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US 8,297,263 B2Granted
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.
Claims19
A method of operating a boosted engine system, comprising,
- pumping a purge flow through a fuel vapor canister and an ejector, and into an engine intake via a purge pump when boost is present;
- drawing the purge flow through the fuel vapor canister and ejector, and into the engine intake via engine vacuum without operating the pump in the absence of boost;
- and
- applying the ejector to a vacuum actuator.
1 more element
An engine method, comprising,
- pumping a purge flow through a fuel vapor canister and an ejector, and into an engine intake via a pump when boost is present;
- drawing the purge flow through the canister and ejector, and into the intake via engine vacuum without operating the pump;
- pumping an air flow, while bypassing the canister, through the ejector and into the intake via the pump;
- and
- applying the ejector to a vacuum actuator.
2 more elements
An engine system, comprising,
- an engine intake;
- 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 conduit with a plurality of check valves coupled between the ejector and upstream and downstream of the compressor;
- 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 fuel vapor canister, through the ejector, into the engine intake, during purging conditions;
- and
- operate the purge pump to pump an air flow bypassing the fuel vapor 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.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.