# US 9,518,541 B2 · Method and system for increasing vacuum generation by an engine

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- Number: US 9,518,541 B2
- Document ID: US9518541B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/077,722
- Filed: 2016-03-22
- Published: 2016-07-14
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-07-17
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull; Ralph Wayne Cunningham
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518541B2

## CPC

- F02M 43/00: Fuel-injection apparatus operating simultaneously on two or more fuels, or on a liquid fuel and another liquid, e.g. the other liquid being an anti-knock additive
- F02D 41/0027: {the fuel being gaseous (non-electrical control F02D19/02)}
- F02D 41/0032: {Controlling the purging of the canister as a function of the engine operating conditions}
- F02D 41/12: for deceleration {(F02D41/0005, F02D41/107 take precedence)}
- F02D 2041/001: {for engines with variable valve actuation}
- F02D 2250/41: Control to generate negative pressure in the intake manifold, e.g. for fuel vapor purging or brake booster
- Y02T 10/30: Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
- 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)
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A method and a system for providing vacuum via an engine are described. In one example, introduction of a gaseous fuel is ceased in response to a request for the engine to provide vacuum to a vehicle vacuum system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for operating an engine, comprising:
combusting an amount of a first fuel at an engine speed and load in absence of a vacuum request, the first fuel introduced to the engine in a gaseous state; and
reducing the amount of the first fuel and increasing an amount of a second fuel introduced to the engine at the engine speed and load in response to presence of the vacuum request.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, where the second fuel is introduced to the engine in a liquid state.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, where the amount of the first fuel is reduced to substantially zero in response to the presence of the vacuum request.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, where the first fuel is compressed natural gas, hydrogen, or propane, and where the first fuel is injected to the engine.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, where the second fuel is gasoline and where the vacuum request is based on an amount of vacuum stored in a vacuum reservoir.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising advancing intake valve timing in response to the presence of the vacuum request.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, where the first fuel is a fuel that is stored in a canister that holds carbon.