초록 ▼

An apparatus is disclosed for heating the interior of a motor vehicle capable of being powered by electricity or a liquid fuel. A canister stores vapors released from a vehicle fuel tank, and a heater in communication with the canister burns the vapors stored therein to generate heated exhaust gases

An apparatus is disclosed for heating the interior of a motor vehicle capable of being powered by electricity or a liquid fuel. A canister stores vapors released from a vehicle fuel tank, and a heater in communication with the canister burns the vapors stored therein to generate heated exhaust gases. Coolant is circulated between a heating coil where the coolant absorbs heat from the heated exhaust gases and a heater core where at least a portion of the heat absorbed by the coolant is transmitted to the interior of the vehicle. A system controller receives a first input indicating a demand for heat in the interior of the vehicle, a second input indicating the state of charge of an electrical storage battery, and a third input indicating a time interval since the canister was previously purged. The system controller signals an ignitor to begin combustion in the heater if the first input indicates a demand for heat, the second input indicates the state of charge of the battery is high, and the third input indicates a time interval greater than a predetermined amount.

대표청구항 ▼

A fuel vapor management apparatus for heating the interior of a motor vehicle capable of being powered by electricity or a liquid fuel, the apparatus comprising: a fuel tank for storing the liquid fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine; a canister for storing vapors released from the f

A fuel vapor management apparatus for heating the interior of a motor vehicle capable of being powered by electricity or a liquid fuel, the apparatus comprising: a fuel tank for storing the liquid fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine; a canister for storing vapors released from the fuel tank; a heater in communication with the canister and adapted to combust the vapors stored therein to generate heated exhaust gases; a circuit for circulating coolant between a heating coil where the coolant absorbs heat from the heated exhaust gases generated by the heater and a heater core where at least a portion of the heat absorbed by the coolant may be transmitted to the interior of the vehicle; and a system controller adapted to receive a first input indicative of a demand for heat in the interior of the vehicle, a second input indicative of the state of charge of an electrical storage battery, and a third input indicative of a time interval since the canister was previously purged; the system controller signalling an ignitor to begin combustion in the heater if the first input indicates a demand for heat, the second input indicates the state of charge of the battery is high, and the third input indicates a time interval greater than a predetermined amount.