Method and system for prioritizing vehicle vacuum
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorRoss Dykstra Pursifull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vacuum prioritization system for a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, use and availability of vacuum provided via vacuum sources is allocated to higher priority vacuum operated actuators when a pressure in the vacuum system exceeds a threshold pressure. The lower priority vacuum operated actuators have access to vacuum supplied via the vacuum sources when pressure in the vacuum system is less than a threshold pressure. The approach may allow higher priority actuators to operate for an extended amount of time.
Claims19
A vacuum prioritization method for a vehicle, comprising:
- providing vacuum via at least one vehicle vacuum source solely to a first actuator group when a pressure of a first vacuum reservoir is greater than a first threshold pressure;
- providing vacuum via the at least one vehicle vacuum source to the first actuator group and a second actuator group when the pressure of the first vacuum reservoir is less than the first threshold pressure;
- and
- increasing an amount of vacuum supplied to the first vacuum reservoir via adjusting operation of an engine when the pressure of the first vacuum reservoir is greater than the first threshold pressure and when a torque demand of the engine is less than a threshold torque demand.
A system for providing vacuum for a vehicle, comprising:
- a first vacuum reservoir;
- a second vacuum reservoir;
- a first vacuum source in communication with the first and second vacuum reservoirs;
- a second vacuum source in communication with the first and second vacuum reservoirs;
- and
- a device to provide priority to receive vacuum at the first vacuum reservoir over the second vacuum reservoir via the first vacuum source and the second vacuum source.
A system for providing vacuum for a vehicle, comprising:
- a first vacuum reservoir;
- a second vacuum reservoir;
- a first group of vacuum operated actuators in pneumatic communication with the first vacuum reservoir;
- a second group of vacuum operated actuators in pneumatic communication with the second vacuum reservoir;
- a first vacuum source comprising an engine intake manifold in pneumatic communication with the first vacuum reservoir and the second vacuum reservoir;
- a second vacuum source in pneumatic communication with the first vacuum reservoir and the second vacuum reservoir;
- and
- a controller configured to limit air flow from the second vacuum reservoir to the first vacuum reservoir, the first vacuum source, and the second vacuum source when a pressure of the first vacuum reservoir is greater than a first threshold pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.