Diaphragm for an integrated pressure management apparatus

• US 6,328,021 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Cook, John E., Perry, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis, Thomas N.
• Application Number:
  US09/540,492
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 92/99, 921/00, 921/03.R, 921/03.F, 123/516, 123/518, 123/519
• US Class Current: 123/518
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0809 Judging failure of purge control system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0836 Arrangement of valves controlling the admission of fuel vapour to an engine, e.g. valve being disposed between fuel tank or absorption canister and intake manifold
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0854 Details of the absorption canister
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 3/02 Diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 7/082 construction or mounting of diaphragms of semiconductive diaphragms G01L9/0042

Abstract

A diaphragm for an integrated pressure management system manages pressure and detects leaks in a fuel system. The integrated pressure management system also performs a leak diagnostic for the headspace in a fuel tank, a canister that collects volatile fuel vapors from the headspace, a purge valve, and all associated hoses and connections.

Claims

1. A diaphragm for separating signal and interior chambers in a housing of an integrated pressure management apparatus, the diaphragm comprising:

a generally rigid central portion; and

a relatively flexible annulus having an inner perimeter fixed to an insert and an outer perimeter adapted for sealingly engaging the housing, the outer perimeter engaging the housing to seal a first housing part defining the signal chamber with respect to a second housing part defining the interior chamber in the integrated pressure management apparatus.

2. The diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein the flexible annulus includes a convolute extending between the inner and outer perimeters.

3. The diaphragm according to claim 2, wherein the convolute has a concave arrangement relative to the signal chamber.

4. The diaphragm according to claim 2, wherein the convolute has a relatively thinner cross-section than the inner and outer perimeters.

5. The diaphragm according to claim 2, wherein the convolute has a radius of concavity and a cross-sectional thickness, and a ratio of the cross-sectional thickness to the radius of concavity is less than 0.2.

6. The diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein the flexible annulus further comprises a tab protruding from the outer perimeter.

7. The diaphragm according to claim 6, wherein the tab includes a perforation adapted for passing a fluid signal to the signal chamber.

8. The diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a first projection adapted for actuating a switch in the signal chamber and a second projection adapted for actuating a valve controlling fluid flow through the interior chamber.

9. The diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein the inner perimeter is interengaging molded with respect to a peripheral area of the central portion.