SOUTHFIELD – Power management company Eaton announced its new eVaptive electronically controlled fuel tank vapor venting system that can be optimized for any vehicle platform, eliminating the need for automakers to design unique venting systems for different vehicles.
The eVaptive system uses software to control the transmission of fuel vapors to a charcoal canister while keeping liquid fuel confined to the fuel tank. For any given fuel tank application, the system can be optimized for all driving situations as well as stationary and refueling modes. The hardware is a “one-size-fits-all” unit that can be programmed to fit any vehicle platform.
In a traditional fuel tank design, optimal vapor venting positions are determined at the top of the tank where vapors accumulate. Once determined, Eaton’s eVaptive system vent points can then be opened and closed as needed for optimized venting via an actuator system. 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 the errant fuel are separated in the liquid trap, the vapor is routed to the charcoal canister for adsorption.
The actuator system is controlled by a computer algorithm that minimizes fuel carryover to the interior liquid trap in all situations and controls the fuel level during refueling. It also can be used to mitigate the spillover that sometimes occurs when filling a tank to the top.
Eaton’s eVaptive system is currently undergoing testing with a global automaker.
For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
