Vacuum supply system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorRoss Dykstra Pursifull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of operating a boosted engine system is described in which an ejector coupled with a fuel vapor purging system can generate vacuum during both purging and non-purging conditions, and during both boosted and non-boosted conditions. The vacuum can therefore be used to power vacuum actuated brakes, and/or other vacuum actuators, irrespective of the purging conditions, and irrespective of boost levels.
Claims20
A method of operating a boosted engine system including a fuel vapor canister, a purge pump, and an ejector, comprising,
- pumping a purge flow through the fuel vapor canister, through the ejector, and into an engine intake;
- and
- applying the ejector to a vacuum actuator.
A method of operating a fuel vapor recovery system including a fuel vapor canister, a purge pump, and one or more ejectors, the fuel vapor recovery system coupled to a boosted engine intake, comprising,
- during a purging condition, operating the purge pump to pump a purge flow through the canister, through the one or more ejectors, and into the engine intake, and applying vacuum from the one or more ejectors to a vacuum actuator;
- and
- during a non-purging condition, operating the purge pump to drive an air flow bypassing the canister, through the one or more ejectors, and into the engine intake, and applying vacuum from the one or more ejectors to the vacuum actuator.
An engine system, comprising,
- an engine intake;
- a boosting device including a compressor configured to boost intake air;
- a fuel vapor canister configured to receive fuel vapors from a fuel tank, the fuel vapor canister communicating with atmosphere via a first canister vent valve and a second vapor bypass valve;
- a purge pump;
- an ejector coupled downstream of the pump;
- a vacuum actuator;
- and
- a controller configured to,
- operate the compressor to provide a boost;
- and
- in the presence of boost,
- operate the purge pump to pump a purge flow through the canister, through the ejector, into the engine intake, during purging conditions;
- and
- operate the purge pump to pump an air flow bypassing the canister, through the ejector, into the engine intake, during non-purging conditions;
- and
- during purging and non-purging conditions, apply vacuum from the ejector to the vacuum actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.