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US 10,060,379 B2Granted
Method for a hybrid vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAed M. Dudar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for a fuel system in a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method includes activating a fuel pump in a fuel tank included in the hybrid vehicle responsive to a refueling event with a level of residual fuel higher than a fill threshold. By activating the fuel pump, residual fuel in the fuel tank is mixed with newly received fuel in the refueling event enabling improved combustion in a subsequent engine-on condition.
Claims20
A method for a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- responsive to a refueling event with an amount of residual fuel in a fuel tank higher than a threshold fill,
- during an engine-on mode, activating a fuel pump located within the fuel tank and delivering fuel to an engine coupled in the hybrid vehicle;
- and
- during an engine-off mode, activating the fuel pump without delivering fuel to the engine, the activating the fuel pump responsive to each of a refueling event with the engine shut down to rest, a residual fuel level in the fuel tank higher than the threshold fill, and the hybrid vehicle shut down.
1 more element
A method for a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- during a first condition, activating a fuel pump and delivering fuel to an engine of the hybrid vehicle, the fuel pump operating at a speed based on engine operating conditions;
- and
- during a second condition, activating the fuel pump without delivering fuel to the engine, the fuel pump operating at a speed based on ambient conditions, battery state of charge, and fuel conditions, wherein the second condition includes each of a refueling event with the engine shut down to rest, a residual fuel level in a fuel tank higher than a threshold, and the hybrid vehicle shut down.
A system for a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- an engine;
- a fuel tank including a fuel level sensor;
- a fuel pump coupled to the fuel tank, the fuel pump being electrically actuated;
- a refueling lock;
- and
- a controller configured with instructions stored in non-transitory memory and executable by a processor for:
- in response to a refueling event with an amount of residual fuel fill in the fuel tank being higher than a threshold,
- activating the fuel pump in the fuel tank for a duration responsive to each of a refueling event with the engine shut down to rest, a residual fuel level in the fuel tank higher than a threshold, and the hybrid vehicle shut down;
- mixing residual fuel with newly received fuel in the fuel tank;
- and
- adjusting a fuel injection amount based on a composition of mixed fuel in the fuel tank during subsequent engine operation.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.