WO2015164861A1

WO2015164861A1 - Fuel tank isolation valve having controlled venting feature

Info

Publication number: WO2015164861A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/027755
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Bruce Mclauchlan; Steven Lee Ambrose; Jeffrey Bernard SMITH; Mustafa HUSEYIN
Original assignee: Eaton Corporation
Priority date: 2014-04-25
Filing date: 2015-04-27
Publication date: 2015-10-29

Abstract

A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister, a valve assembly and a normally closed port. The valve assembly is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly selectively controls fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank and the purge canister. A normally closed port is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the valve assembly. The normally closed port is movable between a closed position and an open position. The normally closed port is configured to be selectively coupled thereto causing vapor to be diverted from passing to the valve assembly and alternatively routed out of the normally closed port.

Description

FUEL TANK ISOLATION VALVE HAVING CONTROLLED VENTING FEATURE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/984,470 filed on April 25, 2014. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to fuel tanks on passenger vehicles and more particularly to a fuel tank isolation valve having a controlled venting feature.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Fuel vapor emission control systems are becoming increasingly more complex, in large part in order to comply with environmental and safety regulations imposed on manufacturers of gasoline powered vehicles. Along with the ensuing overall system complexity, complexity of individual components within the system has also increased. Certain regulations affecting the gasoline-powered vehicle industry require that fuel vapor emission from a fuel tank's ventilation system be stored during periods of an engine's operation. In order for the overall vapor emission control system to continue to function for its intended purpose, periodic purging of stored hydrocarbon vapors is necessary during operation of the vehicle.

[0004] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. SUMMARY

[0005] A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister, a valve assembly and a normally closed port. The valve assembly is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly selectively controls fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank and the purge canister. A normally closed port is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the valve assembly. The normally closed port is movable between a closed position and an open position. The normally closed port is configured to be selectively coupled thereto causing vapor to be diverted from passing to the valve assembly and alternatively routed out of the normally closed port.

[0006] According to additional features, the fuel tank system further includes a connector and a drain line. The connector is configured to be selectively coupled to the normally closed port. The fuel tank system can further comprise a container connected to the drain line. The drain line is configured to transfer vapor from the connector at the normally closed port to the container.

[0007] A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to additional features of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister, a valve assembly, an access port and a connection tool. The valve assembly is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly selectively controls fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly has a housing. The access port is configured on the housing of the valve assembly and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The connection tool can be configured to selectively connect to the valve assembly at the access port. The connection tool can further comprise a port engaging member configured to selectively move the access port to the open position.

[0008] According to other features, the connection tool can comprise a connection tool body that extends between a first port interface and a second port interface. The first port interface can be configured to selectively mate with the access port. The first port interface can comprise a pin configured to open the access port upon connection of the connection tool at the access port. The pin can further comprise a threaded screw pin that is configured to selectively advance toward the access port and open the access port. The second port interface can be configured to selectively mate with a destination port. The destination port can comprise one of (i) a secondary port configured on the valve assembly that provides controlled venting; and (ii) an external container. The access port can be integrally formed with the housing of the valve assembly. In another example the access port can be plumbed onto the housing of the valve assembly.

[0009] A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to additional features of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister, a valve assembly, an access port and a connection tool. The valve assembly is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly selectively controls fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly has a housing that defines an opening. A vent tool can include a tubular body, a fulcrum and a lever arm. The lever arm can be configured to be selectively actuated into engagement of a seal provided on the valve assembly. Movement of the lever arm selectively moves the seal from a closed with a seat on the valve assembly to an open position offset from the seat on the valve assembly.

[0010] According to other features the lever arm can comprise an actuation end and an action end. The lever arm can be non-linear from the actuation end to the action end. The vent tool can further include a button formed thereon. Actuation of the button can cause actuation of the lever arm. The fulcrum can be configured on the vent tool. Movement of the seal from the closed position to the open position vents the valve assembly out through the tubular body. The tubular body can be coupled to a vent container configured to capture the fuel vapor. The button can comprise a planar engaging surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fuel tank system having an evaporative emissions control system including a valve assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure; [0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a fuel tank configuration having a normally closed port configured upstream of a fuel tank isolation valve according to one example of the present disclosure, the normally closed port shown selectively coupled to a drain line;

[0014] FIG. 3 is schematic illustration of a fuel tank configuration having an exhaust port extending from a valve assembly according to one example of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a fuel tank configuration having an exhaust port extending from a valve assembly according to another example of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a fuel tank configuration having a tool that selectively extends through a canister port to urge a seal off a valve seat according to one example of the present disclosure, the seal shown engaged with the valve seat in a closed position; and

[0017] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of the fuel tank configuration of FIG. 5A and shown with the seal lifted off of the valve seat with the tool to an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With initial reference to FIG. 1 , a fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure is shown and generally identified at reference number 10. The fuel tank system 10 can generally include a fuel tank 12 configured as a reservoir for holding fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine via a fuel delivery system, which includes a fuel pump (not specifically shown). A controller 14 can be configured to regulate the operation of the engine and its fuel delivery system. The fuel tank 12 is operatively connected to an evaporative emissions control system 20 that includes a purge canister 22 adapted to collect fuel vapor emitted by the fuel tank 12 and to subsequently release the fuel vapor to the engine. The controller 14 can also be configured to regulate the operation of evaporative emissions control system 20 in order to recapture and recycle the emitted fuel vapor.

[0019] The evaporative emissions control system 20 includes a valve assembly 30. Additional description of the valve assembly 30 may be found in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 8,944,100, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, in general, the valve assembly 30 may control fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank 12 and the purge canister 22. While the valve assembly 30 is shown located between the fuel tank 12 and the purge canister 22, the valve assembly 30 may be configured elsewhere such as between the purge canister 22 and the engine. The controller 14 can be adapted to regulate the operation of a valve assembly 30 to selectively open and close the valve, in order to provide over-pressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank 12. The valve assembly 30 can be configured to control a flow of fuel vapor between the fuel tank 12 and the purge canister 22. The valve assembly 30 includes a housing 32, which retains all internal components of the valve assembly 30. The housing 32 can connect to the fuel tank 12 via a first connector (not specifically shown) and to the purge canister 22 via a second connector (not specifically shown).

[0020] The housing 32 accommodates an over pressure relief (OPR) valve 40. The OPR valve 40 includes a piston 42, which may be formed from a suitable chemically resistant material such as an appropriate plastic or aluminum. The OPR valve 40 can also include a compliant seal 44, which may be formed from a suitable chemically resistant elastomeric material.

[0021] The piston 42 and the seal 44 may be combined into a unitary piston assembly via an appropriate manufacturing process such as overmolding. The piston 42 and the seal 44 are urged to close a passage 48 by a spring 50. The OPR valve 40 is configured to facilitate opening a first fuel vapor flow path being traversed by the fuel vapor flowing in a direction from the fuel tank 12 toward the purge canister 18 when the fuel tank 12 is above a first predetermined pressure value. The first predetermined pressure value is preferably a positive number, representing an extreme or over-pressure condition of the fuel tank 12.

[0022] The valve assembly 30 can include a solenoid assembly 60 arranged inside the housing 32. The solenoid assembly 60 is adapted to receive electrical power from a vehicle alternator or from an energy-storage device (not shown), and be triggered or energized by a control signal from the controller 14. The solenoid assembly 60 can include an armature 62, a solenoid spring 64 and a coil 66. The solenoid spring 64 can be configured to generate a force sufficient to urge armature 62 out of the solenoid assembly 60, when the solenoid assembly 60 is not energized. The coil 66 can be configured to energize solenoid assembly 60, and to withdraw the armature 62 into the solenoid assembly 60 by overcoming the biasing force of the solenoid spring 64 and exposing an orifice to allow vapor to flow therethrough.

[0023] The valve assembly 30 can additionally include a flow restrictor 70. The flow restrictor 70 can be arranged inside the housing 32. The flow restrictor 70 includes a piston 72 which may be formed from a suitable chemically resistant material such as an appropriate plastic or aluminum. The flow restrictor 70 also includes a compliant seal 74, which may be formed from a suitable chemically resistant rubber. The seal 74 can sealingly engage a seat 76 (FIG. 5B). The flow restrictor 70 is configured to be normally closed.

[0024] With reference now to FIG. 2, a fuel tank configuration constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure is shown and identified at reference 100. The fuel tank configuration 100 includes the fuel tank 12, the purge canister 22, a normally closed port 110, a connector 114, a drain line 116 and a container 120. The normally closed port 1 10 is positioned upstream of the valve assembly 30 and downstream of the fuel tank 12. The normally closed port 110 is movable between a closed position and an open position. Specifically, the normally closed port 110 is positioned along a fluid line 130. The fluid line 130 is fluidly connected between the fuel tank 12 and the valve assembly 30. During normal operation, fluid (vapor) is free to pass from the fuel tank 12, through the first fluid line 130 to the valve assembly 30. When it is desired to divert the fuel vapor from the fuel tank 12 away from the valve assembly 30, the connector 114 can be coupled to the normally closed port 1 10 causing the vapor to be diverted from passing to the valve assembly 30 and instead to the drain line 1 16. The drain line 116 in the example shown directs the vapor to the container 120. Other configurations are contemplated. The drain line 1 16 can be configured to vent the vapor to another container or fuel vapor system.

[0025] The normally closed port 1 10 of the fuel tank configuration 100 can be accessed such as during service of the valve assembly 30. In this regard, once the connector 114 is connected to the normally closed port 1 10, the normally closed port 1 10 opens causing vapor is diverted to the drain line 1 16 and ultimately the container 120. The valve assembly 30 can then be removed from the fluid line 130 or otherwise disconnected from the fuel tank configuration 100 to be serviced and/or replaced.

[0026] With reference now to FIG. 3, a fuel tank configuration constructed in accordance to another example of the present disclosure is shown and identified at reference 150. The fuel tank configuration 150 includes the fuel tank 12, the purge canister 22, the valve assembly 30 and an access port 160 incorporated onto the housing 32. The access port 160 can be plumbed or integrally formed into the valve assembly 30. The access port 160 can be fluidly coupled to with an external bleed device to divert fuel vapor from the valve assembly 30. A controlled venting could then be performed. The external bleed device may be any coupling tool such as the connector 114 described above with respect to FIG. 2. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the access port 160 is integrated for cooperation at the OPR valve 40. Other locations are contemplated. A connection tool 170 can be provided that selectively engages the access port 160. Specifically, the connection tool 170 includes a first port interface 172, a second port interface 174 and a connector body 176. The first port interface 172 can have a pin 180 configured to open the access port 160 upon connection of the connection tool 170 at the access port 160. The second port interface 174 can be configured to couple to a destination port 184. The destination port 184 can comprise another port configured on the valve assembly 30 that provides controlled venting or can be configured on an external container.

[0027] With reference now to FIG. 4, a fuel tank configuration constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure is shown and identified at reference 200. The fuel tank configuration 200 includes the fuel tank 12, the purge canister 22, the valve assembly 30 and an access port 210 incorporated onto the housing 32. The access port 210 can be plumbed or integrally formed into the valve assembly 30. The access port 210 can be fluidly coupled to with an external bleed device to divert fuel vapor from the valve assembly 30. A controlled venting could then be performed. The external bleed device may be any coupiing tool such as the connector 1 14 described above with respect to FIG. 2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the access port 210 is integrated for cooperation at the OPR valve 40. Other locations are contemplated. [0028] A connection tool 220 can be provided that selectively engages the access port 210. Specifically, the connection tool 220 includes a first port interface 222, a second port interface 224 and a connector body 226. The first port interface 222 can have a threaded screw pin 230 configured to open the access port 210 upon connection of the connection tool 220 at the access port 210 and subsequent translation of the threaded screw pin 230 toward the access port 210. The second port interface 224 can be configured similarly and be arranged to couple to a destination port 236. The destination port 236 can comprise another port configured on the valve assembly 30 that provides controlled venting or can be configured on an external container.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a fuel tank configuration constructed in accordance to another example of the present disclosure is shown and identified at reference 250. The fuel tank configuration 250 includes the fuel tank 12, the purge canister 22, the valve assembly 30 and a vent tool 260. The vent tool 260 can include a tubular body 262 that can be slidabiy received through an opening 264 defined on the housing 32. The vent tool 260 can include a lever arm 270 having an actuation end 272 and an action end 274. The lever arm 270 is non-linear from the actuation end 272 to the action end 274.

[0030] The lever arm 270 can pivot over a fulcrum 278 upon depression of a button 280. The button 280 can include a planar engaging surface. In this regard, depression of the button 280 in a direction downwardly as viewed in FIG. 5A can transfer a force onto the actuation end 272 of the lever arm 270. The lever arm 270, in turn, pivots over the fulcrum 278 causing the action end 274 to open the compliant seal 74 off of its corresponding seat 76 on the flow restrictor 70 (from the closed position FIG. 5A to the open position FIG. 5B). Opening the seal 74 can vent the valve assembly 30 out through the tubular body 262. The tubular body 262 can be connected to a vent container (such as container 120, FIG. 2) or other device.

[0031] The foregoing description of the examples has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular example are generally not limited to that particular example, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected example, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and ali such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A fuel tank system comprising:

a fuel tank;

a purge canister;

a valve assembly that is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister and that selectively controls fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank and the purge canister; and

a normally closed port that is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the valve assembly, the normally closed port movable between a closed position and an open position, the normally closed port configured to be selectively coupled thereto causing vapor to be diverted from passing to the valve assembly and alternatively routed out of the normally closed port.

2. The fuel tank system of claim 1 , further comprising a connector and a drain line, wherein the connector is configured to be selectively coupled to the normally closed port.

3. The fuel tank system of claim 1 , further comprising a container connected to the drain line, wherein the drain line is configured to transfer vapor from the connector at the normally closed port to the container.

4. A fuel tank system comprising:

a fuel tank;

a purge canister;

a valve assembly that is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister, wherein the valve assembly selectively controls fuel vapor flow between the fuel tank and the purge canister, the valve assembly having a housing;

an access port configured on the housing of the valve assembly, the access port movable between a closed position and an open position; and

a connection tool that is configured to selectively connect to the valve assembly at the access port, the connection tool further comprising a port engaging member configured to selectively move the access port to the open position.

5. The fuel tank system of claim 4 wherein the connection tool comprises a connection tool body that extends between a first port interface and a second port interface.

6. The fuel tank system of claim 5 wherein the first port interface is configured to selectively mate with the access port.

7. The fuel tank system of claim 6 wherein the first port interface comprises a pin configured to open the access port upon connection of the connection tool at the access port.

8. The fuel tank system of claim 7 wherein the pin further comprises a threaded screw pin that is configured to selectively advance toward the access port and open the access port.

9. The fuel tank system of claim 6 wherein the second port interface is configured to selectively mate with a destination port.

10. The fuel tank system of claim 9 wherein the destination port comprises one of (i) a secondary port configured on the valve assembly that provides controlled venting; and (ii) an external container.

1 1. The fuel tank system of claim 4 wherein the access port is integrally formed with the housing of the valve assembly.

12. The fuel tank system of claim 4 wherein the access port is plumbed onto the housing of the valve assembly.

13. A fuel tank system comprising:

a fuel tank;

a purge canister;

a valve assembly that is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister, the valve assembly having a housing that defines an opening; and

a vent tool having a tubular body, a fulcrum and a lever arm, wherein the lever arm is configured to be selectively actuated into engagement of a seal provided on the valve assembly, wherein movement of the lever arm selectively moves the seal from a closed position with a seat on the valve assembly to an open position offset from the seat on the valve assembly.

14. The fuel tank system of claim 13 wherein the lever arm comprises an actuation end and an action end.

15. The fuel tank system of claim 13 wherein the lever arm is non-linear from the actuation end to the action end.

16. The fuel tank system of claim 13 wherein the vent tool further includes a button formed thereon, wherein actuation of the button causes actuation of the lever arm.

17. The fuel tank system of claim 13 wherein the fulcrum is configured on the vent tool.

18. The fuel tank system of claim 13 wherein movement of the seal from the closed position to the open position vents the valve assembly out through the tubular body.

19. The fuel tank system of claim 18 wherein the tubular body is coupled to a vent container configured to capture the fuel vapor.

20. The fuel tank system of claim 16 wherein the button comprises a planar engaging surface.