Method for crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine

• US 10,024,251 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pursifull, Ross Dykstra, Crisp, Nicholas Dashwood
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamaoui, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): STAUBACH, CARL C
• Application Number:
  US14/743,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20160369718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 123572-574, 123 4186, 123516, 123518, 123520, 123698, 123DIG 5, 7311439, 417 87, 188356, 701 10, 701 70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/46 Vacuum systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/02 Arrangements of pumps or compressors, or control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 13/00 Crankcase ventilating or breathing
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 13/0011 Breather valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/162 by bypassing, e.g. partially, intake air from pump inlet to pump outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/08 Engine blow-by from crankcase chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/06 adding lubricant vapours
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10163 having air intakes specially adapted to selectively deliver naturally aspirated fluid or supercharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10222 Exhaust gas recirculation [EGR]; Positive crankcase ventilation [PCV]; Additional air admission, lubricant or fuel vapour admission
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10229 the intake system acting as a vacuum or overpressure source for auxiliary devices, e.g. brake systems; Vacuum chambers air storage chamber F02B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for ventilating a crankcase in a boosted engine. An example method may include selectively enabling one of crankcase ventilation and aspirator motive flow via an electrically controlled valve, the aspirator motive flow being enabled in response to a demand for vacuum from a vacuum consumer. In this way, the crankcase of the boosted engine may be ventilated until the vacuum consumer demands vacuum.

Claims

1. A method for a boosted engine, comprising:

completely blocking vapor flow through an electronically controlled valve from a crankcase by adjusting the electronically controlled valve in response to determined brake actuation with decreased vacuum level in a brake booster, while enabling motive flow through an aspirator coupled to the brake booster, wherein the motive flow through the aspirator generates vacuum; and

adjusting the electronically controlled valve to enable vapor flow from the crankcase and completely block motive flow through the aspirator in response to each of increased vacuum level in the brake booster and a desired engine air flow higher than a threshold flow.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined brake actuation further includes the decreased vacuum level is below a threshold level.

3. The method of claim 2, where the increased vacuum level in the brake booster is higher than the threshold level.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting the electronically controlled valve to completely discontinue through the electronically controlled valve each of vapor flow from the crankcase and motive flow through the aspirator in response to the desired engine air flow being lower than the threshold level.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the electronically controlled valve includes commanding the electronically controlled valve via a controller.