Siemens Canada Limited

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Raymond Rasokas

Craig Andrew Weldon

Paul Douglas Perry

John E Cook

David William Balsdon

William John Boucher

William C Gillier

Robert Douglas Jefford

Rick Vanwetten

A latching valve assembly which controls the flow of air and purge vapor between a fuel module and a carbon canister, where a change in an electrical property of the latching valve assembly is used to detect whether the latching valve is in the open position or the closed position. The latching valve assembly of the present invention eliminates the need for a physical switch solution, mechanical or non contact solutions, eliminates complexity of valve hardware requirements, and only adds minor electric components and software to identify the latch position. This system eliminates valve complexity and mechanical connections required for electrical conductivity.

Latching valve assembly having position sensing

A valve assembly for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system which provides emission control, regulates flow of exhaust gases, and is suitable for gasoline or diesel applications. The EGR valve assembly is a latching valve assembly which reduces power consumption (i.e., continuous electric draw) from the battery while the valve is either being held open or closed, and reduces electrical interference inherent with integrated position sensors. The valve assembly includes a latching mechanism controlled by an actuator which allows a valve to latch open or closed. The valve may be a single stage valve or a multi-stage valve, which includes a latching mechanism that allows for intermediate open positions, and uses of only a short, single pulse of voltage, to change the state of the valve. The actuator may also be held energized at full extend, maintaining a maximum valve open position, creating additional flow capability of the valve assembly.

Latching solenoid exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly

A method of measuring flux density and run out to accommodate rotors of different diameters, evaluate intrinsic properties of magnet material and the magnetization process. Circular run out measurement capability is also used to evaluate bearing journal 'ovality.' The method includes the use of a scan tool, or a DLA Rotor Flux Density Scan Fixture, which evaluates the electromagnetic field strength (gauss), combined with surface run out and presents the data in a scalable pictorial format. The scan tool includes a probe which measures a magnetic field strength and circular run out of the perimeter of the magnet. Simultaneously, a non-contact measurement sensor is used to measure the rotor surface for subtle variations. The resulting sine wave gauss data and the surface dimension data are manipulated into a scalable 'radar' plot. The radar plot correlates magnetic pole field strength and surface circular run out variation to the index position.

DLA rotor flux density scan method and tool

A leak test system and method for a motor vehicle fuel system. A pump forces air under pressure into vapor containment space. The pump operates in accordance with steps established by a processor. The pump creates superatmospheric pressure in the space during an initial charging phase step, and after completion of that step, the pump performs a measurement phase step that forces pulses of air into the space in a succession of pulse bursts. Each burst contains a succession of individual pulses, preferably in equal numbers, and each successive burst is delayed from an immediately prior burst by a time interval substantially longer than the time intervals between individual pulses in each burst, preferably by constant time intervals. The processor processes data corresponding to a measurement of pressure in the space after the occurrence of at least one of such bursts and as a result indicates leakage from the space.

Fuel vapor leak test system and method comprising successive series of pulse bursts and pressure measurements between bursts

An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. This varying of pressure differential alternately increases the created pressure differential above a nominal pressure differential and decreases the created pressure differential below the nominal pressure differential. The leak detection test is then performed.

Initialization method of an automotive evaporative emission leak detection system

Initialization method for an automotive evaporative emission leak detection system

A leak detection system for a fuel system of an automotive vehicle has a diaphragm pump that is repeatedly stroked to pressurize vapor containment space of the fuel system during a leak detection test. A restriction is disposed between the pump and the space being pressurized to cause a real time pressure trace of pressure between the pump and the restriction to comprise a succession of pulses having peaks and valleys. Data from the first pump burst of the trace is used to adjust the number of times the pump is stroked during subsequent bursts to maintain substantially constant mass airflow into the space during each burst, thereby compensating for change in pump efficiency.

Leak detection system and method having self-compensation for changes in pressurizing pump efficiency

A leak test system and method for a motor vehicle fuel system. A pump forces air under pressure into vapor containment space. The pump operates in accordance with steps established by a processor. The pump creates superatmospheric target pressure in the space during an initial charging phase step, and after completion of that step, the pump is duty-cycled to regulate pressure in the space at the target pressure. A duty cycle comprises a burst of individual air pulses, one after another. The processor processes data corresponding to the duty cycle using P-I-D operations to set the number of pulses in a succeeding burst for regulating the pressure. When stability of the duty cycle is attained, the period of the duty cycle indicates leakage from the space.

Fuel vapor leak test system and method comprising P-I-D setting of pulse bursts to regulate target pressure

An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system has a module (,) for detecting leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. Interior space (,) of the module's enclosure (,) is communicated to atmosphere. A pump (,) is disposed within space (,) and has an inlet (,) communicated to the interior space and a flow passage (,) at its outlet (,) to allow the pump to create pressure in the evaporative emission space suitable for performance of a leak test. A vent valve (,) is disposed within space (,) and is selectively operable to vent and not vent the flow passage to space (,). An electromagnet actuator (,) has a single electric coil (,) that operates both the pump and the vent valve. A driver circuit (,) to the coil provides a first current component for operating the pump and a second current component for operating the vent valve.

Driver circuit for fuel vapor leak detection system

An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. A leak size measurement is then obtained using an algorithm.

Automotive evaporative emission leak detection system and method

A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A housing provides an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port. An electric-motor-operated impeller pump causes flow in one direction along the flow path when in a pumping mode of operation. The pump is open to flow in both the one direction and an opposite direction when in a non-pumping mode. A solenoid-operated valve is disposed in the flow path to block flow through the flow path when in a blocking mode and to pass flow through the flow path when in a passing mode. A pressure switch is exposed to the flow path at the outlet port. A lead frame assembly provides respective electric circuit connections to the motor, solenoid, and pressure switch.

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Thamesville, Canada

Raymond Rasokas