System and method for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle

The system uses a wide-band lambda sensor and fuel level sensor to provide real-time, precise ethanol content indication in flex-fuel vehicles, enhancing engine performance and efficiency by continuously assessing ethanol concentration.

WO2026068998A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-02TATA MOTORS LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-11-22
Publication Date
2026-04-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems for determining ethanol content in flex-fuel vehicles are costly and lack precision and real-time data, impacting engine performance and efficiency.

Method used

A system utilizing a wide-band lambda sensor to assess ethanol concentration through exhaust gases, combined with a fuel level sensor and engine control unit, to provide precise and real-time ethanol content indication on the vehicle's instrument cluster without additional sensors.

Benefits of technology

Enables real-time, precise determination of ethanol content, optimizing knock control, ignition timing, and fuel efficiency by continuously assessing ethanol concentration in the fuel.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (100) and a method (400) for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle (10). The system includes a plurality of fuel lines (120), an engine control unit (102) configured for generating a first ethanol content signal (114) for a predefined time. The first ethanol content signal (114) is indicative of a first predetermined value of the ethanol content. The system (100) further includes a fuel level sensor (108) configured to generate a plurality of fuel level signals, a vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) configured to compute a predefined increase in the fuel level, the first ethanol content signal (114) and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines (120) to generate a second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time. Also, the system (100) includes a display unit (106) configured to indicate the first predetermined value of the ethanol content for the predefined time and further indicates the second predetermined value of the ethanol content after the predefined time.
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Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDICATING AN ETHANOL CONTENT OF A FUEL IN A FLEX-FUEL VEHICLE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Present invention, in general, relates to field of vehicles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a system and a method for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] With higher rate of depletion of the non-renewable fuels as well as due to the concern for the environment, ethanol or a blend of gasoline and ethanol is increasingly being used as alternative energy source for vehicle operation. So-called flex-fuel, a blend of ethanol and gasoline, is being used to drive internal combustion engines of vehicles. Usually, the ethanol content of said fuels varies between 20% and 85%. Thereby, the major challenge that typically arises is in determining that the internal combustion engine to be driven according to the prevailing ethanol content of fuel in use. However, in refueling, an ethanol blend different from the prevailing ethanol blend may be refueled. As gasoline and ethanol have a different combustion behavior, a different blend of ethanol content fueled to the vehicle typically impacts knock control, an ignition timing and stoichiometric air fuel ratio that resulting in deviation from an optimal injection of the air / fuel mixture, thereby affecting fuel efficiency.

[0006] Conventionally, to overcome existing challenges of determining ethanol content of fuel on vehicle before and after refuelling, solutions such as an additional ethanol- specific sensor also referred as a fuel detection sensor is installed on the vehicle for determining ethanol content of the fuel. However, installing of such sensor adds high cost to the vehicle. Another known solution is utilising existing wide-band lambda sensor mounted in a vehicle's exhaust system for determining ethanol content by an engine control unit. Major disadvantage with this solution is lack in precise determination of ethanol content of fuel in real-time by a vehicle user. Hence, challenges in the known solutions involves high cost and lacks in delivering precise and real-time data on ethanol content of the fuel on the vehicle. This critically impacts engine performance and efficiency.

[0007] The present invention is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above. The background section of the present invention should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. The drawbacks / difficulties / disadvantages / limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the invention would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this invention and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks / disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a system and a method for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the system and the method for indicating the ethanol content of the fuel in the flex-fuel vehicle as claimed in the present invention.

[0010] Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the present invention.

[0011] In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a system for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of fuel lines configured for supplying the fuel from a fuel tank to an engine, an engine control unit configured for detecting a predefined ethanol content in the fuel based on a plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals. The engine control unit also configured to generate a first ethanol content signal for a predefined time after refueling of said vehicle. Said first ethanol content signal is indicative of a first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel. The system further includes a fuel level sensor configured to monitor level of the fuel in said fuel tank. Said fuel level sensor generates a plurality of fuel level signals indicative of change in fuel level. Also, said system includes a vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) being communicatively coupled to said fuel level sensor. The vehicle electronic control unit (VECU), upon receiving a fuel level signal indicative of a predefined increase in a fuel level after said refueling, computes said predefined increase in the fuel level, said first ethanol content signal and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines to generate a second ethanol content signal after said predefined time. Further, the system includes a display unit communicatively connected to said engine control unit and said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU). The display unit is configured to indicate said first predetermined value of the ethanol content for said predefined time and further indicates said second predetermined value of the ethanol content after said predefined time.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, said first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel may correspond to an ethanol content value of the fuel before refueling said vehicle.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, said second predetermined value of ethanol content in said fuel may correspond to an ethanol content value of the fuel after refueling said vehicle.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, said first predetermined value of the ethanol content in said fuel may be equivalent to said second predetermined value of the ethanol content when same ethanol blend, ranging from E20 to E85, is refueled.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, said first predetermined value of the ethanol content in said fuel may differ with said second predetermined value of ethanol content when a different ethanol blend, ranging from E20 to E85, is refueled.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, said predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines corresponds to a predefined length of each of said plurality of fuel lines.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, said plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals are generated by a wide-band lambda sensor positioned in an engine exhaust system (not shown) by determining an oxygen content in exhaust gases to continuously assess an ethanol concentration in said fuel.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit is configured to receive the first ethanol content signal from the engine control unit and the second ethanol content signal from the vehicle electronic control unit. Upon receiving the first ethanol content signal, the display unit indicates the first predetermined ethanol content value of the fuel on a vehicle for said predefined time after refueling. Further, said display unit, upon receiving the second ethanol content signal, after said predefined time, displays said second predetermined value of the ethanol content of the fuel on the vehicle.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, said predefined time after refueling may correspond to time involved in covering a predefined distance by said vehicle after refueling.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, said predefined time after refueling may corresponds to a predefined pulse width of an engine fuel injector indicating amount of time involved in supply of said predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines and also supply of a predefined amount of fuel from the fuel tank subtracting an predefined increased fuel volume, to engine.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle is disclosed. Said method includes steps of supplying the fuel from a fuel tank to an engine, detecting a predefined ethanol content of the fuel based on a plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals and generating a first ethanol content signal for a predefined time after refueling of said vehicle. The first ethanol content signal is indicative of the first predetermined value of the ethanol content in said fuel. Further, said method includes steps of monitoring level of the fuel in said fuel tank and computing, upon receiving a fuel level signal indicative of a predefined increase in a fuel level, said predefined increase in the fuel level, said first ethanol content signal and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said fuel to generate a second ethanol content signal after said predefined time. Also, said method includes the steps of indicating said first predetermined value of ethanol content for said predefined time and further indicates said second predetermined value of the ethanol content after said predefined time.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, said display unit indicates said first predetermined ethanol content value and said second predetermined ethanol content value along with a first LED indication mode and a second LED indication mode, respectively.

[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel system and a method for the real-time and precise determination of an ethanol content in the flex-fuel vehicles, thereby facilitating an optimal knock control, an ignition at the ideal point in time, a fuel-injection with the correct air / fuel mixture etc.

[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved system and a method of indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in the flex-fuel vehicles by utilizing an existing wideband lambda sensor positioned in the vehicle's exhaust system, thus obviating the need for an installation of an additional and high-cost ethanol- specific sensor. In particular, said disclosed system configured to operate by employing a wide-band lambda sensor to continuously assess ethanol concentration through the analysis of oxygen content in the exhaust gases.

[0025] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved system configured for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in the flex-fuel vehicle and further configured for sending one or more ethanol contents values for display on a vehicle instrument cluster, thereby providing a precise and real-time ethanol content value on the vehicle.

[0026] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system and a method that is configured for displaying an ethanol content of a flex-fuel in a form of an ethanol composition in a fuel-blend after refueling the vehicle through one or more modes of display on a vehicle instrument panel.

[0027] Advantageously, the present invention discloses an improved system and a method of indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in the flex-fuel on a vehicle instrument cluster / display unit without using additional sensors, thereby delivering precise and instantaneous data on the ethanol content of the fuel after refuelling of the vehicle.

[0028] It is advantages to provide a system and a method for a flex-fuel vehicle that is configured for facilitating a high-precision determination of an ethanol content of the fuel in the flex-fuel vehicle in real-time data transmission, and indicates said determined ethanol content on a vehicle instrument cluster. Moreover, said improved system facilitates in augmenting vehicle driver’s capability to make data-driven decisions regarding fuel utilization through said indicated value of ethanol content on the vehicle instrument cluster, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and optimizing engine performance.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

[0030] The novel features and characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[0031] Figure. 1 shows a vehicle level diagram illustrating a system for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure. 2 illustrates a plurality of fuel lines connecting a fuel tank to an engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure. 3a illustrates a display unit of said system of Figure.1 indicating a first predetermined ethanol content value of the fuel for a predefined time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure.3b illustrates the display unit of said system of Figure.1 indicating a second predetermined ethanol content value of the fuel after a predefined time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure.4 illustrates a method for indicating the ethanol content of the fuel in the flex-fuel vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The figures depict embodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present invention, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this invention.

[0038] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that the system comprises a list of features / elements or steps does not include only those features / elements, but may include other features and elements not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or structure. In other words, one or more features / elements in a system proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system thereof. Also, the terms like “at least one” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention relates to a system and a method that is configured for computing a predefined increase in a fuel level after a vehicle refueling, said first ethanol content signal generated by an engine control unit and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said fuel to generate a second ethanol content signal that corresponds to a precise and a realtime indication of an ethanol content of the fuel in flex-fuel vehicle after predefined time of refueling the vehicle, thereby delivering instantaneous data on the ethanol content of the fuel to the user of a vehicle without utilising installation of additional sensors on vehicles.

[0040] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the invention are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures. 1 to 4, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[0041] Figure. 1 shows a vehicle level diagram (1) illustrating a system (100) for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle (10), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated embodiment, said system (100) includes a plurality of fuel lines (120) configured for supplying the fuel from a fuel tank (112) to an engine (110), an engine control unit (102) configured to detect a predefined ethanol content in the fuel based on a plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals. In particular, as per an illustrated embodiment, said engine control unit (102) is communicatively coupled to a wideband lambda sensor (not shown) to continuously assess / detect the ethanol content through the analysis of an oxygen content in the exhaust gases of an engine exhaust system (not shown). The engine control unit (102) further generates a first ethanol content signal (114) for a predefined time after refueling of said vehicle (10). The first ethanol content signal (114) is indicative of a first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel. Further, said system (100) includes a fuel level sensor (108) that is configured to monitor level of the fuel in said fuel tank (112). The fuel level sensor (108) generates a plurality of fuel level signals (118) indicative of change in fuel level. As per an illustrated embodiment, said system (100) also includes a vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) being communicatively coupled to said fuel level sensor (108) and is configured to receive said fuel level signals (118) from said fuel level sensor (108). Thus, upon receiving a fuel level signal (118) indicative of a predefined increase in a fuel level after the refueling, said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) computes said predefined increase in the fuel level, said first ethanol content signal (114) and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines (120) to generate a second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time. In an illustrated embodiment, said first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel may be equivalent to said second predetermined value of the ethanol content when same ethanol blend, ranging from E20 to E85, is refueled. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure. 3(a) said first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel may differ with said second predetermined value of ethanol content, as illustrated in Figure. 3(b), when a different ethanol blend, ranging from E20 to E85, is refueled. More specifically, as per the exemplary embodiment, Figure 3(a) illustrates the first predetermined value of the ethanol content as 85% indicated on a display unit (106) for the predefined time after the refueling. In an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, said predefined time after refueling may correspond to time involved in covering a predefined distance by said vehicle (10) after refueling. In another embodiment of the present invention, said predefined time after refueling may corresponds to a predefined pulse width of an engine fuel injector (not shown) indicating amount of time involved in supply of a predefined amount of fuel from the fuel tank (112) subtracting an predefined increased fuel volume to the engine (110). Again, referring to Figure 3(b), as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display unit (106) indicates the second predetermined value of the ethanol content as 20% after said predefined time. During said predefined time, the vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) is configured to compute one or more vehicle parameters such as said predefined increase in the fuel level, said first ethanol content signal (114) and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines (120) to generate a second ethanol content signal (116) that corresponds to precise and correct ethanol content in the fuel received in the vehicle (10) during refueling. The display unit (106) indicates said first predetermined ethanol content value and said second predetermined ethanol content value through a first LED indication mode (300) and a second LED indication mode (302), respectively. Said first LED indication mode (300) may radiate red LED indicative of the display unit (106) indicating the ethanol content of fuel before refueling, as illustrated in Figure 3(a). After said predefined time, said display unit (106) indicates second LED indication mode (302), as illustrated in Figure 3(b), that may radiate green LED indicative of the display unit (106) indicating the ethanol content of the fuel after refueling.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2, as per an illustrated embodiment, the vehicle (10) is refueled by accessing fuel filling port through opening of a fuel flap (200). The plurality of fuel lines (120) is configured to supply the fuel from the fuel tank (112) to the engine (110).

[0043] Again referring to Figure 1, said display unit (106) that is communicatively connected to said engine control unit (102) and said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) is configured to indicate said first predetermined value of the ethanol content for said predefined time and further indicates said second predetermined value of the ethanol content after said predefined time. More specifically, as per an illustrated embodiment, said display unit (106) is configured to receive the first ethanol content signal (114) from the engine control unit (102) and the second ethanol content signal (116) from the vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104). Said display unit (106), upon receiving the first ethanol content signal (114) indicates the first predetermined ethanol content value of the fuel on said vehicle for said predefined time after refueling. Further, said display unit (106) upon receiving the second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time, displays said second predetermined value of the ethanol content of the fuel on the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, said display unit (106) is a vehicle instrument cluster. As per an illustrated embodiment, said predefined time after refueling may correspond to time involved in covering a predefined distance by said vehicle (10) after refueling. In an exemplary embodiment, as per present invention, said predefined time after refueling may corresponds to a predefined pulse width of an engine fuel injector indicating amount of time involved in supply of a predefined amount of fuel from the fuel tank (112) subtracting an predefined increased fuel volume to said engine (110).

[0044] Figure.4 illustrates a method (400) for indicating the ethanol content of the fuel in the flexfuel vehicle (10), in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As per an illustrated embodiment, the method (400) starts at step 402. At step 402, said pluraity of fuel lines (120) supplies the fuel from the fuel tank (112) to the engine (110). Further, in next step 404, said engine control unit (102) performs detecting of the predefined ethanol content in the fuel based on the plurality of estimated stoichiometric air- fuel ratio input signals. The engine control unit (102) further generates the first ethanol content signal (114) for the predefined time after refueling of said vehicle (10). The first ethanol content signal (114) indicative of a first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel. In step 406, a fuel level sensor (108) performs monitoring the level of the fuel in said fuel tank (112). The fuel level sensor (108) configured to generate a plurality of fuel level signals indicative of change in the fuel level. In an illustrated embodiment, said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) is communicatively coupled to said fuel level sensor (108). Thus, upon receiving a fuel level signal (118) indicative of a predefined increase in a fuel level after said refueling, the vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) at step 408 performs computation of said predefined increase in the fuel level, the first ethanol content signal (114) and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines (120) to generate a second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time. The method (400) then moves to step 410. At step 410, the display unit (106) being communicatively connected to said engine control unit (102) and said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) indicates said first predetermined value of the ethanol content for said predefined time and further indicates said second predetermined value of the ethanol content after said predefined time.

[0045] EQUIVALENTS

[0046] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0047] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0048] In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0049] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Referral numerals:

Claims

We Claim:

1. A system (100) for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle (10), said system (100) comprising: a plurality of fuel lines (120) configured for supplying the fuel from a fuel tank (112) to an engine (110); an engine control unit (102) configured for detecting a predefined ethanol content in the fuel based on a plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals, said engine control unit (102) generates a first ethanol content signal (114) for a predefined time after refueling of said vehicle (10), said first ethanol content signal (114) indicative of a first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel; a fuel level sensor (108) configured to monitor level of the fuel in said fuel tank (112), said fuel level sensor (108) configured to generate a plurality of fuel level signals indicative of change in fuel level; a vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104) communicatively coupled to said fuel level sensor (108), said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104), upon receiving a fuel level signal (118) indicative of a predefined increase in a fuel level after said refueling, computes said predefined increase in the fuel level, said first ethanol content signal (114) and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines (120) to generate a second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time; and a display unit (106) communicatively connected to said engine control unit (102) and said vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104), said display unit (106) configured to indicate said first predetermined value of the ethanol content for said predefined time and further indicates said second predetermined value of the ethanol content after said predefined time.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel may correspond to an ethanol content value of the fuel before refueling said vehicle (10).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second predetermined value of ethanol content of the fuel may correspond to an ethanol content value of the fuel after refueling said vehicle (10).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel may be equivalent to said second predetermined value of the ethanol content when same ethanol blend, ranging from E20 to E85, is refueled.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first predetermined value of the ethanol content of said fuel may differ with said second predetermined value of ethanol content when a different ethanol blend, ranging from E20 to E85, is refueled.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined volume of fuel content in said plurality of fuel lines (120) corresponds to a predefined length of each of said plurality of fuel lines (120).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals are generated by a wide-band lambda sensor positioned in an engine exhaust system (not shown) by determining an oxygen content in exhaust gases to continuously assess an ethanol concentration in said fuel.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display unit (106) is configured to receive the first ethanol content signal (114) from the engine control unit (102) and the second ethanol content signal (116) from the vehicle electronic control unit (VECU) (104); and wherein said display unit (106), upon receiving the first ethanol content signal (114) indicates the first predetermined ethanol content value of the fuel for said predefined time after refueling; and further wherein said display unit (106), upon receiving the second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time, displays said second predetermined value of the ethanol content of the fuel.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predefined time after refueling may correspond to time involved in covering a predefined distance by said flex-fuel vehicle (10) after refueling.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predefined time after refueling may corresponds to a predefined pulse width of an engine fuel injector indicating amount of time involved in supply of a predefined amount of fuel from the fuel tank (112) subtracting an predefined increased fuel volume, to the engine (110).

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display unit (106) indicates said first predetermined ethanol content value and said second predetermined ethanol content value through a first LED indication mode (300) and a second LED indication mode (302) , respectively.

12. A method (400) for indicating an ethanol content of a fuel in a flex-fuel vehicle (10), said method (400) comprising steps of:supplying the fuel from a fuel tank (112) to an engine (110); detecting a predefined ethanol content of the fuel based on a plurality of estimated stoichiometric air-fuel ratio input signals and generating a first ethanol content signal (114) for a predefined time after refueling of said vehicle (10), said first ethanol content signal (114) indicative of a first predetermined value of the ethanol content in said fuel; monitoring level of the fuel in said fuel tank (112); computing, upon receiving a fuel level signal indicative of a predefined increase in a fuel level, said predefined increase in the fuel level, said first ethanol content signal (114) and a predetermined volume of fuel content in said fuel to generate a second ethanol content signal (116) after said predefined time; and indicating said first predetermined value of ethanol content for said predefined time and further indicating said second predetermined value of the ethanol content after said predefined time.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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