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Abstract

An on-board diagnostic system for an evaporative emission control system of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle employs a leak detection module that is fluid connected in a vent passage for the evaporative emission space. The leak detection module contains an electric motor driven impeller, a solenoid operated valve assembly that is selectively operable to three positions, and a pressure-responsive switch whose switching characteristic possesses hysteresis corresponding to an upper regulating limit and a lower regulating limit. The valve assembly operates to allow the prime mover to pump gaseous fluid with respect to the evaporative emission space to attain a test pressure in the evaporative emission space corresponding to the upper regulating limit, to close the evaporative emission space and prevent the prime mover from pumping gaseous fluid with respect to the evaporative emission space upon initially attaining the upper regulating limit test pressure within the evaporative emission space, and which allows the prime mover to pump gaseous fluid with respect to the evaporative emission space at a pre-defined volumetric flow rate to rebuild pressure in the evaporative emission space to the upper regulating limit when the pressure has changed to the lower regulating limit due to a leak in the evaporative emission space.

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First Claim