The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 24, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 16, 1999
Katsuhiko Kawamura, Kanagawa, JP;
Akihiro Kawano, Kanagawa, JP;
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama, JP;
Abstract
There is provided an apparatus for detecting a leak in an evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a canister for collecting fuel vapors from the fuel tank, and a purge control valve disposed between the canister and the intake pipe for allowing flow of the fuel vapors from the canister to the intake pipe such that a fuel vapor flow passage is provided which extends from the fuel tank to the purge control valve by way of the canister. The apparatus comprises a vent control valve for selectively opening and closing an atmospheric vent of a canister, an actuating device for actuating the purge control valve and the vent control valve to fully close immediately after the engine starts and thereby closing the fuel vapor flow passage in a way as to prevent communication between an inside and outside of the fuel vapor flow passage, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the fuel vapor flow passage, and a diagnostic device for detecting a leak on the basis of the pressure in the fuel vapor flow passage which reduces with increase of consumption of fuel in the fuel tank after the fuel vapor flow passage is closed.