Siemens Canada Limited

Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Siemens Electric Limited

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

Continental Automotive Canada, Inc.

Other

Siemens-bendix Automotive Electronics Limited

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Siemens Vdo Automotive Canada Inc.

Paul Douglas Perry

John E Cook

Andre Veinotte

Craig Andrew Weldon

Murray F Busato

Raymond Rasokas

Gary Michael Everingham

Paul V Terek

Kirk Ivens

Gilles Delaire

John A Gurd

Dennis Alan Nocent

Peter Hueniken

Ray Rasokas

Adrian Ovidiu Crisan

Allan W DeJong

Julian Czajkowski

Derek Thomas Landschoot

A vapor management system () includes a sense tube () disposed in a fuel tank (). A differential pressure sensor () has one side connected to the sense tube and another side connected to a vapor cavity so that the pressure sensor can measure a differential pressure (DP) between a volume of the vapor cavity and a volume of the sense tube containing liquid fuel. A temperature sensor () is in the vapor cavity. A processor 1) receives DP and T measurements at certain time intervals to determine the temperature at time zero (T), the differential pressure at time zero (DP), the temperature at a certain time (T), and the differential pressure at a certain time (DP), and 2) when (T&#x2212;T) is greater than a certain value, compares DPto a certain differential pressure value.

Sample tube structure for automotive fuel tank leak detection

A vapor management system () includes a fuel tank (), a canister (), a pressure control valve () between the tank and canister and defining a high pressure side () and a low pressure side (), a vacuum source (), a purge valve () between the canister and vacuum source, a leak detection valve () connected with the canister and including a processor (). A pressure sensor () and a temperature sensor () are disposed in a fuel vapor cavity of the fuel tank, with signals from the sensors being received by the processor. Based on an absolute temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the processor compares a predicted pressure in the fuel tank to the measured absolute pressure, and identifies a leak on the high pressure side if the predicted pressure is outside a tolerance range, while maintaining pressure in the fuel tank.

Leak detection method and system for a high pressure automotive fuel tank

A pressure management apparatus including a housing () defining a fluid communication passage between first and second fluid ports (). A poppet () is disposed in the housing and is movable between first and second positions. The first position prevents fluid communication between the first and second fluid ports, and the second position permits fluid communication between the first and second fluid ports. The poppet includes a portion () translatable along an axis relative to the housing. A member () is fixed with respect to the housing and is associated with the portion of the poppet. Spring structure () is associated with the portion of the poppet. The spring structure is constructed and arranged to engage and bias the portion of the poppet to frictionally engage a portion of the member to create a dashpot damping of resonance of the poppet in the second position.

Friction spring for leak detection poppet

A technique is provided for detecting leaks in a fuel system such as an automotive fuel system. The technique complements an on-board diagnostics evaporative leak monitor that uses natural vacuum leak detection (NVLD). The technique utilizes the same switch and valve utilized by NVLD. Before engine shut-down, the system maintains a vacuum in the fuel tank and also provides a low-level purge flow. Upon engine shut-down, a timer is started and the NVLD switch is monitored to determine how long the vacuum is maintained in the tank. If the vacuum is maintained longer than a predetermined time period, then the system determines that the leak test is passed. If the vacuum decays faster than the predetermined time period, then the NVLD test is performed and system determines that the system passes the leak test if the NVLD test is passed.

Engine off vacuum decay method for increasing pass/fail threshold using NVLD

A valve apparatus includes a housing, which defines an interior chamber, a baffle disposed in the interior chamber, and a volume of liquid. The housing includes first, second and third portions. The first portion includes first and second ports that communicate with the interior chamber. The second portion is spaced from the first portion along a longitudinal axis. And the third portion extends along the longitudinal axis between the first and second portions. The baffle at least partially defines a helical fluid flow path between the first and second ports, and the volume of the liquid is disposed in the second portion of the housing.

Passive pressure activation valve

A pressure management apparatus () includes a housing () defining a fluid communication passage between first and second fluid ports (). A poppet () is disposed in the housing and is movable between first and second positions. The first position prevents fluid communication between the first and second ports and the second position permits fluid communication between the first and second ports. The poppet includes a structure () translatable along an axis relative to the housing. At least a portion of the structure includes a permanent magnet (). A member () is fixed with respect to the housing and is associated with the structure. At least a portion of the member is of ferrous material such that the magnet is attracted to the member so that at least a portion of the poppet frictionally engages the member to create a dashpot damping of resonance of the poppet in the second position.

Natural vacuum leak detection device with magnetic damping

A fuel vapor pressure management apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a printed circuit board. The pressure operable device moves between first and second configurations with respect to the housing. The printed circuit board is supported by the housing and includes a delay and a sensor. The delay commences upon internal combustion engine shutdown and concludes after a preset period. And the sensor indicates movement of the pressure operable device in the first configuration after the conclusion of the preset period.

Low power consumption latch circuit including a time delay for a fuel vapor pressure management apparatus

A housing and a method of using a liquid for controlling vapor flow through a valve apparatus between a canister and atmospheric conditions. The housing includes a container and a first partition that projects from the housing into the liquid and divides the vapor chamber into first and second vapor sub-chambers. A second partition projects from the container into the first vapor sub-chamber. And a third partition projects from the container into the second vapor sub-chamber. The housing contains the liquid in an upright arrangement of the valve apparatus, and prevents the liquid from flowing out of the container in a non-upright arrangement of the valve apparatus.

Housing for a liquid seal vacuum and pressure relief valve apparatus

A method and sensor or sensor subsystem permit improved evaporative leak detection in an automotive fuel system. The sensor or sensor subsystem computes temperature-compensated pressure values, thereby eliminating or reducing false positive or other adverse results triggered by temperature changes in the fuel tank. The temperature-compensated pressure measurement is then available for drawing an inference regarding the existence of a leak with reduced or eliminated false detection arising as a result of temperature fluctuations.

Temperature correction method and subsystem for automotive evaporative leak detection systems

An integrated pressure management apparatus, system and method for minimizing resonance of a poppet. A housing defines a fluid communication passage between ports. The housing includes a first portion, which extends along an axis, and has a first surface parallel to the axis. A poppet is movable between a first configuration that prevents fluid communication between the ports, and a second configuration that permits fluid communication between the ports. The poppet includes a second portion. The second portion is translatable along the axis relative to the housing, and includes a tubular stem that has a second surface parallel to the axis. The second portion nests with the first portion so as to define a gap between the first and second surfaces. The first and second portions define a chamber, and the gap restricts fluid flow between the fluid communication passage and the chamber.

Poppet for an integrated pressure management apparatus and fuel system and method of minimizing resonance

An apparatus and a method for managing fuel vapor pressure in a fuel system that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus performs leak detection on a headspace of the fuel system, performs excess negative pressure relief of the headspace, and performs excess positive pressure relief of the headspace. The apparatus includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a printed circuit board. The housing defines an interior chamber. The pressure operable device separates the interior chamber into first and second portions. And the pressure operable device includes a poppet that moves along an axis and a seal that is adapted to cooperatively engage the poppet. The printed circuit board is supported by the housing in the interior chamber. And the printed circuit board includes a sensor that is adapted to be actuated by movement of the poppet along the axis.

Apparatus and method of changing printed circuit boards in a fuel vapor pressure management apparatus

A purge valve is provided for a vehicle. The purge valveincludes a bodyto be coupled to an intake manifoldof the vehicle and to a canister. The body has an orificefor communicating vapor from the canisterwith airflow in the intake manifold. A valveis movable between a first position closing the orificeand a second position opening the orifice. A shape memory alloy (SMA) structureis associated with the valve such that when electric current is provided to the SMA structureto heat the SMA structure above a transformation temperature thereof, the SMA structure transforms from an original shape to a second shape, thereby causing the valveto move from the first position to the second position, and when the current is removed from the SMA structure, the SMA structure returns to the original shape, thereby permitting the valveto return to the first position.

Automotive vapor purge valve using shape memory alloy wire

A fuel system supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The fuel system includes an integrated pressure management system managing pressure and detecting leaks in the 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.

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Chatham, Canada

Paul Douglas Perry