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Hydrocarbon vapor control system for an internal combustion engine

  • US 5,373,822 A
  • Filed: 12/21/1992
  • Issued: 12/20/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling the flow of fuel to an air-breathing internal combustion engine having a fuel vapor storage apparatus, said system comprising:

  • vapor flow means for determining the actual mass flow rate of fuel vapor transported from the storage apparatus into the air intake of the engine, and for controlling said mass flow rate in response to commands from a fuel controller means wherein said vapor flow means comprises a variable area critical flow nozzle which discharges the transported fuel vapor upon an impactor so as to impose a force upon the impactor which is proportional to the mass flow rate of the vapor;

    main fuel means for supplying fuel to the engine in addition to said fuel vapor; and

    fuel controller means, operatively connected with said main fuel supply means and said vapor flow means, for;

    measuring a plurality of engine operating parameters, including the actual air/fuel ratio at which the engine is operating;

    calculating a desired air/fuel ratio; and

    operating the main fuel means and said vapor flow means to deliver an amount of fuel required to achieve the desired air/fuel ratio, based upon the determined mass flow of fuel vapor from the vapor storage apparatus and upon the actual air/fuel ratio.

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