Evaporative emissions test apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An emissions test apparatus for testing for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle, the fuel holding system including a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel vapor control system operably connected to the fuel tank, the fuel tank and the fuel vapor control system defining an atmosphere, comprising in combination:
- a pressurizing system including;
a first pressure regulator configured for connection to a source of pressurized gas for regulating a maximum first pressure in the apparatus downstream of the first pressure regulator;
a first surge protector connected to said first pressure regulator for controlling first surges from the first pressure regulator;
an adjustable second pressure regulator operably connected to the first surge protector for adjustably regulating a test-initiating second pressure of pressurized gas for operating the apparatus, the second pressure regulator including an adjustment knob positioned in a readily accessible position so that the pressure downstream of the second pressure regulator can be adjusted for changes in ambient atmospheric pressure;
a line extending from the second pressure regulator for operably connecting the second pressure regulator to the fuel holding system; and
a pressure-monitoring system including;
a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of said atmosphere in the fuel holding system;
a timer for indicating passage of a predetermined amount of time;
a switch for actuating said timer when the test-initiating second pressure is reached in the atmosphere in the fuel holding system; and
an indicator operably connected to said pressure sensor, said timer and said switch, said indicator being configured to indicate that a change in the pressure of said atmosphere over said predetermined time is acceptable or unacceptable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable emissions test apparatus for testing for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle includes a pressurizing system and a pressure-monitoring system. The pressurizing system includes a first pressure regulator configured for connection to a source of pressurized gas for regulating a maximum first pressure in the apparatus downstream of the first pressure regulator, and a first surge protector connected to the first pressure regulator for controlling first surges from the first pressure regulator. The pressurizing system further includes an adjustable second pressure regulator operably connected to the first surge protector for adjustably regulating a second pressure of pressurized gas for operating the apparatus, the second pressure regulator including an adjustment knob positioned in a readily accessible position on the apparatus so that the pressure downstream of the second pressure regulator can be adjusted for changes in ambient atmospheric pressure. A line operably connects the second pressure regulator to the fuel holding system. The pressure-monitoring system includes a pressure sensor connected to the line for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere in the fuel holding system, a timer for indicating passage of a predetermined amount of time, and a switch for actuating the timer when the second pressure is reached in the atmosphere in the fuel holding system. The pressure-monitoring system also includes an indicator operably connected to the pressure sensor, the timer and the switch, the indicator being configured to indicate that a change in the pressure of the atmosphere over the predetermined time is acceptable or unacceptable.
110 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An emissions test apparatus for testing for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle, the fuel holding system including a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel vapor control system operably connected to the fuel tank, the fuel tank and the fuel vapor control system defining an atmosphere, comprising in combination:
a pressurizing system including; a first pressure regulator configured for connection to a source of pressurized gas for regulating a maximum first pressure in the apparatus downstream of the first pressure regulator; a first surge protector connected to said first pressure regulator for controlling first surges from the first pressure regulator; an adjustable second pressure regulator operably connected to the first surge protector for adjustably regulating a test-initiating second pressure of pressurized gas for operating the apparatus, the second pressure regulator including an adjustment knob positioned in a readily accessible position so that the pressure downstream of the second pressure regulator can be adjusted for changes in ambient atmospheric pressure; a line extending from the second pressure regulator for operably connecting the second pressure regulator to the fuel holding system; and a pressure-monitoring system including; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of said atmosphere in the fuel holding system; a timer for indicating passage of a predetermined amount of time; a switch for actuating said timer when the test-initiating second pressure is reached in the atmosphere in the fuel holding system; and an indicator operably connected to said pressure sensor, said timer and said switch, said indicator being configured to indicate that a change in the pressure of said atmosphere over said predetermined time is acceptable or unacceptable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An emissions test apparatus for testing for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle, the fuel holding system including a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel vapor control system operably connected to the fuel tank, the fuel tank and the fuel vapor control system defining an atmosphere, comprising:
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a cabinet; and a system-pressurizing and pressure-monitoring pneumatic circuit mounted to the cabinet including; a connector for connection to a source of pressurized gas; an adjustable pressure regulator operably connected to said connector and mounted in said cabinet for adjustably regulating an operating pressure of the apparatus downstream of the adjustable pressure regulator, the pressure regulator including an adjustment knob positioned in a readily accessible position on the cabinet so that the pressure downstream of the pressure regulator can be adjusted to compensate for changes in ambient atmospheric pressure; a surge protector operably connected to the adjustable pressure regulator for controlling pressure surges in the circuit; a line for communicating the pressurized gas from the circuit to the fuel holding system; and an indicator mechanism, operably connected to one of said surge protector and said line, for indicating that a timed change in the pressure of the atmosphere over said predetermined time is acceptable or unacceptable, said indicator mechanism including a pressure sensor for continuously monitoring the pressure in the atmosphere in the fuel holding system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of testing for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle, the fuel holding system including a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel vapor control system operably connected to the fuel tank, the fuel tank and the fuel vapor control system defining an atmosphere, comprising steps of:
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providing a portable evaporative emissions test apparatus including a line connected to a source of pressurized gas and to the fuel holding system;
a first surge protector operably connected in the line;
an adjustable pressure regulator operably connected in the line and to the first surge protector, the adjustable pressure regulator including an adjustment knob positioned in a readily accessible position on the apparatus;
a pressure sensor operably connected to said line; and
an indicator mechanism operably connected to said pressure sensor;adjusting the adjustable pressure regulator to compensate for changes in ambient atmospheric pressure; pressurizing the fuel holding system with a surge-controlled input of pressurized gas; measuring the change in pressure in the fuel holding system over a predetermined period of time; and indicating that a problem exists if the pressure change is greater than the acceptable change. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification