Systems and methods for preheating a fuel vapor storage canister
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAed M. Dudar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for preheating a fuel vapor storage canister in an evaporative emissions system prior to a vehicle start. In one example, a method may include learning common vehicle routes and identifying routes in which fuel vapor storage canister preheating is indicated, such as routes that will enable fuel vapors to be purged to an engine intake shortly after the vehicle start. Then, in anticipation of an identified route for fuel vapor storage canister preheating, a vehicle controller may be transitioned from a sleep mode to an awake mode prior to the vehicle start in order to commence a fuel vapor storage canister preheating routine.
Claims19
An evaporative emissions method, comprising:
- setting a timer to wake a controller of a vehicle to preheat a fuel vapor storage canister prior to a first anticipated vehicle key-on event that occurs after a first key-off event and before the controller transitions to a sleep mode after the first key-off event;
- and
- after the timer elapses and the controller is awoken:
- actuating a canister heating element coupled to the fuel vapor storage canister, the fuel vapor storage canister included in an evaporative emissions system in fluidic communication with a fuel system of the vehicle and an intake of an engine of the vehicle;
- commanding closed a canister vent valve in a vent line that couples the fuel vapor storage canister to atmosphere;
- maintaining closed a canister purge valve in a purge line that couples the evaporative emissions system to the intake;
- and
- monitoring a pressure of the evaporative emissions system.
A system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an engine system, including an engine configured to propel the vehicle by combusting air and fuel;
- a fuel system, including a fuel tank for storing the fuel;
- an evaporative emissions system in fluidic communication with the fuel system and an intake of the engine via a purge line, the evaporative emissions system including a fuel vapor storage canister;
- a canister heating element coupled to the fuel vapor storage canister;
- a canister vent valve positioned in a vent line of the evaporative emissions system;
- a canister purge valve positioned in the purge line;
- and
- a controller storing instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the controller to:
- wake from a sleep mode and actuate the canister heating element a determined duration prior to an anticipated vehicle start a first time the vehicle is off, the determined duration based on ambient temperature, a size of the fuel vapor storage canister, and a load of the fuel vapor storage canister;
- and
- remain in the sleep mode a second time the vehicle is off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.