Evaporative emissions isolation module cam system

Abstract

An evaporative emissions isolation module system configured to manage venting on a fuel tank system is disclosed. The isolation module system includes a carbon canister, a multi-valve assembly and a controller. The carbon canister is adapted to collect fuel vapor emitted by the fuel tank and to subsequently release the fuel vapor to the engine. The multi-valve assembly includes a motor drive that rotates a camshaft having at least a first cam and a second cam housed in a manifold. The multi-valve assembly has a first valve and a second valve. The first valve selectively fluidly connects the fuel tank and the carbon canister. The second valve fluidly connects the carbon canister with a vent port defined in the manifold that vents to atmosphere. The controller sends signals to the multi-valve assembly based on operating conditions to open and close at least one of the first and second valves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An evaporative emissions isolation module system configured to manage venting on a fuel tank configured to deliver fuel to an internal combustion engine, the evaporative emissions isolation module system communicating with a carbon canister adapted to collect fuel vapor emitted by the fuel tank and to subsequently release the fuel vapor to the engine, the evaporative isolation module system comprising:
 a multi-valve assembly including a motor drive that rotates a camshaft having at least a first cam and a second cam housed in a manifold, the multi-valve assembly having:
 a first valve that selectively fluidly connects the fuel tank and the carbon canister; and 
 a second valve that fluidly connects the carbon canister with a vent port defined in the manifold that vents to atmosphere; and 
   a controller that sends signals to the multi-valve assembly based on operating conditions to open and close at least one of the first and second valves.   
     
     
         2 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 1  wherein the multi-valve assembly is positioned outside of the fuel tank. 
     
     
         3 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 1  wherein the multi-valve assembly further comprises:
 a third cam provided on the camshaft; 
 a third valve that selectively fluidly connects the carbon canister and the engine. 
 
     
     
         4 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 3 , further comprising a first vent line fluidly connected between the fuel tank and the first valve and a second vent line fluidly connected between the carbon canister and the first valve. 
     
     
         5 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third vent line fluidly connected between the second valve and the carbon canister. 
     
     
         6 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 4  wherein the first valve includes a valve body and further comprises a poppet, a seal and a biasing member wherein the biasing member urges the seal of the poppet to a closed position sealingly engaged to the first valve body. 
     
     
         7 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 6  further comprising a first isolation diaphragm positioned between the first valve and the manifold, the first isolation diaphragm sealing the first and second fluid lines from the manifold. 
     
     
         8 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 4  wherein the third valve includes a valve body and further comprises a poppet, a seal and a biasing member wherein the biasing member urges the seal of the poppet to a closed position sealingly engaged to the third valve body. 
     
     
         9 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 8  further comprising a second isolation diaphragm positioned between the third valve and the manifold. 
     
     
         10 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 9 , further comprising a first push pin positioned between the first cam and the first valve. 
     
     
         11 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 10 , further comprising a second push pin positioned between the third cam and the third valve. 
     
     
         12 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vapor management valve disposed between the multi-valve assembly and the engine. 
     
     
         13 . An evaporative emissions isolation module system configured to manage venting on a fuel tank configured to deliver fuel to an internal combustion engine, the evaporative emissions isolation module system communicating with a carbon canister adapted to collect fuel vapor emitted by the fuel tank and to subsequently release the fuel vapor to the engine, the evaporative isolation module system controlled by a controller, the evaporative isolation module system comprising:
 a multi-valve assembly disposed externally relative to the fuel tank, the multi-valve assembly including a camshaft having at least a first cam and a second cam housed in a manifold, the multi-valve assembly having:
 a first valve that selectively fluidly connects the fuel tank and the carbon canister in response to a first signal from the controller based on operating conditions; and 
 a second valve that selectively fluidly connects the carbon canister with a vent port defined in the manifold in response to a second signal from the controller based on operating conditions, wherein the vent port vents to atmosphere. 
   
     
     
         14 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 13  wherein the multi-valve assembly further comprises:
 a third cam provided on the camshaft; 
 a third valve that selectively fluidly connects the carbon canister and the engine. 
 
     
     
         15 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 14 , further comprising a first vent line fluidly connected between the fuel tank and the first valve and a second vent line fluidly connected between the carbon canister and the first valve. 
     
     
         16 . An evaporative emissions isolation module system configured to manage venting on a fuel tank system configured to deliver fuel to an internal combustion engine, the evaporative emissions isolation module system communicating with a carbon canister adapted to collect fuel vapor emitted by the fuel tank and to subsequently release the fuel vapor to the engine, the evaporative isolation module system comprising;
 a multi-valve assembly including a motor drive that rotates a camshaft having at least a first cam and a second cam housed in a manifold, the multi-valve assembly having:
 a first valve that selectively fluidly connects the manifold and the carbon canister; and 
 a second valve that fluidly connects the carbon canister and the engine; and 
   a controller that sends signals to the multi-valve assembly based on operating conditions to open and close at least one of the first and second valves.   
     
     
         17 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 16  wherein the multi-valve assembly is positioned outside of the fuel tank. 
     
     
         18 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 16 , further comprising an evaporative emissions control system that recaptures and recycles emitted fuel vapor on a vehicle fuel tank, the evaporative emissions control system comprising:
 a first vent tube disposed in the fuel tank;   a second vent tube disposed in the fuel tank;   a first vent valve disposed on the first vent tube that is configured to selectively open and close a first port fluidly coupled to the first vent tube;   a second vent valve disposed on the second vent tube that is configured to selectively open and close a second port fluidly coupled to the second vent tube; and   a vent shut-off assembly that selectively opens and closes the first and second valves to provide overpressure and vacuum relief for the fuel tank.   
     
     
         19 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 18  wherein the vent shut-off assembly comprises a cam assembly having a cam shaft that includes a first cam and a second cam. 
     
     
         20 . The evaporative emissions isolation module system of  claim 16  wherein the first and second cams have respective profiles that correspond to at least a fully opened valve position, a fully closed valve position and a partially open valve position and wherein the first and second vent valves are caused to selectively open and close based on rotation of the respective first and second cams to deliver fuel vapor through the respective first and second vent tubes.