# US 7,607,293 B2 · Intake manifold pressure control apparatus and method for a hybrid propulsion system

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- Number: US 7,607,293 B2
- Document ID: US7607293B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/284,526
- Filed: 2005-11-21
- Published: 2007-05-24
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2005-11-21
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Goro Tamai; William L. Aldrich, III; Nathaniel S. Epperly
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607293B2

## CPC

- F02M 35/10229: {the intake system acting as a vacuum or overpressure source for auxiliary devices, e.g. brake systems; Vacuum chambers (air storage chamber F02B21/00)}
- F02D 41/065: {at hot start or restart (F02D41/067 takes precedence)}
- F16H 61/0031: {using auxiliary pumps, e.g. pump driven by a different power source than the engine}
- F02M 25/089: {Layout of the fuel vapour installation}
- F02M 35/1038: {for temperature or pressure}
- F16H 61/0021: {Generation or control of line pressure}
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W)
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

Provided is an intake manifold pressure control apparatus, or vacuum pump, for a hybrid propulsion system. The vacuum pump is operable to evacuate the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, thereby lowering the Manifold Absolute Pressure, or MAP, to a predetermined level to enable a quick restart of the internal combustion engine. This vacuum pump may also be used to evacuate hydrocarbons, or HCs, from within the intake system to prevent evaporative emissions from the intake manifold upon engine shutdown. In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum pump is operated by a motor that can simultaneously operate an auxiliary transmission oil pump. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of controlling the hybrid propulsion system to enable the manifold pressure control apparatus to lower the MAP value within the intake manifold as well as a method of evacuating HCs from the intake manifold upon engine shutdown.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system having a transmission, an internal combustion engine, an ignition switch operable to shut off the internal combustion engine, and an intake system in communication with the internal combustion engine, the intake system including an intake manifold, said method comprising:
providing the hybrid propulsion system with a vacuum pump in communication with the intake system;
determining if the internal combustion engine is running;
determining the state of the ignition switch; and
operating said vacuum pump to substantially evacuate the intake system of hydrocarbons for evaporative emission reduction when the internal combustion engine is not running and the ignition switch is off.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising:
discontinuing the operation of said vacuum pump when the internal combustion engine is restarted.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising:
discontinuing the operation of the vacuum pump when the operation for said vacuum pump has exceeded a predetermined calibrated limit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising:
providing an auxiliary transmission oil pump operable to maintain fluid pressure within the transmission when the internal combustion engine is shut off.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of claim 4, further comprising:
providing a motor, said motor being operable to simultaneously drive said auxiliary transmission oil pump and said vacuum pump.