Systems and methods for controlling fuel vapor flow in an engine-driven generator
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorNathan Joe Jochman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A portable engine-driven system comprising an engine having an air intake passage, a fuel tank operatively coupled to the engine, a valve, and a pressure regulator. The valve may be coupled between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The first position may allow fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and the second position may inhibit the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake passage. The pressure regulator may be positioned in line between the fuel tank and the air intake passage.
Claims20
An engine-driven generator comprising:
- an engine having an air intake passage, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator;
- a fuel tank operatively coupled to the engine;
- a valve positioned between the fuel tank and the air intake passage,
- wherein the valve comprises an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the inlet being configured to receive fuel vapor from the fuel tank,
- the first outlet being configured to provide the fuel vapor to the air intake passage, and
- the second outlet being configured to provide the fuel vapor to the atmosphere or to a storage container;
- a pressure regulator positioned in line between the fuel tank and the air intake passage to maintain a non-negative pressure in said fuel tank,
- wherein the pressure regulator comprises a pressure relief valve to release fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the air intake passage when a pressure of the fuel vapor reaches a predetermined threshold pressure;
- and
- a control device to transition the valve between a first position and a second position,
- wherein the first position allows fuel vapor to flow from the fuel tank to the air intake passage, and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing from the fuel tank to the air intake passage.
An engine-driven generator comprising:
- an engine having an air intake passage, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator;
- a fuel tank operatively coupled to the engine;
- a valve positioned between the fuel tank and the air intake passage;
- a pressure regulator positioned in line between the fuel tank and the air intake passage to maintain a non-negative pressure in said fuel tank,
- wherein the pressure regulator comprises a pressure relief valve to release fuel vapor when a pressure of the fuel vapor reaches a predetermined threshold pressure;
- and
- a control device to transition the valve between a first position and a second position,
- wherein the first position allows fuel vapor to flow from the fuel tank to the air intake passage and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing from the fuel tank to the air intake passage.
An engine-driven system comprising:
- an engine having an air intake passage;
- a fuel tank operatively coupled to the engine;
- a valve coupled between the fuel tank and the air intake passage, the valve being configured to transition between a first position and a second position,
- wherein the first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake passage;
- and
- a pressure regulator positioned in line between the fuel tank and the engine to maintain a non-negative pressure in said fuel tank, wherein the pressure regulator comprises a pressure relief valve configured to release fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the air intake passage when a pressure of the fuel vapor between the fuel tank and the air intake passage reaches a predetermined threshold pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.