Integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent for vehicles

• US 7,258,130 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adel Wiggins Group (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Adel Wiggins Group (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cortez, Jose
• Primary Examiner(s): Keasel; Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Price; Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/029,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20050166966A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 137/393, 137/386, 141/95, 141/198, 732/90.B, 733/02
• US Class Current: 137/393
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/035 characterised by venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/126 actuated by fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/18 closed when a rising liquid reaches a predetermined level float-actuated valves F16K31/18
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/04 for venting only F16K24/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/32 at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0053 with over-flow pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/162 by a liquid column
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/00 Level control, e.g. controlling quantity of material stored in vessel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7287 Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7303 Control of both inflow and outflow of tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/731 With control fluid connection at desired liquid level

Abstract

The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor vent assembly is designed for use in conjunction with a non-pressurizing tank fast fill system, and to support automatic shutoff fast fill refueling of vehicles. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor vent assembly is mounted to a fuel tank and exposed inside the fuel tank for sensing a predetermined level of fuel within the fuel tank and allowing fully vented refueling.

Claims

1. An integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly for sensing a predetermined level of fuel within a fuel tank while fully venting the fuel tank, comprising:

a sensor base section including a sensor inlet for receiving fuel from a fuel supply and a sensor outlet for returning fuel from the sensor;

a fuel channel connected in communication between the sensor inlet and sensor outlet, the fuel channel including an outlet orifice and an inlet orifice spaced apart by a cutout section, the outlet orifice being aligned with the inlet orifice to conduct a stream of fuel across the cutout section to the inlet orifice, the cutout section exposing the stream of fuel between the outlet orifice and the inlet orifice to the contents of the fuel tank, whereby fuel in the fuel tank reaching the cutout section will interrupt the stream of fuel, thereby interrupting flow of fuel through the jet sensor;

a protective shield having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end mounted to said sensor base section, said protective shield surrounding said cutout section, and said lower end being open to the contents of the fuel tank to permit fuel in the fuel tank to reach the cutout section through said lower end;

at least one interior vent channel in the sensor base section for communication with the interior of the fuel tank; and

at least one vent outlet port in communication with said at least one interior vent channel to fully vent the fuel tank.

2. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly of claim 1, wherein said base section includes a jet sensor cover having a wall, and said at least one vent outlet port is formed in the wall.

3. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly of claim 2, wherein said at least one vent outlet port is covered by a filter to maintain the fuel tank free from contamination.

4. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor inlet has a diameter that is larger than a corresponding diameter of the sensor outlet.

5. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the fuel channel comprises a first section connected in communication with the sensor inlet for receiving fuel from the sensor inlet and for directing the stream of the fuel to the outlet orifice across the cutout section to the inlet orifice.

6. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly of claim 5, wherein said first section of the fuel channel includes a tapered section which funnels fuel from the first section to the outlet orifice.

7. The integrated jet fluid level shutoff sensor and fuel tank vent assembly of claim 5, wherein the fuel channel comprises a second section connected in communication with the sensor outlet, the inlet orifice being connected in communication with the second section to conduct fuel to flow out through the sensor outlet.

8. An integrated sensor vent assembly in combination with a refueling system for a fuel tank including a receiver removably connected to an automatic shutoff refueling nozzle, the integrated sensor vent assembly being operatively connected to the fuel tank for sensing a predetermined level of fuel within the fuel tank, the integrated sensor vent assembly being connected to the receiver, the integrated sensor vent assembly comprising:

a sensor base section including a sensor inlet for receiving fuel from the receiver, a sensor outlet for returning fuel to the receiver, and at least one vent outlet port;

a fuel channel connected in communication between the sensor inlet and sensor outlet, the fuel channel including an outlet orifice and an inlet orifice spaced apart by a cutout section, the outlet orifice being aligned with the inlet orifice to conduct a stream of fuel across the cutout section to the inlet orifice, the cutout section exposing the stream of fuel between the outlet orifice and the inlet orifice to the contents of the fuel tank, whereby fuel in the fuel tank reaching the cutout section will interrupt the stream of fuel, thereby interrupting flow of fuel through the integrated sensor vent assembly, and whereby fuel is permitted to flow through the receiver when the level of fuel in the fuel tank is below the integrated sensor vent assembly, and fuel is not permitted to flow through the receiver when fuel in the fuel tank is at or above the integrated sensor vent assembly;

a protective shield having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end mounted to said sensor base section, said protective shield surrounding said cutout section, and said lower end being open to the contents of the fuel tank to permit fuel in the fuel tank to reach the cutout section through said lower end; and

the sensor base section including at least one interior vent channel communicating between the fuel tank and said at least one vent outlet port, whereby the fuel tank is fully vented.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said base section includes a sensor cover having a wall forming an upper vent chamber, said at least one interior vent channel being in communication with the upper vent chamber, said at least one vent outlet port being formed in the wall.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said at least one vent outlet port is covered by a filter to maintain the fuel tank free from contamination.

11. The combination of claim 8, wherein said sensor inlet has a diameter that is larger than a corresponding diameter of the sensor outlet.

12. The combination of claim 8, wherein the fuel channel comprises a first section connected in communication with the sensor inlet for receiving fuel from the sensor inlet and for directing the stream of the fuel to the outlet orifice across the cutout section to the inlet orifice.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said first section of the fuel channel includes a tapered section which funnels fuel from the first section to the outlet orifice.

14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the fuel channel comprises a second section connected in communication with the sensor outlet, the inlet orifice being connected in communication with the second section to conduct fuel to flow out through the sensor outlet.

15. In a refueling system including a fuel tank, a non-pressurizing receiver connected in communication with the fuel tank, the receiver adapted to receive a fuel nozzle and to control a flow of fuel from the fuel nozzle through the receiver into the fuel tank, and a sensor means operatively connected to the fuel tank for sensing a predetermined level of fuel within the fuel tank, the sensor means being connected in communication with the receiver, the sensor means being operative to allow the flow of fuel through the receiver when the level of fuel in the fuel tank is below the sensor means, and the sensor means being operative to shut off the flow of fuel through the receiver when the level of fuel is at or above the sensor means, the improvement in the refueling system comprising:

a protective shield having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end mounted to and surrounding said sensor means, said lower end being open to contents of the fuel tank to permit fuel in the fuel tank to reach the sensor means through said lower end; and

a vent formed integrally with the sensor means providing for full venting of the fuel tank during fast fill refueling.