DESC:FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to the field of fuel vapor emission control system for controlling fuel vapor emission from a fuel tank of a vehicle into the atmosphere and a mounting arrangement for mounting the fuel vapor emission control system on a frame of the vehicle.
DEFINITION
Available space herein means space left un-occupied after mounting various essential and/or non-essential elements of the two-wheeler vehicle and space where the elements of the fuel vapor emission control system may be mounted without interfering with the operation of essential and/or non-essential elements of the two-wheeler vehicle.
BACKGROUND
A fuel tank of a vehicle receives and holds fuel required for operating the engine of the vehicle. The fuel that is generally used is petrol in case of most of the two-wheelers and is volatile in nature and because of this inherent property of the fuel, there are chances of formation of fuel vapors inside the fuel tank that escapes easily into the atmosphere and may be a cause of environmental pollution. In operation, the fuel from the fuel tank flows into a carburetor or fuel injection system through a fuel cock and/or a fuel pump. In fuel injected and carbureted engines, fuel is subsequently mixed with air and is fed to an engine wherein combustion of the fuel takes place for powering the engine of the vehicle. The fuel tank is provided with a cap for covering a fuel inlet of the fuel tank. As the level of the fuel in the fuel tank reduces subsequently due to operation of the engine, reduced pressure is created inside the fuel tank above the fuel held in the fuel tank. The reduced pressure, thus created, inhibits continuous flow of the fuel to the engine. Hence, by providing breather holes in the covering cap of the fuel tank the reduced pressure is released. The vehicle when operating, part of the fuel held in the fuel tank vaporizes due to heat from the engine and the local climatic condition. The breather holes release the reduced pressure; however, the vaporized fuel also escapes into the atmosphere from these breather holes. The vaporized fuel consists of hydrocarbon and other ingredients which when released into the atmosphere leads to environmental pollution and the escape of the vaporized fuel into the atmosphere also results in loss of the fuel from the fuel tank.
It is observed that the way the fuel vapor emission control systems are mounted onto the vehicle inevitably leads to one or more disadvantages:
One disadvantage of the conventional mounting arrangement of the fuel vapor emission control system is that it fails to achieve proper utilization of available space.
Another disadvantage of the conventional mounting arrangement of the fuel vapor emission control system is that it requires lengthy fuel vapor tubes, wherein these lengthy fuel vapor tubes may cause the fuel vapors to condense as the fuel vapor passes through a lengthy flow path that may cause sludge formation and obstruct flow through the fuel vapor tubes, thereby hindering evacuation of fuel vapors from the fuel tank.
Still another disadvantage of the conventional mounting arrangement of the fuel vapor emission control system is that the lengthy fuel vapor tubes may sag and interfere with other elements of the fuel vapor emission control system which is not desired.
Yet another disadvantage of the conventional mounting of the fuel vapor emission control system is that the lengthy fuel vapor tubes may require more suction pressure to draw fuel vapor from the fuel tank and to carry fuel vapor to the inlet manifold and this will affect the performance of an engine.
Hence, there is a need to for a mounting arrangement for a fuel vapor emission control system that eliminates the drawbacks associated with the convention mounting arrangements for the fuel vapor emission control system thereby enabling the fuel vapor emission control systems to control the emission of the fuel vapor into the atmosphere and effectively utilize the fuel for combustion in the engine by preventing wastage of fuel due to the escape of the fuel vapor from the fuel tank.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative are listed herein below.
It is an object of the present disclosure to eliminate drawbacks associated with conventional mounting arrangement of the fuel vapor emission control system that fail to utilize available space for mounting of the fuel vapor emission control system and that require lengthy fuel vapor tubes.
Another object of the present disclosure to provide a fuel vapor emission control system that minimizes release of the vaporized fuel from a fuel tank into the atmosphere.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel vapor emission control system which efficiently utilizes the vaporized fuel in the fuel tank for combustion.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to optimize the length of a fuel vapor tubes connecting a fuel tank to a canister and connecting the canister to the inlet manifold of the fuel vapor emission control system, so as to prevent condensing of the fuel vapor inside the vapor tubes, thereby ensuring free flow of the fuel vapors inside the vapor tubes.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to position the canister so that the fuel vapor tubes are distal from heat source, such as the engine.
Further object of the present disclosure is to position the canister so as to optimize the parameters, such as, routing of fuel vapor tubes, and accessibility of fuel vapor tube.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel vapor emission control system, which optimally effectively utilizes internal space beneath a body cover of a two wheeled vehicle while maintaining the overall vehicle dimensions.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel vapor emission control system that is protected from external loads, dust and dirt.
The other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY

A fuel vapor emission control system for controlling emission of fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fuel vapor emission control system includes a purge valve, a suction arrangement and an intake manifold. The fuel vapor emission control system further includes a canister mounted on a side of a frame and secured underneath a side cover corresponding to the side of said frame of the vehicle and is disposed below a cross member of the frame in the fore and aft direction of the frame. The canister is fitted online between the fuel tank and the intake manifold of the vehicle and receives air from the atmosphere and fuel vapor from the fuel tank.

Typically, the canister is securely mounted on the frame of the vehicle.

Alternatively, the canister is removably mounted on the frame of the vehicle via a mounting bracket.

Further, the fuel vapor emission control system includes a one way valve disposed between the fuel tank and the canister to permit transfer of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the canister and prevent backflow of fuel vapor from the canister to the fuel tank.

In accordance with another embodiment, the fuel vapor emission control system includes a filter disposed between the canister and the intake manifold, wherein the filter is disposed upstream of the purge valve and filters air-fuel vapor mixture received by the canister.

Further, the fuel vapor emission control system includes a by-pass arrangement disposed between the canister and the intake manifold to selectively by-pass the filter.

Typically, the by-pass arrangement is a T- connector, wherein a first branch of the T-connector is connected to the canister and receives air fuel vapor mixture therefrom and other branches of the T-connector are connected to the purge valve and the intake manifold of the engine of the vehicle respectively.

Typically, the suction arrangement is a purge pipe that connects the canister to a piston cylinder arrangement of the engine of the vehicle for communicating reduced pressure to the canister during suction stroke of the engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
A fuel vapor emission control system of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a fuel vapor emission control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure mounted either on the left hand side or the right hand side of a frame of a two wheeler vehicle;
Figure 2 illustrates a fuel tank of the two wheeled vehicle fluidly communicating with a canister of the fuel vapor emission control system of Figure 1 via an one way valve;
Figure 3 illustrates a canister of the fuel vapor emission control system mounted on a side of a frame and secured underneath a side cover corresponding to the side of the frame of the vehicle and disposed below a cross member of the frame in fore and aft direction of the frame; and
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of the canister of the fuel vapor emission control system of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A fuel vapor emission control system of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.
The embodiments herein, the various features and the advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so that there is no unnecessarily confusion about the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The fuel vapor emission control system of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described with example of two wheeled vehicle, wherein accompanying figures illustrates the fuel vapor emission control system mounted on and used for controlling fuel vapor emissions from a fuel tank of a two wheeled vehicle. However, the fuel vapor emission control system is also applicable to other vehicles which utilize a fuel tank for storing and holding the volatile fuel such as three wheeled vehicles and four wheeled vehicles and is not limited for use in two wheeler vehicles only. Further, the fuel vapor emission control system is applicable for any type of two-wheeler vehicle including saddle type two-wheeler vehicle in which the fuel tank is mounted on a rear portion of the two-wheeler vehicle and a motor-cycle in which the fuel tank is mounted on a front portion of the vehicle. The fuel vapor emission control system is also applicable for generator sets that utilize a fuel tank for storing and holding volatile fuel for operating the generator.
The fuel vapor emission control system 100, illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, is mounted on a support structure, particularly, a frame (11) of a two wheeled vehicle. The fuel vapor emission control system (100) prevents fuel vapor emission from a fuel tank (24) mounted on the vehicle. The fuel tank (24) is having an opening for filling fuel therein, wherein the opening is closable by a cap (24a). The fuel vapor emission control system (100) includes a canister (12) that is in fluid communication with an interior of the fuel tank (24), a retainer, an one way valve (26), a purge valve (30) that operates based on the pressure difference across the purge valve (AFC) (30), particularly, the purge valve (30) selectively allows or disrupts the supply of the fuel vapors to the filter (28), a suction arrangement and an intake manifold (25) of the engine of the two wheeled vehicle. The canister (12) is connected to the fuel tank (24) and receives fuel vapor from the fuel tank (24) and air from the atmosphere to form air - fuel vapor mixture. As illustrated in Figure 1, the canister (12) is mounted on either side of the frame (11) of the vehicle, particularly, the canister (12) is mounted either on the left hand side or on the right hand side of the frame (12) of the vehicle. The canister is fixed to the vehicle frame (11) by means of a bracket (13a) and a mounting arrangement (13b). The mounting arrangement (13b) can be advantageously located either on the right side or on the left side of the vehicle. Such a configuration enables the canister (12) to be mounted anywhere on the frame of the vehicle, specifically; the canister (12) can be mounted on a side of the vehicle as illustrated in Figure 1. The mounting of the canister (12) on the desired location can be achieved with the help of simple and uncomplicated bracket (13a) and a mounting arrangement (13b), making the arrangement cost effective and reliable at the same time. Further, such configuration of the mounting arrangement for mounting the fuel vapor emission control system (100) as illustrated in Figure 1 has other benefits, such as the mounting arrangement reduces the vapor tube length as the canister (12) is located close to the fuel tank. Furthermore, if the canister (12) is not mounted at the correct position on the vehicle body frame (11), the length of the vapor tubes will be affected and that leads to the formation of fuel condensate inside the vapor tubes and fuel condensate will obstruct the flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank (24) to the canister (12) and from the canister (12) to the inlet manifold (25) via the filter (28) and the purge valve (30).
The fuel tank (24) is mounted on the vehicle body frame (11) by means of mounting brackets. During operation of the engine, a part of the fuel vaporizes and is collected at the operative top end of the fuel tank (24).
Figure 3 illustrates a canister (12) of the fuel vapor emission control system (100) mounted on a side of the frame (11) and secured underneath a side cover “C” corresponding to the side of the frame (11) of the vehicle and disposed below a cross member “X” of the frame (11) in the fore and aft direction of the frame (11).
The canister (12), illustrated in Figure 4, has a first opening (14), a second opening (16), a third opening (18), a fourth opening (20) and a fifth opening (22). At least a portion of the canister (12) is packed with retainer element that retains the fuel vapor inside the canister (12) by absorbing the fuel vapor. In accordance with an embodiment, the retainer element can be carbon pellets. However, the retainer elements of the fuel vapor emission control system (100) of the present disclosure are not limited to carbon pellets and any other material that is capable of absorbing the fuel vapor can be used, further the suction stoke creates reduced pressure in the canister (12) and the reduced pressure facilitates desorption of the fuel vapor from the retainer element and the desorbed fuel vapor is carried to the purge valve (30) via the air filter (28).
The first opening (14) enables inlet of air from the atmosphere into the canister (12) while the second opening (16) acts as a drain for expelling unused vaporized fuel into the atmosphere during maintenance of the canister (12). The vaporized fuel from the fuel tank (24) is conveyed to the canister (12) via a valve (26) through a connecting tube. The valve (26) is typically a one way valve that facilitates transfer of fuel vapor from the fuel tank (24) to the canister (12) and prevents backflow of the fuel vapor from the canister (12) to the fuel tank (24). The vaporized fuel enters the canister (12) through the third opening (18) and is absorbed by the retainer elements contained inside the canister (12). The intake air, entering the canister (12) via the first opening (14), is mixed with the vaporized fuel trapped within the canister (12) to form an air-fuel mixture.
The fourth opening (20) of the canister (12) fluidly communicates the air-fuel mixture from the canister (12) to a filter (28). The air-fuel mixture is admitted into the filter (28) so as to filter out unwanted particulates from the air-fuel mixture. The filter (28) is disposed upstream of the purge valve (30). The filtered air-fuel mixture is fed into the intake manifold (25) via the purge valve (30). The purge valve (30) is disposed downstream of the canister (12) and controls air fuel ratio of the air- fuel vapor mixture received from the canister (12).
The intake manifold (25) of the engine fluidly communicates with the purge valve (30) and the fifth opening (22) of the canister (12) through a T-shaped connector element (32). During the suction stroke of the engine, a suction pressure is communicated to the canister (12) through the fifth opening (22) for suction of the intake air from the atmosphere through the first opening (14). Simultaneously, the suction pressure is communicated to the canister (12) through the purge valve (30) for drawing the air-fuel mixture from the filter (28) and supplying the air-fuel mixture to the intake manifold (25). The suction arrangement creates reduced pressure inside the canister (12) to facilitate intake of air from the atmosphere and fuel vapor from the fuel tank (24) into the canister (12) further the suction arrangement creates reduced pressure in the purge valve to define flow of the air fuel mixture towards the purge valve (30). The intake manifold of an engine receives air- fuel vapor mixture from the purge valve (30) and supplies the air-fuel vapor mixture to the combustion chamber of the engine. In accordance with an embodiment, the suction arrangement is a purge pipe that connects the canister (12) to the piston cylinder arrangement for creating reduced pressure in the canister (12) during suction stroke of the engine. In accordance with another embodiment, the suction arrangement is a suction pump.
Thus, the fuel vapor emission control system (100) and the mounting arrangement therefor of the present disclosure enable optimum utilization of the vaporized fuel while minimizing dispersion/emission of vaporized fuel into the atmosphere. Further, the canister (12) is positioned so as to optimize parameters, such as, length of fuel vapor tubes, routing, ease of accessibility, distance from heat source, such as, engine and ambient heat.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The technical advancements of the fuel vapor emission control system of the present disclosure are as follows:
• a fuel vapor emission control system provided with a mounting arrangement that eliminates drawbacks associated with conventional mounting arrangement that fail to utilize available space for mounting of the fuel vapor emission control system and that require lengthy fuel vapor tubes;
• a fuel vapor emission control system that minimizes release of the vaporized fuel from a fuel tank into the atmosphere;
• a fuel vapor emission control system which efficiently utilizes the vaporized fuel in a fuel tank for combustion; and
• a fuel vapor emission control system that exhibits enhanced service life;
• a fuel vapor emission control system that optimizes the length of a fuel vapor tube connecting a fuel tank to a canister of the fuel vapor emission control system;
• a fuel vapor emission control system capable of positioning the a canister thereof at a distal distance from a heat source such as an engine;
• a fuel vapor emission control system which optimally effectively utilizes the internal space beneath the a body cover of a two wheeled vehicle while maintaining the overall vehicle dimensions; and
• a fuel vapor emission control system that is protected from external loads, dust and dirt. ,CLAIMS:1. A fuel vapor emission control system for controlling emission of fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle, said fuel vapor emission control system comprising a purge valve, a suction arrangement and an intake manifold;

characterized in that the system includes a canister mounted on a side of a frame and secured underneath a side cover corresponding to the side of said frame of the vehicle and is disposed below a cross member of the frame in the fore and aft direction of said frame, said canister is fitted online between the fuel tank and the intake manifold of the vehicle and is adapted to receive air from the atmosphere and fuel vapor from the fuel tank.

2. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said canister is securely mounted on said frame of the vehicle.

3. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said canister is removably mounted on said frame of the vehicle via a mounting bracket.

4. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a one way valve disposed between the fuel tank and said canister and adapted to permit transfer of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to said canister and prevent backflow of fuel vapor from said canister to the fuel tank.

5. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a filter disposed between said canister and the intake manifold, wherein said filter is disposed upstream of the purge valve and is adapted to filter air-fuel vapor mixture received by said canister.

6. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 5, further comprises a by-pass arrangement disposed between said canister and the intake manifold and adapted to selectively by-pass said filter.

7. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said by-pass arrangement is a T- connector, a first branch of said T-connector is connected to said canister and receives air fuel vapor mixture therefrom and other branches of said T-connector are connected to the purge valve and the intake manifold of the engine of the vehicle respectively.

8. The fuel vapor emission control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said suction arrangement is a purge pipe adapted to connect the canister to a piston cylinder arrangement of the engine of the vehicle for communicating reduced pressure to the canister during suction stroke of the engine.