Fuel System

• US 20070233360A1
• Filed: 04/21/2005
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme) (Solvac SA)
• Original Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme) (Solvac SA)
• Inventors: McCleary, Ryan, Hill, David
• Application Number:
  US11/587,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233360A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03453 for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0623 Failure diagnosis or prevention; Safety measures; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0628 Determining the fuel pressure, temperature or flow, the fuel tank fill level or a valve position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0644 the gaseous fuel being hydrogen, ammonia or carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0655 at least one fuel being an alcohol, e.g. ethanol F02D19/084 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0657 Heavy or light fuel oils; Fuels characterised by their impurities such as sulfur content or differences in grade, e.g. for ships
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0665 Tanks, e.g. multiple tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0606 Fuel temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0611 Fuel type, fuel composition or fuel quality
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/003 Controlling the feeding of liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus control of electrical fuel pumps F02D41/3082, controlling fuel flow to a common rail F02D41/3845; Failure or leakage prevention; Diagnosis or detection of failure; Arrangement of sensors in the fuel system; Electric wiring; Electrostatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/08 adding fuel vapours drawn from engine fuel reservoir electrical control of purge system F02D41/003
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/0809 Judging failure of purge control system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/00 Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0076 Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/10 submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A vehicle fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprises a fuel tank, at least one fuel system component, at least one sensor (4, 5, 6) and a fuel system control unit (FSCU). The FSCU (2) is different from an engine control system (1) and has means for controlling functions of the fuel system. It is connected with at least one fuel system component to send signals or receive signals from it. It is also connected to at least one sensor (4, 5, 6) that sends signals to the FSCU (2) and/or the engine control system. It is adapted to electronically communicate with the engine control system. This FSCU (2) is external to the fuel tank.

Claims

1. A fuel system for an internal combustion engine operating with the aid of an engine control system, the fuel system comprising a fuel tank, at least one fuel system component exercising at least one function and a fuel system control unit (FSCU) controlling at least said function, the FSCU

a) being separated from the engine control system,

b) being external to the fuel tank.

2. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU

a) has means for controlling functions of the fuel system,

b) is connected with the at least one fuel system component to send signals or receive signals from said at least one fuel system component,

c) is connected with at least one sensor that sends signals to the FSCU and/or the engine control system, either directly or on a network system contained within the vehicle.

d) is adapted to electronically communicate with the engine control system.

3. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU is mounted to the fuel tank.

4. The fuel system according to claim 3, wherein the FSCU is mounted to a tank flange.

5. The fuel system according to claim 4, wherein the tank flange is the fuel delivery module flange.

6. The fuel system according to claim 3, wherein the FSCU is mounted in a recess either in the tank wall, or in the flange.

7. The fuel system according to claim 6, wherein the recess is a recess in the tank wall molded by using a stamped steel ring.

8. The fuel system according to claim 6, wherein the recess integrates a heat sink as part of a cover.

9. The fuel system according to claim 3, wherein the FSCU is mounted to a moulded-in element on the tank wall.

10. The fuel system according to claim 3, wherein the FSCU is located in a casing that is welded to the tank wall.

11. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fuel system component is chosen among

a) a fuel pump which draws fuel from the fuel tank and discharges fuel from the fuel tank through an opening in the fuel tank wall,

b) a fuel vapour canister that is disposed within the fuel tank and through which any air received into or discharged out of the fuel tank travels,

c) one or more vapour or roll-over type valves communicating with the fuel vapour canister,

d) or any other type of fuel system component,

and wherein said at least one sensor is chosen among an electronic fuel level sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a hydrocarbon vapour sensor, an On-Board-Diagnostic (OBD) sensor or any other type of sensor.

12. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU controls the application of electrical power to the fuel pump.

13. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU generates a pulse-width-modulated current to control the fuel pump speed.

14. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is in communication with the fuel pump outlet to provide an indication of the fuel pump output pressure to said FSCU.

15. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU controls the vapour management in the fuel system.

16. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU controls the purging of the fuel vapour canister.

17. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU controls the detection of failure in an evaporative emission control system.

18. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU controls any fuel or vapour leakage out of the fuel system.

19. The fuel system according to claim 11, wherein the FSCU comprises a relay to provide indication of a refueling event of the fuel tank.

20. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU comprises a vent solenoid relay to control vapour venting of the fuel system.

21. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU comprises a relay to control an additive dosing system.

22. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU comprises a relay to control a capless fill head.

23. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU detects pressure conditions in the fuel tank.

24. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU communicates with said engine control system via a vehicle CAN bus.

25. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein said engine control system external to the fuel tank is a vehicle engine control system (ECS).

26. The fuel system according to claim 1, wherein the FSCU is a low power microprocessor.