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US 9,541,237 B2Granted
System and method for generating vacuum for a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRalph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for improving generation of vacuum for a vehicle are disclosed. In one example, an air conditioning compressor bypass valve is selectively activated to improve generation of vacuum by an engine. The systems and methods may reduce the possibility of compressor clutch degradation.
Claims18
A method for generating vacuum, comprising:
- operating an air conditioning compressor bypass valve to reduce air conditioning compressor work in response to a request to reduce air conditioning compressor load for less than a predetermined amount of time, where an air conditioning compressor is selectively coupled to an engine, and decoupling the air conditioning compressor from the engine via a clutch.
A method for generating vacuum, comprising:
- operating an air conditioning compressor bypass valve to reduce air conditioning compressor work in response to a request to reduce air conditioning compressor load and air conditioning compressor head pressure being less than a threshold pressure, where the request to reduce air conditioning compressor load is based on an engine being at idle speed.
A system for generating vacuum, comprising:
- an engine including an intake manifold;
- an air conditioning compressor;
- a first check valve at an inlet of the air conditioning compressor;
- a second check valve at an outlet of the air conditioning compressor;
- an air conditioning compressor clutch selectively coupling the engine and the air conditioning compressor;
- and
- an electrically operated air conditioning compressor bypass valve located at the inlet or outlet of the air conditioning compressor.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.