Power plants – Motive fluid energized by externally applied heat – Process of power production or system operation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-15
2001-06-26
Nguyen, Hoang (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Motive fluid energized by externally applied heat
Process of power production or system operation
C060S670000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250081
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to evaporative control systems and more particularly to a method for producing carbon/plastic bricks for use in an evaporative control system.
BACKGROUND
Known types of on-board fuel vapor management systems comprise a vapor collection canister that collects and stores fuel vapor emitted from a tank containing volatile liquid fuel for the engine. A canister purge solenoid (CPS) valve periodically purges collected vapor to an intake manifold of the engine where it entrains with induction air or with an induction air-fuel charge for combustion in the engine combustion chamber space. One type of CPS valve comprises a solenoid that is under the control of a microprocessor-based engine management system. Because vapor storage systems such as carbon canisters have a finite capacity to adsorb fuel vapor, fuel vapor may be periodically emitted into the atmosphere when vapor storage systems exceed adsorption capacity.
One problem with the current designs of carbon canisters is that they require a complicated support structure to maintain the carbon bed integrity. Further, they require additional components, such as a dust/filter separator, vent valves, and vapor lines that incrementally add to the cost and complexity of the fuel vapor management systems.
It is thus desirable to provide a system that eliminates the need for carbon canisters and its related components while preventing the exposure of hydrocarbons to the atmosphere.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus one object to eliminate the use of carbon canisters and its related components from the fuel evaporative control system.
The above object is accomplished by integrating the adsorbing activated carbon into either the fuel tank or various fuel tank attachments. To accomplish this, the activated carbon is first mixed with a plastic beads, heated, and formed under pressure into a carbon brick that is integrated into the fuel tank and/or the various fuel tank attachments.
The present invention offers many advantages over the carbon canister technology. First, the carbon brick can be shaped into any desired geometry to custom fit a particular cavity on the fuel tank or fuel tank attachments. Second, the carbon canister and its associated attachments are unnecessary, resulting in cost reductions related to manufacturing and assembly of the additional parts. Third, the addition of plastic to the activated carbon reduces carbon dust, which eliminates the need for dust filtering devices. Fourth, the new carbon brick invention has low flow restriction within the fuel tank.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Dimitrievski Ljupco
Khami Roger
Thorn John
Mollon Mark L.
Nguyen Hoang
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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