Abstract: An idle air control valve for a vehicle includes a housing (21), a motor (32) disposed in the housing, a shaft (29) associated with the motor, and a bellows assembly (30) including a bellows structure (10) having a first end defining a base (14), a second, opened end (16), and a bellows (18) between the first and second ends. An annular rim member (28) is associated with the second opened end. A pintle (24) has surfaces defining an annular groove (26) therein. The annular rim member (28) is received, in press-fit engagement, in the annular groove (26). The base (14) is in press-fit engagement with a recess (22) in the housing and the pintle (24) is coupled with an end of the shaft, such that the bellows structure together with the pintle surround the shaft and provide a barrier substantially preventing contaminants from entering the motor.

Abstract: A motor (10) for a vehicle includes a stator assembly (14) and a rotor assembly (16). Bearing structure (20, 22) support the rotor assembly to permit rotation of the rotor assembly with respect to the stator assembly. A shaft (30) is threadedly engaged with the rotor assembly and is constructed and arranged such that rotation of the rotor assembly causes linear movement of the shaft. A perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based lubricant (38), having an thermal functionality upper temperature limit of over +200° C., lubricates at least the bearing structure.

Abstract: A solenoid for use in valves used in evaporative emission control systems, such as canister purge valves or vent solenoid valves. The solenoid includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The housing further includes a guide element having a bobbin section. A valve shaft is slidably mounted to the guide element, wherein the valve shaft includes a permanent magnet and a valve element. The valve element is movable between a closed position wherein the inlet port is closed and an open position wherein the inlet port is opened. A coil is formed on the bobbin adjacent the magnet. In use, the coil generates directional magnetic fields oriented to cause the magnet to be repelled to move the valve element to the open position and oriented to cause a magnetic attraction with the magnet to move the valve element to the closed position.

Abstract: A purge valve includes an aperture, a member, and an actuator. The aperture defines a portion of a vapor flow path that extends between a first port that communicates vapor with a fuel vapor collection canister and a second port that communicates vapor with an intake manifold. The member is displaced with respect to the aperture between a first configuration wherein the member occludes the aperture and a second configuration that permits vapor flow along the vapor flow path. The actuator displaces the member between the first and second configurations and includes an armature and a stator. The stator includes a winding that extends along an axis. And the armature, which is coupled to the member, surrounds the winding and includes a permanent magnet.

Abstract: A vapor fuel generation and management system for an evaporative fuel vapor engine includes a fuel tank that stores an evaporative liquid fuel, and a carbon canister connected to the headspace of the fuel tank to absorb and retain fuel vapor. A fuel vaporization unit has a liquid fuel inlet in communication with a liquid fuel outlet of the fuel tank, and a fuel vapor inlet in communication with the carbon canister. The fuel vaporization includes an agitator member at least partially submersed in a liquid fuel bath, and a motive force device that drives the agitator member. The fuel vaporization unit generates vapor fuel, i.e. a rich air/fuel mixture, and has a vapor fuel outlet in communication with an engine intake manifold. A purge valve controls vapor fuel flow to the engine intake manifold.

Abstract: A valve, system, and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, an isolation valve, and a fuel tank. The isolation valve includes a housing defining a chamber, a diaphragm movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a coil spring biasing the diaphragm toward the first configuration. The housing includes an interior partition that defines an aperture and separates the housing into first and second sections, a first port that is in fuel vapor communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and a second port. In the first configuration, the diaphragm occludes the aperture, divides the chamber into three sub-chambers, and substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. In the second configuration, the diaphragm divides the chamber into two sub-chambers and permits generally unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A valve structure that comprises a housing and a valve. The housing includes a first fluid communication passage between a first port and a second port. The valve is movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the first and second ports. And the intermediate configuration provides restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The valve includes a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element includes a second fluid communication passage providing the restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second valve element is positionable in first and second positions with respect to the first valve element.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a leak verification test to test the evaporative emission space for leakage comprising self-calibrating the purge valve, closing the evaporative emission space to atmosphere and an intake system of the engine and monitoring for conditions calling for aborting the test, performing a leak determination test, and entering a sleep mode while the engine continues to run.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A valve structure that comprises a housing and a valve. The housing includes a first fluid communication passage between a first port and a second port. The valve is movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the first and second ports. And the intermediate configuration provides restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The valve includes a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element includes a second fluid communication passage providing the restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second valve element is positionable in first and second positions with respect to the first valve element.

Abstract: A valve, system, and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, an isolation valve, and a fuel tank. The isolation valve includes a housing defining a chamber, a diaphragm movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a coil spring biasing the diaphragm toward the first configuration. The housing includes an interior partition that defines an aperture and separates the housing into first and second sections, a first port that is in fuel vapor communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and a second port. In the first configuration, the diaphragm occludes the aperture, divides the chamber into three sub-chambers, and substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. In the second configuration, the diaphragm divides the chamber into two sub-chambers and permits generally unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports.