Vehicle fuel management system

• US 7,377,253 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: Mitchell, John E., Washeleski, John, Perrin, Randall L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, CARL STUART
• Application Number:
  US11/446,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20060225709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 123/198.D, 123/516, 123/198.DB, 220/86.1, 220/86.2, 220/88.1, 220/86.3, 141/301, 141/219, 141/59, 141/DIG.2, 141/348, 141/18, 307/10.1, 340/436, 180/274, 180/282, 180/277, 180/284
• US Class Current: 123/198.00D
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03504 adapted to avoid loss of fuel or fuel vapour, e.g. with vapour recovery systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0319 with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting for LPG tanks B60K2015/03013
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03557 comprising elements of the venting device integrated in the fuel tank, e.g. vapor recovery means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/003 Adding fuel vapours, e.g. drawn from engine fuel reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0032 Controlling the purging of the canister as a function of the engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0045 Estimating, calculating or determining the purging rate, amount, flow or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3082 Control of electrical fuel pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3809 Common rail control systems common rail apparatus F02M55/025, F02M63/0225
• 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 25/089 Layout of the fuel vapour installation
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0082 Devices inside the fuel tank other than fuel pumps or filters electrical pumps submerged in fuel tanks F02M37/10, jet pumps F02M37/025
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/106 the pump being installed in a sub-tank

Abstract

An integrated fuel management system and method for controlling the fuel storage and delivery in a vehicle. The fuel management system includes a fuel storage tank for storing fuel in a vehicle, a vapor collection canister located within the fuel storage tank, a vent actuator coupled to the vapor collection canister for venting gas from the canister during a vent operation, and a purge actuator is coupled to the vapor collection canister for purging fuel vapor from the vapor collection canister during a purge operation. A variable speed fuel pump is disposed within the fuel storage tank for delivering fuel to a fuel delivery line for an engine. The fuel management system has a controller provided in a module disposed in communication with the fuel for controlling the amount of fuel pumped with the variable speed fuel pump to deliver fuel to the fuel delivery line and further controlling the purge and vent actuators.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a fuel storage and delivery system in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

sensing a condition indicative of a vehicle collision; and

preventing the flow of fuel from the fuel storage and delivery system in response to detecting the vehicle collision condition includes blocking a fuel fill passage in response to sensing the condition indicative of a vehicle collision.

2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising shutting down a vehicle fuel pump in response to sensing the condition indicative of a vehicle collision.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of blocking a fuel fill passage in response to sensing the condition indicative of a vehicle collision is achieved by an electromechanical valve.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of blocking a fuel fill passage in response to sensing the condition indicative of a vehicle collision is achieved by an electromechanical valve.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the electromechanical valve is disposed within a fuel fill tube in communication with the fuel storage and delivery system.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the electromechanical valve is disposed within a fuel fill tube in communication with the fuel storage and delivery system.