Systems and methods for reducing saddle fuel tank depressurization time
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAed M. Dudar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for increase a rate at which a saddle fuel tank is depressurized responsive to a request for refueling. In one example, a method may include, responsive to the request for refueling, depressurizing a primary side of the saddle fuel tank to a secondary side of the saddle fuel tank, and commanding open a refueling lock coupled to the primary side to allow fuel to be delivered to the primary side when pressure in the primary side drops below a threshold pressure. In this way, the secondary fuel tank may be maintained at atmospheric pressure prior to the request for refueling, which may increase the rate of depressurization of the saddle fuel tank responsive to the request.
Claims8
A method comprising:
- storing fuel for operating an engine of a vehicle in a primary side and a secondary side of a saddle fuel tank until preconditions are met, then transferring an entirety of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side;
- and
- responsive to the transfer of the entirety of the fuel, sealing the primary side from the secondary side and fluidically coupling the secondary side to a fuel vapor storage canister.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.