EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A combined evaporative emission control system leak detection and tire inflation system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, comprising:
- an evaporative emission control system, including;
a canister, in fluid communication with a fuel tank and an engine;
a canister purge valve (CPV), interposed in a communication line between the canister and an intake manifold of the engine; and
a pressure sensor, positioned to sense vapor pressure in the evaporative emission control system;
a flat-tire repair kit, includinga reservoir containing a tire inflation fluid andan attachment tube extending from the reservoir and adapted for connection to a tire on the vehicle; and
a pump in fluid communication with the evaporative emission control system and the reservoir; and
a controller, configured toinitiate a leak detection sequence;
pressurize the evaporative emission control system;
measure the evaporative emission control system pressure over a selected period of time; and
upon a determination that the evaporative emission control system pressure falls below a preselected threshold within a preselected time, provide a warning of an evaporative emission control system leak.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined system for detecting leaks in an evaporative emission control system and for inflating flat tires. The evaporative emission control system includes a vapor capture canister with a purge valve and a system pressure sensor, and the flat tire repair kit includes a reservoir containing tire inflation fluid, an attachment tube for attaching the reservoir to a tire, and a pump selectively connected to the evaporative emission control system and the reservoir. A controller is configured to perform the following actions: initiate a leak detection sequence by pressurizing the evaporative emission control system, and then performing a leak detection operation by measuring the pressure within the evaporative emission control system over time. A tire pressure monitoring system may be provided, allowing the pump to be switched between performing evaporative system testing and inflating a flat tire.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A combined evaporative emission control system leak detection and tire inflation system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, comprising:
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an evaporative emission control system, including; a canister, in fluid communication with a fuel tank and an engine; a canister purge valve (CPV), interposed in a communication line between the canister and an intake manifold of the engine; and a pressure sensor, positioned to sense vapor pressure in the evaporative emission control system; a flat-tire repair kit, including a reservoir containing a tire inflation fluid and an attachment tube extending from the reservoir and adapted for connection to a tire on the vehicle; and a pump in fluid communication with the evaporative emission control system and the reservoir; and a controller, configured to initiate a leak detection sequence; pressurize the evaporative emission control system; measure the evaporative emission control system pressure over a selected period of time; and upon a determination that the evaporative emission control system pressure falls below a preselected threshold within a preselected time, provide a warning of an evaporative emission control system leak. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 15)
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5. A combined evaporative emission control system leak detection and tire inflation system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an evaporative emission control system, including; a canister, in fluid communication with a fuel tank and an engine; a canister purge valve (CPV), interposed in the communication line between the canister and an intake manifold of the engine; and a pressure sensor, positioned to sense vapor pressure in the evaporative emission control system; a flat-tire repair kit, including a reservoir containing a tire inflation fluid; an attachment tube extending from the reservoir and adapted for connection to a tire on the vehicle; and a pump in fluid communication with the evaporative emission control system and the reservoir; and a controller, configured to initiate a leak detection sequence; pressurize the evaporative emission control system; measure the evaporative emission control system vapor pressure over a selected period of time; and upon a determination that the evaporative emission control system vapor pressure falls below a preselected threshold within a preselected time, provide a warning of a possible evaporative emission control system leak, wherein the pump is configured to pressurize the evaporative emission control system, and to cease operation if a leak is detected in the evaporative emission control system. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 16)
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8. A system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an evaporative emission control system including; a canister, in fluid communication with a fuel tank and an engine; a canister purge valve, interposed in the communication line between the canister and an intake manifold of the engine; and a pressure sensor, positioned to sense vapor pressure in the evaporative emission control system; a flat-tire repair system, including a reservoir containing a tire inflation fluid and an attachment tube extending from the reservoir and adapted for connection to each tire on the vehicle; and a pump, selectively in fluid communication with the evaporative emission control system or with the reservoir; a controller, configured to perform a leak detection sequence, including pressurizing the evaporative emission control system; measuring the evaporative emission control system vapor pressure over a selected period of time; and upon a determination that the evaporative emission control system vapor pressure falls below a preselected threshold within a preselected time, providing a warning of an evaporative emission control system leak; and upon a determination that a vehicle tire is flat, initiate a tire inflation sequence, including signaling the flat tire repair kit the identity of the tire requiring inflation and signaling the pump to commence operation; a tire pressure monitoring system, in fluid communication with the vehicle tires and operatively connected with the controller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 17)
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12. A system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an evaporative emission control system including; a canister, in fluid communication with a vehicle fuel tank and engine; a canister purge valve, interposed in the communication line between the canister and an intake manifold of the engine; and a pressure sensor, positioned to sense vapor pressure in the evaporative emission control system; a flat-tire repair system, including a reservoir containing a tire inflation fluid and an attachment tube extending from the reservoir and adapted for connection to each tire on the vehicle; and a pump, selectively in fluid communication with the evaporative emission control system or with the reservoir; a controller, configured to perform a leak detection sequence, including pressurizing the evaporative emission control system; measuring the evaporative emission control system vapor pressure over a selected period of time; and upon a determination that the evaporative emission control system vapor pressure falls below a preselected threshold within a preselected time, providing a warning of an evaporative emission control system leak; perform a system purge sequence, including closing a vapor bypass valve to isolate the gasoline tank from the evaporative emission control system; opening the canister purge valve; and operating the pump to create an airflow through the canister and into the intake manifold; and upon a determination that a vehicle tire is flat, initiate a tire inflation sequence, including signaling the flat tire repair kit the identity of the tire requiring inflation and signaling the pump to commence operation; a tire pressure monitoring system, in fluid communication with the vehicle tires and operatively connected with the controller. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 18)
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Specification