Patent ID: 7918213

Claim:
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine wherein a fuel vapor storage device is connected to a fuel tank via a connection pipe for the purpose of storing the fuel vapors escaping therefrom, as well as to an intake tract of the internal combustion engine, via a ventilation duct, for the purpose of introducing the stored fuel vapors into the intake tract during a period of tank ventilation, and wherein a controllable valve for adjusting the stream of fuel vapors fed to the intake tract is provided, the method comprising the step of: controlling the valve in such a way that the stream of fuel vapors varies during the tank ventilation period, including: controlling the valve to initiate an initial increase in the stream of fuel vapors to a predefined target stream; based on the initial increase in the stream of fuel vapors, determining a degree of loading of the fuel vapor storage device; calculating a stream reduction time period based on the determined degree of loading of the fuel vapor storage device; after the initial increase in the stream of fuel vapors reaches the predefined target stream, controlling the valve to implement a series of multiple successive fuel vapor stream reductions and increases, each fuel vapor stream reduction reducing the stream below the predefined target stream and each fuel vapor stream increase increasing the stream to the predefined target stream; wherein at least one of the fuel vapor stream reductions is implemented for a duration equal to the calculated stream reduction time period; and after the series of multiple successive fuel vapor stream reductions and increases, completely closing the controllable valve.