Method and apparatus for the automated testing of vehicle fuel evaporation control systems
First Claim
1. Apparatus for testing a vehicle fuel evaporation control system comprising a fuel tank, a fuel vapor collection canister and a canister purge control valve, the apparatus comprising an inert gas source, means for connecting said source to the automobile fuel evaporation control system under test, means for monitoring the flow of said inert gas into said fuel evaporation control system, means for determining the integrity of said canister by detection of the outflow of said inert gas from said canister, and monitoring means connected to the exhaust pipe of the automobile to determine the presence of said inert gas in the engine exhaust.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the testing of a vehicle fuel evaporation control system, which typically includes a fuel tank, vapor adsorption canister and purge valve, consisting of the introduction of a non-reactive gas into the control system and the subsequent monitoring of the engine exhaust during operation for presence of the gas. The operating parameters of the engine may be varied to determine parameter-associated operation of the control system. In addition, the quantity of gas admitted into the system may be compared to that exiting the exhaust to provide a quantitative measurement of the integrity of the control system.
48 Citations
10 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for testing a vehicle fuel evaporation control system comprising a fuel tank, a fuel vapor collection canister and a canister purge control valve, the apparatus comprising an inert gas source, means for connecting said source to the automobile fuel evaporation control system under test, means for monitoring the flow of said inert gas into said fuel evaporation control system, means for determining the integrity of said canister by detection of the outflow of said inert gas from said canister, and monitoring means connected to the exhaust pipe of the automobile to determine the presence of said inert gas in the engine exhaust.
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6. A method for the automated testing of a vehicle fuel evaporation control system comprising a fuel storage tank, a fuel vapor collection canister and a canister purge control valve comprising the steps of:
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i) connecting the fuel evaporation control system to a source of inert gas and introducing said inert gas into said system with the vehicle engine off; ii) monitoring said canister for the presence of the inert gas therein; iii) starting the automotive engine and running the engine in a manner to permit the canister purge control valve to open; and iv) monitoring the exhaust of said vehicle for the presence of said inert gas therein. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for the automated testing of a vehicle fuel evaporation control system comprising a fuel storage tank, a fuel vapor collection canister and a canister purge valve comprising the steps of:
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i) connecting the fuel evaporation control system to a source of inert gas and introducing said inert gas into said system; and ii) running the vehicle engine while monitoring the exhaust of said vehicle for the presence of said inert gas therein. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification