Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Correlation via ELCM Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Determining fuel leaks in a closed fuel system is challenging without increasing system cost by adding additional pressure sensors.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize existing components to correlate the fuel tank pressure signal with the ELCM pressure signal, generating a fault signal when the difference exceeds a threshold, thereby assessing the accuracy of the fuel tank pressure sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional pressure sensors are added to determine fuel leaks accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel leak detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing ELCM pressure sensor serves dual purposes: its primary function for evaporative leak detection and a secondary function for correlating with the fuel tank pressure sensor to verify fuel system leak detection accuracy. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional dedicated sensors while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ELCM pressure sensor is made multi-functional by utilizing it for both its original evaporative leak detection purpose and the new function of correlating pressure readings with the fuel tank pressure sensor. This universality reduces device complexity and system cost while achieving accurate fuel leak detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the fuel system uses a sealed EVAP system to meet zero emission requirements, then environmental performance is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring fuel leaks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel vapor emissionVSAvoidfuel leak detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism by continuously correlating pressure readings from the ELCM sensor with the fuel tank pressure sensor. This feedback loop enables the system to detect deviations indicating fuel leaks while maintaining the sealed EVAP system for zero emissions compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The ELCM pressure sensor acts as an intermediary tool to indirectly detect fuel leaks in the sealed system. By correlating its pressure readings with the fuel tank pressure sensor, the system can identify leaks without compromising the sealed nature of the EVAP system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8353273B2Method and system for correlating a pressure sensor for a fuel system

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A control module and method for operating the same includes a diurnal control valve module that opens a diurnal control valve (DCV) and an evaporative leak check module (ELCM) diverter valve control module that switches on an ELCM diverter valve. The control module includes a correlation module performs a correlation of a ELCM pressure signal and a fuel tank pressure signal and that generates a fault signal in response to the correlation when the DCV valve is open and the ELCM diverter valve is on.