I'm not sure what library the http_request() function is coming from, but is it possible that by passing kwargs it is overwriting your query parameters in the URL you are providing? Maybe try this instead:
api = https://xxxname.yyycompany.com/api/storage/quota/rules/d8b6b371-7b35-11eb-93cf-00a0989bbd8f
Kwargs = {"space": {"hard_limit": '1073741824'}, "return_timeout": 30}
Call = http_request('patch', api, kwargs)
Alternatively, if you are using Python are you aware of the netapp-ontap library? It may help you. Here is what the same operation would look like there:
from netapp_ontap import HostConnection
from netapp_ontap.resources import QuotaRule
rule = QuotaRule(uuid="d8b6b371-7b35-11eb-93cf-00a0989bbd8f")
rule.space = {"hard_limit": 1073741824}
rule.patch()
By default, it always waits for jobs to finish (polls them until they do). You can see more information and examples in the docs.