U.S. patent application number 11/923803 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for electronic refueling and vent control system with integrated control.
Invention is credited to Trevor Enge, Michael Teets.
Application Number | 20090107580 11/923803 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40581300 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090107580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Enge; Trevor ; et
al. |
April 30, 2009 |
Electronic Refueling and Vent Control System with Integrated
Control
Abstract
A modification to the vent control system of a fluid tank is
provided. More particularly, an electronically controlled vent
control system used in connection with a fuel tank is provided. The
vent control system disclosed is operable to automatically sense
the beginning of a fueling event and to open a venting valve
allowing fuel to enter the tank. Subsequently, as the fuel reaches
a predetermined fill level, the vent control system is operable to
automatically close the venting valve, halting the flow of fuel
into the tank.
Inventors: |
Enge; Trevor; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Teets; Michael; (Grosse Pointe
Park, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph E. Smith;Chrysler LLC
CIMS 483-02-19, 800 Chrysler Drive East
Auburn Hills
MI
48326-2757
US
|
Family ID: |
40581300 |
Appl. No.: |
11/923803 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/95 ;
141/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 15/035 20130101;
B60K 15/03504 20130101; B60K 2015/03576 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/95 ;
141/198 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/30 20060101
B65B001/30 |
Claims
1. A vent control system operable with a tank for holding liquids
comprising: means for detecting the initiation of a tank filling
event; means for detecting the level of fluid within said tank; a
power supply; a vent having a housing, said vent in fluid
communication with said tank and also in electrical communication
with said means for detecting the initiation of a tank filling
event, said means for detecting the level of fluid within said
tank, and said power supply; and logic circuits located within said
housing, said logic circuits operable to open and close said vent
in response to one or more electrical signals received from said
means for detecting the initiation of a tank filling event, and
said means for detecting the level of fluid within said tank.
2. The vent control system of claim 1 wherein said means for
detecting the initiation of a tank filling event is taken from the
group consisting of infra-red sensors, magnetic sensors, thermistor
arrays, resistor arrays, and proximity sensors.
3. The vent control system of claim 1 wherein said means for
detecting the level of fluid within said tank is a thermistor array
or capacitive sensor.
4. The vent control system of claim 1 further comprising a logic
circuit operable to control the opening and closing of said
vent.
5. The vent control system of claim 4 wherein said means for
detecting the initiation of a tank filling event is taken from the
group consisting of infra-red sensors, magnetic sensors, thermistor
arrays, resistor arrays, and proximity sensors, wherein said means
for detecting the level of fluid within said tank is a thermistor
array.
6. A method for controlling a vent in a fuel tank comprising the
steps of: providing a fuel tank with a filler tube and a vent
having logic circuits operable to open and close said vent;
introducing a filler nozzle into said filler tube; detecting said
introduction of said filler nozzle; sending a first signal to said
vent; introducing fuel into said fuel tank; monitoring the level of
fuel within said fuel tank; and sending a second signal to said
vent.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of sending a first signal
to said vent causes said vent to open, and wherein the step of
sending said second signal causes said vent to close.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of sending
said second signal when a predetermined level of fuel has been
introduced into said fuel tank.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a vent control system used in
connection with fluid tanks, and more particularly, to an
electronically controlled vent control system used in connection
with a fuel tank. The vent control system disclosed is operable to
automatically sense the beginning of a fueling event and to open a
venting valve allowing fuel to enter the tank. Subsequently, as the
fuel reaches a predetermined fill level, the vent control system is
operable to automatically close the venting valve, halting the flow
of fuel into the tank.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] The present invention relates to filling of fluid tanks, and
more particularly to the venting of gasses or vapors in those tanks
during the filling process. In general, these systems are known as
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) systems. Typically, as a
fluid enters a tank, it must displace the gas or vapor already in
the tank. Depending on the fluid in the tank, such gas or vapor may
be a benign substance such as air. However, in the case of volatile
fluids such as gasoline which give off vapor, the release of this
vapor must be controlled so as to prevent the release of harmful
substances. In some systems, the venting of this vapor is trivial
as the gas is allowed to escape through the fill point, or the tank
may include a manually operated vent. However, in certain
applications, such as the filling of a fuel tank, it is desirable
that venting be controlled so that environmentally harmful fuel
vapor is not released into the atmosphere. In these applications,
fuel filler nozzles and fuel tank filler tubes have been designed
to create a liquid or vapor seal between the nozzle and tube
preventing the release of vapor through that outlet. As a result, a
separate vent must be created that will allow the venting of vapor
while retaining hydrocarbons, usually in a carbon charged filter
canister.
[0003] Furthermore, it is known to use filler nozzles which are
operable to automatically shut off when a certain level of back
pressure within the tank being filled is reached. This design
allows for the automatic filling of a tank while lessening the risk
of an undesirable over-fill and spill. It is also known to utilize
the vapor vent in connection with this automatic shut-off
technology. Specifically, by closing the vapor vent it is possible
to increase the pressure within the tank, causing the filler nozzle
to shut off.
[0004] Finally, in applications in which the tank is a fuel tank in
a vehicle, it is desirable to include additional safeguards to
prevent the release of fuel in the event of a vehicle roll-over.
Thus, for each of the reasons, it is desirable to have advanced
refueling and venting systems capable of automatically controlling
the opening and closing of one or more vapor vents.
[0005] Prior to the present invention, various refueling systems
have been disclosed to control the flow of fuel into a fuel tank
and the associated release of vapor out of the tank. U.S. Pat. No.
6,601,617, issued Aug. 5, 2003, to Enge, and U.S. Pat. No.
5,687,762 issued Nov. 18, 1997 to Teets, et al, are illustrative.
While these patents disclose certain elements of automatic venting
systems, the present invention provides an improvement in that it
provides integrated electronic control of the opening and closing
of the vent valve. This electronic control provides more precise
opening and closing of the valve, reducing the amount of vapor
allowed to escape from the tank. Furthermore, with the exception of
an electrical connection to the vehicle battery to supply power,
the present invention provides a self-contained system that
operates free from other electrical systems that may be present
depending on the application. For example, if the fluid tank were a
fuel tank installed on a passenger vehicle, there may be an engine
control or powertrain control module associated with that vehicle.
Existing systems tie into these controls, occupying physical space
and using processing power. The present invention is able to
operate independently of these controls, freeing space and
processing power on the engine or powertrain control modules.
[0006] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
vent control system capable of automatically opening a vapor vent
in response to a refueling event.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an electronically controlled vent control system operable for use
in connection with a fuel tank of a vehicle which, with the
exception of a power connection, is self contained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is drawn to a new and improved
electronically controlled vent control system. While the present
invention may find greatest application in connection with the fuel
tanks of vehicles, and the various examples herein are described in
relation to vehicles, it is applicable to other fluid tanks which
have a need for controlled venting of vapors from the tank. The
apparatus of the present invention includes a sensor operable to
detect the beginning of a refueling event, a sensor operable to
detect when a predetermined fill level within the tank has been
reached, an electronic control apparatus operable to send a signal
once a refueling event has been detected and when the predetermined
fill level has been reached, and a vent valve operable to open and
close in response to signals received from the electronic control
apparatus.
[0009] When in operation, the apparatus first detects the beginning
of a refueling event by detecting the presence of a fill nozzle
being inserted into a filler tube. When a fill nozzle is detected,
a signal is sent to the vent valve causing it to open. With the
vent valve open, pressure is released from the tank, allowing fuel
to be introduced. As the fuel is introduced, a passive fill level
sensor monitors the level of fuel in the tank. Once a predetermined
level of fuel within the tank has been reached, the level sensor
sends a signal to the vent valve causing it to close. By closing
the vent valve, the system causes pressure in the tank to rise. The
increased pressure causes the fill nozzle to automatically shut
off, completing the fueling cycle.
[0010] These and other features, objects, and advantages of this
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description and drawing in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing the relationship of the
elements of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a fuel tank 10 made of a material such as
plastic or metal. Filler tube 12 is shown in fluid communication
with tank 10. Filler nozzle 14 is shown inserted into filler tube
12. Filler nozzle sensor 16 is shown in proximity to filler nozzle
14. Filler nozzle sensor 16 can be one of any number of known
technologies for detecting the presence of filler nozzle 16, which
is typically made of a ferrous metal. Thus, filler nozzle sensor 16
can be one of any number of known types of sensors such as
infrared, magnetic, a thermistor or resistor array, or a proximity
sensor. Alternatively, as there is typically a flap-type vent in
the opening of filler tube 12 which is opened by filler nozzle 14
when it is inserted into filler tube 12, filler nozzle sensor 16
can also be an electrical switch that is completed when the flap is
opened.
[0013] Within fuel tank 10 is fuel 18 and fuel vapor/air mix 20. As
additional fuel 18 is introduced into tank 10, vapor/air mix 20 is
forced from tank 10 through vent valve 22. After exiting vent valve
22, vapor/air mix 20 travels through conduit 24 which is in fluid
communication with vent valve 22 and a hydrocarbon recovery system
(not shown). Also fully within tank 10 is fuel level sensor 26. In
a preferred embodiment, fuel level sensor 26 is a passive system
such as a thermistor or other device which is able to detect the
level of fuel in tank 10, however, active fuel level sensors such
as a float arm or other known systems may be used without deviating
from the scope of this invention. Fuel level sensor 26 is operable
to send a signal to vent valve 22 when the level of liquid fuel 18
within tank 10 reaches a predetermined level.
[0014] Fuel level sensor 26 and filler nozzle sensor 16 are both
electrically connected to vent valve 22 by electrical connections
28 and 30 respectively. Vent valve 22 is also supplied power from
battery 32 via electrical connection 34.
[0015] Vent valve 22 is any one of a number of known valves in
which the unpowered state is normally closed. Typically, vent valve
will include an electromechanical solenoid which is employed to
open the valve in response to an electrical signal received from
filler nozzle sensor 16 via electrical connection 30, and to
automatically close once the signal from filler nozzle sensor 16 is
lost. Similarly, vent valve 22 will also close in response to a
signal received from fuel level sensor 26 via electrical connection
28.
[0016] Control for vent valve 22 is provided by one or more logic
circuits 36 located within housing 38 of vent valve 22. Logic
circuits 36 allow the vent valve 22 to operate in a more controlled
fashion. For example, due to sloshing of liquid fuel 18, fuel level
sensor 26 may prematurely signal a full condition. In an
uncontrolled system, such a signal would cause vent valve 22 to
prematurely close. By adding logic circuit 36 a premature signal
may be ignored, allowing proper operation of the system. In a
preferred embodiment, such circuitry is physically located within
housing 38 of vent valve 22 although it may be associated with
alternative elements of the system without deviating from the scope
of the invention.
[0017] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown
and described, other embodiments will now become apparent to those
skilled in the art. Accordingly, this invention is not to be
limited to that which is shown and described but by the following
claims.
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