Connection between an integrated pressure management apparatus and a vapor collection canister

• US 6,474,313 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Perry, Paul D., Gurd, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/566,136
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 123/516, 123/518, 123/519, 123/520, 137/493, 137/494, 137/495, 137/493.9, 137/560, 251/65, 251/129.15, 200/83.Q, 200/61.86
• US Class Current: 123/519
• 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: F16K 24/00 Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures equalising valves F16K17/00; arrangement or mounting in pipes or pipe systems F16L55/07; venting or aerating as an additional function of steam traps or like apparatus F16T; ventilation of rooms, vehicles, see the appropriate subclass, e.g. F24F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7771 Bi-directional flow valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7782 With manual or external control for line valve

Abstract

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 volatile fuel vapor collection system, comprising:

an integrated pressure management apparatus including;

a housing defining an interior chamber, the housing including first and second ports communicating with the interior chamber;

a pressure operable device separating the chamber into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion communicating with the first port, the second portion communicating with the second port, the pressure operable device permitting fluid communication between the first and second ports in a first configuration and preventing fluid communication between the first and second ports in a second configuration; and

a signal chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the interior chamber, the pressure operable device further separating the signal chamber from the second portion of the interior chamber;

a collection canister in fluid communication with the first portion of the interior chamber; and

a connection establishing the fluid communication between the integrated pressure management apparatus and the collection canister.

2. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure operable device includes a diaphragm separating the signal chamber and the second portion of the interior chamber.

3. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure operable device comprises:

a poppet preventing fluid communication between the first and second ports in the second configuration;

a spring biasing the poppet toward the second configuration; and

a diaphragm separating the second portion of the interior chamber from a signal chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the interior chamber.

4. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein a switch is disposed within the housing, the switch signals displacement of the pressure operable device in response to negative pressure at a first pressure level in the first portion of the interior chamber.

5. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a body that is integrally formed from a homogeneous material and a minimum number of covers.

6. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein the connection includes a female member matingly engaging a male member.

7. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 6, wherein the connection is selected from a group consisting of a bayonet style attachment, a threaded attachment, and an interlocking telescopic attachment.

8. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 6, wherein the connection further includes a lock preventing disengaging the male and female members.

9. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 8, wherein the lock includes a resilient projection preventing relative rotation of the male and female members.

10. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein the connection includes integrally forming the housing and the collection canister from a homogeneous material.

11. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 10, wherein the integral connection minimizes a dimension of the housing and collection canister.

12. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 10, wherein the integral connection eliminates a leak point between the housing and collection canister.

13. The volatile fuel vapor collection system according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the collection canister are remotely located with respect to one another and the connection includes an elongated conduit extending between the housing and the collection canister.