Natural gas vehicle tank life sensor and control
First Claim
1. A natural gas vehicle fuel system comprising:
- a composite pressure vessel for storing natural gas, the vessel including an internal storage space accessible via a port opening;
a solenoid valve operatively coupled to said port opening for selectively connecting said storage space to a natural gas supply for filling or to a vehicle engine, in use;
sensing means integrally mounted with said vessel for sensing a select event of vessel operation indicative of the vessel exceeding a useful life expectancy; and
control means operatively associated with said sensing for controlling said solenoid valve operation, said control means preventing further operation of said solenoid valve after the vessel has exceeded the useful life expectancy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A natural gas vehicle fuel system includes a composite pressure vessel for storing natural gas. The vessel includes an internal storage space accessible via a port opening. A solenoid valve is operatively coupled to the port opening for selectively connecting the storage space to a natural gas supply for filling or to a vehicle engine, in use. A sensor is integrally mounted with the vessel for sensing a select event of vessel operation indicative of the vessel exceeding a useful life expectancy. A control is operatively associated with the sensor for controlling the valve operation, the control preventing further operation of the solenoid valve after the vessel has exceeded the useful life expectancy.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A natural gas vehicle fuel system comprising:
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a composite pressure vessel for storing natural gas, the vessel including an internal storage space accessible via a port opening; a solenoid valve operatively coupled to said port opening for selectively connecting said storage space to a natural gas supply for filling or to a vehicle engine, in use; sensing means integrally mounted with said vessel for sensing a select event of vessel operation indicative of the vessel exceeding a useful life expectancy; and control means operatively associated with said sensing for controlling said solenoid valve operation, said control means preventing further operation of said solenoid valve after the vessel has exceeded the useful life expectancy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification