US5186153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tank-venting arrangement for a motor vehicle and method for checking the operability thereof
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1991-03-01
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Granted: 1993-02-16
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Expires: 2011-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A tank-venting arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a fuel tank KT having a HC (hydrocarbon)-sensor, an adsorption filter AF and a tank-venting valve TEV. If the HC-sensor annouces that fuel vapor above a pregiven concentration is present in the tank, then it is expected that a lambda correction in the lean direction is required when the tank-venting valve is opened. If such a correction is not determined, this shows that either the arrangement leaks or the tank-venting valve does not open correctly. For carrying out the mentioned testing method, this arrangement requires only a single additional sensor, namely, the HC-sensor mounted in the tank. The arrangement is therefore simpler than known arrangements and nonetheless permits carrying out a reliable method for checking the operability.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Steinbrenner
- 👤 Helmut Denz
- 👤 Ernst Wild
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:49
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/08; F02M25/0809; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/0025; F02D41/003; F02D41/0045; F02D41/22; F02D41/222; F02D41/0032; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for checking the operability of a motor vehicle tank-venting arrangement having an adsorption filter which connects a fuel tank to the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine via a tank-venting valve, the method comprising the steps of: determining whether hydrocarbon vapors are present in the tank and, is so, closing the tank-venting valve for a predetermined time period so that the hydrocarbon vapor can accumulate in the absorption filter; opening the tank-venting valve and checking as to whether a correction of a lambda control in the lean direction is required; and, drawing the conclusion as to the inoperability of the arrangement when a correction of this kind is not required.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for checking the operability of a motor vehicle tank-venting arrangement having an adsorption filter which connects a fuel tank to the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine via a tank-venting valve, the method comprising the steps of: determining whether hydrocarbon vapors are present in the tank and, is so, closing the tank-venting valve for a predetermined time period so that the hydrocarbon vapor can accumulate in the absorption filter; opening the tank-venting valve and checking as to whether a correction of a lambda control in the lean direction is required; and, drawing the conclusion as to the inoperability of the arrangement when a correction of this kind is not required.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the tank-venting valve remains closed at least for an accumulation time period; after this accumulation time period has elapsed during a subsequent test time period, a check is continuously made as to whether an operating condition of the internal combustion engine with a low air throughput is present, and, as soon as this is the case, the tank-venting valve is opened in order to carry out the mentioned check; otherwise, the tank-venting valve is opened when the test time period has elapsed in order to bring about a flushing of the absorption filter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein after each accumulation time period, a time period follows for adequate regeneration of the absorption filter.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for checking the operability of an HC-sensor which is mounted so that the HC-content of the vapor in the tank of a motor vehicle tank-venting arrangement is detected wherein the fuel tank is connected to the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine via an adsorption filter and a tank-venting valve, the method comprising the steps of: flusing the adsorption filter when the HC-sensor indicates that no hydrocarbon vapor is present above a threshold concentration; thereafter, closing the tank-venting valve for a predetermined time period; opening the tank-venting valve and checking as to whether a lambda correction in the lean direction is required; and, drawing a conclusion that the sensor is inoperable when such a lean correction is required.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for checking the operability of an HC-sensor which is mounted so that the HC-content of the vapor in the tank of a motor vehicle tank-venting arrangement is detected wherein the fuel tank is connected to the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine via an adsorption filter and a tank-venting valve, the method comprising the steps of: flusing the adsorption filter when the HC-sensor indicates that no hydrocarbon vapor is present above a threshold concentration; thereafter, closing the tank-venting valve for a predetermined time period; opening the tank-venting valve and checking as to whether a lambda correction in the lean direction is required; and, drawing a conclusion that the sensor is inoperable when such a lean correction is required.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-16 | 1996-08-17 | 1997-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-16 | 2000-08-17 | 2001-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-16 | 2004-08-17 | 2005-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |