Evaporative emissions test apparatus and method

• US 5,507,176 A
• Filed: 03/28/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CPS Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: K-Line Industries, Incorporated
• Inventors: Kammeraad, David A., Chirco, Peter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US08/218,350
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 73/49.2, 73/49.7, 73/40, 123/518, 123/519, 123/520
• US Class Current: 73/49.2
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0818 having means for pressurising the evaporative emission space

Abstract

An evaporative emissions test apparatus is provided including a tester adapted to pressure test a vehicle fuel holding system for vapor emitting leaks. The test apparatus includes an adapter configured to sealingly engage the access port for filling the fuel tank, the adapter being further configured to sealingly receive the vehicle fuel cap so that the vehicle fuel holding system including the fuel cap can be tested as a unit. The tester includes a connector for connecting to the adapter, and further includes a second connector for connecting to a pressure source for pressurizing the fuel holding system and fuel vapor control system to a predetermined pressure. The tester also includes a sensor for sensing the pressure over time, a timer for indicating the passage of a predetermined amount of time, and a display generator and display for indicating if the pressure in the atmosphere is acceptable after passage of the predetermined amount of time.

Claims

1. An emissions test apparatus for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle, said fuel holding system including a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel vapor control system operably connected to said fuel tank, said fuel tank and said fuel vapor control system defining an atmosphere, comprising:

an atmosphere pressure changing device operably connected to said fuel holding system for changing the pressure of said fuel holding system atmosphere to a predetermined pressure;

a pressure sensor operably connected to said fuel holding system for sensing the pressure of said atmosphere in said fuel holding system over time;

a timer for indicating passage of a predetermined amount of time;

a switch for actuating said timer when said predetermined pressure is reached;

an indicator operably connected to said timer and said pressure sensor for indicating whether any change in the pressure of said atmosphere over said predetermined time is acceptable;

said fuel tank including an access port for filling said fuel tank, and said atmosphere pressure changing device including an adapter configured to sealingly engage said access port;

said fuel holding system including a fuel cap adapted to sealingly engage and cover said access port, and said adapter including a first end configured to sealingly engage said access port and further including a second end configured to sealingly receivingly engage said fuel cap, said adapter placing said fuel cap and said access port in fluid communication when engaged with said adapter, whereby said fuel holding system can be tested as a complete unit for vapor leaks; and

said fuel cap including a pressure relief valve for venting said fuel holding system upon over-pressurization and a seal for sealingly engaging said access port, said adapter including a passageway operably connecting said fuel cap to said fuel tank when the fuel cap is connected to the adapter and further including a surface for sealingly engaging said fuel cap seal.

2. An emissions test apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said adapter includes an intermediate member operably connecting said first and second ends, said intermediate member including a connector operably connecting to said atmosphere pressure changing device.

3. An emissions test apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said intermediate member includes a quick disconnect coupling for releasably connecting to said atmosphere pressure changing device.

4. An emissions test apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said intermediate member includes a quick disconnect, and one of said first end and said second end are releasably connected to said quick disconnect.

5. An adapter facilitating emissions testing of a fuel holding system of a vehicle, the fuel holding system including a fuel tank assembly having a fill tube defining an access port and a fuel cap for sealingly covering said access port, comprising:

a first end member configured to sealingly engage said access port, said first end member defining a first passageway in fluid communication with said fuel tank assembly when said first end member is engaged with said access port;

a connector operably connected to said first end member and in fluid communication with said first passageway, said connector being configured to connect to an emissions test apparatus; and

a second end member operably connected to said first end member and to said connector, said second end member being configured to sealingly receivingly engage said fuel cap, said second end member including a second passageway in fluid communication with said first passageway so that said fuel cap is in fluid communication with said access port when said fuel cap is engaged with said second end member, whereby said fuel holding system including said fuel cap can be tested as a complete unit by said emissions test apparatus for vapor emitting leaks.

6. An adapter as defined in claim 5 wherein said fuel tank cap includes a pressure relief valve for venting said fuel holding system upon over-pressurization and a seal for sealingly engaging said fill tube to close said access port, and wherein said second end member includes a surface for sealingly engaging said fuel cap seal such that said pressure relief valve of said fuel cap can be tested with said fuel holding system.

7. An adapter as defined in claim 5 wherein said adapter includes an intermediate tubular member operably connecting said first and second end members to said connector.

8. An adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said intermediate member includes a quick disconnect coupling for releasably connecting to said emissions test apparatus.

9. An adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said intermediate member includes a quick disconnect, and one of said first and second members are releasably connected to said quick disconnect.

10. An adapter as defined in claim 9 including a plurality of said one end member, whereby a particular of said one end member can be selected for a given test.

11. An adapter for simultaneously engaging an access port to a vehicle fuel holding system and receiving a fuel cap configured to sealingly engage and cover said access port, comprising:

a conduit having a first end and a second end and defining a first passageway extending between said first and second ends, said first end being configured to mateably sealingly engage said access port, said second end being configured to mateably sealingly engage said fuel cap, said first passageway being configured to place said access port and said fuel cap in fluid communication when said first end and said second end are engaged with said access port and said fuel cap, respectively; and

a connector operably connected to said conduit including a second passageway in fluid communication with said first passageway.

12. An adapter as defined in claim 11 wherein said first end is configured to engage said access port in a manner identical to the manner in which said fuel cap engages said access port, and wherein said second end is configured to engage said fuel cap in a manner identical to the manner in which said access port engages said fuel cap.

13. A method for testing for leaks in a vehicle fuel holding system, the fuel holding system including a fuel tank and an evaporative emissions control system connected to the fuel tank, the fuel tank including an access port and a fuel cap for sealingly covering the access port, comprising:

providing a portable tester for determining pressure loss over time;

providing an adapter configured to sealingly engage the access port and to place the fuel tank in fluid communication with said tester;

providing a cup-shaped member configured to sealingly engage the fuel cap and to place the fuel cap in fluid communication with said tester;

connecting said adapter and said cup-shaped member to said tester and operatively engaging at least one of said adapter and said cup-shaped member with the access port and the fuel cap, respectively;

applying pressure to said at least one of said adapter and said cup-shaped member; and

sensing the pressure change over time to determine if an unacceptably large vapor emitting leak is present in at least one of the fuel holding system and the fuel cap.

14. A method as defined in claim 13 wherein said step of applying includes applying pressure to both said adapter and said cup-shaped member.