Fueling system starter interrupt for an alternate fuel vehicle

• US 5,635,770 A
• Filed: 06/30/1995
• Issued: 06/03/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Veritek NGV Corporation
• Original Assignee: Beacon Power Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Schultz, Garth J., Evans, Alan F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/497,143
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 361/215, 361/216, 123/179.3, 123/198 DB, 123/198 DC, 70/242-244, 180/271, 180/286, 220/86.2, 220/DIG. 33, 220/746, 340/438, 340/450.2
• US Class Current: 307/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/33 Gasoline tank cap

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for interrupting operation of a starter of an alternatively-fueled motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises a fuel receptacle, a cover and a switch. The fuel receptacle has an electrically conductive, grounded fill opening. The cover mates with the fill opening of the fuel receptacle, and has a contact sensor which generates a ground signal indicative of contact between the cover and the fill opening. The switch communicates with the contact sensor and with the starter, and interrupts operation of the starter when no signal indicative of contact is received from the contact sensor.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling start up of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a fuel receptacle having an opening;

a cover having a contact sensor in selective contact with the opening, the contact sensor generating a ground signal indicative of such contact; and

a switch in communication with the contact sensor, the switch inhibiting start up of the motor vehicle when the signal is not received.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch is disposed in an electrical circuit including a starter for the motor vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal is transmitted by a wire extending between the cover and the switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opening of the fuel receptacle is grounded.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opening of the fuel receptacle comprises an electrically conductive material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opening of the fuel receptacle comprises metal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the contact sensor comprises a coil spring.

8. Apparatus for interrupting operation of a starter of an alternatively-fueled motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a fuel receptacle having a fill opening;

a cover having a contact sensor which generates a signal indicative of contact between the cover and the fill opening; and

a switch in communication with the contact sensor and with the starter, the switch interrupting operation of the starter when no signal indicative of contact is received from the contact sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the signal is transmitted by a wire extending between the contact sensor and the switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the signal is a ground signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fill opening of the fuel receptacle is grounded.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fill opening of the fuel receptacle comprises an electrically conductive material.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fill opening of the fuel receptacle comprises metal.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the contact sensor comprises a coil spring.

15. Apparatus for interrupting operation of a starter of an alternatively-fueled motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a fuel receptacle having an electrically conductive, grounded fill opening;

a cover adapted to mate with the fill opening of the fuel receptacle, the cover having a contact sensor which generates a ground signal indicative of contact between the cover and the fill opening; and

a switch in electrical communication with the contact sensor and with the starter, the switch interrupting operation of the starter when no signal indicative of contact is received from the contact sensor.