Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Mark E Hope

Shean P Huff

Gary L Seitz

Mary Joyce

Roland T Richardson

Richard K Moote

Howard W Krausman

William D Rotramel

John E Letcher

William B Blomquist

Glen E Tallarek

Gary D Dawson

Yi Cheng

Robert J Nankee, Ii

Jerry Kennie

Dennis A Krozek

Gregory J Dykstra

John M Prevost

James M Witalec

Patrick T McCourt

Kim M Person

A method is provided for triggering a system for learning the percent alcohol content of a fuel used in a motor vehicle capable of operating on more than one type of fuel. The fuel composition learning system is triggered each time fuel is added to the vehicle's fuel tank, each time the engine is started when the fuel volume in the fuel tank falls below a given value or if a fuel level sending unit malfunction has been detected. The fuel composition learning system is also triggered if an error is detected in the value of the learned percent alcohol content of the fuel.

Method of triggering a determination of the composition of fuel in a

The present invention provides a method of controlling operating parameters of a motor vehicle capable of operating on more than one type of fuel. The methodology employs a separate idle air control enrichment fuel multiplier for optimizing idle air control operating conditions. The methodology also employs a separate transient enrichment fuel multiplier for optimizing transient operating conditions.

Fuel control enhancements for a sensorless flexible fueled vehicle

The present invention is directed towards a method of controlling combustion parameters of an internal combustion engine prior to oxygen sensor feedback availability for a flexible fueled vehicle. If the vehicle has previously been running on ethanol or has been using ethanol in the recent past, a first strategy is employed which basis engine fueling on the minimum of a theoretically appropriate fueling value and a theoretically calculated value. If the vehicle has not previously been running on ethanol or has not been using ethanol in the recent past, a second strategy is employed which basis engine fueling on the minimum of the theoretically appropriate fueling value, the theoretically calculated value and a roughness calculated value.

Method of determining the composition of fuel in a flexible fueled

The present invention provides a method of compensating for an erroring sensor in a flexible fuel compensation control system for a flexible fueled vehicle. The methodology provides a method for identifying preselected operating conditions without the output of the erroring sensor. As such, the flexible fuel compensation control system may still be employed to ensure vehicle drivability even in the absence of input from an erroring sensor.

Method of compensating for a failed sensor in a flexible fueled vehicle

The present invention provides a method of controlling combustion parameters of an internal combustion engine without a PCV solenoid during a boil-off condition. The methodology detects a boil-off condition and implements one of two modes of boil-off compensation depending on the active status of an inferred alcohol content multiplier update system. The methodology also determines the nature of the air-flow through the internal combustion engine and determines the level of boil-off corruption present and the time when the corruption is complete. After the boil-off condition is determined to be complete, control of the combustion parameters are returned to a normal regime of a flexible fuel compensation system using the inferred alcohol content from the employed mode of boil-off compensation.

Method of compensating for boil-off alcohol in a flexible fueled vehicle

The present invention provides a method for controlling the combustion parameters of an internal combustion engine with an oxygen sensor prior to a closed loop operating condition. If the output voltage of the oxygen sensor indicates a lean air to fuel ratio condition, the percent alcohol content is incremented to a limit based on an E85 possibility curve. If the voltage output of the oxygen sensor indicates a rich air to fuel ratio condition, the percent alcohol content is decremented to a limit based on an E0 possibility curve. After the end of the fuel blending period or when the internal combustion engine reaches a closed loop mode, control of the combustion parameters of the internal combustion engine are returned to normal regime oxygen sensor feedback control.

A method of leak detection for an evaporative emission control system during periods of low engine vacuum includes the steps of pulsing a leak detection pump at a predetermined rate and determining whether engine vacuum level is low. The method also includes the steps of maintaining pressurization of the evaporative emission control system if the engine vacuum level is low, maintaining pressurization behind a vapor canister vent valve if the engine vacuum level is low, and detecting for leaks in the evaporative emission control system after a normal engine vacuum level is attained.

Method of leak detection during low engine vacuum for an evaporative

A method of leak detection for an evaporative emission control system to determine if a leak is present in a portion of the system includes the steps of energizing a leak detection pump to close a canister vent control valve of the system and pressurize the system, and determining whether a possible pinched line of the system has occurred.

Method of leak detection for an evaporative emission control system

A system and method of monitoring the purge flow in an evaporative emission control purge system of a motor vehicle. Signals indicative of engine speed, fuel control and automatic idle speed position are measured and used to determine whether the purge flow system is operating properly. With purge flow activated, the amount of purge flow is increased in accordance with a ramping rate and the measured signals are monitored to determine whether or not a change occurs in any one of the engine speed, fuel control and AIS position signals.

Purge system flow monitor and method

A method of testing an evaporative emission control system to determine if the evaporative emission control system has reached a predetermined pressure includes the steps of pulsing a leak detection pump at a predetermined rate and determining if a last pump period is greater than or equal to a predetermined test mode period threshold. The method also includes the steps of pressurizing the evaporative emission control system if the last pump period is less than a test mode period threshold and continuing the method if the last pump period is equal to or greater than the test mode period threshold.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Mark E Hope