Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Christopher Arnold Woodring

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

Joseph Norman Ulrey

Gopichandra Surnilla

Carlos Armesto

David Andrew Ord

Steven Antone Thiel

Jacob Jensen

Chris Paul Glugla

Joseph Lyle Thomas

Mohannad Hakeem

Dequan Yu

Brien Lloyd Fulton

Stephen George Russ

Mark Meinhart

Joseph F Basmaji

Paul Zeng

Vince Paul Solferino

Scott Donald Cooper

Patrick Brostrom

John William Holmes

Scott Lehto

Scott James Szymusiak

Robin Ivo Lawther

Timothy J Knott

Mark L Stickler

David Robert Shelley

Dennis Morgan

Jeanne Wei

Mariann E Bischoff

Kevin M Bird

Laural Suzanne-Hughes Feldmeier

Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes two fuel pumps are described. In one example, a first fuel pump may be activated or remain activated in response to an engine shutdown request so that a second fuel pump may be cooled before the first fuel pump is deactivated in response to the engine shutdown request.

System and method for fuel pump shutdown

A fuel line check valve system and a fuel system that includes the fuel line diaphragm valve system are described. The fuel line diaphragm valve system may prevent flow into a fuel system that is generated via a vacuum in the fuel system. The fuel line diaphragm valve may also remain in an open state after it is open via a reduced pressure.

Fuel system diaphragm valve

Methods and systems are provided for reducing hot fuel vapor formation in a port injection fuel rail. In one example, a method may include operating a dual fuel injection system with at least a calibrated minimum amount of port fuel injection over a wide range of engine operating conditions, even as conditions change. A direct fuel injection amount is adjusted in accordance.

Methods and systems for port fuel injection control

A fuel line check valve system and a fuel system that includes the fuel line check valve system are described. The fuel line check valve system may prevent flow into a fuel system that is generated via a vacuum in the fuel system. The fuel line check valve system may also remain in an open state after it is open via a reduced pressure.

Fuel system check valve

Methods and systems are provided for characterizing aged fuel, which loses volatility over time. In one example, a method may include estimating a fuel vapor pressure during an engine cold start using a pre-determined fuel distillation curve and adjusting one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure. Because the fuel vapor pressure directly relates to the fuel volatility, adjusting the one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure may reduce aged fuel-related engine performance degradation, such as hesitation and emissions during cold start.

Systems and methods for characterization of aged fuel for an engine cold start

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an in-range error of a pressure sensor arranged downstream of a lift pump in a fuel system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include performing feedback control of the lift pump based on output of the pressure sensor, monitoring the pressure sensor output for flattening during the application of the voltage pulses, and adjusting operation of the fuel system depending on whether the pressure sensor output flattens for at least a threshold duration, which is indicative of an in-range error. The method may further include dynamically learning a setpoint pressure of a pressure relief valve of the fuel system and a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel system by monitoring pressure sensor output while adjusting the duty cycle of voltage pulses applied to the lift pump.

Identifying in-range fuel pressure sensor error

Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.

Method and system for fuel system control

Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.

Pressure device to reduce ticking noise during engine idling

A fuel delivery system is provided to reduce the pressure pulsations and noise vibration and harshness of direct injection systems. The fuel delivery system includes an elastic fuel line positioned between a first fuel pump and a second fuel pump and a check valve positioned in the elastic fuel line near the inlet of the high pressure pump, the check valve including an external housing having a peripheral surface with a greater diameter than an unstretched inner diameter of the elastic fuel line.

Fuel delivery system including integrated check valve

Methods and systems are provided for conditioning fuel for diesel engine. The system may include a fuel pump located within a fuel tank configured to pump fuel to the diesel engine. The system may also include a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank operatively located upstream of a flow of fuel from the fuel pump. A method may include directing fuel from inside of the fuel tank through a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank into a vacuum chamber positioned inside the fuel tank, before directing the fuel to the diesel engine.

Diesel fuel system conditioning

A dual speed fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine in an automotive vehicle includes a fuel pump, a dropping resistor connected to the fuel pump for reducing the voltage required to drive the fuel pump, and a controller for determining an optimum transition point between one of a relatively high and low speed fuel pump operation so that a controlled amount of fuel is delivered to the engine. The controller calculates fuel pressure increase across the fuel pump, determines the minimum fuel pump voltage necessary to drive the fuel pump such that a predetermined amount of fuel is supplied to the engine and determines the current draw of the fuel pump. The controller then calculates the voltage drop across the dropping resistor and compares the resulting voltage with the minimum fuel pump voltage. The controller then selectively by-passes the dropping resistor based on this comparison.

Dual speed fuel delivery system

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Christopher Arnold Woodring