Method for indicating exchange of a fuel vapor absorber and a vehicle with an indicator therefore

Abstract

An indicator is provided in a vehicle for indicating necessity of change of a fuel vapor absorber in a venting line of a vehicle tank, especially a methanol tank for fuel cell vehicles.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a fuel tank, the vehicle further comprising an indication system configured for indicating necessity for exchange of a component of the vehicle; the system comprising a counter for counting the number of tank fillings or the number of volume units of refilled fuel since the installation of the component, a compare function for comparing the counted number with a predetermined number, an indicator unit indicating to a user of the vehicle the need for exchanging the component when the counted number exceeds the predetermined number; characterized in that the component is a fuel vapor absorber, wherein the fuel tank comprises a vent pipe and the fuel vapor absorber is provided in the vent pipe for absorbing fuel vapor.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a timer that measures the time length since the last installation of a new fuel vapor absorber and a compare function programmed for comparing the measured time length with a pre-determined time length, wherein the indicator unit is configured for indicating to the user of the vehicle the need for exchanging the absorber when the measured time length exceeds the predetermined time length, wherein the counted number and the measured time length are combined for a determination as to whether the absorber should be exchanged.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a cabin, and wherein the indicator unit is located inside the cabin and configured for providing an alarm signal, the alarm signal comprising at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tank comprises a level sensor for the fuel level in the tank, and the counter is configured to only increase the counted number for refills, if an actual refill comprises a minimum volume added to the tank as measured by the level sensor.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises methanol fuel in the fuel tank and a fuel cell system connected to the tank and configured for using the methanol fuel for providing electricity for electrical motors propelling the vehicle.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fuel vapor absorber is porous with an active surface area of more than 400 m2/g to 2000 m2/g selected among active carbon, zeolites or adsorptive polymer resins.

7. A method of indicating need for exchange of a component of a vehicle, the method comprising counting by a counter the number of tank fillings or the number of volume units of refilled fuel since the installation of the component, comparing the counted number with a predetermined number, and indicating to a user of the vehicle by an indicator unit the need for exchanging the component when the counted number exceeds the predetermined number, characterized in that the component is a fuel vapor absorber.

8. The method according to claim 7, the method comprising measuring, with a timer, the time length since the installation of the fuel vapor absorber and comparing the measured time length with a predetermined time length, and by the indicator unit indicating to the user of the vehicle the need for exchanging the absorber when the measured time length exceeds the predetermined time length, wherein the counted number and the measured time length are combined for a determination as to whether the absorber should be exchanged.

9. The method according to claim 8, where the method comprises increasing the counted number or decreasing the predetermined number with increased measured time.

10. The method according to claim 9, the method comprising dividing the measured time by a predetermined period and adding the number of calculated periods corresponding to the measured time length to the counted number.

11. The method according to claim 7, the method comprising measuring the temperature of the fuel in the tank or the temperature of the environment around the vehicle and providing a temperature profile thereof in the measured time, and increasing the counted number or reducing the predetermined number if the temperature profile is higher than a predetermined temperature profile.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle comprises a cabin and wherein the indicator unit is located inside the cabin and the method comprises providing an alarm signal inside the cabin by at least one of an audit signal and a visual signal.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the tank comprises a level sensor for fuel level in the tank, and the method comprises only increasing the counted number for tank fillings by the counter if an actual refill comprises a minimum volume added to the tank as measured by the level sensor.

14. The method according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle comprises a fuel cell system for providing electricity for electrical motors propel ling the vehicle, wherein the method comprises using methanol as part of the fuel for the fuel cell system and the tank is a methanol tank.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 a vehicle with a fuel tank

(3) FIG. 2 is a fuel tank with a venting pipe that has an absorber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) FIG. 1 illustrates vehicle 1 with a fuel cell 2 and a liquid fuel tank 3, and FIG. 2 illustrates the fuel tank 3 in greater detail.

(5) The fuel cell 2 of the vehicle 1, which is exemplified as an automobile, provides electricity which is fed through a corresponding electrical cable 5 to an electrical engine 6 that is driving the corresponding wheel 7 or wheels for propelling the vehicle 1.

(6) The fuel of the fuel cell 2 is potentially a mix of water and methanol, the methanol being provided from a fuel tank 3 through a pipe 4 to the fuel cell 2. A refill pipe 9 connects the tank 3 with a tank access system 8 for receiving fuel for refill of the tank 3 through the refill pipe 9, which is indicated by arrow 14. The refilling pipe 9 is typically covered with a closure member.

(7) In order to release gases, such as fuel vapor, from the tank 3, a venting pipe 10 with a venting exit 12 is provided at or near the top of the tank 3. For absorbing the fuel vapor before these may leave the tank 3, an absorber 11 is provided upstream of the venting exit 12, which absorbs the fuel vapor, for example by adsorption, depending on the type of absorber 11.

(8) When the absorber 11 is exhausted, the absorption is not any longer working satisfactory, and fuel vapor may escape from the tank 3 through the venting exit 12, which is indicated by arrow 13. In order to prevent uncontrolled exhaustion of the absorber 11 and to ensure that fuel vapor is actually absorbed, the vehicle comprises an indicator unit 15 which gives an alarm signal, for example based on light 16 or sound 17 or both when it is time to renew or regenerate the absorber 11.

(9) In order to indicate such necessity for exchange of the absorber 11, the number of refillings of the tank 3 are counted by a counter 21, for example as part of the indicator unit 15. A computer, for example as part of the counter 21 may comprise a programmed computer routine that is comparing the count with a predetermined number of counts. When the number of actual refilling counts exceeds the predetermined number, an alarm 16, 17 indicates that it is time to change the absorber 11.

(10) Optionally, the system, for example the counter 21 or computer, also comprises a timer that measures the time since the installation of the absorber and takes this into account for determining the correct timing for signaling need of exchange of the absorber.

(11) For example, a signal for a refill of the tank 3 is provided to the indicator unit 15 by the vehicle's internal fuel level meter 23. This would imply the option that the counter 21 can use a computer check routine on the basis of the level signal from the vehicle's internal fuel level meter 23 for determining whether at least a minimum amount of fuel was added to the tank 3 before the amount is actually qualified to count as a refill for the purpose.

(12) Alternatively, a separate tank fuel level sensor 22 is installed in the tank 3 and used. In this case the separate tank fuel level sensor 22 and the indicator unit 15 communicate, for example wirelessly 19 with corresponding transceivers 20.

(13) The separate tank level sensor 22 is an option. As a further alternative, there is provided a counter module 18 inside the tank 3 for counting the refills. As an option, the computer 24 is functionally connected to such counter module 18, and as an option, the level meter 22 is part of such counter module 18. In order to initiate an alarm, the computer 24 sends a signal to the indicator 15, for example a wireless signal 19.

(14) As it appears from the foregoing, there are several options for practical embodiments for the counting, in which the options can be combined in various ways: refill counting with or without level sensor 22; using the vehicle's internal fuel level meter 23 for the signal that is used as basis for the counting or using a level sensor 22 separately installed in the tank 3; using a minimum volume of refill in order to count it as a refill; counting the total volume of refilled fuel and dividing the number by a suitable tank volume to reach a number of full refills; a computer 24 as part of the indicator unit 15 or provided separate, for example as part of a counter module 18 inside the tank; wired or wireless communication between the components of the counter and alarm system.

(15) As an even further alternative, a counter or signal transmitter for counting could also be implemented in the tank access system 8, for example in closure member or in the mechanical cooperating receiver for the closure member, so that each time the closure member is removed and a refill nozzle is attached to the tank access system, a signal is given which represents a count.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(16) 1 vehicle 2 fuel cell 3 tank 4 fuel pipe 5 electric wire 6 electric motor 7 wheel 8 tank access system 9 fuel refill pipe 10 venting pipe 11 absorber 12 exit of venting pipe 13 escaping fuel vapor 14 fuel for refill 15 indicator unit 16 visual signal, for example flash 17 audio signal 18 counter module 19 wireless signal 20 transceiver 21 counter 22 level sensor 23 internal fuel level meter 24 computer