Methods and systems are provided for providing vacuum to a brake booster via an aspirator system. In one example, a system may include an aspirator system fluidly coupled with a brake booster with no intervening components located therebetween.

Methods and systems are provided for providing vacuum to a brake booster via an aspirator system. In one example, a system may include an aspirator system fluidly coupled with a brake booster with no intervening components located therebetween.

Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

A method for operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle having a brake booster and a hydraulic brake boost wherein a brake pressure is detected and an underpressure, prevailing in an underpressure chamber of the brake booster is estimated on the basis of the detected brake pressure. The hydraulic brake boost controlled based on the estimated underpressure, with the estimated underpressure taking into account an actuation of the hydraulic brake boost.

A method for fault diagnosis of a vacuum system having a vacuum source and a vacuum consumer connected to the vacuum source via a connecting line with a non-return valve disposed in the connecting line upstream of the vacuum source. The method including indirectly determining a vacuum in the vacuum consumer based on an estimated vacuum value. Providing a flow sensor, using the flow sensor to measure a flow in the connecting line and drawing a conclusion regarding a defect based on the estimated vacuum value and the flow. An exemplary embodiment may also include a combined check valve and flow sensor.

A control device calculates an estimate of negative intake pressure based on the relationship between the rotation speed of a crankshaft and a throttle opening degree (Step S24). Then, the control device sets the estimate PE of the negative intake pressure, which is calculated in Step S24, to a greater value as combustion efficiency of CNG used in engine operation becomes higher (Step S25). When the corrected estimate PE of the negative intake pressure becomes smaller than or equal to a reference value PTh (Step S26: YES), the control device starts a negative pressure recovery procedure (Step S27).

Venturi devices are disclosed herein that include a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section, having a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap, a gate valve linearly translatable to open and close the Venturi gap, and an actuator connected to the gate valve to operatively move the gate valve between an open position and a closed position. The gate valve, in a longitudinal cross-section, is generally U-shaped, thereby having continuous, opposing sides that one each close the motive outlet and the discharge inlet and defining a void between the opposing sides that is in fluid communication with the suction port. The converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, and the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet.

A system and method for conserving vacuum within a vehicle is described. In one example, vacuum is conserved via limiting volume expansion of a brake booster working chamber.

A system and method for conserving vacuum within a vehicle is described. In one example, vacuum is conserved via limiting volume expansion of a brake booster working chamber.