New Fuel Tank Isolation Valve For Hybrid EVs From Eaton

Aug 20, 2024 - one year ago

Eaton is launching a next-generation fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) for hybrid vehicles.

The new FTIV is easier to mount, 27% lighter, 39% smaller and contains 24% fewer components than its predecessor.

The gas engine in a hybrid vehicle does not operate continuously. As a result, hybrid fuel systems require special measures to address evaporative emissions that accumulate when the gas engine is not in operation.

“Pressure builds up in the gas tank when the vehicle is in electric mode, so that pressure has to be released,” announced Christy Roadknight, Business Unit Director, Eaton’s Mobility Group. “Also, when refueling you want to make sure the tank is depressurized to avoid spit back, (...) Modern hybrids spend more time in electric mode so FTIV is now even more important.”

Eaton’s next generation FTIV comes at a time when hybrids are becoming a popular alternative to fully electric vehicles. As new hybrids come into the market, Eaton’s isolation valve can reduce packing challenges with its reduced dimensions.

Eaton engineers reduced the size of the FTIV by 39% by improving the magnetic force produced by the isolation valve while at the same time reducing the amount of copper. Additionally, the new FTIV is designed to be easier to mount in a variety of challenging tank configurations within the vehicle.

One of the grants from the Czech Republic is to participate in a joint program with Tatra Trucks, a leading Czech truck manufacturer for both military and commercial applications, to produce a specialized off-road electrified truck, a prototype called the Battery Electric Tatra Truck with Multi-speed Transmission (BETTT). Eaton’s contribution to the endeavor will be the integration of its power distribution unit (PDU) and award winning 4-speed transmission for medium- and heavy-duty electrified vehicles (EVs).

Eaton’s new fuel tank isolation valve is designed to be easier to mount in a variety of challenging tank configurations within the vehicle.

“We optimized the geometry on existing components and ensured the new and improved design maintained the reliability of our previous offering,” Roadknight said. “This market is expanding, and we have a 13-year history in this space.”

Eaton has agreements to supply its next-generation FTIV to two global automotive customers and has drawn interest from other manufacturers.

Source: Eaton