Automotive Fuel System Leak Testing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating an engine emission control system including a fuel vapor retaining device coupled to a fuel tank, comprising:
- during an engine off condition, selectively operating a fuel pump to store at least some pressure in an accumulator coupled to the fuel pump; and
indicating a leak in the emission control system in response to the stored pressure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for performing leak testing on fuel system components in hybrid vehicles during engine-off operating conditions are disclosed. For example, a fuel tank may include a pressure accumulator which may be filled with fuel via a fuel pump in order to generate a vacuum which may be used to diagnose leaks in the fuel system.
70 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of operating an engine emission control system including a fuel vapor retaining device coupled to a fuel tank, comprising:
-
during an engine off condition, selectively operating a fuel pump to store at least some pressure in an accumulator coupled to the fuel pump; and indicating a leak in the emission control system in response to the stored pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of operating an engine emission control system in a hybrid vehicle including a fuel tank, comprising:
-
during an engine-off condition, isolating the fuel tank from the atmosphere, and selectively operating a fuel pump to store at least some fuel in an accumulator coupled to the fuel pump and positioned within the fuel tank; and indicating a fuel tank leak in response to a pressure change after fuel is stored in the accumulator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A hybrid vehicle system, comprising:
-
an engine emission control system including a fuel vapor retaining device coupled to a fuel tank through a valve; a fuel pump within the fuel tank coupled to a pressure accumulator device within the fuel tank; a pressure sensor disposed within the fuel tank; and a computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon, including; instructions to, during an engine off condition, selectively operate a fuel pump to store at least some pressure in the accumulator; instructions to indicate a leak in the emission control system in response to the stored pressure; and instructions to, during an engine running condition, operate the fuel pump to deliver fuel to the engine and initiate a spark in the cylinder to combust the delivered fuel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification