EP0719384B1 - Activated carbon filter for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Activated carbon filter for motor vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0719384B1
EP0719384B1 EP94926159A EP94926159A EP0719384B1 EP 0719384 B1 EP0719384 B1 EP 0719384B1 EP 94926159 A EP94926159 A EP 94926159A EP 94926159 A EP94926159 A EP 94926159A EP 0719384 B1 EP0719384 B1 EP 0719384B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
activated carbon
housing
tank
receiving space
water
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EP94926159A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0719384A1 (en
Inventor
Bernd Köhler
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Expert Maschinenbau GmbH
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Expert Maschinenbau GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M25/08—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir
    • F02M25/0854—Details of the absorption canister

Definitions

  • the invention relates to activated carbon filters for motor vehicles for the adsorption of fuel vapors formed in the tank and possibly in the float chamber of the carburetor of motor vehicles and for the desorption and return of the vapors into the combustion chambers of the motor vehicle with a housing which is closed on all sides and which is suitable for a bed of activated carbon Pore-size-filled receiving space, a tank inlet connectable to a connection line leading to the motor vehicle tank, a connection line connectable to a connection line leading to the intake manifold or air filter housing of the engine, the fuel vapor returning motor outlet, a fresh air inlet connected to the ambient atmosphere and an in Direction of flow of a vent or fresh air stream loaded with water, water droplets or water vapor has arranged in the housing in front of the activated carbon receiving space, the tank inlet and the motor outlet is preferably provided on the same end face of the housing, the fresh air inlet is arranged in a region of the housing which is separated from the motor outlet by the activated carbon bed, the collecting pan has
  • activated carbon filters are arranged at least in the vent line of the tank of passenger cars, which adsorb the fuel vapors displaced in the activated carbon bed during refueling of the motor vehicle or also when the fuel in the tank expands as a result of heating via the tank breather and thus their exit prevent into the surrounding atmosphere at least as long as the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon bed is not exhausted.
  • Adequate measurement of the amount of activated carbon and regular desorption of the fuel vapors and their return to the combustion circuit of the engine can ensure that under normal operating conditions of the motor vehicle no fuel vapors escape into the ambient atmosphere.
  • the desorption takes place in such a way that ambient or fresh air is sucked through the activated carbon bed and the fuel vapors are thereby released from the surface of the activated carbon, ie are desorbed.
  • the negative pressure generated in the engine intake manifold when the engine is running is used to generate the required negative pressure.
  • activated carbon filters for the application in question here have three connections, namely an inlet connected to a connecting line to the motor vehicle tank, through which the fuel vapors enter the housing, an inlet and outlet open to the ambient atmosphere, via which on the one hand those of Air released from the fuel vapors can escape to the ambient atmosphere and, on the other hand, outside air can be sucked in through the activated carbon bed during the desorption process, and finally one to one of the intake manifold or the air filter of the internal combustion engine leading line connected outlet, through which the desorbed fuel vapors are fed into the intake manifold of the engine and then burned in the engine.
  • a venting valve or a rinsing valve is arranged, which are controlled according to the operating conditions.
  • the normally closed purge valve is only opened when the engine is running, so that ambient air can be drawn in through the fresh air inlet through the negative pressure then created in the housing of the activated carbon filter and the fuel vapors adsorbed in the activated carbon bed can be desorbed.
  • the vent valve in the connecting line to the activated carbon housing is opened due to the build-up of an increased vapor pressure in the tank, the fuel vapors that pass into the activated carbon housing, together with the fresh air drawn in, are immediately carried into the running engine and burned.
  • the fuel vapors enter the activated carbon bed only when the engine is stopped and the purge valve is closed and are prevented from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere in the desired manner.
  • the system for adsorbing fuel vapors using activated carbon filters is known.
  • Activated carbon filters of the type mentioned in the introduction are particularly useful and are known from DE-GM 92 10 525.
  • EP-A 425 862 To solve this problem it is known from EP-A 425 862 to provide a second fresh air line, the mouth of which is open to the atmosphere is arranged above the corresponding mouth of the first fresh air line, preferably even above the maximum wading depth of the motor vehicle. If water threatens to enter the activated carbon filter via the first fresh air line, a float valve closes the first line and at the same time opens the second fresh air line, which is otherwise kept closed by the float valve when the first fresh air line is open.
  • This solution is particularly suitable for use in off-road vehicles which, on the one hand, due to their design allow the installation of a second fresh air line with a mouth arranged above the maximum wading depth of the vehicle and, on the other hand, due to their intended purpose, must at least be prepared for certain uses of the vehicle, such as e.g. when crossing streams, the risk of moisture penetration of the activated carbon filter is much higher than with normal passenger cars.
  • this solution is structurally complex and is particularly unsuitable for retrofitting in vehicles in which only a single fresh air line is provided.
  • the floatable valve body is provided on its underside with an aligned to the drain opening and they seal tightly in the non-floating state the valve projection which opens the drain when a certain amount of condensate is reached, so that the condensate can flow back into the tank.
  • the object of the invention is to specify activated carbon filters in which the main causes for the moistening of the activated carbon bed in certain types of vehicles and applications and thus the deterioration in the effectiveness of the filters with regard to the adsorption and desorption capacity of fuel vapors, via the tank Inlet entering the activated carbon filter Moisture is prevented from entering the activated carbon bed.
  • an activated carbon filter of the type mentioned at the outset in which the outflow surrounding the activated carbon receiving space is led to the ambient atmosphere, with at the drain opening a through the activated carbon receiving space through into a provided under the activated carbon bed and over the fresh air inlet pipe connected to the outside atmosphere connected conduit is connected.
  • the condensate water that collects in the collecting pan thus automatically opens a drain to the outside atmosphere when the water level rises so far that the valve body floats up.
  • valve projection is expediently guided in alignment with guide ribs projecting from the bottom of the collecting trough to the drain opening, wherein a further additional guidance of the valve body by ribs projecting from the inside of the housing is also possible.
  • the activated carbon filter shown in FIG. 1, designated in its entirety by 110, has a housing 112 made of plastic which is closed on all sides and which consists of the actual basic housing 116 which is cylindrical in the case shown and closed on the underside by an end wall 114, the other, open end side thereof is closed by a separate end cover 118, which after the assembly of the activated carbon filter - for example by hot mirror welding - is inseparably connected to the basic housing 116.
  • an inlet connection 120 In the middle of the lower end wall 114 of the housing 112 there is an inlet connection 120, which is thus connected to the ambient atmosphere.
  • the inlet connection 120 thus has the function of a fresh air inlet.
  • the front cover 118 closing the basic housing 116 on the upper end side has two connections, namely a tank inlet 122 which can be connected to a connecting line to the fuel tank and a motor outlet 124 which can be connected to a connecting line leading to the intake manifold or air filter housing of the engine of the associated motor vehicle.
  • a bed 126 of activated carbon particles of a suitable pore size is provided, and expediently kept under tension between two vapor or gas-permeable cover plates 128 and 130, so that the active carbon particles do not move even when shaken or under the influence of acceleration forces can move relative to each other and grind in this way.
  • the one between the cover plates 128 and 130 formed space of the housing can thus also be referred to as an activated carbon receiving space.
  • the lower cover plate 128 is held at a distance above the mouth of the fresh air inlet 120 on a circumferential shoulder 134 of the basic housing 116 and is provided with a multiplicity of through openings (not shown), the size of which is selected to be smaller than the particle size of the activated carbon bed.
  • the upper cover plate 130 can be, for example, a sieve plate with larger passage openings, under which a fleece filter (not shown) can additionally be provided, which prevents even the finest activated carbon dust particles from entering the tank inlet 122 or the motor outlet 124.
  • the upper cover plate 130 can be prestressed in the downward direction by a tension spring (not shown).
  • the tank inlet 122 opens into the space formed above the activated carbon bed 126 in the housing and is not - as one might think at a glance at the drawing - into the overflow or condensate space 138, so it opens directly into that in the front cover 118 formed space.
  • the mouth of the motor outlet 124 is connected to a line 136 which - in a manner not shown - is led through the cover plate 130, the activated carbon bed 126 and the cover plate 128 into the condensate or overflow space 138.
  • the mixture of air and fuel vapors sucked in from the tank via the engine outlet 124 while the engine is running is thus sucked through the activated carbon bed 126, namely from the space formed in the end cover 118 through the activated carbon bed 126 to the overflow or condensate chamber 138.
  • Fresh air sucked in via the fresh air inlet 120 during the journey is thus sucked directly into the overflow or condensate space 138 into the mouth of the line 136 ending there, so that the risk that water droplets entrained in the fresh air penetrate into the activated carbon bed 126 from below. is relatively small, especially if the mixture of air and fuel vapors also flows in the opposite direction through the activated carbon bed 126.
  • the activated carbon filter 110 is therefore according to the invention Collection trough 140 is formed below the tank inlet 122 in the end cover 118, which has a drain opening 144 in its bottom, to which a line 142 which is guided through the cover plate 130, the activated carbon bed 126 and the cover plate 128 is connected, which is therefore in the overflow or condensate space 138 flows.
  • a floatable valve body 146 In the collecting pan 140, a floatable valve body 146 is guided to float in the vertical direction, which is provided on its underside with a valve projection 150 which is aligned with the drain opening 144 and seals it tightly in the non-floating state.
  • the floatable valve body 146 is guided through ribs 148, which rise from the bottom of the collecting trough 140 and receive the valve projection 150 between them.
  • ribs 152 projecting downward from the inside of the front cover 118 and guiding the actual valve body 146 can also be provided to ensure that the valve body also when the vehicle is on the activated carbon filter transmitted vibrations is guided in exact alignment to the drain opening 144.
  • the water condensed into water droplets from the mixture of air and fuel vapors precipitates in the collecting tank and thereby slowly fills the collecting tank 140.
  • the valve projection 150 opens the drain opening 144 and the water collected in the collecting trough 140 can flow off via the line 142 to the overflow or condensate space 138, from where it then emerges from the fresh air inlet 120 or - if that Velocity of entry of the fresh air into the inlet 120 is relatively strong as a result of a relatively high negative pressure generated by the engine, initially collects in the overflow or condensate space 138 and may also be partially drawn into the line 136 with the fresh air drawn in and led to the engine outlet.
  • the activated carbon bed 126 is not wetted under any circumstances, so that the desired goal of avoiding moisture penetration of the activated carbon bed is achieved.

Abstract

An activated carbon filter (10) for motor vehicles is used to adsorb the fuel vapours produced in the tank and possibly in the float chamber of the caburettor of a motor vehicle and to desorb and return said vapours to the combustion chambers of the engine of the motor vehicle. A space for receiving activated carbon in bulk is provided in a housing (12) closed on all sides. The housing (12) has a tank inlet (22) that may be connected to a duct that leads to the motor vehicle tank, an engine outlet (24) for returning the fuel vapours that may be connected to a duct that leads to the suction pipe or air filter housing of the engine, and a fresh air inlet (20) connected to the surrounding atmosphere. The tank inlet (22) and the engine outlet (24) are preferably provided on the same face of the housing (12), whereas the fresh air inlet (20) is arranged in an area of the housing (12) separated from the engine outlet (24) by the activated carbon in bulk. The ventilation current loaded with water, water droplets or steam or the fresh air current are guided into a water collecting vat (40) arranged upstream of the space receiving activated carbon in the housing (12). The water collecting vat (40) is linked by its top side to the activated carbon-receiving space. A floating valve body (46) arranged in the collecting vat (40) floats on the water that is collected in the collecting vat (40), closing the connection with the activated carbon-receiving space or opening an outflow into the surrounding atmosphere that bypasses the activated carbon-receiving space.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft Aktivkohlefilter für Kraftfahrzeuge zur Adsorption von im Tank sowie gegebenenfalls in der Schwimmerkammer des Vergasers von Kraftfahrzeugen entstehenden Kraftstoffdämpfen und zur Desorption und Rückführung der Dämpfe in die Brennräume des Motors des Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem allseitig geschlossenen Gehäuse, welches einen mit einer Schüttung aus Aktivkohle geeigneter porengröße gefüllten Aufnahmeraum, einen an eine zum Kraftfahrzeug-Tank führende Verbindungsleitung anschließbaren Tank-Einlaß, einen an eine zum Saugrohr bzw. Luftfiltergehäuse des Motors geführte Verbindungsleitung anschließbaren, den Kraftstoffdampf rückführenden Motor-Auslaß, einen mit der Umgebungsatmosphäre verbundenen Frischluft-Einlaß und eine in Strömungsrichtung eines mit Wasser, Wassertröpfchen oder Wasserdampf beladenen Entlüftungs- oder Frischluftstromes vor dem Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum im Gehäuse angeordnete Wasser-Sammelwanne aufweist, wobei der Tank-Einlaß und der Motor-Auslaß vorzugsweise an der gleichen Stirnseite des Gehäuses vorgesehen sind, der Frischluft-Einlaß in einem Bereich des Gehäuses angeordnet ist, welcher durch die Aktivkohleschüttung vom Motor-Auslaß getrennt ist, die Sammelwanne an ihrer dem Wannenboden abgewandten Seite eine Verbindung zum Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum besitzt und wobei in der Sammelwanne ein aufschwimmbarer Ventilkörper angeordnet ist, welcher auf sich in der Sammelwanne sammelndem Wasser aufschwimmt und dabei die Verbindung zum Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum verschließt oder einen den Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum umgehenden Abfluß öffnet.The invention relates to activated carbon filters for motor vehicles for the adsorption of fuel vapors formed in the tank and possibly in the float chamber of the carburetor of motor vehicles and for the desorption and return of the vapors into the combustion chambers of the motor vehicle with a housing which is closed on all sides and which is suitable for a bed of activated carbon Pore-size-filled receiving space, a tank inlet connectable to a connection line leading to the motor vehicle tank, a connection line connectable to a connection line leading to the intake manifold or air filter housing of the engine, the fuel vapor returning motor outlet, a fresh air inlet connected to the ambient atmosphere and an in Direction of flow of a vent or fresh air stream loaded with water, water droplets or water vapor has arranged in the housing in front of the activated carbon receiving space, the tank inlet and the motor outlet is preferably provided on the same end face of the housing, the fresh air inlet is arranged in a region of the housing which is separated from the motor outlet by the activated carbon bed, the collecting pan has a connection to the activated carbon on its side facing away from the pan bottom. Has recording space and being in a floating valve body is arranged on the collecting trough, which floats on water collecting in the collecting trough and closes the connection to the activated carbon receiving space or opens a drain bypassing the activated carbon receiving space.

Zur Verhinderung des Austritts von Kraftstoffdämpfen ins Freie werden zumindest in der Entlüftungsleitung des Tanks von Personenkraftwagen Aktivkohlefilter angeordnet, welche die bei der Betankung des Kraftfahrzeugs oder auch bei Ausdehnung des Kraftstoffs im Tank infolge Erwärmung über die Tankentlüftung verdrängten Kraftstoffdämpfe in der Aktivkohleschüttung adsorbieren und so deren Austritt in die Umgebungsatmosphäre zumindest solange verhindern, wie die Adsorptionsfähigkeit der Aktivkohleschüttung nicht erschöpft ist. Durch hinreichende Bemessung der Menge der Aktivkohleschüttung und regelmäßige Desorption der Kraftstoffdämpfe und deren Rückführung in den Verbrennungskreislauf des Motors kann sichergestellt werden, daß unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen des Kraftfahrzeugs keine Kraftstoffdämpfe in die Umgebungsatmosphäre austreten. Die Desorption erfolgt dabei so, daß Umgebungs- oder Frischluft durch die Aktivkohleschüttung gesaugt und dabei die Kraftstoffdämpfe von der Oberfläche der Aktivkohle gelöst, d.h. desorbiert werden. Zur Erzeugung des erforderlichen Unterdrucks wird der beim Laufen des Motors im Motor-Saugrohr erzeugte Unterdruck verwendet. Dementsprechend weisen Aktivkohlefilter für den hier in Frage stehenden Anwendungsfall also drei Anschlüsse auf, nämlich einen an eine Verbindungsleitung zum Kraftfahrzeug-Tank angeschlossenen Einlaß, über den die Kraftstoffdämpfe in das Gehäuse eintreten, einen zur Umgebungsatmosphäre geöffneten Ein- und Auslaß, über welche einerseits die von den Kraftstoffdämpfen befreite Luft zur Umgebungsatmosphäre austreten und andererseits beim Desorptionsvorgang Außenluft durch die Aktivkohleschüttung eingesaugt werden kann, und schließlich einen an eine zum Saugrohr bzw. dem Luftfilter des Verbrennungsmotors führende Leitung angeschlossenen Auslaß, über den die desorbierten Kraftstoffdämpfe in den Ansaugtrakt des Motors geführt und dann im Motor verbrannt werden. In den Verbindungsleitungen zwischen dem Tank und dem Gehäuse des Aktivkohlefilters und der Verbindungsleitung zwischen dem Aktivkohle-Gehäuse und dem Motor-Saugrohr ist ein Ent/Belüftungsventil bzw. ein Spülventil angeordnet, die entsprechend den Betriebsbedingungen angesteuert werden. Das normalerweise geschlossene Spülventil wird lediglich bei laufendem Motor geöffnet, so daß durch den dann im Gehäuse des Aktivkohlefilters entstehenden Unterdruck über den Frischluft-Einlaß Umgebungsluft nachgesaugt und die in der Aktivkohleschüttung adsorbierten Kraftstoffdämpfe desorbiert werden können. Wenn andererseits durch Entstehung eines erhöhten Dampfdrucks im Tank das Ent-/Belüftungsventil in der Verbindungsleitung zum Aktivkohle-Gehäuse geöffnet wird, werden die in den Aktivkohle-Gehäuse übertretenden Kraftstoffdämpfe zusammen mit der angesaugten Frischluft sogleich in den laufenden Motor weitergeführt und verbrannt. Lediglich beim Motorstillstand und geschlossenem Spülventil treten die Kraftstoffdämpfe in die Aktivkohleschüttung ein und werden in der angestrebten Weise am Austreten in die Umgebungsatmosphäre gehindert. Insoweit ist das System der Adsorption von Kraftstoffdämpfen mittels Aktivkohlefiltern bekannt. Besonders zweckmäßig ausgebildete Aktivkohlefilter der eingangs erwähnten Art sind aus dem DE-GM 92 10 525 bekannt.To prevent fuel vapors from escaping outdoors, activated carbon filters are arranged at least in the vent line of the tank of passenger cars, which adsorb the fuel vapors displaced in the activated carbon bed during refueling of the motor vehicle or also when the fuel in the tank expands as a result of heating via the tank breather and thus their exit prevent into the surrounding atmosphere at least as long as the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon bed is not exhausted. Adequate measurement of the amount of activated carbon and regular desorption of the fuel vapors and their return to the combustion circuit of the engine can ensure that under normal operating conditions of the motor vehicle no fuel vapors escape into the ambient atmosphere. The desorption takes place in such a way that ambient or fresh air is sucked through the activated carbon bed and the fuel vapors are thereby released from the surface of the activated carbon, ie are desorbed. The negative pressure generated in the engine intake manifold when the engine is running is used to generate the required negative pressure. Accordingly, activated carbon filters for the application in question here have three connections, namely an inlet connected to a connecting line to the motor vehicle tank, through which the fuel vapors enter the housing, an inlet and outlet open to the ambient atmosphere, via which on the one hand those of Air released from the fuel vapors can escape to the ambient atmosphere and, on the other hand, outside air can be sucked in through the activated carbon bed during the desorption process, and finally one to one of the intake manifold or the air filter of the internal combustion engine leading line connected outlet, through which the desorbed fuel vapors are fed into the intake manifold of the engine and then burned in the engine. In the connecting lines between the tank and the housing of the activated carbon filter and the connecting line between the activated carbon housing and the engine intake manifold, a venting valve or a rinsing valve is arranged, which are controlled according to the operating conditions. The normally closed purge valve is only opened when the engine is running, so that ambient air can be drawn in through the fresh air inlet through the negative pressure then created in the housing of the activated carbon filter and the fuel vapors adsorbed in the activated carbon bed can be desorbed. If, on the other hand, the vent valve in the connecting line to the activated carbon housing is opened due to the build-up of an increased vapor pressure in the tank, the fuel vapors that pass into the activated carbon housing, together with the fresh air drawn in, are immediately carried into the running engine and burned. The fuel vapors enter the activated carbon bed only when the engine is stopped and the purge valve is closed and are prevented from escaping into the surrounding atmosphere in the desired manner. In this respect, the system for adsorbing fuel vapors using activated carbon filters is known. Activated carbon filters of the type mentioned in the introduction are particularly useful and are known from DE-GM 92 10 525.

Bei allen Aktivkohlefiltern hat sich herausgestellt, daß die Wirksamkeit der Aktivkohleschüttung, d.h. ihre Adsorptionsfähigkeit für Kraftstoffdämpfe bis zur Wirkungslosigkeit verschlechtert wird, wenn sie mit Wasser durchfeuchtet wird. Eine solche Durchfeuchtung kann auf zweierlei Art und Weise zustandekommen. Zum einen kann Spritzwasser von außen, beispielsweise beim Durchfahren von Pfützen o.dgl. in den Aktivkohlefilter gelangen, und zwar insbesondere dann, wenn der Frischlufteinlaß am Gehäuse des Filters bodenseitig vorgesehen ist. Kohlefilter sind nämlich in der Regel relativ tief angeordnet, so daß es unter ungünstigen Umständen tatsächlich zum Eintritt von Wasser in die Unterseite des Gehäuses der Aktivkohlefilter kommen kann, so daß also zumindest der untere Bereich der Aktivkohleschüttung durchfeuchtet wird, und so seine Wirksamkeit verliert.With all activated carbon filters, it has been found that the effectiveness of the activated carbon bed, ie its adsorption capacity for fuel vapors, deteriorates until it becomes ineffective when it is moistened with water. Such moisture penetration can occur in two ways. On the one hand, splash water from the outside, for example when driving through puddles or the like. get into the activated carbon filter, especially when the fresh air inlet on the housing of the filter on the bottom is provided. Charcoal filters are usually arranged relatively deep, so that under unfavorable circumstances water can actually enter the underside of the housing of the activated carbon filter, so that at least the lower area of the activated carbon bed is moistened and thus loses its effectiveness.

Zur Lösung dieses Problems ist es aus der EP-A 425 862 bekannt, eine zweite Frischluftleitung vorzusehen, deren zur Atmosphäre offene Mündung oberhalb der entsprechenden Mündung der ersten Frischluftleitung, vorzugsweise sogar oberhalb der maximalen Wattiefe des Kraftfahrzeugs angeordnet ist. Droht über die erste Frischluftleitung Wasser in den Aktivkohlefilter einzudringen, so schließt ein Schwimmerventil die erste Leitung und öffnet gleichzeitig die zweite Frischluftleitung, die ansonsten bei geöffneter erster Frischluftleitung von dem Schwimmerventil verschlossen gehalten wird. Diese Lösung eignet sich besonders zur Verwendung bei Geländefahrzeugen, die einerseits aufgrund ihrer Bauart den Einbau einer zweiten Frischluftleitung mit oberhalb der maximalen Wattiefe des Fahrzeugs angeordneter Mündung erlauben und die andererseits aufgrund ihres Bestimmungszwecks zumindest dafür vorbereitet sein müssen, daß bei bestimmten Einsätzen des Fahrzeugs, wie z.B. bei Bachdurchfahrten, die Gefahr einer Durchfeuchtung des Aktivkohlefilters wesentlich häufiger gegeben ist, als bei normalen Personenkraftwagen. Diese Lösung ist jedoch konstruktiv aufwendig und eignet sich insbesondere nicht zum nachträglichen Einbau in solche Fahrzeuge, bei denen nur eine einzige Frischluftleitung vorgesehen ist.To solve this problem it is known from EP-A 425 862 to provide a second fresh air line, the mouth of which is open to the atmosphere is arranged above the corresponding mouth of the first fresh air line, preferably even above the maximum wading depth of the motor vehicle. If water threatens to enter the activated carbon filter via the first fresh air line, a float valve closes the first line and at the same time opens the second fresh air line, which is otherwise kept closed by the float valve when the first fresh air line is open. This solution is particularly suitable for use in off-road vehicles which, on the one hand, due to their design allow the installation of a second fresh air line with a mouth arranged above the maximum wading depth of the vehicle and, on the other hand, due to their intended purpose, must at least be prepared for certain uses of the vehicle, such as e.g. when crossing streams, the risk of moisture penetration of the activated carbon filter is much higher than with normal passenger cars. However, this solution is structurally complex and is particularly unsuitable for retrofitting in vehicles in which only a single fresh air line is provided.

Eine andere Möglichkeit des Einbringens von Wasser in die Aktivkohleschüttung besteht darin, daß zusammen mit dem aus dem Tank verdrängten vergasten Kraftstoff auch in der Luft enthaltener Wasserdampf kondensiert, wenn beispielsweise die Umgebungstemperatur abfällt, so daß dann Wasser aus diesem Kraftstoff-Luft-Gemisch kondensiert und in die Aktivkohleschüttung gelangt. Da der Tankanschluß in der Regel an der Oberseite des Gehäuses des Aktivkohle-Filters vorgesehen ist, wird dieses kondensierte Wasser also von oben in den Aktivkohlefilter eingebracht und tropft also auf die Oberseite der Aktivkohleschüttung und durchfeuchtet diese in einem von der Menge des kondensierenden Wasserdampfs abhängigen Maße. Zur Lösung dieses Problems ist aus der US-PS 4,658,796 bekannt, eine Sammelwanne im Strömungsweg des vom Tank zum Aktivkohlefilter strömenden, mit Wasserdampf beladenen Entlüftungsstromes vor der eigentlichen Aktivkohleschüttung anzuordnen, wobei der Tank-Einlaß in der im bestimmungsgemäßen Einbauzustand des Aktivkohlefilters oberen Stirnseite des Gehäuses mündet und die Sammelwanne, die in ihrem Boden eine Abflußöffnung aufweist, unterhalb des Tank-Einlasses und oberhalb des Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraums angeordnet ist, und wobei in dieser Sammelwanne dann zumindest einen Teil der in dem Entlüftungsstrom enthaltenden Kraftstoff- und Wasser-Teilchen kondensieren kann. Zur Entleerung der Sammelwanne ist ein mit dem Kraftstofftank verbundener Abfluß vorgesehen und von einem Schwimmerventil verschlossen. Der aufschwimmbare Ventilkörper ist an seiner Unterseite mit einem zur Abflußöffnung fluchtenden und sie in nicht aufgeschwommenem Zustand dicht verschließen den Ventilvorsprung versehen, welches bei Erreichen einer bestimmten Kondensatmenge den Abfluß öffnet, so daß das Kondensat wieder zurück in den Tank fließen kann. Diese Lösung eignet sich zwar durchaus zur Vermeidung einer Durchfeuchtung des Aktivkohlefilters durch die vom Tank her eintretenden Entlüftungsdämpfe, besitzt aber den Nachteil, daß nicht nur Kraftstoff zurück in den Tank geleitet wird, sondern in unerwünschter Weise auch eventuell im Entlüftungsstrom befindliches Wasser. Dies führt dazu, daß sich je nach den klimatischen Bedingungen eine nicht unerhebliche Menge von Wasser im Kraftstofftank ansammeln kann, welches dann die Verbrennung beeinträchtigt und sogar Beschädigungen des Motors, z.B. aufgrund von Mineralrückständen im Wasser, bedingen kann.Another possibility of introducing water into the activated carbon bed is that, together with the gasified fuel displaced from the tank, water vapor contained in the air also condenses when, for example, the ambient temperature drops, so that water from this fuel-air mixture then condenses and in the Activated carbon fill arrives. Since the tank connection is usually provided on the top of the housing of the activated carbon filter, this condensed water is thus introduced into the activated carbon filter from above and thus drips onto the top of the activated carbon bed and soaks it through to an extent dependent on the amount of condensing water vapor . To solve this problem, it is known from US Pat. No. 4,658,796 to arrange a collecting trough in the flow path of the venting stream loaded with steam and flowing from the tank to the activated carbon filter before the actual activated carbon bed, the tank inlet being in the upper end face of the housing in the intended installed state of the activated carbon filter opens and the collecting trough, which has a drain opening in its bottom, is arranged below the tank inlet and above the activated carbon receiving space, and in this collecting trough then at least a part of the fuel and water particles contained in the ventilation stream can condense. To drain the sump, a drain connected to the fuel tank is provided and closed by a float valve. The floatable valve body is provided on its underside with an aligned to the drain opening and they seal tightly in the non-floating state the valve projection which opens the drain when a certain amount of condensate is reached, so that the condensate can flow back into the tank. Although this solution is quite suitable for avoiding moisture penetration of the activated carbon filter by the ventilation vapors entering from the tank, it has the disadvantage that not only fuel is directed back into the tank, but also water that may be present in the ventilation flow in an undesirable manner. As a result, depending on the climatic conditions, a not inconsiderable amount of water can accumulate in the fuel tank, which then affects combustion and can even damage the engine, for example due to mineral residues in the water.

Davon ausgehend liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, Aktivkohlefilter anzugeben, bei denen die bei bestimmten Fahrzeugarten und Einsatzzwecken für die Durchfeuchtung der Aktivkohleschüttung hauptursächliche und damit die Verschlechterung der Wirksamkeit der Filter in bezug auf die Ad- und Desorptionsfähigkeit von Kraftstoffdämpfen bedingende, über den Tank-Einlaß in den Aktivkohlefilter eintretende Feuchtigkeit an einem übertritt in die Aktivkohleschüttung gehindert ist.Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to specify activated carbon filters in which the main causes for the moistening of the activated carbon bed in certain types of vehicles and applications and thus the deterioration in the effectiveness of the filters with regard to the adsorption and desorption capacity of fuel vapors, via the tank Inlet entering the activated carbon filter Moisture is prevented from entering the activated carbon bed.

Die Aufgabe wird von einem Aktivkohlefilter der eingangs genannten Art gelöst, bei welchem der den Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum umgehende Abfluß zur Umgebungsatmosphäre geführt ist, wobei an der Abflußöffnung eine durch den Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum hindurch bis in einen unter der Aktivkohleschüttung vorgesehenen und über den Frischluft-Einlaß mit der Außenatmosphäre verbundenen Kondensatraum geführte Leitung angeschlossen ist. Das sich in der Sammelwanne sammelnde Kondensat-Wasser öffnet also selbsttätig einen Abfluß zur Außenatmosphäre, wenn der Wasserspiegel so weit steigt, daß der Ventilkörper aufschwimmt.The object is achieved by an activated carbon filter of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the outflow surrounding the activated carbon receiving space is led to the ambient atmosphere, with at the drain opening a through the activated carbon receiving space through into a provided under the activated carbon bed and over the fresh air inlet pipe connected to the outside atmosphere connected conduit is connected. The condensate water that collects in the collecting pan thus automatically opens a drain to the outside atmosphere when the water level rises so far that the valve body floats up.

Der Ventilvorsprung wird zweckmäßig durch vom Boden der Sammelwanne vorstehende Führungsrippen fluchtend zur Abflußöffnung geführt, wobei eine weitere zusätzliche Führung des Ventilkörpers durch von der Innenseite des Gehäuses vorstehende Rippen ebenfalls möglich ist.The valve projection is expediently guided in alignment with guide ribs projecting from the bottom of the collecting trough to the drain opening, wherein a further additional guidance of the valve body by ribs projecting from the inside of the housing is also possible.

Die Erfindung ist in der folgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispiels in Verbindung mit der Zeichnung näher erläutert, und zwar zeigt:

Fig. 1
eine bodenseitig und an der Oberseite teilweise aufgebrochene und im aufgebrochenen Bereich geschnittene Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Aktivkohlefilters, bei welchem Vorsorge gegen eine Durchfeuchtung der Aktivkohleschüttung durch über den Tank-Einlaß zugeführtes Kondensat-Wasser getroffen ist.
The invention is explained in more detail in the following description of an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing, which shows:
Fig. 1
2 shows a side view of an activated carbon filter according to the invention, partially broken open at the top and on the top and cut in the broken area, which precautions have been taken to prevent the activated carbon bed from becoming wet through condensate water supplied via the tank inlet.

Der in Figur 1 gezeigte, in seiner Gesamtheit mit 110 bezeichnete Aktivkohlefilter weist ein allseitig geschlossenes Gehäuse 112 aus Kunststoff auf, welches aus dem eigentlichen, im dargestellten Fall zylindrischen und an der Unterseite durch eine Stirnwand 114 geschlossenen Grundgehäuse 116 besteht, dessen andere, offene Stirnseite durch einen gesonderten Stirndeckel 118 verschlosen ist, der nach der Montage des Aktivkohlefilters - beispielsweise durch Heißspiegelschweißung - unlösbar mit dem Grundgehäuse 116 verbunden ist. Mittig an der unteren Stirnwand 114 des Gehäuses 112 ist ein Einlaßstutzen 120 angeordnet, der so mit der Umgebungsatmosphäre in Verbindung steht. Der Einlaßstutzen 120 hat also die Funktion eines Frischluft-Einlasses. Der das Grundgehäuse 116 an der oberen Stirnseite verschließende Stirndeckel 118 weist zwei Anschlüsse auf, nämlich einen an eine Verbindungsleitung zum Kraftstofftank anschließbaren Tank-Einlaß 122 und einen an eine zum Saugrohr bzw. Luftfiltergehäuse des Motors des zugehörigen Kraftfahrzeugs führende Verbindungsleitung anschließbaren Motor-Auslaß 124.The activated carbon filter shown in FIG. 1, designated in its entirety by 110, has a housing 112 made of plastic which is closed on all sides and which consists of the actual basic housing 116 which is cylindrical in the case shown and closed on the underside by an end wall 114, the other, open end side thereof is closed by a separate end cover 118, which after the assembly of the activated carbon filter - for example by hot mirror welding - is inseparably connected to the basic housing 116. In the middle of the lower end wall 114 of the housing 112 there is an inlet connection 120, which is thus connected to the ambient atmosphere. The inlet connection 120 thus has the function of a fresh air inlet. The front cover 118 closing the basic housing 116 on the upper end side has two connections, namely a tank inlet 122 which can be connected to a connecting line to the fuel tank and a motor outlet 124 which can be connected to a connecting line leading to the intake manifold or air filter housing of the engine of the associated motor vehicle.

Im mittleren zylindrischen Bereich des Grundgehäuses 116 ist eine Schüttung 126 aus Aktivkohleteilchen geeigneter Porengröße vorgesehen, und zwischen zwei dampf- bzw. gasdurchlässigen Abdeckplatten 128 bzw. 130 zweckmäßig unter Vorspannung gehalten, so daß die Akivkohleteilchen auch bei Erschütterung oder unter dem Einfluß von Beschleunigungskräften sich nicht relativ zueinander verschieben und auf diese Weise zerreiben können. Der zwischen den Abdeckplatten 128 und 130 gebildete Raum des Gehäuses kann somit auch als Aktivkohle-Aufnahmeraum bezeichnet werden.In the central cylindrical region of the basic housing 116, a bed 126 of activated carbon particles of a suitable pore size is provided, and expediently kept under tension between two vapor or gas-permeable cover plates 128 and 130, so that the active carbon particles do not move even when shaken or under the influence of acceleration forces can move relative to each other and grind in this way. The one between the cover plates 128 and 130 formed space of the housing can thus also be referred to as an activated carbon receiving space.

Die untere Abdeckplatte 128 wird mit Abstand oberhalb der Mündung des Frischluft-Einlasses 120 auf einer umlaufenden Schulter 134 des Grundgehäuses 116 gehalten und ist mit einer Vielzahl von (nicht gezeigten) Durchlaßöffnungen versehen, deren Größe kleiner als die Partikelgröße der Aktivkohleschüttung gewählt ist. Die obere Abdeckplatte 130 kann beispielsweise eine Siebplatte mit größeren Durchlaßöffnungen sein, unter der zusätzlich noch ein - nicht gezeigtes - Vliesfilter vorgesehen sein kann, welches den Durchtritt auch feinster Aktivkohle-Staubteilchen zum Tank-Einlaß 122 bzw. dem Motor-Auslaß 124 verhindert. Um die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 unter Vorspannung zu halten, wobei aber unterschiedliche Wärmedehnung der Schüttung und des Gehäuses ausgeglichen werden, kann die obere Abdeckplatte 130 durch eine (nicht gezeigte) Spannfeder in Abwärtsrichtung vorgespannt sein.The lower cover plate 128 is held at a distance above the mouth of the fresh air inlet 120 on a circumferential shoulder 134 of the basic housing 116 and is provided with a multiplicity of through openings (not shown), the size of which is selected to be smaller than the particle size of the activated carbon bed. The upper cover plate 130 can be, for example, a sieve plate with larger passage openings, under which a fleece filter (not shown) can additionally be provided, which prevents even the finest activated carbon dust particles from entering the tank inlet 122 or the motor outlet 124. In order to keep the activated carbon bed 126 under prestress, but different thermal expansion of the bed and the housing are compensated for, the upper cover plate 130 can be prestressed in the downward direction by a tension spring (not shown).

Der Tank-Einlaß 122 mündet in dem oberhalb der Aktivkohleschüttung 126 im Gehäuse gebildeten Raum und ist nicht - wie man bei einem ersten Blick auf die Zeichnung meinen könnte - bis in den Überström- oder Kondensatraum 138 geführt, mündet also direkt in dem im Stirndeckel 118 gebildeten Raum. Die Mündung des Motor-Auslasses 124 ist an eine Leitung 136 angeschlossen, welche - in nicht gezeigter Weise - durch die Abdeckplatte 130, die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 und die Abdeckplatte 128 in den Kondensat- oder Überströmraum 138 geführt ist. Das bei laufendem Motor über den Motor-Auslaß 124 aus dem Tank angesaugte Gemisch von Luft und Kraftstoffdämpfen wird also durch die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 gesaugt, und zwar von dem im Stirndeckel 118 gebildeten Raum durch die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 zum Überström- oder Kondensatraum 138.The tank inlet 122 opens into the space formed above the activated carbon bed 126 in the housing and is not - as one might think at a glance at the drawing - into the overflow or condensate space 138, so it opens directly into that in the front cover 118 formed space. The mouth of the motor outlet 124 is connected to a line 136 which - in a manner not shown - is led through the cover plate 130, the activated carbon bed 126 and the cover plate 128 into the condensate or overflow space 138. The mixture of air and fuel vapors sucked in from the tank via the engine outlet 124 while the engine is running is thus sucked through the activated carbon bed 126, namely from the space formed in the end cover 118 through the activated carbon bed 126 to the overflow or condensate chamber 138.

Während der Fahrt über den Frischluft-Einlaß 120 angesaugte Frischluft wird also im Überström- bzw. Kondensatraum 138 direkt in die dort endende Mündung der Leitung 136 gesaugt, so daß die Gefahr, daß in der Frischluft mitgerissene Wassertröpfchen von unten in die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 eindringen, relativ gering ist, zumal dann, wenn außerdem noch eine Strömung des Gemischs von Luft und Kraftstoffdämpfen in entgegengesetzter Richtung durch die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 erfolgt.Fresh air sucked in via the fresh air inlet 120 during the journey is thus sucked directly into the overflow or condensate space 138 into the mouth of the line 136 ending there, so that the risk that water droplets entrained in the fresh air penetrate into the activated carbon bed 126 from below. is relatively small, especially if the mixture of air and fuel vapors also flows in the opposite direction through the activated carbon bed 126.

Um zu verhindern, daß in dem vom Kraftstofftank angesaugten Gemisch von Luft- und Kraftstoffdämpfen enthaltenes Wasser in dem oberhalb der Aktivkohleschüttung 126 befindlichen Raum kondensiert und dann von oben in die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 eindringt und diese in ihrer Wirksamkeit verschlechtert, ist erfindungsgemäß deshalb beim Aktivkohlefilter 110 eine Sammelwanne 140 unterhalb des Tank-Einlasses 122 im Stirndeckel 118 ausgebildet, welche in ihrem Boden eine Abflußöffnung 144 aufweist, an welcher eine durch die Abdeckplatte 130, die Aktivkohleschüttung 126 und die Abdeckplatte 128 hindurchgeführte Leitung 142 angeschlossen ist, welche also im Überström- oder Kondensatraum 138 mündet.In order to prevent water contained in the mixture of air and fuel vapors sucked in by the fuel tank from condensing in the space above the activated carbon bed 126 and then penetrating into the activated carbon bed 126 from above and impairing its effectiveness, the activated carbon filter 110 is therefore according to the invention Collection trough 140 is formed below the tank inlet 122 in the end cover 118, which has a drain opening 144 in its bottom, to which a line 142 which is guided through the cover plate 130, the activated carbon bed 126 and the cover plate 128 is connected, which is therefore in the overflow or condensate space 138 flows.

In der Sammelwanne 140 ist ein aufschwimmbarer Ventilkörper 146 in senkrechter Richtung aufschwimmbar geführt, der an seiner Unterseite mit einem zur Abflußöffnung 144 fluchtenden und diesen in nicht aufgeschwommenem Zustand dicht verschließenden Ventilvorsprung 150 versehen ist. Der aufschwimmbare Ventilkörper 146 wird durch vom Boden der Sammelwanne 140 hochstehende und den Ventilvorsprung 150 zwischen sich aufnehmende Rippen 148 geführt. Zusätzlich von der Innenseite des Stirndeckels 118 nach unten vorspringende und den eigentlichen Ventilkörper 146 führende Rippen 152 können außerdem vorgesehen sein, um sicherzustellen, daß der Ventilkörper auch bei vom Fahrzeug auf den Aktivkohle-Filter übertragene Schwingungen in exakter Ausrichtung zur Abflußöffnung 144 geführt ist.In the collecting pan 140, a floatable valve body 146 is guided to float in the vertical direction, which is provided on its underside with a valve projection 150 which is aligned with the drain opening 144 and seals it tightly in the non-floating state. The floatable valve body 146 is guided through ribs 148, which rise from the bottom of the collecting trough 140 and receive the valve projection 150 between them. In addition, ribs 152 projecting downward from the inside of the front cover 118 and guiding the actual valve body 146 can also be provided to ensure that the valve body also when the vehicle is on the activated carbon filter transmitted vibrations is guided in exact alignment to the drain opening 144.

Es ist nunmehr ersichtlich, daß in sich der Sammelwanne das zu Wassertröpfchen kondensierte Wasser aus dem Gemisch von Luft und Kraftstoffdämpfen niederschlägt und dabei die Sammelwanne 140 langsam füllt. Sobald der Ventilkörper 146 aufschwimmt, öffnet der Ventilvorsprung 150 die Abflußöffnung 144 und das in der Sammelwanne 140 gesammelte Wasser kann über die Leitung 142 zum Überström- bzw. Kondensatraum 138 abfließen, von wo es dann aus dem Frischluft-Einlaß 120 austritt oder - wenn die Eintrittsgeschwindigkeit der Frischluft in nden Einlaß 120 infolge eines relativ hohen vom Motor erzeugten Unterdruck relativ stark ist, sich zunächst im Überström- oder Kondensatraum 138 sammelt und eventuell auch zum Teil mit der angesaugten Frischluft in die Leitung 136 eingesaugt und zum Motor-Auslaß geführt wird. Eine Durchnetzung der Aktivkohleschüttung 126 erfolgt aber in keinem Fall, so daß also das angestrebte Ziel, eine Durchfeuchtung der Aktivkohleschüttung zu vermeiden, erreicht wird.It can now be seen that the water condensed into water droplets from the mixture of air and fuel vapors precipitates in the collecting tank and thereby slowly fills the collecting tank 140. As soon as the valve body 146 floats, the valve projection 150 opens the drain opening 144 and the water collected in the collecting trough 140 can flow off via the line 142 to the overflow or condensate space 138, from where it then emerges from the fresh air inlet 120 or - if that Velocity of entry of the fresh air into the inlet 120 is relatively strong as a result of a relatively high negative pressure generated by the engine, initially collects in the overflow or condensate space 138 and may also be partially drawn into the line 136 with the fresh air drawn in and led to the engine outlet. However, the activated carbon bed 126 is not wetted under any circumstances, so that the desired goal of avoiding moisture penetration of the activated carbon bed is achieved.

Claims (2)

  1. Activated carbon filter (110) for vehicles for absorbing fuel vapours produced in the tank and possibly in the float chamber of the carburettor of vehicles and for desorbing the vapours and feeding them back into the combustion spaces of the motor of the vehicle including a housing (112), which is closed on all sides and which has a receiving space filled with a filling (126) of activated charcoal of suitable pore size, a tank inlet (122) which is connectable to a connecting line leading to the vehicle tank, a motor outlet (124) which is connectable to a connecting line extending to the induction pipe or air filter housing of the motor and feeds the fuel vapour back, a fresh air inlet (120) connected to atmosphere and a water collecting trough (140) arranged in the housing (112) upstream of the activated charcoal receiving space in the flow direction of a ventilation or fresh air flow charged with water, water droplets or water vapour, the tank inlet (122) and the motor outlet (124) preferably being provided on the same end face of the housing (112), the fresh air inlet (120) being arranged in a region of the housing which is separated from the motor outlet (124) by the activated carbon filling, the collecting trough (140) having a connection with the activated charcoal receiving space on its side remote from the trough base and a buoyant valve body (146) being arranged in the collecting trough (140) which floats on the water collecting in the collecting trough (140) and thus seals the connection with the activated charcoal receiving space or opens a drain (144) bypassing the activated charcoal receiving space, the drain (144) surrounding the activated carbon receiving space extends to the atmosphere,
    the tank inlet (122) opening out in the upper face of the housing (112) in the predetermined installation state of the activated carbon filter (110),
    the collecting trough (140) is arranged below the tank inlet (122) and above the activated carbon receiving space and has a drain opening (144) in its space to which a line (142) is connected which extends through the activated carbon receiving space to a condensate space (138) which is provided beneath the activated carbon filling (126) and is connected to atmosphere via the fresh air inlet (120), and whereby
    the buoyant valve body (146) is provided on its underside with a valve projection (150) which is in alignment with the drain opening (144) and sealingly closes it in the non-floating state.
  2. Activated carbon filter as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the valve projection (150) extends through guide ribs (148), which project from the base of the collecting trough (140), in alignment with the drain opening (144).
EP94926159A 1993-09-13 1994-08-06 Activated carbon filter for motor vehicles Expired - Lifetime EP0719384B1 (en)

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DE9313840U 1993-09-13
DE9313840U DE9313840U1 (en) 1993-09-13 1993-09-13 Activated carbon filter for motor vehicles
PCT/EP1994/002615 WO1995008059A1 (en) 1993-09-13 1994-08-06 Activated carbon filter for motor vehicles

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EP0719384A1 EP0719384A1 (en) 1996-07-03
EP0719384B1 true EP0719384B1 (en) 1997-10-15

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AT (1) ATE159323T1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ284270B6 (en)
DE (2) DE9313840U1 (en)
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HU (1) HU218772B (en)
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DE3921080C2 (en) * 1989-06-28 1996-10-24 Bosch Gmbh Robert Venting device for a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine
DE3936057C1 (en) * 1989-10-28 1990-11-08 Audi Ag, 8070 Ingolstadt, De
DE4132741A1 (en) * 1991-10-02 1993-04-08 Bosch Gmbh Robert Self-contained venting system for motor vehicle fuel tank - pumps vapour from fuel tank into pressure reservoir for condensing back into tank or into inlet manifold
DE4140256C2 (en) * 1991-12-06 1994-06-16 Bosch Gmbh Robert Venting device for a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine
DE69211118T2 (en) * 1992-02-17 1996-10-02 Gen Motors Corp Collecting container for fuel vapors
DE9313840U1 (en) * 1993-09-13 1993-12-02 Expert Maschbau Activated carbon filter for motor vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HUT76940A (en) 1998-01-28
DE59404367D1 (en) 1997-11-20
PL313169A1 (en) 1996-06-10
WO1995008059A1 (en) 1995-03-23
HU9600400D0 (en) 1996-04-29
ES2109727T3 (en) 1998-01-16
PL173945B1 (en) 1998-05-29
CZ75096A3 (en) 1996-07-17
HU218772B (en) 2000-12-28
ATE159323T1 (en) 1997-11-15
EP0719384A1 (en) 1996-07-03
DE9313840U1 (en) 1993-12-02
CZ284270B6 (en) 1998-10-14

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