Patent · US Expired

Method and system for monitoring an evaporative purge system

US5614665A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
13References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 16, 1995
Grant dateMar 25, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 16, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02M25/0809
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring an evaporative purge system for malfunctions and leaks. First, a plurality of predetermined entry conditions are checked for satisfaction. If the plurality of predetermined entry conditions have been met, a flow of vapor in the evaporative purge system is determined. The evaporative purge system is then sealed from atmosphere so as to pull a vacuum on the fuel tank. The vacuum is compared to a predetermined vacuum range. If the vacuum is within the predetermined vacuum range, the vacuum is allowed to stabilize to obtain a stabilized vacuum level. A decrease in the stabilized vacuum level is determined after a predetermined amount of time to obtain a vacuum bleed-up. A vacuum bleed-up acceptance threshold is then determined based on the determined flow of vapor and the vacuum bleed-up is then compared to the vacuum bleed-up acceptance threshold. If the vacuum bleed-up exceeds the vacuum bleed-up acceptance threshold, atmosphere is provided to the evaporative purge system until stabilization. The evaporative purge system is then sealed again to create a pressure build. The pressure build is compared to a pressure threshold. Finally, a malfunction si…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.