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 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: An on-board diagnostic system for an evaporative emission control system of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle employs a leak detection module that is fluid connected in a vent passage for the evaporative emission space. The leak detection module contains an electric motor driven impeller, a solenoid operated valve assembly that is selectively operable to three positions, and a pressure-responsive switch whose switching characteristic possesses hysteresis corresponding to an upper regulating limit and a lower regulating limit.