03-2011 |
20110290000 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL - A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295482 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL - A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system. | 12-01-2011 |
20110303684 | LATTICE STRUCTURE FOR A DISTENSIBLE FUEL TANK - A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity. | 12-15-2011 |
20120055452 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL - A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system. | 03-08-2012 |
20130008911 | LATTICE STRUCTURE FOR A DISTENSIBLE FUEL TANK - A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a lattice structure substantially spanning a portion of an interior defined by the housing, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the wall members having an unequal thickness. | 01-10-2013 |
20130042838 | HYDROCARBON STORAGE CANISTER - A system for a vehicle is provided herein. The system includes a fuel vapor canister comprising a shell, a compression plate within the shell and an end cap. The end cap includes a double sided spring interface and a double sided shell sealing surface having double sided identical grooves, only one of which is sealed to the shell. The system further includes a spring coupled to the compression plate and only one spring interface. | 02-21-2013 |
20130233861 | LATTICE STRUCTURE FOR A DISTENSIBLE FUEL TANK - A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing having an exterior surface and a lattice structure coupled to the exterior surface, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the plurality of wall members having an unequal thickness. | 09-12-2013 |
20130240539 | COMPLIANCE STRUCTURE FOR A DISTENSIBLE FUEL TANK - A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a base element coupled to a side of a structural element. | 09-19-2013 |
20130298879 | EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL - A method for operating a fuel system is disclosed. The method includes sequentially purging fuel vapors from each of a plurality of regions of a canister. Purging a region includes opening an air inlet valve associated with that region and maintaining air inlet valves associated with each other region closed to direct fuel vapors to at least one purge outlet. | 11-14-2013 |
20140026865 | PASSIVE VENTURI PUMP FOR LEAK DIAGNOSTICS AND REFUELING - Systems and methods for operating a hybrid electric vehicle with a passive venturi pump are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises: during vehicle motion, passing air through a venturi coupled to the vehicle to generate vacuum; storing the generated in an accumulator; and, in response to a condition, discharging the stored vacuum to a vacuum consuming system of the vehicle. | 01-30-2014 |
20140026992 | FUEL TANK DEPRESSURIZATION WITH SHORTENED WAIT TIME - A method and apparatus for a pressurized fuel system with a fuel tank, a fuel fill pipe, and a remotely-controlled lockable fuel opening which selectably seals the pipe entrance. A carbon canister has an inlet for receiving a flow of air and fuel vapors from the tank and has an outlet providing a treated air flow to atmosphere. A fuel tank isolation valve is connected between the air space and the inlet of the carbon canister for selectively allowing pressurization of the fuel tank, wherein the pressurization must be relieved prior to refilling of fuel to the fuel tank. A vacuum pump is coupled to the outlet of the carbon canister, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to activate to increase air flow through the carbon canister from the fuel tank when the fuel tank isolation valve is opened during refilling. | 01-30-2014 |
20140096750 | VARIABLE RESTRICTION FUEL VAPOR CANISTER - Systems and methods for operating an engine with a fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. In one example approach, a method for an engine with a fuel vapor recovery system comprises increasing an amount of flow restriction between storage material in a fuel vapor canister while maintaining a vent valve open during a fuel vapor purging event. | 04-10-2014 |
20140107906 | FUEL SYSTEM DEGRADATION TEST USING TWO FUEL TANKS - Embodiments for monitoring fuel system degradation are provided. In one example, a method for a vehicle comprises evacuating fuel from a first fuel tank to a second fuel tank, and indicating fuel system degradation in response to a change in fuel system pressure following the evacuation of fuel. In this way, fuel system degradation may be indicated without use of a separate pressure building device. | 04-17-2014 |
20140114550 | VEHICLE METHOD FOR BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IDENTIFICATION - A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated. | 04-24-2014 |
20140130781 | FUEL SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS - Methods and system are provided for distinguishing fuel tank vacuum generation due to canister purge valve degradation from vacuum generation due to canister vent valve degradation. A fuel tank vacuum level is monitored after sealing the fuel tank from the atmosphere following an engine pull-down. If there is an ensuing change in fuel tank vacuum, canister purge valve degradation is determined, else, canister vent valve degradation is determined. | 05-15-2014 |
20140131125 | COMPLIANCE STRUCTURE FOR A DISTENSIBLE FUEL TANK - A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle, comprising a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a support element coupled to a first side of a structural element and a reinforcing element coupled to a second opposing side of the structural element. | 05-15-2014 |
20140197176 | FUEL TANK WAVE CATCHER - A fuel tank for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. In one example approach, a fuel tank for a vehicle comprises a wave catcher extending through an interior of the fuel tank and coupled to a front wall and a first side wall of the fuel tank. | 07-17-2014 |
20140216563 | CAPLESS REFUELING SYSTEM CLEANING USING ENGINE VACUUM - Methods and systems for cleaning a capless refueling system in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a leak detected following a refueling event, cleaning the capless refueling system using engine vacuum. | 08-07-2014 |
20140311461 | CANISTER PURGE VALVE SELF-CLEANING CYCLE - A method for a fuel system coupled to an engine comprising: under vacuum conditions, opening the fuel vapor canister purge valve, and generating pressure pulsations in a conduit coupled to the fuel vapor canister purge valve by opening and closing a fuel vapor canister vent valve one or more times while maintaining the fuel vapor canister purge valve open. In this way, contaminants and/or debris that may prevent the canister purge valve from closing completely may be dislodged and evacuated to the intake manifold. | 10-23-2014 |
20140318504 | AIR INTAKE SYSTEM HYDROCARBON TRAP PURGING - Methods and systems for purging a hydrocarbon trap in an engine intake in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises during an engine off condition, operating a pump in a purge line coupled to a fuel vapor canister in an emission control system to deliver fuel stored in a hydrocarbon trap in an intake of the engine to the fuel vapor canister. | 10-30-2014 |
20150025722 | LEAK DETECTION BASED ON FUEL LEVEL - Methods and systems for fuel system leak detection are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, during an engine-on condition, delivering fuel from a fuel tank to one or more cylinders of the engine while the fuel tank is sealed off from atmosphere, and indicating a leak based on pressure in the fuel tank. For example, a leak may be indicated in response to a pressure decrease in the fuel tank greater than an expected pressure decrease, where the expected pressure decrease is based on a fuel level in the fuel tank. | 01-22-2015 |
20150025781 | CANISTER PURGE VALVE LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM - System for detecting leakage within a canister purge valve of an evaporative emission control system. The system includes a power train control module connected to the canister purge valve, configured to command the canister purge valve between open and closed positions. In addition, the system includes a flow meter having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the vehicle, and the outlet is in fluid communication with an inlet of the canister purge valve. The system further includes a control module operatively connected to the flow meter. The control module is programmed to analyze flow through the flow meter; compare the measured flow to predetermined flow data; and to indicate whether that flow exceeds a predetermined level. | 01-22-2015 |
20150046026 | ENGINE-OFF LEAK DETECTION BASED ON PRESSURE - Methods and systems for fuel system leak detection are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a pressure change in a fuel tank less than a threshold for a duration during engine-off conditions while the tank is sealed off from atmosphere, indicating a leak condition, and in response to a pressure change in the tank greater than the threshold during engine-off conditions while the tank is sealed off from atmosphere, indicating a no-leak condition. | 02-12-2015 |
20150068498 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A TWO-VALVE NON-INTEGRATED REFUELING CANISTER ONLY SYSTEM - A system for a vehicle, comprising: a tank pressure control valve coupled in a first conduit between a fuel tank and a fuel vapor canister; a refueling valve coupled in a second, different, conduit between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor canister, the second conduit in parallel to the first conduit. In this way, two smaller, less complex valves may be utilized to control fuel tank vapor purging and fuel tank depressurization during refueling. This in turn may lower system cost and increase system functionality. | 03-12-2015 |
20150082866 | SERVO CONTROLLED EVAP LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM - A method and system for testing an evaporative emission control system for leaks. The method begins by setting a variable reference orifice to a preselected diameter. Then, a vacuum pump evacuates a reference volume in the vicinity of the variable reference orifice. The reference volume is defined by the vacuum pump, and the reference orifice. Then, after a specified evacuation time, the method determines a pressure in the reference volume. That pressure is stored as the threshold test value. The method continues by evacuating the entire EVAP system for a predetermined time. A leak can then be identified if after the evacuation, the system pressure falls at least to the threshold test value. Switching the vacuum pump between the first and second positions is accomplished with a changeover valve having parallel airways configured for evacuating a small volume to the reference orifice and also evacuating the entire EVAP system. | 03-26-2015 |
20150083087 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for identifying leaks on each of a fuel tank and a canister side of a fuel system using a single leak check module. A position of a switching valve coupled in the vapor line of the fuel system is adjusted to selectively couple the leak check module to either the fuel tank or the canister. Leak is detected based on a change in pressure at a reference orifice of the leak check module following applying of vacuum from a vacuum pump. | 03-26-2015 |
20150083088 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PHEV EVAP SYSTEM RECIRCULATION TUBE RELIABILITY - A method for detecting blockage within a recirculation tube of the evaporative emission control system of a PHEV measures the rise in interior temperature of a canister of the EVAP system, during the process of refueling, and notes an initial state of loading of the canister before refueling, indicative of the amount of hydrocarbons contained within the canister It is inferred that the recirculation tube is operative reliably if the rise in canister temperature is below a pre-determined temperature value. | 03-26-2015 |
20150083089 | FUEL OXIDATION REDUCTION FOR HYBRID VEHICLES - Systems and methods to control fuel tank pressure to reduce fuel oxidation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are disclosed. A method comprises routing vapors from a fuel system canister to the fuel tank to maintain the fuel tank pressure at a desired pressure. In this way, the engine may be maintained off for greater durations while still retaining fuel quality of fuel stored on-board the vehicle. | 03-26-2015 |