Patent ID: 6044314
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A leak detection test method for an evaporative emission space of a fuel storage system of an automotive vehicle comprising:creating a differential between pressure in an evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure sufficient to perform a leak detection test on the evaporative emission space;isolating the evaporative emission space so that reduction in the created differential is indicative of leakage from the evaporative emission space, and starting a timer to measure time;defining a time limit for the timer;as the timer times, sensing the differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure; andwhen the timer times to the defined time limit, selectively reducing the differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure, and measuring a parameter related to the selective reduction of the differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure.