US5682869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of controlling a vapor storage canister for a purge control system
Assignee: FCA US LLC
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Filing: 1996-04-29
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Granted: 1997-11-04
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Expires: 2016-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling a vapor storage canister for a purge control system of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes the steps of determining if predetermined conditions are right for controlling a vapor storage canister and maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the predetermined conditions are not right for controlling the vapor storage canister. The method also includes the steps of determining if the vapor storage canister is loaded if the predetermined conditions are right for controlling the vapor storage canister, maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the vapor storage canister is not loaded and modifying a duty cycle of a purge solenoid to maximize purge if the vapor storage canister is loaded. The method further includes the steps of updating a loaded canister total purge multiplier and using the total purge multiplier to vary the amount of fuel being delivered to the internal combustion engine.
Inventors
- 👤 II Robert J. Nankee
- 👤 Richard K. Moote
- 👤 Charles B. Dupuis
- 👤 Dennis A. Krozek
- 👤 Shean P. Huff
- 👤 Erika J. Boss
- 👤 Danny K. Schuelke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:50
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/0025; F02D41/003; F02D41/0045; F02D41/0042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of controlling a vapor storage canister for a purge control system of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether predetermined conditions are right for controlling a vapor storage canister; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the predetermined conditions are not right for controlling the vapor storage canister; determining if the vapor storage canister is loaded if predetermined conditions are right for controlling the vapor storage canister; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the vapor storage canister is loaded; modifying a duty cycle of a purge solenoid to maximize purge if the vapor storage canister is loaded; updating a loaded canister total purge multiplier; and using the total purge multiplier to vary the amount of fuel being delivered to the internal combustion engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of controlling a vapor storage canister for a purge control system of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether predetermined conditions are right for controlling a vapor storage canister; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the predetermined conditions are not right for controlling the vapor storage canister; determining if the vapor storage canister is loaded if predetermined conditions are right for controlling the vapor storage canister; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the vapor storage canister is loaded; modifying a duty cycle of a purge solenoid to maximize purge if the vapor storage canister is loaded; updating a loaded canister total purge multiplier; and using the total purge multiplier to vary the amount of fuel being delivered to the internal combustion engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether predetermined conditions are right comprises: determining whether the vehicle must comply with a stricter evaporative emission standard; and ending said method if the vehicle does not have to comply with the stricter evaporative emission standard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether predetermined conditions are right comprises: determining if an actual engine airflow is greater than a predetermined airflow value; and ending said method if the actual engine airflow is not greater than the predetermined airflow value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining whether predetermined conditions are right comprises: determining whether the engine is operating at wide open throttle; and turning the purge solenoid OFF if the engine is operating at wide open throttle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining if the vapor storage canister is loaded comprises: activating a purge solenoid; determining if an instantaneous oxygen (O2) controller signal minus an average O2 controller signal before the purge solenoid is turned ON is greater than a predetermined fuel shift value; and ending said method if the instantaneous O2 controller signal minus the average O2 controller signal is not greater than the predetermined fuel shift value indicating the canister is not loaded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of activating the purge solenoid comprises: determining if the engine is operating open throttle; using a closed throttle purge solenoid duty cycle if the engine is not operating at open throttle; and ramping up the purge solenoid duty cycle up to a first predetermined level if the engine is operating at open throttle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of setting a total purge multiplier equal to an initial value prior to the step of updating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of modifying the duty cycle of the purge solenoid comprises: determining if the engine is operating at closed throttle; and fixing the duty cycle purge solenoid at a first predetermined level if the engine is operating at closed throttle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of modifying the duty cycle of the purge solenoid comprises: determining if the engine is operating at part throttle; and ramping the duty cycle purge solenoid up to a second predetermined level if the engine is not operating at port throttle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of updating a loaded canister total purge multiplier comprises incrementing or decrementing said total purge multiplier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of incrementing comprises: checking if the engine is operating at open throttle; determining if a closed throttle second O2 controller factor is less than a predetermined positive delta if the engine is not operating at open throttle; incrementing the total purge multiplier if the closed throttle second O2 controller factor is not less than the positive delta; checking if the vapor storage canister is clean; ending said method if the vapor storage canister is clean; and purging the vapor storage canister if the vapor storage canister is not clean.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of incrementing comprises: checking if the engine is operating at open throttle; determining if a closed throttle second O2 controller factor is less than a predetermined negative delta if the engine is not operating at open throttle; decrementing the total purge multiplier if the closed throttle second O2 controller factor is less than the negative delta; checking if the vapor storage canister is clean; setting the total purge multiplier equal to a predetermined limit if the vapor storage canister is not clean.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of incrementing comprises: checking if the engine is operating at open throttle; determining if an open throttle second O2 controller factor is less than a predetermined positive delta if the engine is operating at open throttle; incrementing the total purge multiplier if the open throttle second O2 controller factor is not less than the positive delta; checking if the vapor storage canister is clean; purging the vapor storage canister if not clean; and ending said method if the vapor storage canister is clean.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of incrementing comprises: checking if the engine is operating at open throttle; determining if an open throttle second O2 controller factor is less than a predetermined negative delta if the engine is operating at open throttle; decrementing the total purge multiplier if the open throttle second O2 controller factor is less than the negative delta; checking if the vapor storage canister is clean; purging the vapor storage canister if not clean; and setting the total purge multiplier equal to a predetermined constant if the vapor storage canister is not clean.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of: checking if the vapor storage canister is clean; continuing updating the total purge multiplier and modifying the duty cycle of the purge solenoid if the vapor storage canister is not clean; and resuming normal feedback fuel control if the vapor storage canister is clean.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of controlling a vapor storage canister for a purge control system of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether predetermined conditions are right for controlling a potentially loaded vapor storage canister; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if predetermined conditions are not right for controlling the vapor storage canister; determining if the vapor storage canister is loaded by activating the purge solenoid if predetermined conditions are right for controlling the vapor storage canister; comparing whether an instantaneous oxygen (O2) controller signal minus an average O2 controller signal before the purge solenoid is turned on is greater than a predetermined fuel shift value; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the instantaneous O2 controller signal minus the average O2 controller signal is not greater than the fuel shift value indicating the vapor storage canister is not loaded; ramping the purge solenoid duty cycle up to maximize purge if the vapor storage canister is loaded; incrementing or decrementing a total purge multiplier; and using said total purge multiplier to vary the amount of fuel being delivered to the engine.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of controlling a vapor storage canister for a purge control system of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether predetermined conditions are right for controlling a potentially loaded vapor storage canister; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if predetermined conditions are not right for controlling the vapor storage canister; determining if the vapor storage canister is loaded by activating the purge solenoid if predetermined conditions are right for controlling the vapor storage canister; comparing whether an instantaneous oxygen (O2) controller signal minus an average O2 controller signal before the purge solenoid is turned on is greater than a predetermined fuel shift value; maintaining normal fuel feedback operation if the instantaneous O2 controller signal minus the average O2 controller signal is not greater than the fuel shift value indicating the vapor storage canister is not loaded; ramping the purge solenoid duty cycle up to maximize purge if the vapor storage canister is loaded; incrementing or decrementing a total purge multiplier; and using said total purge multiplier to vary the amount of fuel being delivered to the engine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |