초록 ▼

When a tank filler tube cap is closed, several flow paths having solenoid-operated valves are selectively operated by an engine management computer to control pressurizing of a bladder disposed in a fuel tank and of surrounding fuel vapor space not occupied by the bladder to attenuate fuel vapor gen

When a tank filler tube cap is closed, several flow paths having solenoid-operated valves are selectively operated by an engine management computer to control pressurizing of a bladder disposed in a fuel tank and of surrounding fuel vapor space not occupied by the bladder to attenuate fuel vapor generation. Venting of the bladder to atmosphere and of the vapor headspace to a canister are also controlled. The control further regulates the pressure in the bladder relative to that in the vapor headspace. On-board testing for leakage can be automatically accomplished for ascertaining compliance with relevant regulations. When the tank is to be re-fueled, a signal is sent to the computer. If conditions, as sensed by certain sensors, are appropriate, the computer unlatches an access door to the filler tube cap so that upon removal of the cap, no significant pressure differential that might cause vapor to be expelled from the tank to atmosphere, or impede the filling of the tank with fuel from the nozzle, is present. As liquid fuel is dispensed into the tank, the combined volumes of the bladder and the tank vapor headspace are reduced by the volume of liquid fuel introduced into the tank. The headspace cannot be re-pressurized until the cap again closes the filler tube.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for closed storage of volatile liquid fuel comprising:a) a tank defining an interior volume for holding volatile liquid fuel and for providing a headspace for volatilized fuel; andb) a system for attenuating the volatilization of liquid fuel in the tank interior

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for closed storage of volatile liquid fuel comprising:a) a tank defining an interior volume for holding volatile liquid fuel and for providing a headspace for volatilized fuel; andb) a system for attenuating the volatilization of liquid fuel in the tank interior volume which comprises:1) an enclosure that comprises a fuel-impermeable wall disposed within the tank interior volume and that is expandable and contractible in volume to reduce the volume of the tank headspace for volatilized fuel by the volume of the enclosure;2) a source of environmentally non-hazardous gas at superatmospheric pressure; and3) a control for introducing superatmospheric pressure gas from the source both into the tank headspace to pressurize the tank headspace to superatmospheric pressure and into the enclosure to pressurize the enclosure to superatmospheric pressure.