Evaporative emissions canister with bleed control cartridge assembly

Abstract

An evaporative emissions canister (10) includes a casing (12) having a tank port (14) and a vent port (18). The casing (12) defines an internal volume (13). A bed of adsorbent material (20) is disposed in the internal volume (13) defined by the casing (12). At least one bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) is disposed downstream from the bed of adsorbent material (20) in a flow direction from the tank port (14) to the vent port (18). Each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) includes a body (24) defining an internal volume (26). At least one flow diffuser (32, 332) extends through the internal volume (26) of the body (24). The internal volume (26) of the body (24) is filled with a high-capacity adsorbent (36). The at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) has a geometry that restricts the high-capacity adsorbent (36) from settling in the internal volume (26) of the body (24), and the at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) promotes airflow through the high-capacity adsorbent (36) in the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422).

Description

Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CANISTER WITH BLEED CONTROL CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 750,441, filed January 28, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The disclosure generally relates to evaporative emissions canisters for adsorption of fuel vapors in fuel powered automotive vehicles.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Evaporative loss of fuel vapor generated within fuel tanks of the fuel systems of motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines is a potential contributor to atmospheric air pollution by hydrocarbons Canister systems that employ activated carbon or other similar adsorbent to adsorb the fuel vapor emitted from the fuel systems are used to limit such evaporative emissions from the fuel tanks of gasoline-fueled automotive vehicles A typical evaporative emissions canister includes a casing inside of which a gas passage is formed and filled with activated carbon as a fuel vapor adsorbent. Charge (inlet) and purge (outlet) ports for fuel vapor are communicated with one end of the gas passage, while a vent port (air vent) is communicated with the other end of the gas passage, thus allowing for charging and purging of the canister. During stoppage of the vehicle (e g., when parked), fuel vapor generated from the fuel in the fuel tank is introduced through the charge port into the canister and adsorbed by the adsorbent. During operation of the engine, atmospheric air is periodically introduced through the atmospheric port to purge the fuel vapor in the canister by desorbing fuel vapor that was adsorbed in the adsorbent. The flow of air carries the purged fuel vapor to an intake system of the engine through the purge port so that, the fuel vapor can be combusted within the engine, thus accomplishing a purging of the canister. By the desorption of fuel vapor during purging, the carbon adsorbent is regenerated and a fuel vapor adsorbing performance of the canister is revived, thereby allowing the adsorbent to repeatedly adsorb fuel vapor during periods of non-use of the engine.

[0004] Despite the use of these canister systems, the capacity of the canister systems may not be sufficient to trap all the fuel vapor emitted from the fuel tank. This is especially problematic for hybrid electric vehicles that are driven by both battery electric power and power generated by an internal combustion engine burning fuel. In these hybrid vehicles, the engine is only running part of the time during operation. Thus, there is significantly less engine run time for purging the canister system of fuel vapors, and the canister system is more likely to reach full capacity before purging can be performed. Once the canister system is at capacity, it can no longer trap fuel vapors, resulting in their release to the environmentAtty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) as bleed emissions At the same time, stricter environmental regulations have tightened the allowable bleed emissions, thereby escalating the need for improved bleed emissions control for fuel vapor canister systems.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] An improved evaporative emissions canister is provided. The evaporative emissions canister includes a casing having a tank port and a vent port. The casing defines an internal volume therein. A bed of adsorbent material is disposed in the internal volume defined by the casing. At least one bleed control cartridge assembly is disposed downstream from the bed of adsorbent material in a flow direction from the tank port to the vent port. Each bleed control cartridge assembly includes a body defining an internal volume. At least one flow diffuser extends through the internal volume of the body. The internal volume of the body of each bleed control cartridge assembly is filled with a high-capacity adsorbent. The at least one flow diffuser has a geometry that restricts the high-capacity adsorbent from settling in the internal volume of the bleed control cartridge assembly body. The at least one flow diffuser also promotes airflow through the high-capacity adsorbent in the internal volume of the body of each bleed control cartridge assembly.

[0006] In specific embodiments, the high-capacity adsorbent is one of activated carbon pellets and activated carbon granules.

[0007] In specific embodiments, the high-capacity adsorbent has a butane working capacity (BWC) of greater than 35 g / L.

[0008] In specific embodiments, at least one of the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly includes a plurality of flow diffusers.

[0009] In particular embodiments, said plurality of flow diffusers have one or more geometries.

[0010] In specific embodiments, the evaporative emissions canister includes a plurality of the bleed control cartridge assemblies arranged in series.

[0011] In specific embodiments, the body of the bleed control cartridge assembly is a hollow, cylindrical body having first and second opposite, open ends. The at least one flow diffuser extends from the first end to the second end.

[0012] In particular embodiments, each bleed control cartridge assembly further includes a porous layer covering each of the first and second ends.

[0013] In specific embodiments, the body includes external ribs extending from a first end to a second end. The ends and external ribs define the internal volume of the body.

[0014] In specific embodiments, the bed of adsorbent material is a high-capacity adsorbent.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the high-capacity adsorbent is an activated carbon material.Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087)

[0016] A fuel vapor canister for adsorbing fuel evaporated in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle is also provided. The fuel vapor canister includes a casing including a tank port for receiving fuel vapor from the fuel tank into the casing. The casing also includes a vent port in fluid communication with the external atmosphere. The casing defines an internal volume therein. A bed of adsorbent material is disposed in the internal volume defined by the casing proximate the tank port. At least one bleed control cartridge assembly is disposed downstream from the bed of adsorbent material in a flow direction from the tank port to the vent port. Each bleed control cartridge assembly includes a body defining an internal volume. At least one flow diffuser extends through the internal volume of the body. The internal volume of the body of each bleed control cartridge assembly is filled with a high-capacity adsorbent. The at least one flow diffuser has a geometry that restricts the high-capacity adsorbent from settling in the internal volume of the body of each bleed control cartridge assembly. The at least one flow diffuser also promotes airflow through the high-capacity adsorbent in the internal volume of the body each bleed control cartridge assembly.

[0017] In specific embodiments, the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly is proximate the vent port.

[0018] In specific embodiments, the high-capacity adsorbent is one of activated carbon pellets and activated carbon granules.

[0019] In specific embodiments, the high-capacity adsorbent has a butane working capacity (BWC) of greater than 35 g / L.

[0020] In specific embodiments, at least one of the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly includes a plurality of flow diffusers.

[0021] In particular embodiments, said plurality of flow diffusers have one or more geometries.

[0022] In specific embodiments, the fuel vapor canister includes a plurality of the bleed control cartridge assemblies arranged in series.

[0023] In particular embodiments, the plurality of bleed control cartridge assemblies are arranged between the bed of adsorbent material and the vent port.

[0024] In specific embodiments, the body of the bleed control cartridge assembly is a hollow, cylindrical body having first and second opposite, open ends. The at least one flow diffuser extends from the first end to the second end.

[0025] In particular embodiments, each bleed control cartridge assembly further includes a porous layer covering each of the first and second ends.

[0026] In specific embodiments, the body includes external ribs extending from a first porous layer end to a second porous layer end. The porous layer ends and external ribs define the internal volume of the body.Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Various advantages and aspects of this disclosure may be understood in view of the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fuel vapor canister including a bleed control cartridge assembly in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bleed control cartridge assembly in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a bleed control cartridge assembly in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic view of an adsorbent arrangement in a fuel vapor canister in accordance with the prior art;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic view of an adsorbent arrangement in a fuel vapor canister in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fuel vapor canister including a bleed control cartridge assembly in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;

[0034] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the fuel vapor canister of Figure 6;

[0035] Figure 8 is an enlarged portion of the sectional view of Figure 7;

[0036] Figure 9 is a partial, sectional view of a fuel vapor canister including a series of bleed control cartridge assemblies in accordance with yet other embodiments of the disclosure;

[0037] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a bleed control cartridge assembly in accordance with yet other embodiments of the disclosure;

[0038] Figure 11 is a sectional view of the bleed control cartridge assembly of Figure 10 taken along the line 11-11;

[0039] Figure 12 is another sectional view of the bleed control cartridge assembly of Figure 10 taken along the line 12-12;

[0040] Figure 13 is a plan view of the bleed control cartridge assembly of Figure 10; and

[0041] Figure 14 is a schematic view of a bleed control cartridge assembly in accordance with yet other embodiments of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] A bleed control cartridge assembly and an evaporative emissions canister including the same is provided. Referring to Figures 1–14, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the evaporative emissions canister is illustrated and generally designated as a fuel vapor canister 10, 110, 210 for a fuel tank of a vehicle fuel system. The fuel system pumps liquid fuel, by way of non-limiting example, gasoline fuel, from the fuel tank (not shown) to an internal combustion engine (not shown)Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) that powers an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor canister 10, 110, 210 traps fuel vapors that arise in the fuel tank during periods of non-use of the internal combustion engine due to, for example, daily variations in ambient temperatures and refueling events. The fuel vapor canister 10, 110, 210 includes a bleed control cartridge assembly 22, 122, 222, 322, 422 for trapping fuel vapors that are not adsorbed by primary adsorbent bed(s) of the canister. The bleed control cartridge assembly is advantageously capable of utilizing high-capacity adsorbents such as activated carbon without the high gas flow restriction typically encountered with high-capacity adsorbents.

[0043] Figure 1 schematically depicts a fuel vapor canister 10 used in a vehicle fuel system. The fuel vapor canister 10 includes a casing 12 that forms a main body of the canister 10. The casing 12 defines an internal volume 13 within the main body. The internal volume may be one single chamber inside the canister, or may be partitioned into a plurality of chambers, and any of the chambers may be further partitioned into two or more sub-chambers. The casing 12 has at least one inlet and one outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume of the casing. Particularly, the casing 12 has a tank port 14, a purge port 16, and a vent port 18. The tank port 14 and purge port 16 are disposed at one end of the internal volume of the casing 12, while the vent port 18 is disposed at an opposite end so that there may be fluid flow between the tank port 14 and the vent port 18 or between the vent port 18 and the purge port 16, depending on whether the canister 10 is in a charging or purging mode. The tank port 14 is connected to and in fluid communication with the vehicle fuel tank via a conduit or similar for charging the canister 10 with fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The vent port 18 is open to the atmosphere for venting the canister 10 during charging and for admission of purge air during purging. The purge port 16 is connected to and in fluid communication with an air intake system of the engine via a conduit or similar. When the internal combustion engine is not operating, fuel vapors generated in the fuel tank travel through the tank port 14 and into the internal volume 13. The fuel vapors become trapped by adsorbents in the canister 10, while air exits the canister through the vent port 18. When the internal combustion engine is running, air is occasionally drawn into the canister 10 through the vent port 18 to purge the canister, and the trapped fuel vapors are expelled through the purge port 16 into the air intake system of the internal combustion engine to be combusted with the air / fuel mixture. Thus, the tank port 14 is an inlet and the purge port 16 is an outlet, while the vent port 18 may be an outlet or an inlet depending on the operation of the canister 10 (charging versus purging) and the associated direction of flow. A fluid flow path thereby extends from the tank port 14 through the internal volume 13 to the vent port 18 in one operational mode of the canister 10, and from the vent port 18 through the internal volume 13 to the purge port 16 in another operational mode of the canister 10.Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087)

[0044] The internal volume 13 contains therein at least one bed of adsorbent material 20. The bed of adsorbent material 20 is located adjacent the tank port 14 in the charging flow direction from the tank port 14 to the vent port 18. As used herein, adjacent means the first bed of adsorbent material 20 is directly next to, in close proximity to, or neighboring the tank port 14 without any other fuel vapor adsorbent material being disposed between the bed of adsorbent material 20 and the tank port 14. It is possible, however, that there may be void space between the tank port 14 and the bed of adsorbent material 20, or there may be some other material between the tank port 14 and the bed of adsorbent material 20, such as a filter. The bed of adsorbent material 20 is not particularly limited and may be any material suitable for adsorbing fuel vapors, such as a bed of activated pellet or granular carbon, or other types or forms of adsorbents such as spherical, honeycomb, cylindrical, structured media of an extruded, wound, folded, pleated, corrugated, bonded, or poured form, sheets, foams, and the like. Depending on parameters such as the number of chambers in the internal volume 13 of the casing 12, the canister 10 may include only one such bed of adsorbent material, or a plurality of beds of adsorbent material in series beginning with a first adsorbent material bed 20. For example, each chamber may include a bed of adsorbent material, and the adsorbent materials may be the same or different materials. Also, a chamber may include two or more adsorbent beds of different adsorbent materials.

[0045] With reference now to Figures 1–3, in order to reduce or prevent bleed emissions from the vent port 18 of the canister 10 by trapping fuel vapors that are not adsorbed by the bed(s) of adsorbent material(s), at least one bleed control cartridge assembly 22 is located downstream from the bed of adsorbent material 20 (or plurality of adsorbent beds if more than one is included) in the charging flow direction. As such, the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly 22 is arranged between the bed of adsorbent material 20 and the vent port 18. In certain embodiments such as that shown in Figure 1, the canister 10 includes a plurality of the bleed control cartridge assemblies 22 arranged in series. Each bleed control cartridge assembly 22 includes a body 24 that defines an internal volume 26 in which air, fuel vapors, or other gaseous substances can travel. In some embodiments, the body 24 may be a hollow, cylindrical body having first and second opposite, open ends 28, 30. The body 24 may be formed, for example, by injection molding or another similar forming process. At least one flow diffuser 32 extends through the internal volume 26 of the body 24. As shown by way of example only, the bleed control cartridge assembly 22 includes a plurality of flow diffusers 32, but it should be understood that a bleed control cartridge assembly may include a single flow diffuser. The flow diffusers 32 may extend from the first end 28 to the second end 30. As such, each flow diffuser 32 generally may be in the form of a post that extends longitudinally through the internal volume 26 of the body 24. The flow diffusers 32 may be spaced from each other and arranged in an ordered or random pattern throughout theAtty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) internal volume 26 such as shown by way of example in Figures 2 and 3. Further, if the body 24 is formed by injection molding or similar, the flow diffusers 32 may be formed together with the body 24 in which case connection walls 34 are molded to connect the flow diffusers 32 to the cylindrical wall of the body 24 and / or to each other. As such, the flow diffusers 32 may be suspended within the internal volume 26 by the connection walls 34.

[0046] As shown schematically in Figure 3, an adsorbent 36, such as a high-capacity adsorbent, is filled into the internal volume 26 of the body 24 within the cylindrical wall of the body and between the flow diffusers 32. A mesh or other porous layer (not shown) may close the ends 28, 30 of the body 24 to prevent the adsorbent 36 from exiting the internal volume 26 of the body 24. As used herein, a high-capacity adsorbent is an adsorbent material having a butane working capacity (BWC) of at least 35 g / L. Optionally, the adsorbent 36 may have a BWC that is greater than 36 g / L, alternatively greater than 40 g / L, alternatively greater than 50 g / L, alternatively greater than 75 g / L, alternatively greater than 100 g / L, alternatively greater than 120 g / L, alternatively greater than 150 g / L, alternatively greater than 170 g / L. BWC is generally the amount of butane a specific volume of adsorbent such as activated carbon can adsorb, and may be defined as the difference between the butane adsorbed by the volume of adsorbent at saturation and the butane retained by the volume of adsorbent after purging defined. In some embodiments, the adsorbent 36 is either activated carbon pellets or activated carbon granules.

[0047] The geometry of each flow diffuser 32 is not particularly limited as long as the geometry restricts and / or prevents the adsorbent 36 from settling in the internal volume 26 of the body 24. In specific embodiments such as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the flow diffuser 32 may have a star-shaped cross-section taken along a plane that generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 24, which is also generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post structure of the flow diffuser 32. However, the flow diffusers are not limited to this exemplary star shape and may have other cross-sectional geometries that restrict and / or do not allow the adsorbent to settle within the internal volume 26 in comparison to an internal volume that is one hollow cavity. For example, the flow diffusers may have a fin shape or a vane shape. Additionally, the flow diffusers may have more than one geometry or cross-sectional shape in a single bleed control cartridge assembly. For example, one or more flow diffuser may have a first geometry, and at least one other flow diffuser may have a second geometry that is different than the first geometry. The one or more geometries of the flow diffusers 32 thereby create porosity between the adsorbent material to promote airflow through the adsorbent material within the internal volume 26, therefore providing a lower airflow restriction than would be observed for a packed volume of the same adsorbent material. By preventing adsorbent compaction within the body 24, the flow diffusers 32 allow for a tortuous path for airflow around the adsorbent material. Thus, the adsorbent material inAtty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) the bleed control cartridge assembly 22 is much less restrictive to flow than a cartridge having a similar amount of carbon without the flow diffusers, while still providing the same effectiveness for lowering or preventing low bleed emissions. For example, as shown schematically in Figure 4, in a conventional fuel vapor canister, the carbon bed has a flow restriction of P1 and low bleed elements downstream each have a flow restriction of P2; the canister total restriction is the sum of P1 and n times P2, where n is the number of low bleed elements. In contrast, in the present fuel vapor canister 10 as shown schematically in Figure 5, the carbon bed has a flow restriction of P1 and each bleed control cartridge assembly 22, 122, 222, 322, 422 has a flow restriction of P3. The canister total restriction is the sum of P1 and n times P3, where n is the number of bleed control cartridge assemblies 22, 122, 222, 322, 422. Due to the flow diffusers 32, P3 is much less than P2, such that the total flow restriction of the fuel vapor canister 10 is in turn much less than the total flow restriction of the conventional fuel vapor canister, even when each bleed control cartridge assembly 22, 122, 222, 322, 422 has the same volume of adsorbent as each low bleed element of the conventional fuel vapor canister.

[0048] Turning to Figures 6–8, in an exemplary embodiment of the fuel vapor canister 110, the bleed control cartridge assembly 122 is downstream of the chamber 150 in which the first bed of adsorbent material (not shown) is disposed. The bleed control cartridge assembly 122 is also proximate the vent port 118. The portion of the internal volume of the casing 112 in which the bleed control cartridge assembly 122 is located is narrower than the chamber 150 and therefore inherently has a greater flow restriction than the chamber. In the charging mode, fuel vapors from the fuel tank enter the canister 110 through the tank port and are adsorbed by the bed of adsorbent material in the chamber 150. Fuel vapors that are not adsorbed by the bed of adsorbent material, or any further bed of adsorbent material in the downstream direction, travel through the internal volume of the casing 112 and reach the bleed control cartridge assembly 122 prior to the vent port 118. The adsorbent (not shown) in the bleed control cartridge assembly 122 adsorbs these fuel vapors, preventing the vapors from being emitted from the canister 110 through the vent port 118.

[0049] In other embodiments shown in Figure 9, two bleed control cartridge assemblies 222 are arranged in series in a narrow section 252 of the casing 212 of the fuel vapor canister 210. In these embodiments, the bleed control cartridge assemblies 222 are directly adjacent to a vent port 218. Typically, highly adsorbent high-capacity activated carbon pellets or granules are limited in their use as bleed emissions control element adsorbents due to their high flow restriction in such narrow sections of a canister body. The high flow restriction of activated carbon pellets and granules limits the amount of activated carbon that can be used in a bleed control element, and also limits the number of bleed control elements that can be arranged in series since the flow resistance is additive. In contrast, the present bleed controlAtty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) cartridge assembly 222 allows for the use of a volume of high-capacity adsorbent in each assembly for bleed control without the effect of high flow restriction in these narrow sections.

[0050] As shown in Figures 10–13, in yet another exemplary embodiment a bleed control cartridge assembly 322 includes a body 324 that may be cylindrical in shape and a cap 325 that covers a first end 329 of the body 324. The cap 325 includes a plurality of openings 333 that allow for fluid flow into and / or out of the body 324. An opposite, second end 331 of the body 324 also includes a plurality of openings 335 that allow for fluid flow into and / or out of the body 324. A plurality of flow diffusers 332 extend through the internal volume 326 of the body 324; however, it should be understood that the assembly 322 may only include a single flow diffuser. Each flow diffuser 332 may have the same or similar properties and function as the flow diffusers 32 of the first embodiment 22. As shown by way of example, the flow diffusers 332 of the bleed control cartridge assembly 322 may have an elongated post structure and may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes including a number of vanes 337 that extend outwardly at various lengths from a central axis of the flow diffuser 332. An adsorbent 336, such as a high-capacity adsorbent, is filled into the internal volume 326 of the body 324 within the cylindrical wall of the body and between the flow diffusers 332. The adsorbent 336 has the same or similar properties and function as the absorbent 36 of the first embodiment 22. As in the first embodiment 22, the flow diffusers 332 create porosity between the adsorbent 336 to promote airflowthrough the adsorbent 336 within the internal volume 326 of the bleed control cartridge assembly 322, therefore providing a lower airflow restriction than would be observed for a packed volume of the same adsorbent material. By preventing adsorbent compaction within the body 324, the flow diffusers 332 allow for a tortuous path for airflow around the adsorbent 336. Thus, the flow diffusers 332 reduce the pressure drop in the fluid flow from the first end 329 of the body 324 to the second end 331 or vice versa, while still providing the same effectiveness for lowering or preventing low bleed emissions.

[0051] Turning finally to Figure 14, in other embodiments the bleed control cartridge assembly 422 includes first and second ends 442, 444 each formed by a porous layer such as but not limited to a circular mesh. A plurality of external ribs 446 are attached to and extending between the first and second ends 442, 444. The ends 442, 444 and the external ribs 446 generally define the body of the bleed control cartridge assembly 422. The flow diffusers (not shown) extend between the first and second ends within a volume surrounded by the ribs 446. Adsorbent material 448 such as activated pellet or granular carbon is held within the assembly 440 by the ribs 446 and the first and second ends 442, 444. Air flow is directed to the adsorbent material 448 through the gaps between the ribs 446 and through pores in the ends 442, 444.Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087)

[0052] It is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to express and particular compounds, compositions, or methods described in the detailed description, which may vary between particular embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims. With respect to any Markush groups relied upon herein for describing particular features or aspects of various embodiments, different, special, and / or unexpected results may be obtained from each member of the respective Markush group independent from all other Markush members. Each member of a Markush group may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

[0053] Further, any ranges and subranges relied upon in describing various embodiments of the present invention independently and collectively fall within the scope of the appended claims, and are understood to describe and contemplate all ranges including whole and / or fractional values therein, even if such values are not expressly written herein. One of skill in the art readily recognizes that the enumerated ranges and subranges sufficiently describe and enable various embodiments of the present invention, and such ranges and subranges may be further delineated into relevant halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, and so on. As just one example, a range “of from 0.1 to 0.9” may be further delineated into a lower third, i.e., from 0.1 to 0.3, a middle third, i.e., from 0.4 to 0.6, and an upper third, i.e., from 0.7 to 0.9, which individually and collectively are within the scope of the appended claims, and may be relied upon individually and / or collectively and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, with respect to the language which defines or modifies a range, such as “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “no more than,” and the like, it is to be understood that such language includes subranges and / or an upper or lower limit. As another example, a range of “at least 10” inherently includes a subrange of from at least 10 to 35, a subrange of from at least 10 to 25, a subrange of from 25 to 35, and so on, and each subrange may be relied upon individually and / or collectively and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, an individual number within a disclosed range may be relied upon and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. For example, a range “of from 1 to 9” includes various individual integers, such as 3, as well as individual numbers including a decimal point (or fraction), such as 4.1, which may be relied upon and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

[0054] The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive descriptionAtty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements by ordinal terms, for example “first,” “second,” and “third,” are used for clarity, and are not to be construed as limiting the order in which the claim elements appear. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claims

Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087)CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An evaporative emissions canister (10) comprising:a casing (12) including a tank port (14) and a vent port (18), the casing defining an internal volume (13);a bed of adsorbent material (20) in the internal volume (13) defined by the casing (12);at least one bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) downstream from the bed of adsorbent material (20) in a flow direction from the tank port (14) to the vent port (18);wherein each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) comprises a body (24) defining an internal volume (26) and at least one flow diffuser (32) extending through the internal volume (26) of the body (24);wherein the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) is filled with a high-capacity adsorbent (36);wherein the at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) has a geometry that restricts the high-capacity adsorbent (36) from settling in the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), and the at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) promotes airflow through the high-capacity adsorbent (36) in the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422).

2. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 1, wherein the high-capacity adsorbent (36): i) is one of activated carbon pellets and activated carbon granules; or ii) has a butane working capacity (BWC) of greater than 35 g / L; or iii) both i) and ii).

3. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) includes a plurality of flow diffusers (32, 332).

4. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 3, wherein said plurality of flow diffusers (32, 332) have one or more geometries.

5. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 1, including a plurality of the bleed control cartridge assemblies (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) arranged in series.Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) 6. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 1, wherein the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322) is a hollow, cylindrical body having first (28) and second (30) opposite, open ends; andthe at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) extends from the first end (28) to the second end (30).

7. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 6, wherein each bleed control cartridge assembly (422) further comprises a porous layer (442, 444) covering each of the first and second ends.

8. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 1, wherein the body comprises external ribs (446) extending from a first porous layer end (442) to a second porous layer end (444), the porous layer ends and external ribs defining the internal volume (26) of the body (24).

9. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 1, wherein the bed of adsorbent material (20) is a high-capacity adsorbent.

10. The evaporative emissions canister (10) of claim 9, wherein the high-capacity adsorbent is an activated carbon material.

11. A fuel vapor canister (10) for adsorbing fuel evaporated in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle, the fuel vapor canister comprising:a casing (12) including a tank port (14), the casing defining an internal volume (13); the casing (12) including a vent port (18) in fluid communication with an external atmosphere;a bed of adsorbent material (20) in the internal volume (13) defined by the casing (12) proximate the tank port (14);at least one bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) downstream from the bed of adsorbent material (20) in a flow direction from the tank port (14) to the vent port (18);wherein each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) comprises a body (24) defining an internal volume (26) and at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) extending through the internal volume of the body;wherein the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) is filled with a high-capacity adsorbent (36);Atty Docket No. 200451.219522-WO (PH24087) wherein the at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) has a geometry that restricts the high-capacity adsorbent (36) from settling in the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly body (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), and the at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) promotes airflow through the high-capacity adsorbent (36) in the internal volume (26) of the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422).

12. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 11, wherein the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) is proximate the vent port (18).

13. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 11, wherein the high-capacity adsorbent (36): i) is one of activated carbon pellets and activated carbon granules; or ii) has a butane working capacity (BWC) of greater than 35 g / L; or iii) both i) and ii).

14. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 11, wherein at least one of the at least one bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) includes a plurality of flow diffusers (32, 332).

15. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 14, wherein said plurality of flow diffusers (32, 332) have one or more geometries.

16. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 11, including a plurality of the bleed control cartridge assemblies (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) arranged in series.

17. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 11, wherein the body (24) of each bleed control cartridge assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) is a hollow, cylindrical body having first (28) and second (30) opposite, open ends; andthe at least one flow diffuser (32, 332) extends from the first end (28) to the second end (30).

18. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 17, wherein each bleed control cartridge assembly (422) further comprises a porous layer (442, 444) covering each of the first and second ends.

19. The fuel vapor canister (10) of claim 11, wherein the body (26) comprises external ribs (446) extending from a first porous layer end (442) to a second porous layer end (444), the porous layer ends and external ribs defining the internal volume (26) of the body (24).

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