System and method for controlling a flow of air
View Patent ↗A method for controlling a flow of air includes establishing a level of vacuum in a booster device by generating the flow of air from the booster device using a pump. The method also includes determining whether the level of vacuum in the booster device has reached a predetermined value. The method additionally includes terminating the flow of air from the booster device when the level of vacuum in the booster device has reached the predetermined value. A system for controlling a flow of air according to the method may be incorporated into a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine that is adapted to drive the pump.
1. A method for controlling a flow of air, the method comprising:
establishing a level of vacuum in a booster device by generating the flow of air from the booster device using a pump having a negative pressure chamber and a positive pressure chamber;
determining whether the level of vacuum in the booster device has reached a predetermined value; and
terminating the flow of air from the booster device via a directional control valve, such that a pressure differential across the pump is reduced when the level of vacuum in the booster device has reached the predetermined value;
wherein said terminating the flow of air includes:
closing a flow path between the pump and the booster device; and
changing the direction of the flow of air by opening a flow path between the negative pressure chamber and the positive pressure chamber of the pump.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the booster device is a vacuum servo booster for an automobile braking system.
3. A system for controlling a flow of air, the system comprising:
a booster device configured to provide a vacuum assist when a level of vacuum has been established in the device;
a pump having a negative pressure chamber and a positive pressure chamber and configured to establish the level of vacuum in the booster device by generating the flow of air from the booster device; and
a directional control valve configured to terminate the flow of air from the booster device when the level of vacuum in the booster device has reached a predetermined value, such that a pressure differential across the pump is reduced;
wherein the directional valve terminates the flow of air by closing a flow path between the pump and the booster device, and changes the direction of the flow of air by opening a flow path between the negative pressure chamber and the positive pressure chamber of the pump.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the booster device is a vacuum servo booster for an automobile braking system.
5. A motor vehicle comprising:
an internal combustion engine;
a booster device configured to provide a vacuum assist when a level of vacuum has been established in the device; and
a system for controlling a flow of air from the booster device, the system including:
a pump having a negative pressure chamber and a positive pressure chamber and configured to establish the level of vacuum in the booster device by generating the flow of air from the booster device; and
a directional control valve configured to terminate the flow of air from the booster device when the level of vacuum in the booster device has reached a predetermined value, such that a pressure differential across the pump and a parasitic load on the engine are reduced;
wherein the directional valve terminates the flow of air by closing a flow path between the pump and the booster device, and changes the direction of the flow of air by opening a flow path between the negative pressure chamber and the positive pressure chamber of the pump.
6. The vehicle of claim 5 , further comprising a braking system, wherein the booster device is a vacuum servo booster for the braking system.
7. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the engine is a compression-ignition type.