Patent ID: 7216637
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
1. An evaporative fuel handling apparatus for a vehicle with an air intake system of an engine and a fuel tank, the evaporative fuel handling apparatus comprising: a purge system for purging evaporative fuel from the fuel tank into the air intake system, wherein the purge system defines an inside and an outside; a first communication passage fluidly coupled with the purge system; a second communication passage fluidly coupled with the purge system; a first restrictor fluidly coupled to the second communication passage, wherein an axial cross sectional area of the first restrictor is less than an axial cross sectional area of the second communication passage such that the second communication passage has a greater loss of pressure of flowing fluid than the first communication passage; a check device coupled to the second communication passage for checking a leak of evaporative fuel from the purge system, the check device including a second restrictor and a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is operatively coupled between the first restrictor and the second restrictor; a pump for producing a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the purge system; a selector device for switching fluid communication of the pump between one of the first communication passage and the second communication passage; and a controller that controls the selector device to allow fluid communication between the first communication passage and the pump and then controls the pump to produce the pressure difference to thereby perform forcible purge of evaporative fuel; and wherein the controller is further operable for controlling the selector device to allow fluid communication between the second communication passage and the pump, and then controls the pump to produce the pressure difference and controls the check device to check for a leak of evaporative fuel.