Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Matthew Werner

Aed M Dudar

Scott Alan Bohr

Mark W Peters

Roger Joseph Khami

Scott M Rollins

David Moyer

Eric A Macke

Michael William Soltis

Chris A Myers

Robert Roy Jentz

Russell Randall Pearce

Robert Joseph Mohan

Dhaval P Vaishnav

Syed K Ali

John Emley

Steven James Hoffman

Matthew Masucci

Shawn McGrath

Andrew M Gitlin

Methods and systems are provided for an evaporative emission fuel (EVAP) system. In one example, a method for the EVAP system includes loading canisters in parallel sequentially during a refueling event. The method further includes switching loading from one canister to another in response to a fuel level during the refueling event.

Methods and systems for fuel system

Methods and systems are provided for an evaporative emission fuel (EVAP) system. In one example, a method for the EVAP system includes adjusting a vapor flow path to a plurality of canisters based on a canister load and a vehicle shut-off event occurring. The method further including flowing vapors to a less loaded canister later than to a more loaded canister.

Methods and systems are provided for an evaporative emissions control system for onboard refueling vapor recovery of a heavy duty vehicle. In one example, a method may include, in response to greater than a threshold change in a fuel level of a fuel tank fluidically coupled to at least two fuel vapor storage canisters of an evaporative emissions control system during a refueling event, performing a canister working capacity diagnostic on each of the at least two fuel vapor storage canisters by measuring an exhaust gas air-fuel ratio (AFR) while independently purging each of the at least two fuel vapor storage canisters. In this way, the working capacity of each fuel vapor storage canister may be separately assessed in order to more accurate identify degradation of the working capacity.

Canister capacity diagnostics for evaporative emissions control system in heavy duty vehicles

Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test on a fuel system and an emissions control system in a vehicle. In one example, in response to an indication that a vehicle parking condition may result in the isolation of the fuel system from the emissions control system via the unintentional closing of fuel tank valves, a vehicle's active suspension system may be employed in order to level the vehicle a determined amount such that the fuel system isolation issues may be mitigated prior to an evaporative emissions test procedure. In this way, the entire fuel system and emissions control system may be diagnosed for potential undesired emissions, and potential violations of regulatory requirements for evaporative emissions testing may be reduced.

Evaporative emissions detection method with vehicle self leveling suspension compensation

Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of purging a fuel vapor storage canister included in an evaporative emissions control system of a vehicle. In one example, a method includes controlling a duty cycle of a canister purge valve to purge fuel vapors stored in a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine of the vehicle, and adjusting a flow rate at which the fuel vapors are purged to the engine independently of the duty cycle by controlling a magnitude of a voltage supplied to the canister purge valve during the purging.

Systems and methods for controlling purge flow from a vehicle fuel vapor storage canister

Methods and systems are provided for a self-disabling ejector of an air induction system and evaporative emissions systems. In one example, an ejector may include an outlet coupled to an inlet flow port of an air induction passage, upstream of a compressor, an evacuation port coupled to an external protrusion arranged adjacent to the inlet flow port on the air induction passage, a constriction arranged between the outlet and evacuation port, and first and second inlets positioned on either side of the constriction. If the outlet becomes disconnected from the inlet flow port, the evacuation port may disconnect from the external protrusion, thereby disabling the vacuum generating capabilities of the ejector.

Systems and method for a self disabling ejector of an air induction system

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a high load purge line of a boosted engine system for undesired evaporative emissions. In one example, a method for diagnosing the high load purge line includes drawing vacuum in the high load purge line under natural aspiration conditions and concurrently purging a fuel vapor canister. In this way, the high load purge line may be diagnosed for undesired evaporative emissions without disrupting a canister purge schedule.

Evaporative emissions diagnostics for a multi-path purge ejector system

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By manufacturing the ejector in two pieces, dimensions within the ejector: throat, converging section, and diverging section, is more accurate than prior art manufacturing techniques thereby providing better flow characteristics throughout the boost range.

Manufacture of a compact ejector system for a boosted internal combustion engine

Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister during conditions when purge vacuum is limited, such as during boosted conditions. An exhaust-driven purge pump is used to flow positive pressure air through a canister, and purge the canister to a compressor inlet. The air is heated during the pressurization, improving hydrocarbon desorption from the canister.

Method and system for purge control

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By mounting the ejector on an intake component, having the venturi tube on the inside of the intake component, and having the venturi tube parallel to the flange yields a very compact package and protects the ejector from damage from other engine components.

Compact ejector system for a boosted internal combustion engine

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a purge path ejector used for purging fuel vapors from a canister under boosted engine conditions. The response of an exhaust gas sensor is monitored during each of vacuum purging of the canister and a subsequent boost purging of the canister, and compared to stoichiometry, to diagnose the ejector. By relying on changes in the exhaust air-fuel ratio incurred during purging, the coupling of the ejector to the compressor inlet may be diagnosed without the need for additional sensors or hardware.

Method and system for diagnosing a purge ejector

Methods and systems for cleaning a pressure relieve valve for a fuel tank are disclosed. In one example approach a method for cleaning a pressure relief valve that is normally activated at a preset negative pressure in a fuel system comprises, during a test cycle, reducing fuel system pressure to a predetermined pressure which is higher than the preset pressure, and measuring pressure changes in the fuel system; and when not in the test cycle, periodically reducing the fuel system pressure to a third pressure which is less than said preset pressure.

Fuel tank pressure relief valve cleaning

A method for a vehicle having a fuel vapor canister coupled between a fuel tank and an engine intake manifold via an electronically controlled purge valve, comprises initiating a vapor leak test under predetermined conditions and in response to the initiation, fully opening the purge valve from a closed position to a fully open position for a predetermined time, and then fully closing the purge valve after the predetermined time and commencing the leak test.

Controlling the closing force of a canister purge valve prior to executing leak diagnostic

A method for purging fuel vapors, comprising: purging fuel tank vapors directly from a fuel tank to an engine intake, bypassing a canister, via a venturi, while drawing canister vapors via the venturi into the purged fuel tank vapors en route to the engine intake. In this way, fuel tank vapors may be used to enable purging of a fuel vapor canister, even under conditions where there is insufficient manifold vacuum to enable a canister purge routine. By increasing the frequency of purge opportunities, bleed emissions from a saturated canister may be reduced.

Growing community of inventors

Marysville, MI, United States of America

Matthew Werner