Patent · US Expired

Duty cycling feature for the proportional purge solenoid to improve low flow resolution

US6148804A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
18References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 22, 1999
Grant dateNov 21, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 22, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02D41/004
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of controlling a proportional purge solenoid is provided to improve low flow resolution. The method includes looking-up a primary duty cycle corresponding to purge current in a three-dimensional surface by using purge flow and vacuum level as inputs. Should the primary duty cycle fall below a lowest allowable purge current threshold value, a secondary purge duty cycle (i.e., an on/off pattern of the primary duty cycle) is obtained from a two-dimensional table by using the actual calculated purge flow as an input. The two-dimensional table includes a sequence of program loops subdivided into a delay region wherein the purge flow and vacuum level data are learned, an updating region wherein the purge current of the three-dimensional surface is updated, and a control region wherein the primary duty cycle is toggled between on and off states. When the current program loop falls within the delay region, a recorded primary duty cycle is output. When the current program loop falls within the updating region, the primary duty cycle is applied at a time determined during the last program sequence. When the current program loop falls within the control period, the primary duty cycle…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.