Fuel tank baffle with pivotable vanes
Methods and systems are provided for regulating fuel flow in a fuel tank. In one example, a method may comprise fueling a fuel tank by receiving a nozzle into a filler tube which extends into a fuel tank to fuel the fuel tank, and directing fuel through the tube against vanes in a baffle which forms a compartment within the tank. Additionally, the method may comprise enabling the vanes to open so that pressure within the compartment remains below a level which would otherwise cause shut off the nozzle during the fueling.
1. A method, comprising:
receiving a nozzle into a filler tube which extends into a fuel tank to fuel the fuel tank, and directing fuel through said tube against vanes in a baffle which forms a compartment within said tank; and
during said fueling, enabling said vanes to open so that pressure within said compartment remains below a level which would otherwise cause shut off said nozzle, wherein enabling said vanes to open comprises a mechanical release of said vanes in response to insertion of said nozzle.
2. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein said enabling said vanes to open comprises an electro-mechanical release of said vanes by a relay in response to insertion of said nozzle.
3. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein said enabling said vanes to open comprises pressure exerted by said fuel acting against said vanes during said fueling which is sufficient to overcome a weight of said vanes exerting a closing force on said vanes.
4. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein said vanes are positioned in a closed position when said fueling is not occurring.
5. The method recited in claim 4 , further comprising supplying said fuel from said tank to an engine driving a motor vehicle.
6. The method recited in claim 5 , wherein said vanes remain closed while said motor vehicle is in motion.
7. A method, comprising:
fueling a fuel tank by receiving a nozzle into a filler tube which extends into said tank and directing fuel through said tube against vanes in a baffle which forms a compartment within said tank, said vanes including a plurality of holes to allow a portion of said fuel to flow therethrough;
during said fueling, enabling said vanes to open so that pressure within said compartment remains below a level which would otherwise shut off said nozzle, wherein said enabling said vanes to open comprises a mechanical release of said vanes in response to insertion of said nozzle;
routing fuel vapors from said tank into a fuel vapor recovery system;
supplying said fuel from said tank to an internal combustion engine; and
periodically purging at least a portion of said fuel vapors from said tank and said fuel vapor recovery system into said internal combustion engine.
8. The method recited in claim 7 , wherein said internal combustion engine drives a motor vehicle and said baffle reduces sloshing of said fuel and generation of said fuel vapors while said motor vehicle is being driven.
9. The method recited in claim 8 , further comprising an electric motor for periodically driving said motor vehicle.
10. The method recited in claim 7 , wherein said enabling said vanes to open comprises an electro-mechanical release of said vanes by a relay in response to insertion of said nozzle.
11. The method recited in claim 7 , wherein said enabling said vanes to open comprises pressure exerted by said fuel acting against said vanes during said fueling which is sufficient to overcome a weight of said vanes exerting a closing force on said vanes.