US 2003/0150432 A1 · Piezo-electrically actuated canister purge valve with a hydraulic amplifier

Abstract

A canister purge valve, and an emission control system, for regulating a fuel vapor flow between a fuel vapor collection canister and an intake manifold of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The canister purge valve includes a body having a passage extending between a first port and a second port, a seat defining a portion of the passage, a member movable with respect to the seat, and an actuator that moves the member. The first port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and the second port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The member moves generally along an axis between a first configuration that prohibits fuel vapor flow through the seat and a second configuration that permits fuel vapor flow through the seat. And the actuator includes a piezo-electric element that moves the member from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A canister purge valve for regulating a fuel vapor flow between a fuel vapor collection canister and an intake manifold of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the canister purge valve comprising:

a body having a passage extending between a first port and a second port, the first port being adapted to be in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and the second port being adapted to be in fluid communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine;
a seat defining a portion of the passage;
a member movable with respect to the seat, the member moving generally along an axis between a first configuration prohibiting fuel vapor flow through the seat and a second configuration permitting fuel vapor flow through the seat;
an actuator moving the member from the first configuration to the second configuration, the aperture including a piezo-electric element.

1 more element

An emission control system for a vehicle having a fuel tank supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, the fuel tank holding a supply of volatile liquid fuel and fuel vapor in a headspace above the liquid fuel, and the internal combustion engine combusting a combination of the fuel and air drawn through an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, the emission control system comprising:

a fuel vapor collection canister including a collection port and a discharge port, the collection port being adapted to be in fluid communication with the headspace of the fuel tank;
and
a purge valve including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the discharge port of the fuel vapor, and the outlet being adapted to be in fluid communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, the purge valve including:
a body having a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet;
a seat defining a portion of the passage;
a member movable with respect to the seat, the member moving generally along an axis between a first configuration prohibiting fuel vapor flow through the seat and a second configuration permitting fuel vapor flow through the seat;
an actuator moving the member from the first configuration to the second configuration, the aperture including a piezo-electric element.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Piezo-electrically actuated canister purge valve with a hydraulic amplifier

Life of this patent

Piezo-electrically actuated canister purge valve with a hydraulic amplifier

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18