Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Including exhaust gas condition responsive means
Patent
1993-09-21
1996-07-09
Argenbright, Tony M.
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Including exhaust gas condition responsive means
123520, F02M 2508, F02M 2507, F02D 4114
Patent
active
055334938
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and a device for verifying the operating condition of a system for recovering vapours originating from a fuel tank and, more particularly, to such a device designed to be installed in a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine.
When filling the petrol tank of such a vehicle, or when the petrol contained in this tank is heated up, petrol vapours are released above the free surface of the petrol contained in the tank. These vapours are normally discharged into the open air. However, some antipollution laws insist that these vapours are recovered in order to protect the environment. In order to conform with these laws, vapour-recovering systems have been designed which essentially comprise a cartridge filled with active carbon, the cartridge being connected to the petrol tank so as to collect the hydrocarbon vapours released therefrom, these vapours being absorbed by the active carbon until the latter is saturated.
In order to avoid having to replace the cartridge when the active carbon is saturated, means for regenerating the active carbon are incorporated into the system which operate by sweeping this active carbon with a stream of air. Indeed, the active carbon is regenerated under the action of the oxygen contained in the air which passes through it. In order to effect this sweeping of the active carbon by a stream of air, the cartridge is connected to the intake port of the internal combustion engine which propels the vehicle, the engine then serving as a suction pump. The vapours recycled in this way are then combusted in the engine.
A solenoid valve is conventionally installed between the cartridge and the intake port of the engine. This solenoid valve is controlled by electronic means such as an ignition and/or injection calculator which controls the engine, this calculator furthermore generating a control signal for the solenoid valve which selectively intitiates the connecting of the cartridge to the intake port of the engine, when it is judged to be necessary to empty this cartridge.
The solenoid valve, the cartridge, the petrol tank and the intake port are connected by pipes (or "durit", a trade mark) which can become detached from the elements to which they are connected as a result of being accidentally pulled off or as a result of the vibrations to which the vehicle is subjected, for example. In the event of disconnection, the system for reprocessing petrol vapours becomes, of course, inoperative. The occurrence of such a situation must be detected so that corrective measures may be implemented to prevent the environment from becoming polluted, the petrol vapours otherwise being ejected to the environment when a "durit" has been disconnected.
European Patent Application EP-A-0 411 173 describes a tank ventilation system whereby deficiencies in the system are detected as promptly as possible.
This problem is solved by providing a system for the detection of defects in a tank ventilation system wherein in a line between an output of the filter to an intake portion of the internal combustion engine a flow sensor is arranged which supplies a flow signal to the control unit. A lambda probe may also be provided which supplies a probe signal to the control unit, the lambda probe being provided at an exhaust portion of the internal combustion engine. Means are provided for comparing the at least one of flow signal from the flow sensor or the probe signal from the lambda probe to a control signal which actuates the tank ventilation valve. An error signal is provided in the case of a logically unreasonable comparison of these signals which is indicative of a defect in the tank ventilation system.
French Patent Publication No. 2,635,823, published on Mar. 2, 1990, proposes a device for verifying the operating condition of a system for recovering vapours, comprising means for detecting any possible break in the circuit that the petrol vapours follow, both during the normal absorption of the vapours in the cartridge of active carbon and when this car
REFERENCES:
"Patent Abstracts of Japan", vol. 12, No. 305(M-733), Aug. 19, 1988, abstract of JP-A-63080033.
Argenbright Tony M.
Greenberg Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Siemens Automotive S.A.
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