Eaton Touts Adaptive Fuel Tank Venting Tech

Eaton Corp. has developed an electronically controlled fuel tank vapor venting system it says can be tailored to specific vehicle applications to enhance efficiency, improve performance and reduce fuel system development costs.

Dubbed eVaptive, the system uses software to control the transmission of fuel vapors to a charcoal canister while keeping liquid fuel confined to the fuel tank. An unnamed global carmaker currently is testing the technology, according to Eaton.

The system can be adjusted to fit any vehicle platform, fuel tank or driving situation, the supplier says. Using a common design eliminates the need to develop separate venting systems for different vehicles.

Vapor venting positions typically are set at the top of the fuel tank where vapors accumulate. With eVaptive, the vent points can be opened and closed as needed via an actuator. Any liquid fuel that enters the vent tubes is routed to a central liquid trap where it is drained back into the fuel tank. Once the vapor and fuel are separated in the liquid trap, the vapor is routed to the charcoal canister for adsorption.

The actuator is controlled by a computer algorithm designed to minimize fuel carryover to the interior liquid and controls the fuel level during refueling. It also can be used to mitigate the spillover that can occur during refueling.

The system employs adaptive learning to improve the venting algorithm. It also can adjust pressure relief for the fuel tank just prior to a refueling event on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle applications.