TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the construction and mechanism of an apparatus for testing breather valves of fuel tank caps of vehicles. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an apparatus for testing one or more breather valves for high-pressure and low-pressure test conditions simultaneously.
BACKGROUND
The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally, vehicles such as, but not limited to, two-wheelers are provided with fuel tanks as fuel reservoirs. A major challenge associated with fuel tanks is that the fuel such as petrol/gasoline or diesel, inside the fuel tank expands in volume as it warms up and shrinks in volume as it cools down due the physical conditions of temperature and pressure. Consequently, the pressure inside the fuel tank varies and may build up at times due to warming up of the fuel, while at times the pressure might drop due to cooling of the fuel. This variation in pressure can be dangerous for the safety of the vehicle/passengers.
With the advancement in technology, researchers have come up with a number of solutions to address the aforementioned problem. One such solution is breather valves being provided in the fuel tank cap of the vehicle. The breather valve is a venting mechanism that responds to any variation in pressure inside the fuel tank by sucking in or releasing air/fuel vapours so as to counter balance any decrease/ increase in pressure. However, a major challenge associated with such breather valves is the testing during assembly stage of the vehicle. Conventionally, such breather valves are tested only after being assembled with the fuel tank cap. As a result, in case of a faulty valve, the entire fuel tank cap has to be dismantled. This hampers the assembly line of the vehicle resulting in loss of time and resources.
Therefore, the researchers have developed an apparatus for testing breather valves of fuel tank caps of vehicles. More specifically, an apparatus for testing the performance of one or more

breather valves simultaneously before they are assembled with the fuel tank cap so as to eliminate one or more problems associated with the prior-art.
SUMMARY
One or more drawbacks of conventional testing apparatuses as described in the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided by the apparatus for testing breather valves as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for testing breather valves. The apparatus comprises a base member comprising at least a first port and a cover member comprising at least a second port. The cover member is sealably securable with the base member to define a hollow compartment therebetween. A clamping means for securing the cover member with the base member in an air-tight connection.
In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fixture plate for accommodating the base member thereupon.
In an embodiment, an interface of the base member and the cover member has a plate like configuration.
In an embodiment, the interface of the base member and the cover member comprises a plurality of holes.
In an embodiment, the plurality of holes are configured to be completely covered by a portion of the breather valve during testing.
In an embodiment, the compartment is configured to accommodate a plurality of breather valves for testing simultaneously.

In an embodiment, the plurality of breather valves may be disposed in parallel arrangement with respect to one another, for testing simultaneously.
In an embodiment, the plurality of breather valves may be disposed in series arrangement with respect to one another, for testing simultaneously.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of the apparatus for testing breather valves in accordance with the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the apparatus for testing breather valves of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a compartment for testing a breather valve using the apparatus of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a compartment of Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of a compartment for testing two breather valves in parallel for high pressure and low pressure conditions simultaneously using the apparatus of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 depicts a sectional view of the compartment of Figure 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 7 depicts the direction of flow of a pressurized fluid through the chamber of Figure 5, during testing of the breather valves in parallel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the assemblies and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Before describing in detail, the various embodiments of the present disclosure it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with an apparatus for testing breather valves. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present

disclosure and can perform various modifications. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or device proceeded by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present disclosure. The invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.
Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for testing breather valves before they are assembled with the fuel tank cap of the vehicle.
Another aim of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for testing the performance of one or more breather valves for high and low pressure conditions simultaneously.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for testing breather valves. The apparatus comprises a base member comprising at least a first port and a cover member comprising at least a second port. The cover member is sealably securable with the base member to define a hollow compartment therebetween. A clamping means for securing the cover member with the base member in an air-tight connection. The apparatus comprises a fixture plate for accommodating the base member thereupon. An embodiment, an interface of the base member and the cover member has a plate like configuration. The interface of the base member and the cover member comprises a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes

is configured to be completely covered by a portion of the breather valve during testing. The compartment is configured to accommodate a plurality of breather valves for testing simultaneously.
In an embodiment, the plurality of breather valves may be disposed in parallel arrangement with respect to one another, for testing simultaneously.
In an embodiment, the plurality of breather valves may be disposed in series arrangement with respect to one another, for testing simultaneously.
In an embodiment, there is disclosed a method of testing breather valves by the apparatus of the present disclosure.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the figures the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.
Figures 1 to 7 illustrate an apparatus for testing breather valves according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus (100) comprises a fixture plate (1) for mounting a base member (2) thereupon. The base member (2) comprises a hollow internal space. The base member (2) has a closed lower side and an open upper side. The apparatus (100) further comprises a cover member (3). The cover member (3) has a closed upper side and an open lower side. The shape and configuration of the cover member (3) corresponds with the base member (2) such that the cover member (3) is sealably securable with the base member (2). In this position, the hollow internal space of the base member (2) coincides with the hollow internal space of the cover member (3) to define a hollow compartment (A) therebetween. A clamping means (4) is configured to firmly secure the cover member (3) with the base member (2) in an air-tight connection. In a non-limiting embodiment, the clamping means (4) may be a pneumatic cylinder (4a) being configured with a spring-loaded shaft (4b) for securing the cover (3) over the base (2) so as to make an air-tight connection between the cover member (3) and the base member (2).

The base member (2) comprises a first port (2a) being connected with the compartment (A). The cover member (3) comprises a second port (3a) being connected with the said compartment (A). In other words, in the secured condition, the compartment (A) is sealed from the external environment. In an embodiment, the first and second inlet ports (2a, 3 a) may be connected with an inlet and outlet of a pump supplying a pressurized fluid for the testing of the breather valves. For the purpose of simplicity, the drawings do not show the pump supplying the pressurized fluid. However, it may be understood by a person skilled in the art, that the pump may be one of the many such pumps existing in the art. In a non-limiting embodiment, the pressurized fluid may be compressed air. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the first port (2a) is the inlet port for a high/low pressure fluid for testing the one or more breather valves. The second port (3a) is an outlet port for the high/low pressure fluid during the testing of the one or more breather valves. Further, the inlet/outlet ports may be provided with one or more devices such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors for the purpose of testing the one or more breather valves.
As shown in Figure 4, there is provided a breather valve (5) in a compartment (A) for testing. An interface (6) of the base member (2) and the cover member (3) has a plate like configuration comprising a plurality of holes (B) corresponding to the shape of the breather valve (5). Generally, the breather valve (5) has an umbrella like shape having a top dome-like portion and a bottom elongated portion. The top portion of the breather valve (5) is configured to cover the plurality of holes (B) in the interface (6) of the base member (2) and cover member (3). During operation of the said breather valve (5), a high pressure on the side of the top portion of the breather valve (5) forces the dome like portion to cover the plurality of holes (B), thereby preventing passage of the high-pressure air/fluid through the plurality of holes (B). Alternatively, a high pressure on the side of the bottom portion of the breather valve (5) allows the high-pressure air/fluid to pass through the plurality of holes (B) towards the top portion of the breather valve (5). Further, the compartment (A) of the apparatus (100) can be modified to accommodate one or more breather valves for testing simultaneously. Any such modification shall be within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the one or more breather valves can be kept in parallel arrangement, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 during testing or in series arrangement (not shown).

As shown in Figure 7, during testing of the one or more breather valves, high pressure air/fluid is supplied into the compartment (A) where two breather valves (5) are provided in parallel. The two breather valves (5) are mounted oppositely, such that one valve is tested for a high pressure on the bottom portion while the other valve is tested for a high pressure on the top portion of the breather valve simultaneously for the same input.
Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present apparatus (100) whereby a plurality of breather valves can be tested simultaneously, thereby reducing testing time. Another advantage of the present disclosure is that it allows identification of faulty breather valves before they are assembled with a fuel tank cap, thereby decreasing chances of valve failure during testing of the fuel tank cap.
List of reference numerals;
Equivalents;
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is

appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:
1. An apparatus (100) for testing breather valves, the apparatus (100) comprising;
a base member (2) comprising at least a first port (2a);
a cover member (3) comprising at least a second port (3a), wherein the cover member (3) is sealably securable with the base member (2) to define a hollow compartment (A) therebetween; and
a clamping means (4) for securing the cover member (3) with the base member (2) in an air-tight connection.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a fixture plate (1) for accommodating the base member (100) thereupon.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an interface (6) of the base member (2) and the cover member (3) has a plate like configuration.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface (6) of the base member (2) and the cover member (3) comprises a plurality of holes (B).
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes (B) are configured to be completely covered by a portion of the breather valve during testing.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compartment (A) is configured to accommodate a plurality of breather valves for testing simultaneously.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the plurality of breather valves may be disposed in parallel arrangement with respect to one another, for testing simultaneously.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the plurality of breather valves may be disposed in series arrangement with respect to one another, for testing simultaneously.

9. A method of testing breather valves by the apparatus as claimed in claim 1.