Variable Venturi System and Method for Engine

• US 20100300413A1
• Filed: 05/26/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ulrey, Joseph Norman, Pursifull, Ross Dykstra
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/518
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0406 Layout of the intake air cooling or coolant circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/141 using a feed-forward control element
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0032 Controlling the purging of the canister as a function of the engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/005 according to engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0065 Specific aspects of external EGR control constructional details of EGR system F02M26/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/12 having slidably-mounted valve members; having valve members movable longitudinally of conduit
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/089 Layout of the fuel vapour installation
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/19 Means for improving the mixing of air and recirculated exhaust gases, e.g. venturis or multiple openings to the intake system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/23 Layout, e.g. schematics
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/47 the characteristics being temperatures, pressures or flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10118 with variable cross-sections of intake ducts along their length; Venturis; Diffusers
• 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: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for an engine are described. In one example, a system may include a variable venturi coupled in an intake of the engine; an exhaust gas recirculation system having an exhaust gas recirculation flow path, the exhaust gas recirculation flow path coupled to the variable venturi; and a vacuum-utilizing device or system coupled to the variable venturi. In another example, a method may include coordinating adjustment of an exhaust gas recirculation valve coupled to the exhaust gas recirculation system, a fuel vapor purging valve coupled to the fuel vapor purging system, and the variable venturi in response to operating conditions.

Claims

1. A method of controlling engine operation of an engine having an exhaust gas recirculation system and a fuel vapor purging system, the method comprising:

delivering exhaust gas recirculation flow from the exhaust gas recirculation system to a variable venturi coupled in an intake of the engine;

delivering fuel vapor flow from the fuel vapor purging system to the variable venturi coupled in an intake of the engine; and

coordinating adjustment of an exhaust gas recirculation valve coupled to the exhaust gas recirculation system, a fuel vapor purging valve coupled to the fuel vapor purging system, and the variable venturi in response to operating conditions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinating includes:

adjusting the fuel vapor purging valve in response to adjustment of the variable venturi.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinating includes:

adjusting the exhaust gas recirculation valve in response to adjustment of the variable venturi.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinating includes:

adjusting venturi in response to adjustment of the fuel vapor purging valve.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinating includes:

adjusting venturi in response to adjustment of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinating includes:

adjusting the fuel vapor purging valve in response to adjustment of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinating includes:

adjusting the exhaust gas recirculation valve in response to adjustment of the fuel vapor purging valve.

8. A system for an engine, comprising:

a variable venturi coupled in an intake of the engine;

an exhaust gas recirculation system having an exhaust gas recirculation flow path, the exhaust gas recirculation flow path coupled to the variable venturi; and

a vacuum-utilizing device or system coupled to the variable venturi.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the vacuum-utilizing device includes a fuel vapor purging system having a fuel vapor flow path, the fuel vapor flow path coupled to the variable venturi.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the vacuum-utilizing device or system includes a positive crankcase ventilation system.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the vacuum-utilizing device or system includes a brake booster.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the vacuum-utilizing device or system includes a vacuum actuated control valve.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the venturi is coupled upstream of a compressor of a turbocharger of the engine.

14. A method of controlling engine operation of an engine having an exhaust gas recirculation system, a crankcase ventilation system, a vacuum brake system, and a fuel vapor purging system, the method comprising:

delivering exhaust gas recirculation flow from the exhaust gas recirculation system to a variable venturi coupled in an intake of the engine;

delivering fuel vapor flow from the fuel vapor purging system to the variable venturi;

delivering crankcase gases from the crankcase ventilation system to the variable venturi;

boosting outlet gases of the variable venturi; and

adjusting the variable venturi in response to brake booster vacuum, operation of the fuel vapor purging system, and operation of the exhaust gas recirculation system.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the exhaust gas recirculation system, the crankcase ventilation system, the vacuum brake system, and the fuel vapor purging system are coupled to a vacuum generated by the variable venturi.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising adjusting a fuel vapor purging valve coupled in the fuel vapor purging system in response to adjustment of one or more of the variable venturi and an EGR valve coupled in the EGR system.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising decreasing fuel vapor purge flow via the fuel vapor purging valve when constricting the variable venturi.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the exhaust gas recirculation system is coupled downstream of a turbine of a turbocharger coupled to the engine.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the positive crankcase ventilation system includes a single oil baffle and is a uni-directional flow system.