US5220897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the controlled feeding of volatile fuel components to the intake of an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Firma
•
Filing: 1992-01-13
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Granted: 1993-06-22
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Expires: 2012-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A line (3) provided between the head space (11) of the fuel tank (10) and the induction tube (1) of the engine contains an absorption element (9) and can be shut off by a signal-actuated servo valve (8) connected to the outlet from the absorption element. The line (3) is provided with a first sensor (4) preceding the absorption element (9) and detecting gas flows. A vacuum actuator (12) following the servo valve (8) is provided with a second sensor (13) which gives a signal when actuated. The first sensor (4) and the second sensor (13) are connected for carrying signals to a diagnosis block (14) which compares them with the signal (17) actuating the servo valve (8) and uses them for fault diagnosis.
Inventors
- 👤 Harald Buchalla
- 👤 Stefan Burger
- 👤 Rainer Franz
- 👤 Joachim Heinemann
- 👤 Reinhard Tinz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:09
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/08; F02M25/0809; F02M2025/0845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for the temporary storage and controlled feeding of volatile components in the free space of a fuel tank to the intake tube of an internal combustion engine, comprising a line from said free space to said intake tube, an absorption element between said free space and said intake tube, first sensing means for detecting gas flow between said free space and said absorption element and generating a first signal indicative of said flow, a servo valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, control means which generates a signal for controlling said servo valve, a vacuum actuated valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, second sensing means for detecting the position of said vacuum actuated valve and generating a second signal indicative of said position, and diagnosis means for comparing said first and second signals to said signal controlling said servo valve and generating an error signal when a fault is diagnosed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for the temporary storage and controlled feeding of volatile components in the free space of a fuel tank to the intake tube of an internal combustion engine, comprising a line from said free space to said intake tube, an absorption element between said free space and said intake tube, first sensing means for detecting gas flow between said free space and said absorption element and generating a first signal indicative of said flow, a servo valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, control means which generates a signal for controlling said servo valve, a vacuum actuated valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, second sensing means for detecting the position of said vacuum actuated valve and generating a second signal indicative of said position, and diagnosis means for comparing said first and second signals to said signal controlling said servo valve and generating an error signal when a fault is diagnosed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said diagnosis means generates a signal to said control means as an input for said control means to generate said signal for controlling said servo valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for the temporary storage and controlled feeding of volatile components in the free space of a fuel tank to the intake tube of an internal combustion engine, comprising a line from said free space to said intake tube, an absorption element between said free space and said intake tube, first sensing means for detecting gas flow between said free space and said absorption element and generating a first signal indicative of said flow, a servo valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, control means which generates a signal for controlling said servo valve, a vacuum actuated valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, second sensing means for detecting the position of said vacuum actuated valve and generating a second signal indicative of said position, and diagnosis means for comparing said first and second signals to said signal controlling said servo valve and generating a signal to said control means as an input for said control means to generate said signal for controlling said serve valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for the temporary storage and controlled feeding of volatile components in the free space of a fuel tank to the intake tube of an internal combustion engine, comprising a line from said free space to said intake tube, an absorption element between said free space and said intake tube, first sensing means for detecting gas flow between said free space and said absorption element and generating a first signal indicative of said flow, a servo valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, control means which generates a signal for controlling said servo valve, a vacuum actuated valve between said absorption element and said intake tube, second sensing means for detecting the position of said vacuum actuated valve and generating a second signal indicative of said position, and diagnosis means for comparing said first and second signals to said signal controlling said servo valve and generating a signal to said control means as an input for said control means to generate said signal for controlling said serve valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said diagnosis means generates an error signal when a fault is detected.
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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) | 1996-06-21 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-21 | 2000-12-21 | 2001-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-21 | 2004-12-21 | 2005-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |