Accumulator device
View Patent ↗An engine includes an intake, an air-fuel path coupled to the intake, an accumulator configured coupled to the air-fuel path and configured to store an air-fuel mixture, and at least one valve configured to selectively provide the air-fuel mixture from the engine to the accumulator at a first time and store the air-fuel mixture within the accumulator at a second time. A controller may be configured to provide commands to the at least one valve. The plurality of commands may include an open command to release air and fuel mixture from the accumulator and a close command to store air and fuel mixture in the accumulator.
1. An engine comprising:
an intake;
an air-fuel path coupled to the intake;
an accumulator configured coupled to the air-fuel path and configured to store an air-fuel mixture; and
at least one valve configured to selectively provide the air-fuel mixture from the engine to the accumulator at a first time and store the air-fuel mixture within the accumulator at a second time,
wherein the accumulator provides the air-fuel mixture to the intake at a third time.
2. An engine comprising:
an intake;
an air-fuel path coupled to the intake;
an accumulator configured coupled to the air-fuel path and configured to store an air-fuel mixture; and
at least one valve configured to selectively provide the air-fuel mixture from the engine to the accumulator at a first time and store the air-fuel mixture within the accumulator at a second time,
wherein the at least one valve is configured to open and close the accumulator as a function of a state of the engine.
3. The engine of claim 2 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to open the accumulator in response to an ignition or an ignition command for the engine.
4. The engine of claim 2 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to open the accumulator in response to a shutoff or a shutoff command for the engine.
5. The engine of claim 2 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to close the accumulator in response to an elapsed time period measured from ignition of the engine or shutoff of the engine.
6. The engine of claim 2 , further comprising:
a turbocharger coupled to the air-fuel path, the turbocharger configured to pressurize the air-fuel mixture.
7. The engine of claim 6 , wherein the at least one valve and the accumulator are along the air-fuel path between the intake and the turbocharger.
8. A method comprising:
receiving data indicative of operation of an engine including an accumulator compartment; and
generating at least one command for an accumulator valve in response to the data indicative of operation of the engine,
wherein the at least one command for the accumulator valve opens the accumulator valve to release air and fuel mixture from the compartment or the at least one command for the accumulator valve closes the accumulator valve to store air and fuel mixture in the compartment.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
filtering the data indicative of the operation of the engine to identify an ignition of the engine or a shutoff of the engine.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one command closes the accumulator valve in response to the shutoff of the engine.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one command opens the accumulator valve in response to the ignition of the engine.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the air and fuel mixture released from the compartment reduces a startup time for the engine.
13. An apparatus comprising:
an accumulator configured coupled to an air-fuel path of an engine and configured to store an air-fuel mixture;
at least one valve configured to selectively provide the air-fuel mixture from the engine to the accumulator at a first time and store the air-fuel mixture within the accumulator at a second time; and
a controller configured to provide a plurality of commands to the at least one valve, the plurality of commands including an open command to release air and fuel mixture from the accumulator and a close command to store air and fuel mixture in the accumulator.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a wastegate command to fill the accumulator.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of commands are provided at different times.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of commands are provided according to a predetermined schedule.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined schedule is defined in response to an ignition of the engine, a throttle of the engine, or an accelerator associated with the engine.
18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the controller receives sensor data from one or more sensors and generates the plurality of commands in response to the sensor data.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the one or more sensors includes an oxygen sensor, an air fuel sensor, or a pressure sensor.
20. The engine of claim 1 , further comprising:
a turbocharger coupled to the air-fuel path, the turbocharger configured to pressurize the air-fuel mixture.