Fuel Tank Vent Conduit Draining Conduit Condensation Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel tank systems with a vent conduit connected to a canister, liquid fuel tends to stagnate in a siphon-like area within the tank due to condensation, leading to improper operation of the canister when the vehicle is parked in low temperatures and subsequently used.
Innovation Solution
A draining conduit is integrated within the tank to collect and re-evaporate the condensed liquid fuel, with a closed end portion either immersed in the fuel for thermal insulation or placed near a heat source to ensure re-evaporation and reverse flow towards the canister.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vent conduit has an intermediate portion at a lowermost position to accommodate tank wall recesses, then the tank structure can be adapted to vehicle underbody space constraints, but liquid fuel condensation stagnates in this siphon-like area and may reach the canister
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic condensed liquid fuel from the vent conduit by introducing a separate draining conduit that leads to an accumulator chamber. This separates the liquid accumulation function from the vapor venting function, preventing liquid from reaching the canister while maintaining the adapted tank structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator chamber acts as an intermediary element between the siphon-like zone and the canister. It captures condensed liquid fuel in its lowest portion and prevents it from entering the canister, while allowing vapor to pass through. The drain hole in the accumulator chamber provides a controlled path for liquid removal.
2Reliability
If a draining conduit with closed end portion is added to accumulate and evaporate condensed fuel, then liquid fuel is prevented from reaching the canister, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the draining conduit system: condensation collection, liquid accumulation in the closed end portion, thermal evaporation through fuel immersion or heat source proximity, and liquid discharge back to the tank. This integrated approach prevents canister contamination while using existing thermal resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the tank's own fuel temperature and thermal inertia to evaporate condensed liquid fuel. The closed end portion immersed in fuel utilizes the fuel's thermal energy for evaporation, or alternatively uses external heat sources like the exhaust pipe, eliminating the need for additional active heating systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents liquid fuel from reaching the canister, ensuring proper operation by addressing stagnation and facilitating evaporation of condensed fuel through the draining conduit's design.
Implementation Method 1
liquid fuel originated from a condensation of the vapours within the vent conduit
Implementation Method 2
re-evaporation of the condensed fuel, and elimination thereof by its reverse flow
Implementation Method 3
said closed end portion being placed at an area which reaches a temperature sufficient to cause the re-evaporation
Implementation Method 4
elimination thereof by its reverse flow through the draining conduit and then through the vent conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel tank for a motor-vehicle includes a vent conduit connected to a canister arranged outside of the tank for absorbing fuel vapors. The vent conduit has a portion arranged inside the tank with an intermediate portion located at a lowermost position, which creates a zone in which liquid fuel tends to stagnate, which is originated from condensation of the vapors inside the vent conduit. The tank further includes a conduit for draining the liquid fuel originated from condensation of vapors present within the vent conduit. The draining conduit extends downwardly starting from the zone and ends with a closed end portion acting as accumulator and evaporator of the fuel. The closed end portion is arranged at an area which can reach a temperature sufficient for causing evaporation of the condensed fuel and elimination thereof by a flow in an opposite direction through the draining conduit and then through the vent conduit towards the canister.