Patent ID: 6305360
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: F02D,F02M

Abstract:
A method for controlling delivery of fuel from a vapour collection device to at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine to thereby purge fuel that has accumulated in the vapour collection device by means of a purge flow passing from the vapour collection device to the engine, the purge flow rate being varied by means of a flow control valve located between the vapour collection device and the engine, the meth comprising the following steps, determining minimum valve signal value and a maximum valve signal value as a function engine load and engine speed to thereby respectively define a minimum and maximum extent of valve signal values for controlling opening of the valve, selecting either one of the minimum valve signal value, the maximum valve signal value and an interpolation value that is between the maximum and minimum value signal values in which such selecting is performed in dependence on the engine operating conditions to optimise an amount of fuel purged from the vapour collection device,wherein the amount of interpolation between the respective minimum and maximum valve signal values is provided an adaptation value for obtaining an intermediate valve signal value between said minimum and maximum signal values, the method further including determining an adaptation value as a function of the coolant temperature of the engine,wherein the engine is operated under closed loop speed control at idle operation of the engine and is operated under open loop control under other engine operating conditions.