Fuel System Or Part Thereof Patents (Class 73/114.38)
-
Patent number: 11898515Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle engine fuel system. In one embodiment the method comprises indicating degradation of each of a low-pressure fuel pump and a fuel filter based on a comparison of a pressure differential between a high-pressure pump pressure setting to an actual pressure and a demanded fuel flow to an engine, the indication distinguishing between pump ageing and filter degradation. The method may include adjusting operation of the low-pressure fuel pump in response to the comparison of the high-pressure pump pressure setting and pressure of fuel entering a high-pressure pump. In one example, the fuel filter may be positioned to filter fuel drawn from a fuel tank before entering the low-pressure fuel pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yun Xing, John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Natalie Remisoski
-
Patent number: 11754006Abstract: A method for increasing a purge rate of fuel evaporation gas of a vehicle may include: determining, by a controller, a first fuel evaporation gas density in a purge pump included in an active fuel evaporation gas purge system of the vehicle; filtering the first fuel evaporation gas density using a filter for controlling an amount of change in the first fuel evaporation gas density; determining a second fuel evaporation gas density in the purge pump based on the filtered first fuel evaporation gas density; determining a third fuel evaporation gas density in a standard temperature and pressure state; determining a concentration of hydrocarbon within the fuel evaporation gas based on the third fuel evaporation gas density; and increasing the purge rate of the fuel evaporation gas based on the hydrocarbon concentration in the fuel evaporation gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Jung Seop Son, HyungSeok Yoon
-
Patent number: 11680547Abstract: A filter monitor system (“FMS”) module is installed on the engine/vehicle and is connected to the filter systems, sensors and devices to monitor various performance parameters. The module also connects to the engine control module (“ECM”) and draws parameters from the ECM. The FMS module is capable of interfacing with various output devices such as a smartphone application, a display monitor, an OEM telematics system or a service technician's tool on a computer. The FMS module consists of hardware and software algorithms which constantly monitor filter systems and provide information to the end-user. FMS module provides necessary inputs and outputs for electronic sensors and devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.Inventors: Abhijit Shimpi, Joseph Okoro, Andry Lesmana, Abhijeet Vaidya, Adaeze Okoye, John T. Carroll, III, Matthew L. Schneider, Barry M. Verdegan, Chad M. Thomas
-
Patent number: 11663862Abstract: A method for diagnosing a part of a crank case ventilation system of an engine operable in different engine running conditions, the system comprising an electrically driven crank case ventilation, eCCV, separator. The method comprises determining a compared power consumption of the eCCV separator by comparing a current power consumption indicative value of the eCCV separator with a reference value; determining whether or not the compared power consumption achieved as pre-set criteria; and diagnosing a fault in the system in response to determining that the compared power consumption achieves the pre-set criteria.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Per Gustafsson, Milad Mousavi
-
Detection of leaks in a device for evaporating vapors of a fuel stored in a vehicle heat engine tank
Patent number: 11619195Abstract: Disclosed is a device for evaporating vapors of a fuel stored in a motor vehicle tank. The evaporation device includes a bypass circuit and a bypass valve configured to move between a so-called “absorption” position, in which the bypass valve allows the gases to flow between the tank and an absorbent filter and a so-called “leak detection” position, in which the bypass valve allows the gases to flow between a purge circuit and the tank via the bypass circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignees: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Thierry Collet -
Patent number: 11525812Abstract: A variable value calculating process includes: measuring a propagation time of the propagation of an ultrasound wave through a measurement sector inside a housing; obtaining a temperature calculated value on the basis of the measured value of the propagation time and a reference distance for the measurement sector; obtaining a temperature measured value by measuring the temperature inside the housing; and obtaining a temperature replacement fluctuation value indicating a difference between the temperature calculated value and the temperature measured value. The variable value calculating process is executed for each of a plurality of temperature conditions under which the temperature of a reference gas inside the housing differs. A temperature compensation table in which the temperature of a gas to be measured is associated with a temperature compensation value relating to the temperature is obtained on the basis of the temperature replacement fluctuation values obtained under each temperature condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignees: Ueda Japan Radio Co., Ltd., Japan Radio Co., Ltd., Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.Inventors: Osamu Sakaguchi, Isao Ito, Yasuhiro Toriyama, Katsuyuki Matsubayashi
-
Patent number: 11506151Abstract: A dual purge ejector and a dual purge system using the same are provided. A first end of a main body is fully open and an ejecting end of a nozzle is located proximate to the opening hole. Therefore, even if the ejector is disconnected from an adapter, negative pressure is not formed in a main body, to prevent discharge of fuel evaporation gas into the atmosphere and a failure of the dual purge system may be reliably diagnosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Hyundai Kefico CorporationInventors: Dong June Kim, Chan Karam Na
-
Patent number: 11408312Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve includes a tubular body extending along an axis between a first end and a second end, the tubular body having an outer diameter and an inner diameter defining a wall around a central passage that extends through the tubular body and is orthogonal to the axis, and a metering device secured within the central passage adjacent the first end. The wall includes a window between the metering device and second end, and the window defines an air flow path through the wall and into the central passage for detecting a disconnection of the PCV valve from the crankcase, wherein a total area of the window is greater than an open axial area within the metering device when the metering device is in a maximum flow condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Inventors: Antonio Spadafora, Eric Mathes, Kathleen Kogelschatz, Michael Salt, Jason Dreveny, Tom Seixas, Tammy Libbrecht
-
Patent number: 11371470Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus includes an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality of a purge passage. The abnormality determination unit changes an operating cycle of a purge control valve to a cycle longer than an initial set value while maintaining a duty ratio of the purge control valve set according to an operating state of an internal combustion engine, and determines an abnormality of the purge passage based on a first variation range and a second variation range calculated from a detection value detected by an airflow meter before and after the change of the operating cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Daisaku Asanuma
-
Patent number: 11319892Abstract: Provided is a novel internal-combustion engine control device that can accurately determine a combustion state of an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber even in a case where operation is switched between a steady operation state and a transient operation state. For this purpose, the internal-combustion engine control device includes a physical quantity detection unit that detects a physical quantity that fluctuates output of the internal-combustion engine, an output fluctuation value calculation unit that calculates an output fluctuation value for each cylinder based on a detection result of the physical quantity detection unit, and a state determination unit that determines a transient operation state or a steady operation state based on a difference or a ratio between a first output fluctuation value of a predetermined first cylinder and a second output fluctuation value of a predetermined second cylinder calculated by the output fluctuation value calculation unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Toshihiro Aono, Masayuki Saruwatari
-
Patent number: 11215530Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for systematically executing a diagnosis and fault isolation of a failure condition for an engine during a cranking test of the engine. Examples of the failure condition include, but are not limited to, cylinder-by-cylinder compression conditions, excessive blow-by conditions, valve failures, leaks, and/or obstructions of the intake, exhausts, crankcase ventilation, and/or exhaust gas recirculation systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventor: Daniel J. Smith
-
Patent number: 11197574Abstract: A system and method for preparing a consumable beverage. The system includes an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity for selectively holding an exchangeable first or second capsule. An exit area of the second capsule has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of an first exit area of the first capsule. The apparatus includes a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part around the first or second capsule. The second brew chamber part has an extraction plate for abutting against the first or second exit area. The extraction plate includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion is movable relative to the peripheral portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.Inventors: Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Peter Rijskamp, Marjan Cornelissen, Klaas Kooijker
-
Patent number: 10927794Abstract: An active canister purge system may include: a canister trapping a fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank; a purge control valve allowing the trapped fuel vapor to be purged from the canister into an intake pipe; a purge pump forcefully pumping the fuel vapor trapped in the canister into the intake pipe; a pressure sensor detecting a pressure at an inlet of the purge control valve; and a controller determining whether the pressure at the inlet of the purge control valve is varied on the basis of a pressure variation in the intake pipe in a non-purging condition to diagnose an open stuck state of the purge control valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Choo Saeng Choi
-
Patent number: 10883620Abstract: A valve assembly that provides reliable opening and closing valves at specified times despite changing performance characteristics of the valve is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a controllable valve selectively actuatable to control flow of a fluid therethrough, with the controllable valve having a variable valve open/close response time. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure current operational parameters of the controllable valve and/or the fluid and a valve controller programmed to process valve timing control instructions generated by an external source, process inputs from the plurality of sensors regarding the measured operational parameters of the controllable valve and/or the fluid, and provide an actuation signal to the controllable valve based on the valve timing control instructions and the inputs from the plurality of sensors, so as to control a timing of an actuation of the controllable valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLPInventors: Nikola Milivojevic, Yusuf Gurkaynak, Jacob Lee Fitzgerald, Scott Raymond Frazier
-
Patent number: 10718280Abstract: A vaporized fuel treatment device includes a sealing valve disposed in a vapor passage between a fuel tank and a canister and is configured to include a valve element moves forward and backward in an axial direction to a valve seat, a cut-off valve configured to cut off a communication between the canister and an atmosphere, a tank internal pressure sensor detects an internal pressure of the fuel tank, and a canister internal pressure sensor that detects an internal pressure of the canister, a controller programmed to change an axial distance between the valve element and the valve seat in a state where the cut-off valve cuts off the communication between the canister and the atmosphere and to learn a valve opening start position of the sealing valve based on changes in the internal pressures of the fuel tank and the canister depending on a change in the axial distance.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keita Fukui, Makoto Yamazaki, Yoshikazu Miyabe
-
Patent number: 10648423Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine with multiple cylinders. Each cylinder of the internal combustion engine includes at least one fuel injector, and each fuel injector is activated for opening and closing via a solenoid valve of the respective fuel injector. Structure-borne sound waves emitted by the fuel injectors and/or accelerations caused by the fuel injectors are detected by measurement. The structure-borne sound waves detected by measurement and/or the accelerations detected by measurement are evaluated, and based on the evaluation, characteristics of the fuel injectors are automatically determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: MAN Energy Solutions SEInventors: Andreas Döring, Armin Weber
-
Patent number: 10591051Abstract: A sensor mounting may include an accommodation unit; a sensor case; and a screw member. A flow passage body may include the accommodation unit, and a flow passage opening. The fluid pressure sensor may include a sensor main body, and the sensor case. The sensor case may include a sensing hole. The sensor case may include a columnar portion disposed along a center axis, and a flange portion which protrudes from the columnar portion. The accommodation unit may include a female screw provided in a radially inside surface of the accommodation unit. The screw member may include the screw member may include a hole portion, and a male screw. The screw member may be disposed to be opposed to an upper side of the flange portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Shirai, Tomoka Osawa, Toshiaki Nakamura, Kenichi Ozawa
-
Patent number: 10578466Abstract: An injector testing system includes a testing rig having a receptacle and an injector mounting structure. The receptacle has an inlet for receiving fluid injected by an injector, a target outlet for receiving at least a portion of fluid injected through the inlet, and a runoff outlet for receiving fluid missing the target outlet. At least one fluid-quantity measuring device fluidly connected to at least one of the target and runoff outlets measures a quantity of fluid having flowed thereto. A controller receives signals representative of (i) a quantity of fluid having flowed to the at least one fluid-quantity measuring device via the target outlet, and (ii) a quantity of fluid having flowed to the at least one fluid-quantity measuring device via the runoff outlet or both of the runoff outlet and the target outlet. Based on these quantities, a proportion of fluid injected into the target outlet is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: GROUPE MELOCHE INC.Inventors: Guillaume Desrochers, Melick Proulx, Sami Rahal
-
Patent number: 10519852Abstract: A supercharging arrangement for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The supercharging arrangement comprises a supercharger having a rotational drive input, and a transmission having a rotational drive input to receive drive from an internal combustion engine, and a rotational drive output connected to the input of the supercharger. The transmission includes a variator operatively connected between the input and the output of the transmission, which variator has an output that is driven at an operating ratio from an input. There is a control system that operates to cause an engine to deliver an amount of torque that is indicated by the state of an input to the control system. The control system is further operative to set the operating ratio of the variator.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: James Shawe, John Fuller, Brian Dutson, Andrew Defreitas
-
Patent number: 10513991Abstract: A fuel property determining device for an engine is provided, the device retarding a fuel injection timing and determining a fuel property based on a combustion variation of the engine caused by the retarding. The device includes a processor configured to control a parameter related to combustibility so as to degrade a combustion state before the fuel injection timing is retarded, the parameter being different from the fuel injection timing.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takuya Murakami, Tetsuhide Kanda
-
Patent number: 10233851Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing apparatus is provided with a blocking valve disposed in a vapor passage. The blocking valve has: a valve whose stroke amount is adjusted by a stepping motor; and a relief valve being opened regardless of the stroke amount when tank pressure of a fuel tank is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure to allow communication between the fuel tank and a canister. The evaporated fuel processing apparatus is provided with a controller configured (i) to control the stepping motor to move the valve in a valve opening direction while prohibiting a valve opening position learning process when the tank pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure and (ii) to allow the valve opening position learning process when the tank pressure is less than the predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keita Fukui, Makoto Yamazaki, Yoshikazu Miyabe
-
Patent number: 10041432Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed for use with an engine. The fuel system may have a plurality of fuel injectors, a common rail fluidly, a pump, and an outlet valve associated with the pump. The fuel system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to detect a zero-fueling condition, to determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating, and to determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating. The electronic control module may also be configured to selectively generate a diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve based on the first and second pressure decay rates.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Daniel Reese Puckett, Bradley Scott Bashore, Michael Edward Sattler, Michael Scott Marchionda, Sasidhar Rayasam, Kranti Kumar Nellutla
-
Patent number: 9669705Abstract: A method, comprising: indicating leakage on a canister side of a fuel system based on a first fuel system pressure following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with a fuel tank isolation valve closed; and indicating leakage on a fuel tank side of the fuel system based on the first fuel system pressure and a second fuel system pressure following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with the fuel tank isolation valve open. In this way, an ELCM with a single reference orifice may be used to perform a leak test with two different thresholds for leak detection. This may allow vehicles currently in production to meet future emissions standards without costly upgrades to the ELCM.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
-
Patent number: 9523316Abstract: A vaporized fuel processing apparatus has a canister capable of adsorbing vaporized fuel generated in a fuel tank, a closing valve provided in the vapor path connecting the canister and the fuel tank and having a valve seat and a valve movable portion, a pressure sensor configured to detect inner pressure of the fuel tank, and an electric control unit. The electric control unit is configured to set a learning value that is an axial distance between the valve seat and the valve movable portion at a valve opening start position at a fail-safe value such that the closing valve is in the valve closing state when the inner pressure of the fuel tank decreases by less than a predetermined value after repeating a stroke control process more than predetermined times.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoyuki Tagawa, Minoru Akita, Yoshikazu Miyabe
-
Patent number: 9388781Abstract: A fuel accumulator block is provided for testing high-pressure components of fuel injection devices. The fuel accumulator block includes an accumulator body and at least one pressure control valve, which is accommodated in a receptacle in the accumulator body. The accumulator body is connected to a test line for a test medium and to a cooling line for a cooling medium. Within the accumulator body a test line run is developed for the test medium and a cooling line run is developed for the cooling medium. The cooling line run has at least one section which runs in the vicinity of the receptacle for the pressure control valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Ralf Stein, Reinhard Hoss
-
Patent number: 9382879Abstract: If a pressure deviation ?P (amount of pressure decrease) after a first predetermined time period T1 has elapsed since a bypass valve (canister opening/closing valve) is controlled from an opened to closed state by actuating a negative pressure pump when the engine is stopped and a purge valve is opened is less than a first predetermined pressure P1, it is determined that the bypass valve is in an open sticking state, and if the pressure deviation ?P is not less than the first predetermined pressure P1, it is determined that the bypass valve is not in an open sticking state. Moreover, a pressure deviation ?P after a second predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the bypass valve is subsequently controlled to be opened decreases by not less than a second predetermined pressure P2, it is determined that the bypass valve 37 is not in a closed sticking state.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideo Matsunaga, Hitoshi Kamura
-
Patent number: 9353707Abstract: An evaporated fuel treating device for an engine having an intake pipe, the evaporated fuel treating device includes a fuel evaporation system, a purge valve, a non-return valve, a seal valve mechanism, and an ECU. The system includes a fuel tank, an adsorber, purge passage. The adsorber adsorbs evaporated fuel. The purge valve adjusts a flow rate of the evaporated fuel flowing in the purge passage. The non-return valve prevents a reverse flow of gas in the purge passage from inside of the intake pipe towards the adsorber. The seal valve mechanism seals the system. The ECU configured to (a) open and close the purge valve after causing, the seal valve mechanism to seal the system, when the engine is stopped, and (b) detect an open failure state of the non-return valve based on a pressure difference inside the system when the purge valve is opened and closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Kimura
-
Patent number: 9284899Abstract: A method and system of cleaning a turbocharger bypass control valve, the control valve being operable to vary the position of a bypass valve and thereby vary the amount of flow bypass across a turbine and/or compressor of a turbocharger for an engine. The method comprises: determining whether the control valve may require cleaning; adjusting the duty cycle of the shuttle so as to increase a flow of fluid through the control valve and clean the control valve; and adjusting a throttle position of the engine and thus the engine torque output to compensate for the adjustment in the amount of boost provided by the turbocharger.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian David Eves, Shane Keilthy, Mike Acton, Tom Leroy
-
Patent number: 9212617Abstract: A method for recognizing irregular combustion in an internal combustion engine includes supplying fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine using an injector. The injector is connected to a fuel supply line that includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the fuel supply line. The pressure in the fuel supply line is measured during the supply of fuel into the combustion chamber. It is then ascertaining whether irregular combustion is occurring based on the measured pressure in the fuel supply line.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: IAV GMBH INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT AUTO UND VERKEHRInventors: Wolfram Gottschalk, Ulf Lezius, Matthias Schultalbers, Samuel Trebesius
-
Patent number: 9176022Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pressure sensor, a pressure variation module, and a purge flow diagnostic module. The pressure sensor generates a pressure signal indicating a pressure within a fuel system of an engine. The pressure variation module determines an amount of variation in the pressure signal over a period. The purge flow diagnostic module diagnoses a fault associated with flow through a purge valve of the fuel system when the pressure variation amount is less than a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Robert Jackson
-
Publication number: 20150122229Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Ognjanovski, JR., Brian Thomas Aitken
-
Publication number: 20150121999Abstract: Embodiments for detecting fuel events are presented. In an embodiment, a method comprises performing an action responsive to a fuel event indicated based on output from a hydrocarbon sensor positioned between a fuel tank and a fuel vapor canister. In this way, the hydrocarbon sensor may be used to detect fuel events and engine operation may be adjusted accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
-
Patent number: 9021871Abstract: Provided is a fuel amount detection device for a vehicle positioned in a fuel tank of the vehicle to detect a remaining fuel amount. In the fuel amount detection device for a vehicle, a resistor pattern and a conductive pattern formed on a resistor substrate and spaced apart from each other are electrically connected to each other by a conductive material coated on a conductive film pressed by a contactor to prevent abrasion of the resistor pattern formed on the resistor substrate, thereby making it possible to improve durability. In addition, since the resistor pattern is sealed by the conductive film, it does not contact fuel, such that corrosion of the resistor pattern is prevented, thereby making it possible to accurately detect a fuel amount.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: CoavisInventors: KyungHwan Kim, Jeongsik Kim
-
Patent number: 9004050Abstract: Embodiments for indicating fuel rail temperature sensor degradation are provided. In one embodiment, an engine method comprises delivering gaseous fuel to a cylinder based on feedback from a fuel rail temperature sensor, and during select conditions, indicating fuel rail temperature sensor degradation based on a difference between measured fuel rail temperature and an expected temperature. In this way, measured fuel rail temperature may be correlated with other engine temperatures to detect sensor degradation.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
-
Patent number: 8984949Abstract: A pressure sensor measuring element for a pressure sensor operates to detect pressure in a combustion space of an internal combustion engine. The pressure sensor measuring element includes a separating diaphragm, a plunger for the transmission of deflections of the separating diaphragm to a force measuring element, and with a sleeve which receives the plunger. The sleeve is closed by the separating diaphragm at a first end intended to face the combustion space and is designed to hold the force measuring element at the opposite second end. Accordingly, the pressure sensor measuring element can be produced more cost-effectively. Furthermore, the plunger can be produced in one piece with the separating diaphragm as a diaphragm/plunger unit, and the sleeve and the diaphragm/plunger unit can be formed from the same metal material.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Trafag AGInventors: Ulrich Staiger, Peter Dias-Lalcaca, Peter Hauri, Dieter Zeisel
-
Patent number: 8938349Abstract: A method is described for operating a fuel injection system, in particular of an internal combustion engine, in which fuel under pressure is made available in a pressure reservoir and a fuel pressure prevailing in the pressure reservoir is ascertainable with the aid of a pressure sensor. Fuel is removed from the pressure reservoir over a predefinable pressure reduction time period, measured pressure values are ascertained (determined) with the aid of the pressure sensor at least two different points in time during the pressure reduction period, and an actual fuel pressure at the beginning of the pressure reduction period is inferred from the measured pressure values ascertained (determined) during the pressure reduction period.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Sommerer, Patrick Amann
-
Publication number: 20140360255Abstract: Method of testing an engine fuel supply cutoff valve, characterised in that it comprises steps to: detect (E1) a fuel supply cutoff command, command (E3) to close the fuel supply cutoff valve, command (E4) to hold the fuel metering valve in the open position for a predetermined time, command (E5) to close the fuel metering valve after the predetermined time, measure (E6) an engine operating parameter during performance of the previous steps, compare (E7) the measured parameter with a predetermined threshold, so as to determine whether or not the engine operating parameter corresponds to an engine fuel supply cutoff by normal operation of the fuel supply cutoff valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: SNECMAInventors: Christophe JAVELOT, Mohamed BOUTALEB, Cedrik DJELASSI, Victor HENRY
-
Patent number: 8904669Abstract: A fuel system comprising a fuel tank, a vent tank having a duct open to the ambient atmosphere, a first vent line fluidically connecting the fuel tank ullage to the vent tank, a gas drying system including a pump and a dehumidifying device disposed within the vent tank, and a second vent line fluidically connecting a dry gas outlet of the dehumidifying device to the ullage, wherein the pump is operable to maintain a higher pressure within the ullage than in the vent tank so as to drive vapor rich gas from the ullage into the vent tank via the first vent line. Also, a method of operating the fuel system and a method of retro-fitting the gas drying system in an existing fuel system. The gas drying system may optionally be a gas drying/inerting system.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Franklin Tichborne, Joseph K-W Lam, David Parmenter, Simon Masters
-
Patent number: 8903626Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting a fuel composition estimate. The method generally uses a non-fuel related property to determine fuel composition. In some cases the method can be used after refueling and when the engine is operating without the benefit of oxygen sensor data, which can include evaluating data not based on characteristics of the fuel or exhaust from its combustion, such as engine torque variations while using the fuel. The method can include monitoring estimated engine torque to determine whether first variations in engine torque exceed a threshold, and, if so, modifying the previous estimate of fuel composition prior to the refueling event by a pre-determined amount.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji David Matsuura, Michael Neisen
-
Patent number: 8874303Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel-saving driving evaluation system which provides a driver with advice suitable for the driver based on fuel-saving driving evaluation standards which correspond to the fuel-saving driving proficiency level of the driver, so that the driver is relaxed and the fuel-saving driving skill of the driver is gradually improved. The fuel-saving driving evaluation system is comprised of an engine speed measuring device, a vehicle speed measuring device, a fuel flow measuring device, and a control device. The control device has a function to store several kinds of standard values and target values of parameters (driving operation parameters) for evaluating the fuel-saving driving level in the vehicle to be evaluated, and a function to determine the standard values and the target values of the parameters based on control signals sent from outside of the control device.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: UD Trucks CorporationInventors: Takahiro Ishida, Yoshitaka Nishiyama
-
Patent number: 8849547Abstract: In a common rail system having two electrically controlled actuating elements, e.g., a metering unit at the input side of a high-pressure pump and a pressure regulating valve on the common rail, different fuel delivery quantities are able to be set in the common rail system while the vehicle is stationary, independent of the current engine load, by controlling operating points via one of the actuating elements and subsequently regulating the other actuating element. Control currents of the actuating elements correspond to the operating points. These control currents, or differences of control currents, are compared to target values to enable an evaluation of the common rail system.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Michael Hackner, Stefan Hoerenberg
-
Patent number: 8820151Abstract: A cetane number estimation apparatus injects fuel from a fuel injection valve in a diesel engine based on a target fuel injection amount, calculates an indicator of output torque of the diesel engine produced through fuel injection, and estimates the cetane number of the fuel using the calculated indicator. The cetane number estimation apparatus includes a pressure sensor for detecting fuel pressure varied by variation in actual fuel pressure in the fuel injection valve at the time of the fuel injection. The cetane number estimation apparatus also has a pressure correcting section that is adapted to calculate actual operating characteristics of the fuel injection valve based on a variation waveform of the detected fuel pressure and corrects the target fuel injection amount based on the difference between the calculated actual operating characteristics and prescribed reference operating characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Takeshi Miyaura, Makio Tsuchiyama
-
Patent number: 8763587Abstract: An abnormality detection device for an internal combustion engine is controlled according to properties of employed fuel, and capable of accurately detecting an abnormality in a fuel property sensor, and more particularly, a stuck fuel property sensor. A measurement section of the sensor is housed in a fuel container, which is not disposed in a main flow path of a fuel flow path connecting a fuel pump to an injector, but is disposed apart from the main flow path. Fuel drawn from a fuel tank is introduced into the fuel container. The resulting output value of the sensor is acquired as a first sensor output value. Further, the fuel is discharged from the fuel container. The resulting output value of the sensor is acquired as a second output value. The first and second sensor output values are then used to check for an abnormality in the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Wakao, Mie Sasai
-
Patent number: 8751135Abstract: A method is provided to diagnose a fault in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to commanding an injection pulse for injecting a test quantity of fuel into an engine cylinder, determining the torque released to an engine crankshaft due to the injection pulse, calculating the difference between this released torque and an expected value for the torque, and of detecting a fault in the fuel injection system if the difference exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Marco Girotto, Tommaso De Fazio, Michele Bastianelli
-
Patent number: 8707937Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
-
Patent number: 8700288Abstract: A method for assessing a method of functioning of a fuel injector in response to the application of a control voltage to at least one actuator of the fuel injector, including the steps of applying the control voltage to the at least one actuator of the fuel injector for a no-torque-generating injection into an engine, determining a fuel content in an exhaust tract disposed at an engine, comparing the determined fuel content with a specified comparison value, and assessing the method of functioning of the fuel injector based on the comparison result. Furthermore, also described is an evaluation device for assessing a method of functioning of a fuel injector in response to the application of a control voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Huber, Thomas Breitbach, Rainer Peck, Christian Kriechbaum
-
Patent number: 8656765Abstract: A device detecting a property of fuel in a course of a pipeline, while improving accuracy and stability of the fuel property detection. The device includes a sub-tank provided in the course of a fuel pipeline connecting a fuel tank and an engine, and a sensor capable of detecting the property of fuel inside the sub-tank. The sub-tank includes a fuel inlet for introducing therethrough fuel from the fuel tank, and a fuel outlet for sending out therethrough the fuel toward the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomotaka Kita, Yoshihiko Ueda
-
Patent number: 8649960Abstract: In a method for reading and/or storing injector-specific data for controlling an injection system of an internal combustion engine, an injector is charged by a control unit according to a predeterminable voltage curve and, depending on the case, is discharged directly by the control unit or by a power element located on a data storage medium and the voltage is measured by the control unit and by the data storage medium. Dependent upon a predeterminable voltage curve, a predeterminable amount of data is stored or read on a memory unit of the data storage medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Georg Bachmaier, Dominik Bergmann, Bernhard Fischer, Johann Görzen, Frank Herold, Stefan Lehmann, Thomas Schmid, Christian Tump
-
Patent number: 8646320Abstract: A fuel property determining apparatus is provided that can reduce power consumption in energization of a fuel property sensor by efficiently determining a fuel property as determined by activating the fuel property sensor. Upon starting an internal combustion engine, it is determined whether or not determination is made of the fuel property in a preceding trip. When the fuel property is determined in the preceding trip, a switch is turned ON to activate the fuel property sensor after waiting for a short period of time after the start of the internal combustion engine. When the fuel property is not determined in the preceding trip, the switch is turned ON to activate the fuel property sensor immediately after the start of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mie Sasai
-
Patent number: 8627858Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively fuelling a vehicle are provided. One example method of fuelling a vehicle may include receiving a fuel in a fuel reservoir in the vehicle, and directing the fuel to one of a plurality of storage tanks based on a fuel type. In one example, the directing of fuel may include adjusting one or more fuelling valves positioned between the fuel reservoir and the plurality of storage tanks to vary a direction of fuel flow to the plurality of storage tanks.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Shane Elwart