Fluid handling – Systems – With pump
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-02-06
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
With pump
C123S519000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182693
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to fuel tanks for vehicles and, more particularly, to a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a fuel tank in a vehicle to hold fuel to be used by an engine of the vehicle. It is also known to provide a vapor recovery and storage system for the fuel tank of the vehicle. Typically, the vapor recovery and storage system includes a vapor canister remotely mounted such as in an engine compartment of the vehicle and operatively connected by separate external valves and lines to the fuel tank. The vapor recovery and storage system is prone to permeation losses, has limited vapor storage capacity, and limited vapor flow rate acceptance.
Although the above vapor recovery and storage system has worked, it is desirable to integrate the vapor canister into the fuel tank and eliminate separate components outside the fuel tank. It is also desirable to provide a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly in a vehicle that reduces permeation. It is further desirable to provide a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly in a vehicle that lowers cost, lowers evaporative emissions and is easier to package in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle that puts the vapor canister, valves, lines, and pressure sensor inside the fuel tank.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle that reduces evaporative emissions.
To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle including a fuel tank having an interior chamber and a tank opening communicating with the interior chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly also includes an insert disposed in the interior chamber and the tank opening and forming a vapor plenum chamber in the tank opening and a canister chamber therein. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly includes a canister bed disposed in the canister chamber to absorb vapor fuel in the vapor plenum chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly further includes a coaxial line having one end for connection to an engine of the vehicle and another end connected to the vapor plenum chamber to allow liquid fuel to communicate with the interior chamber and vapor fuel to communicate with the vapor plenum chamber.
One advantage of the present invention is that a vapor canister and fuel tank assembly is provided for a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the vapor canister and fuel tank assembly reduces evaporative emissions by locating the vapor canister, valves, lines, and pressure sensor inside the fuel tank, thereby combining components and their functions into a tank vapor space. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the vapor canister and fuel tank assembly locates the vapor canister and components inside the fuel tank, which reduces connections, lessens surfaces exposed to permeation, easier to mount and can use less expensive components. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the vapor canister and fuel tank assembly provides a vapor canister exposed only to vapor fuel and isolated from liquid fuel, water, salt, dirt, etc., minimizing external connectors and prevents the pressure sensor from being contaminated. A further advantage of the present invention is that the vapor canister and fuel tank assembly is easier to package in the vehicle and can be made of steel to eliminate permeation. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the vapor canister and fuel tank assembly has lower cost due to fewer parts, is easier to mount and can use less expensive materials and components inside the fuel tank.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3372679 (1968-03-01), Aitken
patent: 3757753 (1973-09-01), Hunt
patent: 4852761 (1989-08-01), Turner et al.
patent: 4919103 (1990-04-01), Ishiguro et al.
patent: 5901689 (1999-05-01), Kimura et al.
Murphy Michael Paul
Roth Gregory Thomas
Stack Gary Francis
Cichosz Vincent A.
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Rivell John
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