PASSIVE VENTURI PUMP FOR LEAK DIAGNOSTICS AND REFUELING
First Claim
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1. A method for operating a vehicle with an engine, comprising:
- during vehicle motion, passing air through a venturi coupled to the vehicle to generate vacuum;
storing the generated vacuum in an accumulator; and
in response to a condition, discharging the stored vacuum to a vacuum consuming system of the vehicle.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for operating a hybrid electric vehicle with a passive venturi pump are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises: during vehicle motion, passing air through a venturi coupled to the vehicle to generate vacuum; storing the generated in an accumulator; and, in response to a condition, discharging the stored vacuum to a vacuum consuming system of the vehicle.
85 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for operating a vehicle with an engine, comprising:
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during vehicle motion, passing air through a venturi coupled to the vehicle to generate vacuum; storing the generated vacuum in an accumulator; and in response to a condition, discharging the stored vacuum to a vacuum consuming system of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating an engine emission control system in a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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during vehicle motion, passing ram air through a venturi coupled to the vehicle to generate vacuum; storing the generated vacuum in an accumulator until an engine-off condition; and during the engine-off condition, isolating the emission control system from the atmosphere and indicating a leak in response to the depletion of stored vacuum. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A hybrid vehicle system, comprising:
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an engine emission control system including a fuel vapor retaining device coupled to a fuel tank; a vacuum accumulator coupled to the engine emission control system through a first valve; a venturi coupled to an ambient air intake, where the venturi is coupled to the accumulator through a second valve; a pressure sensor disposed within the emission control system; a computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon, including; instructions to, in response to vehicle motion, open the second valve and close the first valve to charge the accumulator with vacuum generated by the venturi; and instructions to close the second valve and maintain the first valve closed to store vacuum generated by the venturi in the accumulator; and instructions to open the first valve to discharge vacuum stored in the accumulator to the emission control system for a duration; instructions to indicate a leak in the emission control system in response to a pressure change in the emission control system during the duration. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification