Abstract: A diaphragm for an integrated pressure management system manages pressure and detects leaks in a 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.

Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system has a module (22) for detecting leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. Interior space (103) of the module's enclosure (102) is communicated to atmosphere. A pump (50) is disposed within space (103) and has an inlet (56) communicated to the interior space and a flow passage (70, 72) at its outlet (58) to allow the pump to create pressure in the evaporative emission space suitable for performance of a leak test. A vent valve (52) is disposed within space (103) and is selectively operable to vent and not vent the flow passage to space (103). An electromagnet actuator (104) has a single electric coil (116) that operates both the pump and the vent valve. A driver circuit (1000) to the coil provides a first current component for operating the pump and a second current component for operating the vent valve.

Abstract: A leak detection system for detecting leakage from a portion of a vapor confinement space which is upstream of an inlet of a canister purge valve relative to an engine. During a test, an electric-motor-operated air pump pumps atmospheric air through a flowpath providing communication between the pump and the vapor confinement space. A flowmeter has a thermistor in the flowpath. The thermistor has a predetermined temperature vs. electric current characteristic that enables it to provide a signal correlated to flow of air through the flowpath. An electric circuit supplies and measures the electric current drawn by the thermistor to create a signal representative of the pumped airflow. The test is conducted in accordance with an algorithm that pre-heats the thermistor to a stable state before the pump is turned on. The pump is then turned on to create a predefined superatmospheric target pressure in the vapor confinement space.

Abstract: The purge valve embodies a solenoid that has a linear force vs. current characteristic acting on the armature. Effects of hysteresis are minimized by certain constructional features and the manner of operating the valve by an associated control circuit.

Abstract: An automotive emission control module has an emission control valve containing a main flow passage having a valve member that controls fluid flow through the flow passage. An internal pressure sensing passage communicates pressure at one side of an orifice in the main flow passage to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and a fluid pressure regulator valve are integrated with the body of a fluid-pressure-operated actuator that operates the valve member. The module is calibrated and tested in a test stand, and can be re-calibrated after installation in an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake manifold has a wall separating internal manifold space from an external space. An EGR valve for recirculating engine exhaust gases mounts on the wall such that an EGR outlet port of the EGR valve is communicated to the internal manifold space. EGR valves having various mounts for closing valve mounting holes in the manifold wall are disclosed.

Abstract: An EGR module has a valve containing a main flow passage having a valve member that controls exhaust gas flow through the passage. An internal pressure sensing passage communicates pressure at one side of an orifice in the main flow passage to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and an EVR valve are integrated with the body of a fluid pressure actuator that operates the valve member. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric EGR module has a main flow passage containing a valve member operated by a movable actuator wall of a fluid pressure actuator to control exhaust gas flow through the passage. The movable actuator wall bounds a portion of a variable volume chamber space to which regulated vacuum from an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve is communicated to position the movable actuator wall, and hence the valve member. An internal pressure sensing passage, which includes a tube that also functions as a shaft for coupling motion of the actuator wall to the valve member, communicates pressure at one side of an orifice in the main flow passage to a pressure sensor. The tube communicates with a variable volume chamber space that forms a portion of the sensing passage and that varies in volume with the positioning of the tube by the actuator wall. The pressure sensor and the EVR valve are integrated with the body of the fluid pressure actuator.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake manifold has a wall separating internal manifold space from an external space. A purge valve for purging fuel vapors from an evaporative emission space of a fuel storage system for the engine mounts on the wall external to the internal manifold space and places a purge outlet port of the purge valve in communication with the internal manifold space. An EGR valve for recirculating engine exhaust gases mounts on the wall such that an EGR outlet port of the EGR valve is communicated to the internal manifold space.

Abstract: An EGR module has an emission control valve body containing a main flow passage having a valve member that controls exhaust gas flow through the passage. An internal pressure sensing passage communicates pressure at one side of an orifice in the main flow passage to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and an EVR valve are integrated with the body of a fluid pressure actuator that operates the valve member. The actuator has two body parts, one of which is assembled to the emission control valve body before the two actuator body parts are assembled together. The sensor has an electric connector containing some terminals connected to one or more electric sensing elements and additional terminals that make mated connection with terminals of the EVR valve as the sensor is being associated with the EVR valve during assembly of the module.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, an EGR flow path includes an exhaust emission control valve between an exhaust system of the engine and an intake system of the engine. The valve is operated by an actuator having a body mounted on the emission control valve body and a shaft for operating the valve to selectively restrict the flow path. The shaft is operated by a movable actuator wall of the actuator bounding a portion of a variable volume chamber space to which regulated vacuum from an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve is communicated to position the movable actuator wall. An internal pressure sensing passage, which includes a tube that also functions as the shaft communicates pressure at a location in the flow path to a pressure sensor. The tube communicates the flow path to a chamber space separated from the variable volume chamber space by a separator wall, and a port of the pressure sensor communicates with the chamber space of the sensing passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leakage from an evaporative emission space (14, 18) of a vehicle fuel system by utilizing naturally occurring vacuum that can occur under certain favorable conditions after a fuel-consuming engine (12) that powers an automotive vehicle has been turned off. If there is no leakage, vapor pressure in the fuel system will begin to decrease. If it is assumed that the vapor pressure was approximately atmospheric when the engine was turned off, and that no leakage existed, ensuing cooling will create increasing vacuum in headspace of the fuel tank as the temperature drops. In the absence of leakage, a well-defined relationship exists. Measurements of physical parameters (24, 26) characterizing fluid conditions in the fuel tank are taken as cooling proceeds and processed. Results are evaluated to obtain leakage information.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake manifold has a wall separating internal manifold space from an external space. An EGR valve for recirculating engine exhaust gases mounts on the wall such that an EGR outlet port of the EGR valve is communicated to the internal manifold space. Various embodiments of mounts for closing valve mounting holes in the manifold wall are disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-function drill bit assembly with slideably positionable hole saw comprising an elongate bit member, a reversible arbor member, and a hole saw member. The elongate drill bit member has a drilling portion and an attachment portion, with the drilling portion having a sharp cutting tip and the attachment portion having at least one flat surface running longitudinally across. The reversible arbor member has a cylindrical cavity extending axially therethrough with the attachment portion of the drill bit member being slideably disposed in the cylindrical cavity. The arbor member has a first portion and a cylindrical skirt portion, the cylindrical skirt portion extending outwardly from the first portion and being generally concentric with the cylindrical cavity. The cylindrical skirt portion has an exterior surface with a first set of threads running circumferentially across. The hole saw member has a cylindrical body with a closed end and an open end.

Abstract: 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. The module has a housing that includes a first port for communicating the housing to the evaporative emission space and a second port for communicating the housing to atmosphere. The housing contains a particulate filter through which the second port communicates with two parallel flow branches that extend within the housing to the first port. One branch contains a vacuum regulator valve, and the other, a solenoid-operated vent valve. During a leak detection test, the vent valve is operated closed, and a purge valve, that selectively communicates the evaporative emission space with the engine intake manifold, is operated open to cause vacuum to be drawn in the evaporative emission space. The vacuum regulator valve regulates evaporative emission space vacuum to a defined vacuum. Subsequently, the purge valve is operated closed.

Abstract: A vapor collection canister vent valve contains both an electric pressure sensor for measuring evaporative emission space pressure during a diagnostic test and an electric actuator for operating the vent valve closed during a diagnostic test. Use of the valve in an evaporative emission control system reduces the number of connections, both electrical and fluid, that are required to install the valve in a system. The remote location of the pressure sensor damps the effect of pressure transients, such as those due to tank fuel slosh, on the sensor.

Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system, and corresponding method that calibrates a leak detection module pump to set a desired stroke of a moveable wall in the pump of such evaporative emission leak detection system. A pump disposed within interior space of the module has an inlet in communication with the interior space and an outlet that communicates through a flow passage with the evaporative emission space. A vent valve within the interior space is selectively operable to a first state that vents the flow passage to the interior space of the module, thereby venting the evaporative emission space to atmosphere, and to a second state that does not vent the flow passage to the interior space. An electromechanical actuator within the interior space operates the pump and the vent valve by respective magnetically responsive levers.

Abstract: A leak detection method 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. During a leak detection test, a vent valve closes, and a purge valve, that selectively communicates the evaporative emission space with the engine intake manifold, opens to cause vacuum to be drawn in the evaporative emission space. A vacuum regulator valve regulates evaporative emission space vacuum to a defined vacuum. Subsequently, the purge valve closes. Loss of vacuum, indicative of leakage, is signaled by a pressure sensor. An algorithm detects a substantially constant rate of vacuum loss and then measures the amount of loss over a defined time interval. That measurement is then compensated for volume of the evaporative emission space and rate of fuel volatilization to arrive at a value forming a basis for making a leakage determination.

Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system. A pump disposed within interior space of the module has an inlet in communication with the interior space and a flow passage through which the evaporative emission space is pressurized by the pump. A vent valve within the interior space is selectively operable to a first state that vents the flow passage to the interior space of the module and to a second state that does not vent the flow passage to the interior space. An electromechanical actuator within the interior space operates both the pump and the vent valve. The actuator has an electromagnet coil disposed on the middle leg of an E-shaped core comprising a stack of ferromagnetic laminations.

Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system. A pump disposed within interior space of the module has an inlet in communication with the interior space and an outlet that communicates through a flow passage by with the evaporative emission space. A vent valve within the interior space is selectively operable to a first state that vents the flow passage to the interior space of the module, thereby venting the evaporative emission space to atmosphere, and to a second state that does not vent the flow passage to the interior space. An electromechanical actuator within the interior space operates the pump and the vent valve by respective magnetically responsive levers. For absorbing impact of a lever with stops, an elastomeric part is disposed on an arm of the lever.