Optimized flex fuel powertrain
AssigneeRicardo, Inc.
InventorsMark Christie, John Stokes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel system and powertrain for a flexible fuel system vehicle utilizes a controller system to control variables in an engine and the final drive optimize operating efficiency of the vehicle while using an alcohol-gasoline blend. The controller system regulates engine operating variables such as fuel pressure, fuel flow, air-fuel flow, air-fuel temperature, and valve timing. The controller system regulates engine operating variables such as transmission gear selection and gear changing as well as differential ratio changes.
Claims20
A system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine which utilizes an alcohol-fuel mixture, the system comprising:
- a fuel system;
- an alcohol content identification system;
- an engine having a direct fuel injection system, said fuel system and said alcohol content identification system being operatively associated with said engine;
- a final drive system, said final drive system having changeable operating parameters;
- and
- a system controller operatively associated with said fuel system, said alcohol sensor, said engine, and said final drive system.
A system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine which utilizes an alcohol-fuel mixture, the system comprising:
- a fuel system, said fuel system having adjustable fuel flow and fuel pressure;
- an alcohol content identification system;
- an engine having a direct fuel injection system, said fuel system and said alcohol content identification system being operatively associated with said engine, said engine having adjustable spark timing;
- a system controller operatively associated with said fuel system, said alcohol content identification system, and said engine, whereby said fuel flow, said fuel pressure and said spark timing are subject to modification during operation of the vehicle as directed by said system controller.
A method for operating a flexible fuel vehicle having an internal combustion engine which utilizes an alcohol-fuel mixture, the method comprising:
- forming an operating system which includes a fuel system having fuel, an alcohol content identification system, an engine having a boosted direct fuel injection system, said fuel system and said alcohol content identification system being operatively associated with said engine, a final drive system, said final drive system having changeable drive parameters, and a system controller operatively associated with said fuel system, said alcohol sensor, said engine, and said final drive system;
- determining if alcohol is present in said fuel;
- if alcohol is present in said fuel, determining the percentage of alcohol in said fuel;
- and
- in response to the percentage of alcohol in said fuel, modifying one or more variables of said operating system including modifying fuel flow, fuel pressure, spark timing, drive train gear changing and drive train gear ratios.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.