Vent system for gaseous fueled vehicle

• US 6,446,616 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2001
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Reams, Lowell Allan, Kabat, Daniel Michael, Natkin, Robert Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis, Thomas N.
• Application Number:
  US09/682,949
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 123/525, 123/527, 123/529, 123/198.D, 123/3, 123/DIG.12
• US Class Current: 123/527
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/027 Determining the fuel pressure, temperature or volume flow, the fuel tank fill level or a valve position
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0209 Hydrocarbon fuels, e.g. methane or acetylene
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0224 Secondary gaseous fuel storages
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0242 Shut-off valves; Check valves; Safety valves; Pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/029 Arrangement on engines or vehicle bodies; Conversion to gaseous fuel supply systems
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0293 Safety devices; Fail-safe measures
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/20 characterised by means for preventing vapour lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

A ventilation system (11) is provided to prevent the buildup of gaseous fuel within the vehicle upon degradation of the performance of the various parts within the fuel distribution system. The vehicle (10) has a combustible gas fuel source within the vehicle. The ventilation system includes a fuel line (28) coupling the engine (18) and the gas source. A vent line (30) is coupled to a vent. A pressure regulator (56) and pressure relief valve (60) are coupled between fuel line (28) and vent line. When either or both the pressure regulator (56) or relief valve (60) become inoperable, gaseous fuel is coupled to the vent line.

Claims

1. A ventilation system for an automotive vehicle having a combustible gaseous fuel source within said vehicle and an engine, said system comprising:

a fuel line coupling said gas source to said engine;

a vent;

a vent line coupled to said vent;

a pressure regulator coupled to said fuel line and said vent line;

a pressure relief valve coupled to said fuel line and said vent line, and

a burst disk pressure coupled to said fuel line;

whereby upon inoperability of said pressure regulator or said relieve valve gaseous fuel is coupled to said vent line.

2. A ventilation system as recited In claim 1 wherein said vent comprises a roof vent.

3. A ventilation system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a burst disk coupled to said fuel line having a predetermined burst pressure.

4. A ventilation system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a thermal pressure relief device coupled to said fuel line and said vent line.

5. A ventilation system as recited in claim 4 wherein upon inoperability of said thermal pressure relief device, gaseous fuel is coupled to said vent line.

6. A ventilation system as recited in claim 1 wherein said combustible gas source comprises a hydrogen gas source and said combustible gas fuel comprises hydrogen.

7. An automotive vehicle comprising:

an engine;

a gaseous fuel source system coupled to said engine comprising,

a combustible gaseous fuel source;

said engine operating on combustible gaseous fuel;

a fuel line coupling said gas source to said engine;

a pressure regulator coupled to said fuel line;

a pressure relief valve coupled to said fuel line; and

a burst disk coupled to said fuel line; and

a vent system comprising,

a vent line coupled to said pressure regulator, said pressure relief valve and said burst disk, said vent line receiving gaseous fuel upon the inoperability of said pressure relief valve, said pressure regulator and said burst disk.

8. A ventilation system as recited in claim 7 wherein said vent comprises a roof vent.

9. A ventilation system as recited in claim 7 further comprising a burst disk coupled to said fuel line having a predetermined burst pressure.

10. A ventilation system as recited in claim 7 further comprising a thermal pressure relief device coupled to said fuel line and said vent line.

11. A ventilation system as recited in claim 10 wherein upon inoperability of said thermal pressure relief device, gaseous fuel is coupled to said vent line.

12. A method for operating a ventilation system for an automotive vehicle comprises:

providing a gaseous fuel storage tank coupled to a fuel line;

providing a regulator coupled between the fuel line and a vent line;

providing a pressure relief valve coupled between the fuel line and a vent line; and

upon inoperability of either the regulator or pressure relief valve, coupling gaseous fuel to said vent line;

providing a thermal pressure relief device coupled to said vent line; and

upon inoperability of said thermal pressure relief device, coupling gaseous fuel to said vent line.

13. A method for operating a ventilation system for an automotive vehicle comprises:

providing a gaseous fuel storage tank coupled to a fuel line;

providing a regulator coupled between the fuel line and a vent line;

providing a pressure relief valve coupled between the fuel line and a vent line;

upon inoperability of either the regulator or pressure relief valve, coupling gaseous fuel to said vent line;

providing a burst disk coupled to said vent line; and

coupling gaseous fuel to said vent line through said burst disk.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein coupling gaseous fuel to said vent line through the burst disk is performed upon inoperability of the regulator and pressure relief valve.