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:
Mar. 11, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 30, 1999
Gary D. Dawson, Rochester, MI (US);
William B. Blomquist, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Chris J. Booms, Milford, MI (US);
Fadi S. Kanafani, Rochester, MI (US);
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for detecting a small or gross leak in an evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle. The method includes initially purging and then sealing the evaporative emission control system. A vacuum switch coupled to the evaporative emission control system is then monitored for an opening event caused by a loss of a natural vacuum created in the evaporative emission control system. If said opening event is detected, the method determines if a leak check timer has exceeded a first or second predetermined threshold value. If the leak check timer has not exceeded said first predetermined threshold value a first fault code is set indicating that the gross leak has been detected. If the leak check timer has not exceeded the second predetermined threshold value, a second fault code is set indicating that the small leak has been detected. The first threshold value corresponds to an amount of time required for a leak to be detected having a diameter of about 0.070 inches or greater. The second threshold value corresponds to an amount of time required for a leak to be detected having a diameter of about 0.040 inches or greater.