Barometric pressure compensated fuel pressure control system

• US 10,054,076 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2017
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies Ip Limited (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies Ip Limited (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: McFarland, Bernard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Manley, Sherman
• Application Number:
  US15/427,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20180223765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/035 characterised by venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03243 characterised by special pumps, the mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03514 with vapor recovery means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0602 Fuel pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/703 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2467 for injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3082 Control of electrical fuel pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/32 of the low pressure type F02D41/3082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0836 Arrangement of valves controlling the admission of fuel vapour to an engine, e.g. valve being disposed between fuel tank or absorption canister and intake manifold
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 55/007 Venting means

Abstract

A system to control fuel-pressure of fuel delivered to a fuel-injector includes a fuel-pump, an absolute-pressure-sensor, a pressure-regulator, and a controller. The fuel-pump is operable to vary fuel-pressure of fuel output by the fuel-pump. The absolute-pressure-sensor indicates an absolute-pressure of the fuel. The pressure-regulator limits the fuel-pressure by releasing fuel output by the fuel-pump when the fuel-pressure exceeds a tank-pressure of the fuel-tank by a pressure-threshold. The controller is in communication with the absolute-pressure-sensor and the fuel-pump. The controller periodically operates the fuel-pump in a test-mode where the fuel-pressure is such that the pressure-regulator releases fuel output by the fuel-pump, estimates a barometric-pressure outside of the fuel-tank based on the absolute-pressure while the pressure-regulator is releasing fuel output by the fuel-pump into the fuel-tank, and operates the fuel-pump in a normal-mode where the fuel-pressure is controlled so the absolute-pressure corresponds to a desired-pressure that is determined based on the barometric-pressure.

Claims

1. A system to control fuel-pressure of fuel delivered to a fuel-injector, said system comprising:

a fuel-pump operable to vary fuel-pressure of fuel output by the fuel-pump;

an absolute-pressure-sensor that indicates an absolute-pressure of the fuel;

a pressure-regulator that limits the fuel-pressure by releasing fuel output by the fuel-pump into a fuel-tank when the fuel-pressure exceeds a tank-pressure of the fuel-tank by a pressure-threshold;

a controller in communication with the absolute-pressure-sensor and the fuel-pump, wherein the controller periodically operates the fuel-pump in a test-mode where the fuel-pressure is such that the pressure-regulator releases fuel output by the fuel-pump, estimates a barometric-pressure outside of the fuel-tank based on the absolute-pressure while the pressure-regulator is releasing fuel output by the fuel-pump into the fuel-tank, and operates the fuel-pump in a normal-mode where the fuel-pressure is controlled so the absolute-pressure corresponds to a desired-pressure that is determined based on the barometric-pressure.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system includes a vent-valve that couples the fuel-tank to the barometric-pressure during the test-mode.