Systems and methods for limited emissions refueling
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAed M. Dudar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is presented, comprising, during a first condition, including an active refueling event, receiving an indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister; and restricting flow of fuel vapor through a fuel vapor canister vent pathway responsive to the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough. Restricting the fuel vapor canister vent pathway will cause fuel tank pressure to increase, thus triggering an automatic shutoff of a refueling dispenser. In this way, the refueling event may be terminated without releasing significant quantities of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.
Claims16
A method comprising:
- during a first condition, including an ongoing refueling event with a canister purge valve maintained closed, receiving an indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough from a fuel vapor canister;
- and
- during the ongoing refueling event with the canister purge valve maintained closed, restricting flow of fuel vapor through a fuel vapor canister vent pathway responsive to the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough by closing a valve.
A method for a vehicle, comprising:
- receiving a request for a refueling event;
- receiving an indication that limited emission refueling parameters are active;
- venting a fuel tank to atmosphere via a fuel vapor canister;
- allowing access to a fuel filler neck responsive to an absolute fuel tank pressure decreasing below a threshold;
- monitoring an output of a hydrocarbon sensor coupled in a vent line between the fuel vapor canister and atmosphere during an ongoing refueling event with a canister purge valve maintained closed;
- and
- responsive to the output of the hydrocarbon sensor increasing above a threshold during the ongoing refueling event with the canister purge valve maintained closed, restricting flow of fuel vapor between the fuel tank and atmosphere along the vent line regardless of a fuel fill level in the fuel tank by closing a valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.