Fuel vapor recovery device and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fuel vapor recovery device and a vehicle, the fuel vapor recovery device comprising a compressor, an air intake pipe and a liquid return pipe, the compressor comprising an inlet and an outlet, the air intake pipe being connected to the inlet, the liquid return pipe being connected to the outlet, the air intake pipe and the liquid return pipe being used to be connected to a fuel tank of a vehicle. The fuel vapor recovery device can liquefy and recover fuel vapor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of vehicle equipment, and in particular, to a fuel vapor recovery device and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, for a vehicle with a fuel tank, part of the fuel in the fuel tank exists in the form of liquid, and the other part exists in the form of vapor. When adding fuel to the fuel tank, the fuel vapor in the fuel tank will be expelled from the refueling port and discharged into the atmosphere, which not only pollutes the atmosphere but also causes fuel waste. Therefore, it is urgent to design a device that can recover fuel vapor. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel vapor recovery device that can liquefy and recover fuel vapor.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present disclosure provides a fuel vapor recovery device, including a compressor, an intake pipe and a liquid return pipe, the compressor includes an inlet and an outlet, the intake pipe is connected to the inlet, the liquid return pipe is connected to the outlet, and the intake pipe and the liquid return pipe are used to communicate with the vehicle's fuel tank.

[0005] Optionally, at least one reverse Tesla valve is connected between the outlet and the liquid return pipe.

[0006] Optionally, a coolant is provided in the reverse Tesla valve, and the coolant is used to liquefy the fuel vapor entering the reverse Tesla valve.

[0007] Optionally, a first forward Tesla valve is connected between the inlet and the intake pipe.

[0008] Optionally, the compressor includes at least two stages of compression chambers, and a second forward Tesla valve is connected between the upper stage compression chamber and the lower stage compression chamber.

[0009] Optionally, the fuel vapor recovery device includes a shell, the shell has a closed chamber, the chamber includes a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber and a third sub-chamber, the first sub-chamber is provided with at least two-stage compression chambers, the two sub-chambers are connected with the first sub-chamber through the inlet, and the third sub-chamber is connected with the first sub-chamber through the outlet, wherein a first forward Tesla valve is provided in the second sub-chamber, and at least one reverse Tesla valve is provided in the three sub-chambers.

[0010] Optionally, the compressor includes a motor and a main shaft, the main shaft is arranged through at least two stages of compression chambers, the chamber includes a fourth sub-chamber for accommodating the motor, and the fourth sub-chamber is provided with a first shaft seal sleeved on the main shaft, and the first shaft seal is used to provide sealing at the connection between the fourth sub-chamber and the first sub-chamber.

[0011] Optionally, the chamber includes a fifth sub-chamber, and one end of the main shaft away from the motor extends out of the first sub-chamber and into the fifth sub-chamber. The fifth sub-chamber is provided with a second shaft seal sleeved on the main shaft, and the second shaft seal is used to provide sealing at the connection between the first sub-chamber and the fifth sub-chamber.

[0012] Optionally, a gas pressure sensor is provided at the inlet, and the fuel vapor recovery device includes a controller, which is connected to the compressor and the gas pressure sensor and is used to control the compressor to work selectively according to the gas pressure sensor.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the fuel vapor recovery device as described above.

[0014] Through the above technical solution, in the fuel vapor recovery device provided by the present disclosure, both the air intake pipe and the liquid return pipe can be connected to the fuel tank of the vehicle, so that the fuel vapor in the fuel tank can reach the inlet through the air intake pipe and enter the compressor, where the compressor can compress the fuel vapor to increase the pressure of the fuel vapor. Therefore, based on the high-pressure liquefaction characteristic of fuel vapor, the compressor can liquefy the fuel vapor, and then the liquefied fuel vapor can flow into the liquid return pipe through the outlet, so as to be recovered in the fuel tank. Therefore, the fuel vapor recovery device of the present disclosure can liquefy and recover the fuel vapor.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a vehicle provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of a fuel vapor recovery device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Description of Reference Numerals

[0020] 1- compressor, 11- inlet, 12- outlet, 13- compression chamber, 14- motor, 15- main shaft, 16- first shaft seal, 17- second shaft seal, 21- air inlet pipe, 22- liquid return pipe, 3- reverse Tesla valve, 4- first forward Tesla valve, 5- second forward Tesla valve, 6- shell, 61- chamber, 611- first sub-chamber, 612- second sub-chamber, 613- third sub-chamber, 614- fourth sub-chamber, 615- fifth sub-chamber, 7- air pressure sensor, 8- controller, 100- oil tank, 200- carbon canister. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The specific implementation of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described herein is only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0022] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated, directional words such as "upstream, downstream" are defined based on the flow direction of the fluid. "Inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside of the contour of each component itself. The terms "first, second" are used to distinguish one element from another and do not have order and importance. In addition, when the following description refers to the drawings, the same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements, and this disclosure will not repeat them.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a fuel vapor recovery device is provided, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the fuel vapor recovery device includes a compressor 1, an intake pipe 21 and a liquid return pipe 22. The compressor 1 includes an inlet 11 and an outlet 12. The intake pipe 21 is connected to the inlet 11, and the liquid return pipe 22 is connected to the outlet 12. The intake pipe 21 and the liquid return pipe 22 are used to communicate with the vehicle's fuel tank 100.

[0024] Through the above technical solution, in the fuel vapor recovery device provided by the present disclosure, both the intake pipe 21 and the liquid return pipe 22 can be connected to the fuel tank 100 of the vehicle, so that the fuel vapor in the fuel tank 100 can reach the inlet 11 through the intake pipe 21 and enter the compressor 1. Here, the compressor 1 can compress the fuel vapor to increase the pressure of the fuel vapor. Therefore, based on the high-pressure liquefaction characteristic of the fuel vapor, the compressor 1 can liquefy the fuel vapor. After that, the liquefied fuel vapor can flow into the liquid return pipe 22 through the outlet 12, so as to be recovered in the fuel tank 100. Therefore, the fuel vapor recovery device of the present disclosure can liquefy and recover the fuel vapor.

[0025] It should be noted that, as is well known to those skilled in the art, fuel generally includes isooctane and n-heptane, and fuel vapor has a saturated vapor pressure. When the pressure of the fuel vapor is greater than its own saturated vapor pressure, the fuel vapor will liquefy. Therefore, the present disclosure uses the compressor 1 to increase the pressure of the fuel vapor, which can liquefy the fuel vapor under high pressure, thereby achieving liquefaction and recovery of the fuel vapor. Here, in some embodiments, the compressor 1 can increase the pressure of the fuel vapor to, for example, greater than or equal to 2.74 MPa, thereby improving the liquefaction effect of the fuel vapor, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in , at least one reverse Tesla valve 3 can be connected between the outlet 12 and the liquid return pipe 22. Here, the reverse Tesla valve 3 can realize the reverse cutoff of the fuel vapor flowing from the upstream to the downstream, that is, to realize the reverse cutoff from the outlet 12 to the liquid return pipe 22. In this way, there will be two streams of fuel vapor flowing in opposite directions in the reverse Tesla valve 3. These two streams of fuel vapor flowing in opposite directions impact each other to form liquefied fuel vapor. Therefore, the reverse Tesla valve 3 can be regarded as a condenser. These condensed fuel vapors can slowly flow out of the reverse Tesla valve 3 and enter the liquid return pipe 22. Therefore, the setting of the reverse Tesla valve 3 can improve the liquefaction effect of the fuel vapor. In addition, by using the reverse cutoff function of the reverse Tesla valve 3, the pressurized fuel vapor can also be restricted from impacting the low-pressure area in the fuel tank 100. Therefore, the normal use of the fuel tank 100 can be guaranteed, and the fuel tank 100 can be prevented from being damaged by the impact of high-pressure fuel vapor. In some embodiments, two or more reverse Tesla valves 3 can be connected between the outlet 12 and the liquid return pipe 22, and the present disclosure does not impose too many restrictions on this.

[0027] It should be noted that the principle of the Tesla valve is well known to those skilled in the art, that is, the Tesla valve has two functions: forward conduction and reverse cutoff.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a coolant (not shown in the figure) may be provided in the reverse Tesla valve 3, and the coolant is used to liquefy the fuel vapor entering the reverse Tesla valve 3. Here, since the fuel vapor also has the characteristic of low-temperature liquefaction, the temperature of the fuel vapor can be reduced by heat exchange between the coolant and the fuel vapor, so that the fuel vapor is liquefied, thereby improving the liquefaction effect of the fuel vapor. Here, the present disclosure does not limit the specific material of the coolant.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in , a first forward Tesla valve 4 can be connected between the inlet 11 and the intake pipe 21. Here, the first forward Tesla valve 4 can realize the forward conduction of the fuel vapor flowing from the upstream to the downstream, and the reverse cutoff of the fuel vapor flowing from the downstream to the upstream, that is, the first forward Tesla valve 4 can realize the forward conduction from the intake pipe 21 to the inlet 11, and the reverse cutoff from the intake 11 to the intake pipe 21, so that, on the one hand, the fuel vapor can smoothly flow from the intake pipe 21 to the inlet 11, realizing the smooth conduction of the fuel vapor, and on the other hand, it can prevent the pressurized fuel vapor from flowing back from the inlet 11 to the intake pipe 21, that is, prevent the high-pressure fuel vapor in the compressor 1 from reversely impacting the intake pipe 21 and the fuel tank 100.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, reference Figure 2 As shown in , the compressor 1 may include at least two-stage compression chambers 13, and a second forward Tesla valve 5 is connected between the upper compression chamber 13 and the lower compression chamber 13. Here, the fuel vapor in the upper compression chamber 13 will flow to the lower compression chamber 13. Since the pressure in the upper compression chamber 13 is greater than the pressure in the lower compression chamber 13, by setting the second forward Tesla valve 5, the fuel vapor in the upper compression chamber 13 can flow smoothly into the lower compression chamber 13, and the reverse cutoff of the fuel vapor in the lower compression chamber 13 to the upper compression chamber 13 can be achieved, thereby avoiding the backflow impact of the pressurized fuel vapor to the upper compression chamber 13. Here, the principle of the centrifugal compressor 1 is well known to those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the compressor 1 can be constructed as a centrifugal compressor, which is not limited by the present disclosure, wherein the working principle of the centrifugal compressor is well known to those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure will not be repeated here.

[0031] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 As shown in , one, two, or even more second forward Tesla valves 5 may be connected between the compression chamber 13 of the upper stage and the compression chamber 13 of the lower stage, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0032] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 As shown in , the compressor 1 may include three-stage compression chambers 13. Of course, the present disclosure does not impose too many restrictions on the number of compression chambers 13.

[0033] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in , the fuel vapor recovery device may include a housing 6, and the housing 6 may have a sealed chamber 61, and the chamber 61 may include a first sub-chamber 611, a second sub-chamber 612, and a third sub-chamber 613. The first sub-chamber 611 is provided with at least two-stage compression chambers 13, the second sub-chamber 612 may be communicated with the first sub-chamber 611 through an inlet 11, and the third sub-chamber 613 may be communicated with the first sub-chamber 611 through an outlet 12, wherein a first forward Tesla valve 4 may be provided in the second sub-chamber 612, and at least one reverse Tesla valve 3 may be provided in the third sub-chamber 613. In this way, the compressor 1, the first forward Tesla valve 4, and the reverse Tesla valve 3 may be provided in the sealed chamber 61, thereby, on the one hand, pressurization and liquefaction of fuel vapor in a sealed environment may be ensured, and on the other hand, it is conducive to realizing the miniaturized design of the fuel vapor recovery device.

[0034] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 As shown in , the compressor 1 includes a motor 14 and a main shaft 15, the main shaft 15 is arranged in at least two stages of compression chambers 13, and the chamber 61 may include a fourth sub-chamber 614 for accommodating the motor 14, and a first shaft seal 16 sleeved on the main shaft 15 is arranged in the fourth sub-chamber 614, and the first shaft seal 16 is used to provide a seal at the connection between the fourth sub-chamber 614 and the first sub-chamber 611. In this way, the first shaft seal 16 can prevent fuel vapor from leaking into the fourth sub-chamber 614, and by setting the fourth sub-chamber 614, the motor 14 can be set in a closed environment to prevent the motor 14 from being exposed.

[0035] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 As shown in , the chamber 61 may include a fifth sub-chamber 615, and the end of the main shaft 15 away from the motor 14 extends out of the first sub-chamber 611 and extends into the fifth sub-chamber 615. The fifth sub-chamber 615 is provided with a second shaft seal 17 sleeved on the main shaft 15, and the second shaft seal 17 is used to provide a seal at the connection between the first sub-chamber 611 and the fifth sub-chamber 615. In this way, the second shaft seal 17 can prevent fuel vapor from leaking into the fifth sub-chamber 615, and by providing the fifth sub-chamber 615, the end of the main shaft 15 away from the motor 14 can be placed in a closed environment to prevent the main shaft 15 from being exposed.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, reference Figure 2As shown in , an air pressure sensor 7 may be provided at the inlet 11, and the fuel vapor recovery device may include a controller 8, which is electrically connected to the compressor 1 and the air pressure sensor 7, and is used to control the compressor 1 to selectively work according to the air pressure sensor 7. In this way, the fuel vapor recovery device can automatically recover the fuel vapor. Specifically, when the air pressure sensor 7 detects that the pressure of the fuel vapor in the fuel tank 100 is greater than a preset value, the controller 8 can control the compressor 1 to work, and when the air pressure sensor 7 detects that the pressure of the fuel vapor in the fuel tank 100 is less than a preset value, the controller 8 can control the compressor 1 to stop working.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, reference Figure 2 As shown in , an air pressure sensor 7 may also be provided at the outlet 12, and the air pressure sensor 7 is electrically connected to the controller 8, so that the air pressure sensor 7 can detect the pressure of the fuel vapor at the outlet 12, thereby facilitating the controller 8 to make the compressor 1 pressurize the fuel vapor to a suitable pressure.

[0038] Next, the present disclosure will provide a detailed introduction to the specific working process of the fuel vapor recovery device in combination with the above specific implementation methods. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in , the intake pipe 21 and the return pipe 22 can be connected to the fuel tank 100 respectively. Here, when the detection value of the air pressure sensor 7 at the inlet 11 is greater than the preset value, the controller 8 controls the compressor 1 to work, and the fuel vapor reaches the inlet 11 through the first forward Tesla valve 4 and enters the compressor 1. The compressor 1 pressurizes the fuel vapor to the preset pressure value. Specifically, the fuel vapor in the upper compression chamber 13 can enter the lower compression chamber 13 through the second forward Tesla valve 5. After that, the fuel vapor and the liquefied fuel reach the reverse Tesla valve 3. The fuel vapor can be liquefied under the action of the reverse Tesla valve 3 and the coolant. Subsequently, the liquefied fuel vapor flows back to the fuel tank 100 through the return pipe 22. Therefore, the present disclosure can liquefy and recover the fuel vapor, and 90% to 95% of the fuel vapor flowing into the fuel vapor recovery device can be liquefied and recovered. When the detection value of the air pressure sensor 7 at the inlet 11 is less than the preset value, the controller 8 controls the compressor 1 to stop working.

[0039] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the fuel vapor recovery device as described above. The vehicle has all the beneficial effects of the fuel vapor recovery device as described above, which will not be described in detail in the present disclosure. In addition, since the liquefied fuel vapor can flow back into the fuel tank 100 through the return pipe 22, the additional structure for recovering the fuel vapor is omitted. Here, the motor 14 can be connected to the vehicle battery, so that the modification requirements for the vehicle are low, and the use of electric energy consumption can achieve the reduction of fuel consumption, which is conducive to improving the vehicle's endurance.

[0040] In some embodiments, the fuel tank 100 of the vehicle may be configured as a normal pressure fuel tank 100 , which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0041] In some embodiments, the vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle, in which case the fuel vapor can be liquefied and recovered using the fuel vapor recovery device, eliminating the step of enabling the engine to burn the fuel vapor. This allows the vehicle to stop the engine in pure electric operation mode.

[0042] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 As shown in , the vehicle may include a carbon canister 200, which may be connected to the fuel tank 100 and absorb fuel vapor, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. Here, the air intake pipe 21 and the liquid return pipe 22 may both be connected to the pipeline connecting the carbon canister 200 and the fuel tank 100, and the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0043] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0045] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A fuel vapor recovery device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a compressor, an air intake pipe and a liquid return pipe, wherein the compressor comprises an inlet and an outlet, the air intake pipe is connected to the inlet, the liquid return pipe is connected to the outlet, the air intake pipe and the liquid return pipe are used to be connected to the fuel tank of the vehicle, and at least one reverse Tesla valve is connected between the outlet and the liquid return pipe; The compressor is used to increase the pressure of the fuel vapor so that the pressure of the fuel vapor is greater than its own saturated vapor pressure; A coolant is provided in the reverse Tesla valve, and the coolant is used to liquefy the fuel vapor entering the reverse Tesla valve.

2. The fuel vapor recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first forward Tesla valve is connected between the inlet and the intake pipe.

3. The fuel vapor recovery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The compressor comprises at least two stages of compression chambers, and a second forward Tesla valve is connected between the upper stage compression chamber and the lower stage compression chamber.

4. The fuel vapor recovery device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fuel vapor recovery device includes a shell, the shell has a closed chamber, the chamber includes a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber and a third sub-chamber, the first sub-chamber is provided with at least two-stage compression chambers, the second sub-chamber is connected with the first sub-chamber through the inlet, and the third sub-chamber is connected with the first sub-chamber through the outlet, wherein a first forward Tesla valve is provided in the second sub-chamber, and at least one reverse Tesla valve is provided in the third sub-chamber.

5. The fuel vapor recovery device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The compressor includes a motor and a main shaft, the main shaft is arranged through at least two stages of compression chambers, the chamber includes a fourth sub-chamber accommodating the motor, a first shaft seal which is sleeved on the main shaft is arranged in the fourth sub-chamber, and the first shaft seal is used to provide sealing at the connection between the fourth sub-chamber and the first sub-chamber.

6. The fuel vapor recovery device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The chamber includes a fifth sub-chamber, and one end of the main shaft away from the motor extends out of the first sub-chamber and into the fifth sub-chamber. The fifth sub-chamber is provided with a second shaft seal sleeved on the main shaft, and the second shaft seal is used to provide sealing at the connection between the first sub-chamber and the fifth sub-chamber.

7. The fuel vapor recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air pressure sensor is arranged at the inlet, and the fuel vapor recovery device comprises a controller, which is electrically connected to the compressor and the air pressure sensor and is used to control the compressor to work selectively according to the air pressure sensor.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that: A fuel vapor recovery device comprising the fuel vapor recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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