Systems and methods for emissions leak detection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016370252-A1
Application number	US-201514742268-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 17, 2015
Priority date	Jun 17, 2015
Publication date	Dec 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for detecting leaks in an emissions control system of a vehicle. In one example, a method comprises monitoring an equivalent resistance of a leak detection circuit, and indicating a leak responsive to the equivalent resistance not equal to a threshold resistance. In this way, leaks in vapor line interfaces can be easily detected and located, thereby reducing emissions, without intrusively testing the emissions control system.

First claim

1 . A method for an emissions control system, comprising:
monitoring an equivalent resistance of a leak detection circuit; and indicating a leak responsive to the equivalent resistance not equal to a threshold resistance.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising indicating a location of the leak based on the equivalent resistance.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising comparing the equivalent resistance to a lookup table to determine the location of the leak.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the leak detection circuit comprises at least two force-sensing elements, including a first force-sensing element and a second force-sensing element.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the leak detection circuit further comprises a first resistor electrically coupled to the first force-sensing element and a second resistor electrically coupled to the second force-sensing element.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein resistance of the first resistor differs from resistance of the second resistor.

7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the first force-sensing element is physically coupled to a first quick-connect interface and the second force-sensing element is physically coupled to a second quick-connect interface.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein indicating the leak comprises activating a malfunction indicator lamp.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting operation of at least one element of the emissions control system responsive to indicating the leak.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein adjusting operation of the at least one element of the emissions control system comprises closing a valve to isolate the leak.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein adjusting operation of the at least one element is based on a location of the leak.

12 . A connector assembly, comprising:
a first connector comprising a housing defining a protruded portion and a first interface; a second connector comprising a housing defining a cavity and a second interface, the second connector matable with the first connector wherein the cavity receives the protruded portion and the first interface contacts the second interface; an electrical force-sensing element positioned on and substantially covering one of the first interface and the second interface; and an electrical resistor integrally formed in the housing and electrically coupled in series to electrical ground and to the electrical force-sensing element.

13 . The connector assembly of claim 12 , further comprising an electrical wire integrally formed in the housing and electrically coupled to the electrical force-sensing element, the electrical wire configured to provide current to the electrical force-sensing element.

14 . The connector assembly of claim 13 , wherein the current flows through the electrical force-sensing element to the electrical resistor responsive to the first interface in contact with the second interface such that a threshold force is applied to the electrical force-sensing element.

15 . An evaporative emissions system, comprising:
at least two quick-connect interfaces configured to couple together elements of the evaporative emissions system, each quick-connect interface comprising a force-sensing element configured to output a unique signal upon forming a seal.

16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a controller configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory therein which when executed cause the controller to:
monitor the unique signal from each quick-connect interface; and indicate a leak in the emissions control system responsive to at least one of the unique signals not output.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the force-sensing elements are electrically coupled to form a circuit, and wherein monitoring the unique signal from each quick-connect interface comprises monitoring an output voltage of the circuit.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein monitoring the output voltage of the circuit comprises comparing the output voltage to a lookup table stored in the non-transitory memory.

19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the elements of the emissions control system includes one or more of a carbon canister, a canister vent valve, and canister purge valve, a fuel tank isolation valve, a fuel tank vent valve, and a fuel fill system.

20 . The system of claim 15 , wherein each quick-connect interface further comprises a resistor electrically coupled to the force-sensing element.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Dudar Aed M

Classifications

• G01L5/0028

  Force sensors associated with force applying means (G01L5/0052, G01L5/0057, G01L5/0061 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01M3/40 Primary

  by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges · CPC title

• F01N11/00

  Monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus · CPC title

• H01R13/6616

  with resistor · CPC title