Side-Mount Fuel Tank Filler Pipe for Vapor Capture During Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side mount fuel tanks in heavy commercial vehicles lack an effective means to capture fuel vapors during refilling, posing a challenge for meeting stringent evaporative emissions standards.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system design that includes a side mount fuel tank with a fuel fill pipe featuring a hole positioned outside the liquid fuel area, allowing vapors to flow into the fuel fill pipe and be directed to a vapor storage system, thereby reducing the vapor load on the carbon canister.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a side mount fuel tank is used without a vapor capture mechanism, then the fuel filler inlet remains simple and short, but evaporative emissions cannot be controlled during refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel fill pipe is nested within the fuel filler inlet structure, with the pipe extending through the inlet and positioned to reach into the fuel tank. The hole in the fuel fill pipe is nested within the pipe structure itself, creating a compact integrated design that captures vapors without adding external complexity to the fuel filler inlet assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional vapor capture system is installed, then evaporative emissions can be controlled, but the system requires additional conduits and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel fill pipe is merged with the vapor capture function by incorporating a hole directly into the pipe structure. This combines the liquid fuel delivery function and the vapor capture function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate conduits and reducing overall system complexity while effectively controlling evaporative emissions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a large volume carbon canister is used to capture all fuel vapors, then evaporative emissions are controlled, but the system size and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hole in the fuel fill pipe performs preliminary vapor capture action during the refilling process. By capturing vapors at the source through the pipe hole, the system prevents large volumes of vapors from reaching the carbon canister, thereby reducing the canister volume needed while still achieving effective evaporative emissions control.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the hole is positioned inside the liquid fuel area, then the fuel fill pipe structure is simple, but fuel vapors cannot be effectively captured
Solution Approach 1:
The hole in the fuel fill pipe is positioned with specific local quality characteristics - located in the upper portion of the pipe where it enters the fuel tank, above the liquid fuel level. This localized positioning creates a vapor capture zone distinct from the liquid fuel area, enabling effective vapor capture while maintaining a relatively simple pipe structure.
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
This design enables efficient capture and storage of fuel vapors, allowing for the use of a smaller carbon canister while reducing evaporative emissions, thus meeting stringent regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
the hole may be positioned in an area of a fuel tank that is outside of an area of the fuel tank that stores liquid fuel. This allows gases to flow from the fuel tank and into the fuel fill tube
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are presented for collecting fuel vapors in a fuel system that includes a side mount fuel tank. The methods and systems may allow fuel vapors to be captured during filling of the side mount fuel tank. In one example, the side mount fuel tank is fitted with a fuel filler tube that extends into the side mount fuel tank so that fuel vapors may be captured while the side mount fuel tank is being filled.