Chamber for removing substances from a fluid
The chamber design addresses the challenges of forming adsorption structures by using a housing with adsorbent material barriers and a guide that supports airflow and fluid diffusion, resulting in efficient substance removal and reduced assembly costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102017009929
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2017-01-19
- Filing Date
- 2017-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2037-10-25
AI Technical Summary
The formation of adsorption structures for removing substances from fluids is expensive and requires high temperatures, making it challenging to extrude a mixture of adsorbent material and additional materials into suitably shaped structures like honeycombs, and the removal of water from these structures can cause damage.
A chamber design with a housing having two ports and adsorbent material that completely covers the transverse cross-section, forming at least one barrier between the ports, with a guide that supports the adsorbent material and creates cavities for improved airflow and diffusion of the fluid.
The chamber effectively removes substances from fluids while maintaining low flow resistance for air, allowing for efficient airflow and reducing the risk of structural damage during water removal, thus making the assembly simpler and less expensive.
Smart Images

Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background of the invention
[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the devices and approaches described in this section ("Background of the Invention") are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.
[0002] The present application relates to a chamber for removing substances from a fluid. Also disclosed is a container for adsorbing fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle, the container containing the chamber. Additionally, a method for manufacturing the chamber is disclosed.
[0003] The formation of an adsorption structure can be expensive. An adsorption structure can be formed from oxygen-containing compounds, carbon-based compounds, or polymer-based compounds. Other compounds are also possible. In some cases, high temperatures (e.g., 1100°C) may be required to form the structure. Furthermore, it can be difficult to extrude a mixture of adsorbent material (e.g., activated carbon) and to form the adsorbent material together with additional material (e.g., ceramic) into a suitably shaped structure, such as a honeycomb. Extrusion can require a large amount of water. Furthermore, the water must be removed from the structure before firing to avoid damage (e.g., cracks in the structure), and removing the water can be problematic. In particular, if the water is not removed carefully, the structure may shrink or crack.
[0004] While the use of a flux material or agent can reduce some of the problems in forming an adsorption structure, the process can still be time-consuming and expensive.
[0005] Adsorption material (i.e., an adsorbent material), possibly in the form of an adsorption structure, can be used to remove substances from a fluid. Removable substances can include organic substances and non-polar adsorbates. Removable substances can include chemical agents. In particular, removable substances can include fuel vapor (i.e., fuel tank emissions or engine exhaust, which may contain hydrocarbon emissions), volatile organic compounds, and chemical substances such as ozone.
[0006] An adsorption material (e.g., in the form of an adsorption structure) can be used in a vehicle engine or in an office machine, such as a xerographic device. The adsorption material can be placed in a chamber, and fluid on which the adsorption material is to act can be passed through the chamber.
[0007] For example, adsorbent material may be used in connection with an internal combustion engine of a motorized vehicle, such as an automobile. Fuel vapor from the engine may be passed through the chamber to prevent the release of substances in the fuel vapor to the atmosphere. Accordingly, a port (i.e., an opening or aperture) from the chamber may be connected to the fuel tank such that the fuel vapor from the fuel tank passes through the chamber and substances in the fuel vapor are adsorbed by the adsorbent material in the chamber. In some cases, multiple chambers (e.g., at least two, possibly more) within a container may be connected together, and a fluid, such as the fuel vapor, may be passed through each chamber in the container before being allowed to escape to the atmosphere.In addition, air from the atmosphere can pass through the chamber and cause adsorbed substances to escape from the chamber towards the combustion engine so that they are burned in the combustion engine.
[0008] In summary, when the vehicle is stopped, fuel vapor flows from the fuel tank through one of the openings (e.g., a charging port) into the chamber and is adsorbed by adsorbent material in the chamber. During engine operation, atmospheric air is introduced through another of the openings (e.g., an atmosphere port), and the previously adsorbed fuel vapor is desorbed and conveyed to the engine to be combusted within the engine. There may be multiple chambers (at least two, possibly more) suitable for adsorbing and desorbing HC (hydrocarbons) or other substances within a container.
[0009] In addition to satisfactorily adsorbing and desorbing substances from a fluid, adsorbent material in the chamber should also have a sufficiently low flow resistance for the air flowing through the chamber. In other words, there should be an appropriate flow rate of air so that air exits the chamber immediately. Particularly in the context of a vehicle, the chamber may be connected to a fuel tank of the vehicle. When the vehicle's fuel tank is filled with liquid (e.g., gasoline), the liquid forces air through the chamber. If adsorbent material in the chamber has too high a flow resistance, it may be unacceptably difficult to refuel the vehicle. For example, air that cannot exit the fuel tank through the chamber may cause the pressure in the fuel tank to rise and cause a pump to stop pumping fuel into the fuel tank.Accordingly, adsorbent material in the chamber should allow air to flow through the chamber at a rate of at least 50 to 70 l / min, at least 55 to 65 l / min, at least 58 to 62 l / min, or at least about 60 l / min. Diurnal loss of substances from the chamber (e.g., evaporative emission of hydrocarbons in a three-day diurnal test) should be less than 20 mg per day. Further information on diurnal testing and diurnal loss can be found in "The California Low-Emission Vehicle Regulations," August 7, 2012 (https: / / www.arb.ca.gov / msprog / levprog / cleandoc / cleancomplete_lev-ghg_regs_3-12.pdf, accessed November 21, 2016).
[0010] In addition, the chamber for removing substances from a fluid should be easy and inexpensive to assemble, especially compared to the adsorption structure described above.
[0011] US 2011 / 0 315 126 A1 discloses an activated carbon canister for motor vehicles, consisting of two chambers. The first chamber has a first air inlet for drawing in fresh air to flush the activated carbon filter and a second inlet for collecting fuel vapors from the tank. The second chamber has an outlet to the atmosphere. Both chambers are filled with granules, with the fuel vapors escaping from the tank being guided through regions containing granules on their entire path through the activated carbon filter.
[0012] DE 11 2013 001 330 T5 discloses a filter for controlling the moisture content in a large liquid tank, which filter has, among other things, adsorption materials in various areas, whereby the moisture content of hydraulic fluid or oil is to be controlled by means of this filter.
[0013] US 3 716 969 A discloses a device for adsorbing SO 2 Gas.
[0014] US 2013 / 0 263 740 A1 discloses an activated carbon filter with a container in which adsorption material is arranged, through which the fuel vapors flowing out of the tank flow.
[0015] US 2013 / 0 186 375 A1 discloses an activated carbon filter with two containers, each completely filled with granules and through which the fuel vapors flow.
[0016] US 4 855 046 A discloses an ion exchange system for water purification.
[0017] US 2008 / 0 202 338 A1 discloses a tank system for removing contaminants from a fluid stream.
[0018] JP S63 - 138 150 A (8) discloses a canister which adsorbs fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank and is controlled so that the canister and the fuel tank communicate during refueling and that the canister and the carburetor communicate during venting. Summary of the invention
[0019] According to one aspect, a chamber for removing substances from a fluid is provided. The chamber comprises a housing having two ports (i.e., openings or apertures) and a longitudinal axis. The openings may be located at opposite (i.e., opposing) ends of the housing. For example, the openings may be located on (or adjacent to) the longitudinal axis. Adsorbent material is disposed within the housing. The adsorbent material may be capable (i.e., adapted) of removing substances from a fluid. The adsorbent material completely covers a transverse cross-section of the housing such that the adsorbent material forms at least one barrier between the two openings. A thickness of the adsorbent material in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing is less than the length of the housing in the longitudinal direction, thereby creating two cavities (i.e., spaces).
[0020] Each void can be a region or area free of adsorbent material. The longitudinal axis can also be referred to as the longitudinal axis. The barrier can be an obstacle or impediment to substances in the fluid passing through the enclosure. In particular, the barrier can impede the passage of substances in the fluid as the fluid passes through the enclosure. For example, air can pass through the barrier unhindered, but hydrocarbons can be impeded (or adsorbed) by the barrier.
[0021] The cavities may be sized to allow the fluid to diffuse within the housing. The periphery of the adsorbent material may contact the sides of the housing to form the at least one barrier between the two openings. Regarding the barrier, when the fluid enters through one of the openings, the fluid must pass through a portion of the adsorbent material and one of the cavities before exiting through the other opening.
[0022] The housing may have a cylindrical shape. In particular, the housing may be a right cylinder, and the longitudinal axis may be the axis of the cylinder. The housing may also have a parallelepiped or rhomboid shape.
[0023] The adsorbent material extends diagonally across the housing. In other words, the adsorbent material may extend in a direction such that an angle formed between the adsorbent material and the longitudinal axis of the housing is an acute angle. Thus, the adsorbent material may be inclined from the longitudinal axis of the housing.
[0024] The adsorbent material may be in the form of a continuous piece of material that contacts the housing at several different points. Alternatively, the adsorbent material may be in the form of at least one disc arranged across the housing. In this case, the adsorbent material is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Furthermore, the adsorbent material may be arranged in the form of several discs extending across the housing. Each of the discs may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
[0025] The adsorbent material may be arranged in two sets such that the fluid passes through adsorbent material of one of the sets before passing through one of the cavities and passes through adsorbent material of the other of the sets after passing through the same cavity.
[0026] In some cases, the chamber may include a guide for holding the adsorbent material. The guide may be a support or a holder. The guide is porous, with the pores of the guide being smaller than the adsorbent material. The guide may provide a channel for the adsorbent material. The channel may be understood as a path, a free space, a room, or a volume. Basically, the guide supports the adsorbent material within the housing. The adsorbent material may be contained within the guide, and the voids may be external to the guide. The guide may extend across the housing from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing opposite the first side.
[0027] The guide extends diagonally between two different walls of the housing. In other words, the guide can be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The guide can form an angle that is obtuse and / or acute with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Alternatively, the guide can extend horizontally between two different walls of the housing. In other words, the guide can be perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
[0028] The guide can be in the form of a grid or mesh. The guide can be manufactured by injection molding. The guide crosses the housing at least twice to create two barriers between the two openings of the housing, so that the cross-section of the guide is V-shaped.
[0029] Edges of the guide may be in constant contact with the housing. In some cases, all edges of the guide may be in constant contact with the housing. In other words, the entire perimeter or edge of the guide may be in constant contact with the housing.
[0030] The guide may be formed of at least two segments. The segments may be spaced apart to create the channel for the adsorbent material.
[0031] The chamber may have a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the angle between the horizontal axis and one of the segments of the guide is between 20 and 70 degrees. In particular, the angle may be between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, 45 degrees and 55 degrees, or between 40 degrees and 50 degrees.
[0032] In a cross-sectional view, two of the guide segments may form a triangle with one side of the housing, and one of the cavities may lie within the triangle. In the cross-sectional view, the segments meet at an obtuse angle to the side of the housing, and the segments form acute angles with the side of the housing. Furthermore, the segments that meet at an obtuse angle form an arc.
[0033] Pairs of segments of the guide may be parallel to each other. In particular, the pairs of segments spaced apart to form the channel may be parallel to each other.
[0034] The segments can be manufactured by injection molding as a single piece, i.e., as a single unit, rather than being assembled from multiple parts. The guide can be arranged in a zigzag configuration within the housing. In particular, when viewed in cross-section, the guide can cross several times from one side of the housing to the other side of the housing. Additionally, the guide can cross the housing three or more times.
[0035] An end portion of one of the segments closest to one of the openings may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. This may allow the guide to serve as an attachment point for a funnel to introduce adsorbent material into the channel. In some cases, adsorbent material may be introduced into the channel without using a funnel.
[0036] The chamber may further comprise a support or carrier element for holding the guide. The support element may extend through segments of the guide. The support element may be used to insert the guide into the housing.
[0037] The chamber may also be referred to as a region, layer, stage, or bed. When contained within a vessel with at least one other chamber, the chamber described above may be referred to as a vent-side chamber or an atmosphere-side chamber.
[0038] A cap or cover may be attached to one end of the chamber. One of the two openings may extend through the cap, and several pins may project from the cap toward the interior of the chamber.
[0039] An air-permeable element may be arranged within the housing between the cap and one end of the guide. The air-permeable element may be elastic. The air-permeable element may be foam or a sponge. The pins may be in contact with the air-permeable element. The pins may be arranged to press the air-permeable element against the guide. The air-permeable element may press on the guide and the adsorbent material to prevent adsorbent material from leaking out of the housing. The air-permeable element may have a disc shape. In particular, the air-permeable element may continuously contact the walls of the housing. The air-permeable element may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and extend across the entire housing to block one of the openings.
[0040] The adsorbent material may comprise one or more of the following: an oxygen-containing compound, a carbon-based compound, a polymer-based compound, zeolites, porous silica, porous alumina, pillared clays, or molecular sieves. In particular, the adsorbent material may be activated carbon.
[0041] The adsorbent material may contain multiple components. There may be more than 100 components, more than 500 components, more than 1,000 components, or more than 5,000 components. The components may have one or more of the following shapes: granular (irregular), spherical, cylindrical, hollow cylindrical, star-shaped, twisted spiral, star-shaped, configured ribbons. The components of the adsorbent material may have a diameter of about 2 mm to about 8 mm. In particular, the components may have a diameter of about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 2 mm to about 6 mm, or about 3 mm to about 5 mm.
[0042] The components of the adsorbent material can also be referred to as pellets, granules, or particles. Advantageously, components made of activated carbon granules can be simple and cost-effective.
[0043] The adsorbent material can be made from raw materials, including wood, peat, coal, coconut, synthetic polymer, or natural polymer. The adsorbent material can be produced through a variety of processes, including chemical and / or thermal activation. The adsorbent material can contain inorganic materials such as molecular sieves, porous alumina, pillar clays, zeolites, porous silica, or porous polymers. The adsorbent material can comprise a standard canister filled with carbon.
[0044] The adsorbent material may have an effective butane working capacity of about 6 g / deciliter to about 10 g / deciliter.
[0045] In some cases, one of the two openings opens to the atmosphere, and the second opening is positioned to receive the fluid. The fluid may be (or contain) fuel vapor from a vehicle's fuel tank.
[0046] According to another aspect, a container is provided for adsorbing substances in fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle. The container includes the chamber discussed above. The container further includes a second chamber. The second chamber contains further adsorbent material and is fluidly connected to the fuel tank such that an opening of the second chamber can receive the fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The second chamber has a further opening such that it is also fluidly connected to the chamber described above. Alternatively, one or more additional chambers may be located between the second chamber and the chamber described above. The adsorbent material of the second chamber may have a higher effective butane working capacity and / or a higher flow resistance compared to the adsorbent material of the chamber described above.
[0047] In some cases, each chamber contains multiple components of adsorbent material. Accordingly, the components of the second chamber may have a larger diameter than the components of the chamber described above. The adsorbent material in the chambers of the container may allow at least 40 l / min, at least 50 l / min, or at least 60 l / min of air to pass through at a pressure of approximately 20 mbar.
[0048] In some cases, the substances in the fluid are hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the fluid may be fuel vapor.
[0049] According to yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing a chamber for removing substances from a fluid is provided. The chamber comprises a housing having two openings and a longitudinal axis. The method includes axially inserting a guide into the housing. The guide forms a channel.
[0050] Edges of the guide are in constant contact with the housing. In particular, edges or edges of at least two segments of the guide may be in constant contact with the housing. Thus, the guide extends across the housing from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing opposite the first side.
[0051] The method further comprises disposing adsorbent material within the channel. The adsorbent material completely covers a transverse cross-section of the housing, such that the adsorbent material forms at least one barrier between the two openings. A thickness of the adsorbent material in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing is less than the length of the housing in the longitudinal direction, thereby creating two cavities within the housing.
[0052] Installing the adsorbent material can be particularly simple, especially when the adsorbent material is implemented in the form of components as described above. Furthermore, gravity and possibly a little shaking may be sufficient to arrange the adsorbent material in a suitable position within the housing.
[0053] The method further includes axially inserting an air-permeable element into the housing such that the air-permeable element contacts one end of the guide. The method further includes placing a cap over the air-permeable element such that pins protruding from the cap contact the air-permeable element. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 shows an external view of a chamber for removing substances from a liquid. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the chamber. Fig. 3 shows a support or carrier element that extends through segments of a guide. Fig. 4 shows separate elements of the chamber. Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of the chamber looking down through an opening. Fig. 6 shows a container with two chambers. Detailed description
[0054] The following text provides a detailed description of examples with reference to the drawings. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the examples. In particular, one or more elements of an example can be combined and used in other examples to form new examples. Furthermore, a series of method steps is described. The order of these steps can be changed, even if not explicitly stated.
[0055] Fig. Figure 1 shows an external view of a chamber 100 for removing substances from a fluid. The chamber 100 may include a housing 103, openings 105 and 123 located at opposite ends of the housing 103, a longitudinal axis 107 bisecting the housing 103 longitudinally, and a cap 117 attached to one end of the housing 103. Although the housing is shown as having a cylindrical shape, other shapes are also possible, e.g., parallelepiped.
[0056] The openings 105 and 123 may be arranged to allow the passage of fluid through the chamber 100. The fluid may be a gas or a vapor, such as fuel vapor. Elements of the chamber 100 (or the entire chamber) may be formed from a resin material or plastic, such as polyamide resin. Alternatively, elements of the chamber 100 (or the entire chamber) may be formed from metal, such as aluminum. One of the openings 105 may be connected to the atmosphere, and the other opening 123 may be connected to a fluid source. The fluid may pass through other chambers on its way to the chamber 100. Alternatively, the fluid may pass directly from the fluid source into the chamber 100. In some cases, the fluid source is a fuel tank.
[0057] Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the chamber 100. Adsorbent material 109 is arranged within the housing 103. A guide holds the adsorbent material 109 in the housing 103. The guide consists of several segments 113. Each segment 113 is a continuous piece of the guide. Three of the segments 113 are in Fig. 2. However, other configurations of the guide are also possible. For example, the guide may include two segments 113 extending horizontally across the housing 103. Furthermore, the guide may be discontinuous. For example, the guide may include multiple sets of disc-shaped segments 113 extending across the housing 103. Each of the segments 113 may be porous, i.e., the segments 113 may have a grid or mesh structure.
[0058] The adsorbing material 109 is in the example of Fig. 2 as spherical. The adsorbent material 109 could also be granular, cylindrical, hollow cylindrical, star-shaped, twisted spiral, star-shaped, or configured in ribbons. The adsorbent material 109 is arranged within the housing such that it completely covers a transverse cross-section of the housing 103. Accordingly, the adsorbent material 109 forms at least one barrier between the two openings 105 and 123. In other words, fluid traversing the housing 103 from the opening 123 to the other opening 105 must pass through at least a portion of the adsorbent material 109.
[0059] In addition, a thickness of the adsorbing material 109 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 107 is less than the length of the housing 103 in the longitudinal direction, thereby creating two cavities 111. In the example of Fig. 2 there are three cavities, however there may be two cavities 111 or there may be more than three cavities 111.
[0060] The cavities 111 are spaces within the housing 103 that do not contain the adsorbent material 109. In addition to holding the adsorbent material 109, the guide can prevent the adsorbent material 109 from entering any of the cavities 111. Compared to a situation where the housing 103 is completely filled with the adsorbent material 109, the cavities 111 can allow air to flow through the chamber 100 at an increased rate. Furthermore, creating two barriers between the openings 105 and 123 can have the advantage of forcing the fluid to pass through different areas of the adsorbent material 109 over time. In other words, each of the cavities 111 can cause diffusion of fluid passage. The diffusion can help ensure that the fluid does not continuously pass through the same area of the adsorbent material 109 over time.
[0061] In particular, if there is only one barrier between the two openings 105 and 123, it is possible that liquid will continue to pass through the same region of the adsorbent material 109, thereby degrading or degrading that particular region of the adsorbent material 109. Other regions of the adsorbent material 109 can continue to function normally. By creating two barriers between the openings 105 and 123, such that the fluid must pass through a first of the cavities 111 before reaching the first barrier of the adsorbent material 109 and a second of the cavities 111 before reaching the second barrier of the adsorbent material 109, the fluid diffuses in the cavities 111 and may not flow through the same region of the adsorbent material 109 over time. Accordingly, the adsorbent material can last longer, i.e.the effect of the adsorbent material may deteriorate more slowly. The same effect can be achieved by arranging the adsorbent material 109 so as to cause the fluid to pass through one of the cavities 111 after passing through a first set of adsorbent material 109 and before passing through a second set of adsorbent material, the first set not being the same as (i.e., not the same as) the second set.
[0062] The segments 113 of the guide form a channel for the adsorbent material 109. Accordingly, the adsorbent material 109 remains within the channel and does not penetrate into the cavities 111. It is also possible for the adsorbent material 109 to be placed within the housing 103 without the guide, e.g., using an adhesive. By covering the transverse cross-section of the housing 103, the adsorbent material 109 forms the barrier between the two openings 105 and 123. In other words, the adsorbent material 109 blocks the passage of fluid through the chamber 100, from the opening 123 to the opening 105. Furthermore, the adsorbent material 109 can cover two different transverse cross-sections of the housing 103 to create two barriers between the two openings 105 and 123.
[0063] The cross-section of the adsorbent material 109 may be V-shaped. Accordingly, the cross-section of the guide may also be V-shaped. A support or carrier element 115, as in Fig. 3, can be used to insert the guide into the housing 103. At least one of the segments 113 can completely cover the transverse cross-section of the housing 103. In some cases, all segments 113 can completely cover the transverse cross-section of the housing 103. In other cases, at least one of the segments 113 does not completely cover the cross-section of the housing 103. In particular, one of the segments 113 can only partially extend over the housing 103. This can have the advantage that the adsorbent material 109 can easily be arranged to fill the area between the segments 113.
[0064] The V-shaped design increases the exposed surface area of the adsorbent material 109, so that the restriction of fluid flow through the housing 103 is reduced compared to a configuration in which the adsorbent material is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 107 along a transverse cross-section (i.e., a horizontal axis 125 of the housing 103). In particular, the restriction of fluid flow through the housing 103 decreases as the angle á between the horizontal axis 125 of the housing 103 and one of the legs of the V-shape increases. In other words, fluid can flow through the housing at a higher velocity as the angle á between the horizontal axis 125 and the leg of the V-shape increases.
[0065] In the V-shaped design, one of the segments 113 can be considered as one leg of the V-shape and another of the segments 113 can be considered as another leg of the V-shape.
[0066] An end portion of one of the segments 113 closest to the opening 105 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 107. This may facilitate the introduction of the adsorbent material 109 into the guide. For example, a funnel may be supported by the housing 103 and the end portion of the segment 113. The adsorbent material 109 may be forced through the funnel and into the guide. In some cases, the adsorbent material 109 contains multiple components, e.g., in the form of spheres or cylindrical pellets. The components of the adsorbent material 109 may be poured into the funnel, and gravity may cause the components of the adsorbent material to arrange themselves within the guide. Gentle shaking of the chamber 100 and the guide may be performed to further arrange the components of the adsorbent material.
[0067] The support member 115 can be used to insert the guide into the housing 103.
[0068] The cap 117 may be mounted on one end of the housing 103. In such cases, the opening 105 extends through the cap 117. Accordingly, a plurality of pins 119 protrude from the cap toward the interior of the housing 103. The air-permeable element 121 may be arranged within the housing 103 between the cap 117 and one end of the guide (e.g., the end portion of one of the segments 113). The pins 119 may be in contact with the air-permeable element 121. The pins 119 may be arranged to press the air-permeable element 121 against the guide and the adsorbent material. This fixes the adsorbent material and the segments 113, and no vibration, e.g., from an internal combustion engine, could be harmful, i.e., cause undesired movement or damage to the adsorbent material.
[0069] The arrangement described above enables easy assembly of the chamber 100. In particular, the segments 113 can be injection-molded and attached to the support element 115. The segments 113 and the support element 115 can be manufactured as a single part by injection molding. The support element 115 can then be inserted into the housing 103. Subsequently, the adsorbent material 109, e.g., in the form of cylinders or pellets, can be poured into the guide, possibly using the funnel. After a sufficient amount of the adsorbent material 109 has been poured into the guide, the air-permeable element 121 can be pressed against the guide by means of the cap 117 and the pins 119 protruding from the cap 117, which contact the air-permeable element 121.
[0070] The adsorbent material 109 may comprise one or more of the following: an oxygen-containing compound, a carbon-based compound, a polymer-based compound, zeolites, porous silica, porous alumina, pillar clays, or molecular sieves. For example, the adsorbent material 109 may be a wood-based or coal-based activated carbon. The adsorbent material 109 may be powdered activated carbon. The activated carbon may be produced by forming powdered activated carbon into a mass of a specific size.
[0071] The adsorbent material 109 may be in the form of granules with an irregular shape. For example, the adsorbent material 109 may be in the form of activated carbon granules.
[0072] If the adsorbent material 109 consists of components and these components are granular, cylindrical, or spherical, the components may have a diameter suitable for secondary adsorption of substances in fuel vapor. In particular, the fluid may be a fuel vapor, and the fuel vapor may pass through another chamber before passing through chamber 100. The other chamber may have multiple components of adsorbent material that have a larger diameter than the components of the adsorbent material 109 in chamber 100. The fluid may pass through other chambers before or after passing through chamber 100 or the other chamber. The other chambers may also contain components of adsorbent material.
[0073] One of the openings 105 and 123 (e.g., opening 105) may open to the atmosphere, and the second of the openings 105 and 123 (e.g., opening 123) may be arranged to receive the fluid. In particular, opening 105 may be arranged to allow air to exit the chamber 100, and opening 123 may be arranged to allow fluid to enter the chamber 100.
[0074] Fig. 3 shows the support element 115 for holding the segments 113 within the housing 103. In the example of Fig. 3, there are three segments 113. The support element 115 may be hook-shaped at one end and may be elongated. In other words, the support element 115 may be "L"-shaped or boot-shaped. The length of the support element 115 may be at least five times its width.
[0075] Fig. Figure 4 shows elements of the chamber 100. In particular, the cap 117 is not yet attached to the housing 103. In addition, the air-permeable element 121 has not yet been placed between the pins 119 and the guide.
[0076] Fig. Figure 5 shows a view through the opening 105 into the chamber 100. In particular, Figure 5 shows a view through the opening 105 which does not include the cap 117, the pins 119, the air-permeable element 121, or the adsorbent material 109.
[0077] Fig.6 shows a container having a first chamber 200 and a second chamber 300. Unless otherwise stated, the first chamber 200 may include the features of the chamber 100. In particular, the first chamber 200 may include a housing 203 and openings 205 and 223 located at opposite ends of the housing. The opening 205 (e.g., an atmosphere opening) may open to the atmosphere, and the opening 223 may open to the second chamber 300. Adsorbent material 209 may be disposed within the housing 203. The adsorbent material 209 may be adapted for removing substances from a fluid, as described above with respect to the adsorbent material 109. A thickness of the adsorbent material in a direction of a longitudinal axis 207 may be less than the length of the housing 203 in the longitudinal direction, thereby creating at least two cavities 211.
[0078] The second chamber 300 may contain additional adsorbent material 309. The second chamber 300 may be fluidly connected to the first chamber via opening 223. The second chamber 300 may contain two further openings 323 and 325. The opening 323 may open to a fuel tank, and the opening 325 may open to an engine intake system. In particular, fuel vapor may enter the second chamber 300 via opening 323, and air may exit the second chamber 300 via opening 325. Additional chambers may also be included in the container, e.g., between the first chamber 200 and the second chamber 300. List of reference symbols 100 chambers 103 housings 105 Opening 107 Longitudinal axis 109 adsorbent material 111 Cavity 113 Segment of leadership 115 Support or carrier element 117 Cap 119 pen 121 air-permeable element 123 Opening 125 horizontal axis 200 first chamber 203 housings 205 Opening 207 Longitudinal axis 209 adsorbent material 211 Cavity 223 Opening 300 second chamber 309 additional adsorbent material 323 Opening 325 Opening
Claims
[1] Chamber (100), comprising a housing (103) with two openings (105, 123) and a longitudinal axis (107) and adsorbing material (109) arranged within the housing (103), wherein the adsorbent material (109) is adapted to remove substances from a fluid and completely covers a transverse cross-section of the housing (103), so that the adsorbent material (109) forms at least one barrier between the two openings (105, 123), wherein a guide for holding the adsorbent material (109) is provided to provide a channel for the adsorbent material (109), which guide is porous and extends diagonally across the housing (103), wherein the guide crosses the housing (109) at least twice to create at least two barriers between the two openings (105, 123), so that a cross-section of the guide is V-shaped, and wherein a thickness of the adsorbing material (109) in a direction of the longitudinal axis (107) is less than a length of the housing (109) in the longitudinal direction, thereby creating at least two cavities (111). [2] Chamber according to claim 1, wherein the pores of the guide have a smaller size than the adsorbing material and wherein the guide extends from a first side of the housing (103) to a second side of the housing (103) which is opposite the first side, across the housing (109). [3] Chamber according to claim 2, wherein edges of the guide are in constant contact with the housing (109). [4] Chamber according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the guide is formed from at least two segments (113), the segments (113) being spaced apart from each other to create the channel for the adsorbent material (109). [5] The chamber of claim 4, further comprising a horizontal axis (125) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (107), whereby the angle between the horizontal axis (125) and one of the segments (113) of the guide is between 20 and 70 degrees. [6] A chamber according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an end portion of one of the segments (113) closest to one of the openings (105, 123) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (107). [7] Chamber according to one or more of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a support element (115) for holding the guide, wherein the support element (115) extends through the segments (113) of the guide. [8] Chamber according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a cap (117) attached to one end of the housing (103), and one of the two openings (105) extends through the cap (117), with a plurality of pins (119) projecting from the cap. [9] Chamber according to claim 8, further comprising an air-permeable element (121) arranged within the housing (103) between the cap (117) and one end of the guide, wherein the pins (119) are in contact with the air-permeable element (121) and wherein the pins (119) are arranged to press the air-permeable element (121) against the guide and / or the adsorbing material (109). [10] Chamber according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adsorbent material (109) comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-containing compound, a carbon-based compound, a polymer-based compound, zeolites, porous silica, porous alumina, pillar clays, and molecular sieves. [11] Chamber according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, wherein the adsorbent material (109) contains a plurality of components, the components having a shape selected from the group consisting of granular, spherical, cylindrical, hollow cylindrical, star-shaped, twisted spiral, star-shaped and configured bands. [12] The chamber of claim 11, wherein the components of the adsorbent material (109) are selected from the group consisting of granular, cylindrical and spherical, and have a diameter of 2 mm to 8 mm. [13] Chamber according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, wherein one of the two openings (105) opens to the atmosphere and the second opening (123) is arranged to receive fluid. [14] Chamber according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, wherein the fluid is fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle. [15] Chamber according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, wherein the adsorbent (109) material has a butane working capacity of 3 g / dl to 12 g / dl. [16] Container comprising a first chamber (200) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, wherein the container comprises a second chamber (300) containing further adsorbent material (309) and a loading opening (323) arranged to receive fuel vapor from a fuel tank, wherein the second chamber (300) is fluidically connected to the first chamber (200) and the further adsorbing material (309) of the second chamber (300) has a higher effective butane working capacity and a higher flow resistance compared to the adsorbing material (209) of the first chamber (200).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Filters for use with a moisture-sensitive container, as well as filtration systems and methods for controlling the moisture content of a fluid tank gas space.
DE112013001330T5
Control device for vaporizing fuel
JP1988138150A
System and method for a moving bed adsorber for contaminant removal
US20080202338A1
Carbon canister
US20110315126A1
Trap canister capturing fuel vapor
US20130186375A1