Missing fuel cap detection system
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a missing or improperly installed fuel cap on a vehicle, comprising:
- conducting a first leak test that detects a leak in an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle;
conducting a refueling test that detects a refueling of said vehicle when said first leak test detects said leak; and
activating a fuel cap indicator in said vehicle when said first leak test detects said leak and said refueling test detects said refueling.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting a missing or improperly installed fuel cap on a vehicle includes a first leak test that detects a leak in an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle. A refueling test detects a refueling of the vehicle when the first leak test detects the leak. A fuel cap indicator in the vehicle is activated when the first leak test detects the leak and the refueling test detects the refueling. The fuel cap indicator is deactivated after a predetermined time period. The fuel cap indicator remains deactivated when a predetermined number of leak tests consecutively detect the leak. The fuel cap indicator is deactivated when an occupant of the vehicle indicates that a fuel cap of the vehicle is properly installed. The occupant activates an actuator on an instrument panel of the vehicle to indicate the fuel cap is properly installed.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting a missing or improperly installed fuel cap on a vehicle, comprising:
-
conducting a first leak test that detects a leak in an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle;
conducting a refueling test that detects a refueling of said vehicle when said first leak test detects said leak; and
activating a fuel cap indicator in said vehicle when said first leak test detects said leak and said refueling test detects said refueling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A missing fuel cap detection system, comprising:
-
a leak test module that conducts a plurality of leak tests to detect a leak in an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle;
a refueling detection module that detects a refueling of said vehicle when said leak test module detects said leak; and
a fuel cap detection module that activates a fuel cap indicator in said vehicle when said leak test module detects said leak and said refueling detection module detects said refueling. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification