초록 ▼

A vapor recovery system used with fuel dispensers and having error detection capabilities incorporated therein for detecting vapor leaks and performance deficiencies in the vapor recovery system. The vapor recovery system includes a fuel nozzle connected to a fuel source for pumping fuel into a vehi

A vapor recovery system used with fuel dispensers and having error detection capabilities incorporated therein for detecting vapor leaks and performance deficiencies in the vapor recovery system. The vapor recovery system includes a fuel nozzle connected to a fuel source for pumping fuel into a vehicle. A vapor transfer line is connected to the nozzle and has a connected pump which pumps fuel vapor from the nozzle through the vapor transfer line and into a vapor holding tank. A pair of test valves are connected in the vapor transfer line on opposite sides of the pump and are used to isolate selected sections of the vapor recovery system for test purposes. Connected between each test valve and pump is a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the vapor transfer line. A digital processor is connected to the vapor recovery system to control the vapor recovery system and to place the vapor recovery system in various test modes. During the test modes, the digital processor receives pressure signals from the pressure sensors and compares these pressure signals to references to determine if a fault condition exists.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of detecting vapor leaks and pump performance deficiencies in a fuel delivery and vapor recovery system that dispenses fuel through a nozzle and includes a vapor transfer line connected to a pump for pumping vapor from the nozzle to a vapor outlet, comprising the

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of detecting vapor leaks and pump performance deficiencies in a fuel delivery and vapor recovery system that dispenses fuel through a nozzle and includes a vapor transfer line connected to a pump for pumping vapor from the nozzle to a vapor outlet, comprising the steps of:(a) connecting a first test valve in the vapor transfer line upstream of the pump;(b) connecting a first pressure sensor in the vapor transfer line between the first test valve and the pump;(c) closing the first test valve so as to isolate a first section of the vapor transfer line between the first test valve and the vapor recovery pump;(d) operating the pump at a selected speed so as to create a vacuum in the first isolated section of the vapor transfer line;(e) measuring the vacuum in the first isolated section of the vapor transfer line with the first pressure sensor and producing a test pressure signal representing the measured vacuum;(f) inputting the test pressure signal from the first pressure sensor into a processor; and(g) comparing the test pressure signal and a first reference pressure to determine if an error condition exists between the first test valve and the pump.