Back to results
US 9,163,571 B2Granted
Method for purging of air intake system hydrocarbon trap
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Timothy Watkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for improving air intake system hydrocarbon trap purging during engine-off time in a hybrid electric vehicle. One method includes opening the throttle during vehicle motion under battery operation and allowing airflow through the trap to purge its contents into the fuel canister via the canister purge valve. Upon transition into the engine-on mode, fuel vapors are released from the canister into the engine intake.
Claims19
A method for a hybrid vehicle system, comprising,
- during vehicle propulsion with an engine at rest,
- increasing airflow through a hydrocarbon trap coupled in an engine intake;
- and
- purging fuel vapors from the trap to a fuel system canister, wherein increasing airflow through the hydrocarbon trap and purging fuel vapors from the trap includes when vehicle speed is above a threshold, fully opening an engine intake throttle and a canister purge valve.
1 more element
A method for a hybrid vehicle comprising,
- while operating the hybrid vehicle in an engine-off mode and propelling the hybrid vehicle via motor torque,
- in response to vehicle speed exceeding a threshold,
- opening an intake throttle to increase airflow though a hydrocarbon trap coupled in an engine intake;
- and
- opening a purge valve while closing cylinder valves to purge fuel vapors desorbed from the hydrocarbon trap to a fuel system canister.
2 more elements
A hybrid vehicle system, comprising:
- an engine including an intake, the intake including a throttle and a hydrocarbon trap coupled downstream of the throttle;
- a generator coupled to a battery;
- a motor coupled to the battery;
- vehicle wheels propelled using torque from one or more of the engine and the motor;
- an engine cylinder including a port fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve;
- a fuel system including a fuel tank coupled to a canister, the canister coupled to the engine intake via a purge valve;
- grill shutters coupled to a front end of the vehicle;
- and
- a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory for:
- during a first engine-on condition, purging fuel vapors from each of the hydrocarbon trap and the canister to the engine intake;
- and
- during a second engine-off condition, when vehicle speed is above a threshold, increasing airflow to the engine intake by opening the throttle and purging fuel vapors from the hydrocarbon trap into the canister, the second engine-off condition including propelling the hybrid vehicle system via the motor.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.