OPERATION
The Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) system is the next generation evaporative leak detection system that will first be used on vehicles equipped with the Next Generation Controller (NGC). This new system replaces the leak detection pump as the method of evaporative system leak detection. This is to detect a leak equivalent to a 0.020" (0.5 mm) hole. This system has the capability to detect holes of this size very dependably.

The basic leak detection theory employed with NVLD is the "Gas Law". This is to say that the pressure in a sealed vessel will change if the temperature of the gas in the vessel changes. The vessel will only see this effect if it is indeed sealed. Even small leaks will allow the pressure in the vessel to come to equilibrium with the ambient pressure. In addition to the detection of very small leaks, this system has the capability of detecting medium as well as large evaporative system leaks.

A vent valve seals the canister vent during engine off conditions. If the vapor system has a leak of less than the failure threshold, the evaporative system will be pulled into a vacuum, either due to the cool down from operating temperature or diurnal ambient temperature cycling. The diurnal effect is considered one of the primary contributors to the leak determination by this diagnostic. When the vacuum in the system exceeds about 1" H2O (0.25 KPA), a vacuum switch closes. The switch closure sends a signal to the NGC. The NGC, via appropriate logic strategies, utilizes the switch signal, or lack thereof, to make a determination of whether a leak is present.

The NVLD device is designed with a normally open vacuum switch, a normally closed solenoid, and a seal, which is actuated by both the solenoid and a diaphragm. The NVLD is located on the atmospheric vent side of the canister. The NVLD assembly may be mounted on top of the canister outlet, or in-line between the canister and atmospheric vent filter. The normally open vacuum switch will close with about 1" H2O (0.25 KPA) vacuum in the evaporative system. The diaphragm actuates the switch. This is above the opening point of the fuel inlet check valve in the fill tube so cap off leaks can be detected. Submerged fill systems must have recirculation lines that do not have the in-line normally closed check valve that protects the system from failed nozzle liquid ingestion, in order to detect cap off conditions.

The normally closed valve in the NVLD is intended to maintain the seal on the evaporative system during the engine off condition. If vacuum in the evaporative system exceeds 3" to 6" H2O (0.75 to 1.5 KPA), the valve will be pulled off the seat, opening the seal. This will protect the system from excessive vacuum as well as allowing sufficient purge flow in the event that the solenoid was to become inoperative.

The solenoid actuates the valve to unseal the canister vent while the engine is running. It also will be used to close the vent during the medium and large leak tests and during the purge flow check. This solenoid requires an initial 1.5 amps of current to pull the valve open, but after 100 mili-seconds, will be duty cycled down to an average of about 150 mA for the remainder of the drive cycle.

Another feature in the device is a diaphragm that will open the seal in the NVLD with pressure in the evaporative system. The device will "blow off" at about 0.5" H2O (0.12 KPA) pressure to permit the venting of vapors during refueling. An added benefit to this is that it will also allow the tank to "breathe" during increasing temperatures, thus limiting the pressure in the tank to this low level. This is beneficial because the induced vacuum during a subsequent declining temperature will achieve the switch closed (pass threshold) sooner than if the tank had to decay from a built up pressure.

The device itself has 3 wires: Switch sense, solenoid driver and ground. It also includes a resistor to protect the switch from a short to battery or a short to ground. The NGC utilizes a high-side driver to energize and duty-cycle the solenoid.

 

on a vehicle that has and evaproative emissions system, it controls vapors inside the tank and does not let them go into atmosphere. it sends those vapors to the engine and the engine burns them off. diesels don't have an evap system as the fumes of diesel are not as flammable as gas.

described as per Chrysler.

DESCRIPTION - EVAP SYSTEM
The evaporation control system prevents the emission of fuel tank vapors into the atmosphere. When fuel evaporates in the fuel tank, the vapors pass through vent hoses or tubes into the two charcoal filled evaporative canisters. The canisters temporarily hold the vapors. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) allows intake manifold vacuum to draw vapors into the combustion chambers during certain operating conditions.

All gasoline powered engines use a duty cycle purge system. The PCM controls vapor flow by operating the duty cycle EVAP purge solenoid. Refer to Duty Cycle EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid for additional information.

When equipped with certain emissions packages, a Leak Detection Pump (LDP) will be used as part of the evaporative system. This pump is used as a part of OBD II requirements. Refer to Leak Detection Pump for additional information. Other emissions packages will use a Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) system in place of the LDP. Refer to NVLD for additional information.