Electronic fuel pump, sender and pressure transducer tester

Details Electronic fuel pump, sender and pressure transducer tester Electronic fuel pump, sender and pressure transducer tester

1999-11-18

2001-11-27

McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)

Measuring and testing

Simulating operating condition

Marine

C073S114220, C033S607000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06321593

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to fuel systems for automotive vehicles, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for testing the operation of the fuel system, which is particularly suitable for use after assembly of the fuel system components in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
The fuel system of a vehicle typically includes a fuel pump, a fuel sender, and a pressure transducer. For certain applications these components are coupled together in a single module for assembly onto the vehicle.
Because of the complexity of these modules, assembly plant personnel can misdiagnose or not identify problems with the assembly. Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide a test system that would provide accurate and reliable results without being time or labor intensive.
Also, after the fuel system module reaches the vehicle assembly plant, there is also a need to test the module assembly. To perform diagnostics on the system, the fuel tank must be drained and removed from the vehicle in order to remove the fuel pump/sender assembly. This operation is very time consuming.
It would be therefore also be desirable to provide a test system that is suitable for use in the final vehicle assembly plant that is capable of providing a reduced test time as well as accurate and reliable results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a fuel system tester suitable for use in the assembly plant of the fuel module as well as in the final vehicle assembly plant.
In one aspect of the invention, a tester for a fuel system in an automotive vehicle that has a fuel sender, a fuel pump and a pressure transducer includes a power input and an output for coupling to the sender, the fuel pump and the pressure transducer. A first switch is coupled between the input and the output for selectively coupling power to the pump. A second switch is coupled between the input and the output for selectively coupling power to the transducer. A first test port is coupled to the output for measuring a sender electrical characteristic. A second test port is coupled to the output for measuring a transducer electrical characteristic.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method of testing a fuel pump, a fuel sender and a transducer for an automotive vehicle comprises the steps of:
coupling a pressure gauge to a fuel line;
powering a fuel pump;
measuring a maximum fuel system pressure;
determining if the maximum fuel system pressure is greater than a maximum predetermined pressure;
measuring pressure of the fuel line over time to obtain a fuel pressure decay rate;
determining if fuel pressure decay rate is less than a predetermined rate;
measuring an electrical characteristic of a fuel sender assembly;
determining if the electrical characteristic is within a predetermined range;
measuring the voltage of a pressure transducer; and
determining if said voltage is within a predetermined range.
One advantage of the invention is that when used in a final vehicle assembly plant, the fuel pump, fuel sender and transducer may be easily disconnected from the vehicle and coupled to the test apparatus. This eliminates any interference from the effect of the electrical system of the vehicle on the test results.


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