US 5,507,176 AGranted

Evaporative emissions test apparatus and method

AssigneeK-Line Industries, Inc.

InventorsDavid A. Kammeraad, Peter R. Chirco

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Abstract

An evaporative emissions test apparatus is provided including a tester adapted to pressure test a vehicle fuel holding system for vapor emitting leaks. The test apparatus includes an adapter configured to sealingly engage the access port for filling the fuel tank, the adapter being further configured to sealingly receive the vehicle fuel cap so that the vehicle fuel holding system including the fuel cap can be tested as a unit. The tester includes a connector for connecting to the adapter, and further includes a second connector for connecting to a pressure source for pressurizing the fuel holding system and fuel vapor control system to a predetermined pressure. The tester also includes a sensor for sensing the pressure over time, a timer for indicating the passage of a predetermined amount of time, and a display generator and display for indicating if the pressure in the atmosphere is acceptable after passage of the predetermined amount of time.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An emissions test apparatus for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle, said fuel holding system including a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel vapor control system operably connected to said fuel tank, said fuel tank and said fuel vapor control system defining an atmosphere, comprising:

an atmosphere pressure changing device operably connected to said fuel holding system for changing the pressure of said fuel holding system atmosphere to a predetermined pressure;
a pressure sensor operably connected to said fuel holding system for sensing the pressure of said atmosphere in said fuel holding system over time;
a timer for indicating passage of a predetermined amount of time;
a switch for actuating said timer when said predetermined pressure is reached;
an indicator operably connected to said timer and said pressure sensor for indicating whether any change in the pressure of said atmosphere over said predetermined time is acceptable;
said fuel tank including an access port for filling said fuel tank, and said atmosphere pressure changing device including an adapter configured to sealingly engage said access port;
said fuel holding system including a fuel cap adapted to sealingly engage and cover said access port, and said adapter including a first end configured to sealingly engage said access port and further including a second end configured to sealingly receivingly engage said fuel cap, said adapter placing said fuel cap and said access port in fluid communication when engaged with said adapter, whereby said fuel holding system can be tested as a complete unit for vapor leaks;
and
said fuel cap including a pressure relief valve for venting said fuel holding system upon over-pressurization and a seal for sealingly engaging said access port, said adapter including a passageway operably connecting said fuel cap to said fuel tank when the fuel cap is connected to the adapter and further including a surface for sealingly engaging said fuel cap seal.

6 more elements

An adapter facilitating emissions testing of a fuel holding system of a vehicle, the fuel holding system including a fuel tank assembly having a fill tube defining an access port and a fuel cap for sealingly covering said access port, comprising:

a first end member configured to sealingly engage said access port, said first end member defining a first passageway in fluid communication with said fuel tank assembly when said first end member is engaged with said access port;
a connector operably connected to said first end member and in fluid communication with said first passageway, said connector being configured to connect to an emissions test apparatus;
and
a second end member operably connected to said first end member and to said connector, said second end member being configured to sealingly receivingly engage said fuel cap, said second end member including a second passageway in fluid communication with said first passageway so that said fuel cap is in fluid communication with said access port when said fuel cap is engaged with said second end member, whereby said fuel holding system including said fuel cap can be tested as a complete unit by said emissions test apparatus for vapor emitting leaks.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.