EP0840001A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel vapor control system
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1997-10-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-10-18
Abstract
Abstract An electrically controlled vacuum operated valve controls flow of fuel vapors from a collector canister to the engine intake manifold. A pressure regulator controls fuel vapor flow from the canister to the inlet of the electric valve and is normally closed. During engine operation, if the control valve maintains a threshold level of vacuum at the regulator outlet, the regulator will permit fuel vapor flow from the canister to the control valve, otherwise the regulator is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Abraham Detweiler
- 👤 Daniel Lee Deland
- 👤 Gerrit Vanvranken Beneker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:31
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/08; F02M25/0836; F02M2025/0845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of controlling flow of fuel tank vapor into the inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine comprising: (a) providing an electrically operated flow valve and connecting the outlet thereof to a manifold inlet and electrically energizing the flow valve and controlling flow of fuel tank vapor from the valve inlet to the outlet; (b) connecting a pressure regulator outlet to the inlet of said valve and connecting the regulator inlet to a source of fuel tank vapor; and, (c) closing said regulator and blocking flow to the outlet when insufficient vacuum is experienced at the outlet connected to the said flow valve and permitting flow when a predetermined vacuum is experienced at the regulator outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein said step of blocking flow to the regulator outlet includes attaching a valve member to a pressure responsive member and moving the valve member in response to negative outlet pressure acting on the diaphragm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein said step of blocking flow to said regulator outlet includes providing a moveable valve member and valve seat communicating with said inlet and biasing said valve member against said seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein said step of electrically energizing said flow valve includes duty-cycle modulating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein said step of electrically controlling flow includes moving a bleed valve member and bleeding atmospheric air to a pressure chamber connected to the engine manifold vacuum and moving a pressure responsive member responsive to the pressure in said chamber.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
249 words
A system for controlling the injection of fuel tank vapors into the inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine comprising: (a) an electrically controlled vacuum operated flow control valve having an inlet and outlet and vacuum signal port, with the outlet and vacuum signal port thereof connected to said inlet manifold; (b) a regulator valve having the outlet thereof connected to the inlet of said flow control valve and the inlet of said regulator valve adapted for connection to a fuel tank vapor collection canister, said regulator valve having: (i) a body defining said inlet and a valving chamber communicating with said inlet, said chamber defining a valving port communicating with a passage which communicates with said regulator valve outlet, (ii) an obturator member disposed in said valving chamber for movement with respect to said valving port and means biasing said obturator to close said valving port; (iii) a pressure responsive member forming a portion of said outlet passage, (iv) means connecting said pressure responsive member to said obturator member, and (v) means resiliently biasing said obturator member in a direction tending to close said valving port; and, wherein, with vacuum in said regulator outlet less than a predetermined level said valving port is closed by said obturator member; and, with engine running and said control valve operative to provide a predetermined level of vacuum in said regulator outlet, said engine manifold applied said pressure responsive member causes said obturator to be opened with respect to said valving port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 6, wherein said bias means is adjustable for providing a predetermined preload on said obturator member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system defined in claim 6, wherein said means connecting said pressure responsive member to said obturator member includes a rod passing through said valving port; and, said pressure responsive member comprises a flexible diaphragm connected to said rod at one end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system defined in claim 6, wherein said flow control valve includes a vacuum chamber connected to said manifold and a solenoid operated bleed valve for controlling pressure in said vacuum chamber, and a diaphragm moveable in response to changes in pressure in said chamber wherein said diaphragm is operative to effect movement of a valve member for controlling flow between an inlet and said outlet connected to said manifold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5277167A
Cited
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