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

• US 7,757,709 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adel Wiggins Group (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Adel Wiggins Group (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cortez, Jose
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Price; Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/774,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 137/386, 137/393, 141/95, 141/198, 732/90.B, 733/02, 220/745
• 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 for automatic shutoff fast fill refueling of the fuel tank without pressurizing the fuel tank while fully venting the fuel tank to an outside environment, comprising:

a fuel tank;

a non-pressurizing receiver connected in communication with the fuel tank, the non-pressurizing receiver being configured to supply fuel to the fuel tank, the non-pressurizing receiver including a receiver body with an inlet and an outlet, a first valve and a second valve, and a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being connected in fluid communication with the inlet, the first valve disposed in said first chamber and biased to close the inlet, the inlet being connectable to a fuel supply, and the first valve operating to open the inlet when a fuel is received in the inlet from the fuel supply, the second valve connected to the second chamber, and the second valve being biased to close the outlet and operating to open the outlet when the second chamber is pressurized;

a sensor base section mounted to the fuel tank, the sensor base section including a sensor inlet for receiving fuel from the non-pressurizing receiver, a sensor outlet for returning fuel from the sensor base section to the non-pressurizing receiver, and a jet sensor connected between the sensor inlet and the sensor outlet, the jet sensor being connected in fluid communication between the receiver'"'"'s first and second chambers, the jet sensor being operative to provide a flow of fuel from the first chamber to the second chamber to pressurize the second chamber when fuel is below the jet sensor passageway, and operative to not pressurize the second chamber when fuel is at or above jet sensor passageway;

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 jet sensor, and said lower end being open to the contents of the fuel tank to permit fuel in the fuel tank to reach the jet sensor 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, said at least one vent outlet port being connected in communication with the outside environment such that said at least one interior vent and said interior of the fuel tank are connected in communication with the outside environment.

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.