Method and arrangement for checking the operability of a tank-venting system

• US 5,890,474 A
• Filed: 07/25/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Uhl, Stephan, Krauss, Werner, Hermann, Michael, Mallebrein, Georg, Reuschenbach, Lutz, Schnaibel, Eberhard, Blumenstock, Andreas, Schwegler, Helmut, Kuhn, Ulrich, Fritz, Thorsten, Nicolaou, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, CARL STUART
• Application Number:
  US08/900,335
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 123/198 D, 123/520, 123/519, 123/518, 123/516, 123/521
• US Class Current: 123/520
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0818 having means for pressurising the evaporative emission space

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method and arrangement for checking the operability of a vessel. Pressure is introduced into the vessel utilizing a pressure source having operating variables which vary during operation of the pressure source. These operating variables are detected while the pressure is introduced into the vessel and a conclusion as to a presence of a leak in the vessel is drawn from the operating variables. By utilizing the operating variables, a statement as precise as possible is provided as to the presence of the leak with as little additional equipment as possible.

Claims

1. An arrangement for checking the operability of a tank-venting system of an internal combustion engine, the arrangement comprising:

a pressure source for charging said tank-venting system with a pressure;

said pressure source having operating variables which vary during operational use thereof;

a circuit unit for detecting and evaluating said operating variables as said pressure is introduced into said vessel;

the tank-venting system including a tank, an adsorption filter, a tank-connecting line connecting the tank to the adsorption filter, a tank-venting valve;

a first valve line connecting the tank-venting valve to the adsorption filter and a second valve line connecting the tank-venting valve to an intake pipe of the internal combustion engine;

said tank-venting valve being movable to an open position; and

,

control means for controlling said tank-venting valve to said open position while said pressure source charges said tank-venting system with pressure so as to cause a simulation of a reference leak in said tank-venting system which is directed toward said intake pipe of said internal combustion engine.

2. A method for checking the operability of a vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a pressure into said vessel utilizing a pressure source having operating variables which vary during operational use thereof and which operating variables include current input to said pressure source, rpm of said pressure source and voltage applied to said pressure source;

selecting at least one of said operating variables as a diagnostic variable;

detecting said at least one operating variable while introducing said pressure into said vessel; and

,

drawing a conclusion as to a presence of a leak in said vessel from said operating variable.

3. A method for checking the operability of a vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a pressure into said vessel utilizing a pressure source having operating variables which vary during operational use thereof;

detecting said operating variables while introducing said pressure into said vessel;

drawing a conclusion as to a presence of a leak in said vessel from said operating variables;

providing a reference leak connected in parallel to said vessel;

alternately charging said vessel and said reference leak with pressure;

detecting said operating variables of said pressure source as said pressure is introduced into said vessel and into said reference leak; and

,

comparing the operating variables obtained with respect to said vessel to the operating variables obtained with respect to said reference leak and drawing a conclusion from the comparison as to the presence of a leak in said vessel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said operating variables of said pressure source include at least one of the following:

current input to said pump source, rpm of said pump source and voltage applied to said pump source.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said vessel is a tank-venting system, the tank-venting system including a tank, an adsorption filter, a tank-connecting line connecting the tank to the adsorption filter, a tank-venting valve;

and, a valve line connecting the tank-venting valve to the adsorption filter; and

, wherein the method comprises the further step of connecting said reference leak in parallel with said tank-venting system.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said vessel is a tank-venting system, the tank-venting system including a tank, an adsorption filter, a tank-connecting line connecting the tank to the adsorption filter, a tank-venting valve;

and, a valve line connecting the tank-venting valve to the adsorption filter; and

, wherein the method comprises the further step of simulating said reference leak by controlling said tank-venting valve to partially open the same.

7. An arrangement for checking the operability of a vessel, the arrangement comprising:

a pressure source for charging said vessel with a pressure;

said pressure source having operating variables which vary during operational use thereof;

a circuit unit for detecting and evaluating said operating variables as said pressure is introduced into said vessel;

a reference leak mounted parallel to said vessel; and

,

a switching device for alternately connecting said pressure source to said vessel and said reference leak.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein said switching device is a 3/2-way valve.

9. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein said switching device is a 4/2-way valve.

10. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein said reference leak is formed as part of said switching device.

11. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein said pressure source is a pump.

12. An arrangement for checking the operability of a vessel, the arrangement comprising:

a pressure source for charging said vessel with a pressure;

said pressure source having operating variables which vary during operational use thereof;

a circuit unit for detecting and evaluating said operating variables as said pressure is introduced into said vessel;

said operating variables characterize the output volume flow of said pressure source; and

,

said operating variables including;

current input to said pressure source, rpm of said pressure source and voltage applied to said pressure source.