Vehicle fuel system

US7347191B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey M. Atwood · Orange, US
• David A. Brady · Plainfield, US
• John R. Forgue · Cheshire, US
• Matthias Henschel · Bühl, DE
• Mark Johansen · Wallingford, US
• Michael Kloess · Karlsruhe, DE
• Peter P. Kuperus · Cass City, US
• Martin Stickel · Giengen an der Brenz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 17, 2005
• Grant date: Mar 25, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/0777
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A fuel system with a fuel tank having at least one opening into an interior of the fuel tank, and an electrically operated vent valve having an inlet communicated with the interior of the fuel tank and an outlet for venting fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The vent valve is movable in response to an electric signal between an open position allowing fuel vapor through the outlet and a closed position to restrict fluid flow through the outlet. A controller is operably communicated with the vent valve to control application of an electric signal to the vent valve and thereby control at least in part the movement of the vent valve between its open and closed positions. In one embodiment the controller is responsive to a fill level in the fuel tank to control the position of the vent valve and thereby the fill level attained within the fuel tank.