Automated testing of vehicle fuel caps
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the automated testing of vehicle fuel tank caps, comprising a plurality of socket means each adapted to receive a differing cap for testing and to form an air-tight chamber in association therewith;
- means for identifying a one of said socket means for receiving a cap associated with a given vehicle for testing;
pressure monitoring means coupled to said socket means for monitoring the pressure within said chamber when said associated cap is received by said one of said socket means;
means coupled to said chamber for varying the pressure therein; and
means coupled to said pressure monitoring means for comparing the pressure within said chamber to reference values to determine the integrity of said associated cap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the testing of vehicle fuel tank caps includes the mounting of a cap to be tested upon a mating socket. The socket/cap combination define a sealed chamber which can be pressurized and/or evacuated in a controlled manner. A pressure transducer monitors the pressure within the chamber. The monitored pressure is compared to reference values to determine cap integrity. The apparatus may be incorporated into a vehicle testing system using microprocessor control and having a database of vehicle, cap and performance data.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the automated testing of vehicle fuel tank caps, comprising a plurality of socket means each adapted to receive a differing cap for testing and to form an air-tight chamber in association therewith;
- means for identifying a one of said socket means for receiving a cap associated with a given vehicle for testing;
pressure monitoring means coupled to said socket means for monitoring the pressure within said chamber when said associated cap is received by said one of said socket means;
means coupled to said chamber for varying the pressure therein; and
means coupled to said pressure monitoring means for comparing the pressure within said chamber to reference values to determine the integrity of said associated cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- means for identifying a one of said socket means for receiving a cap associated with a given vehicle for testing;
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9. A method for testing the integrity of a vehicle fuel tank cap, comprising the steps of identifying a mating socket for the cap from a plurality of sockets and providing a visual signal associated with said mating socket;
- affixing said cap to said mating socket to form an air-tight chamber;
connecting said chamber to a pressure source and placing said chamber at a selected pressure chosen from above and below ambient pressure conditions;
sealing said chamber from said source;
monitoring the pressure of said chamber over a selected period of time to obtain a pressure/time relationship; and
comparing said pressure/time relationship to a reference to determine the integrity of said cap. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
- affixing said cap to said mating socket to form an air-tight chamber;
Specification