Gaseous fuel management system for automotive vehicle
First Claim
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1. A gaseous fuel management system for an automotive vehicle having a passenger cabin and a prime mover, with said fuel management system comprising:
- a gaseous fuel storage tank;
a fuel line for conveying gaseous fuel from said storage tank to said prime mover, with said fuel line having at least one electronically controlled valve for controlling a flow of gaseous fuel in the fuel line;
at least one gas sensor for detecting a presence of gaseous fuel outside of the confines of at least one of said storage tank, said fuel line, and said prime mover, with said sensor emitting a gas detection signal if a concentration of fuel gas above a predetermined threshold level is detected;
a fuel management controller operatively connected with said electronically controlled valve and said gas sensor, with said controller closing said electronically controlled valve in the event that said gas sensor emits said gas detection signal.
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Abstract
A gaseous fuel management system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one gas sensor for detecting the presence of gaseous fuel outside of the confines of the vehicle'"'"'s fuel storage tank, fuel lines, and prime mover. In the event that fugitive gas is detected and the concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the fuel supply to the vehicle'"'"'s prime mover will be shut off and, if so equipped, the vehicle may then be operated in a battery power mode for the convenience of the driver.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A gaseous fuel management system for an automotive vehicle having a passenger cabin and a prime mover, with said fuel management system comprising:
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a gaseous fuel storage tank; a fuel line for conveying gaseous fuel from said storage tank to said prime mover, with said fuel line having at least one electronically controlled valve for controlling a flow of gaseous fuel in the fuel line; at least one gas sensor for detecting a presence of gaseous fuel outside of the confines of at least one of said storage tank, said fuel line, and said prime mover, with said sensor emitting a gas detection signal if a concentration of fuel gas above a predetermined threshold level is detected; a fuel management controller operatively connected with said electronically controlled valve and said gas sensor, with said controller closing said electronically controlled valve in the event that said gas sensor emits said gas detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a passenger cabin; a prime mover comprising an internal combustion engine; and a fuel management system comprising; a gaseous fuel storage tank mounted within an enclosure having at least one atmospheric circulator associated therewith; a fuel line for conveying gaseous fuel from said storage tank to said prime mover, with said fuel line having at least one electronically controlled valve for controlling a flow of gaseous fuel in the fuel line; at least one gas sensor for detecting a presence of gaseous fuel outside of the confines of at least one of said storage tank, said fuel line, and said prime mover, with said sensor emitting a gas detection signal if a concentration of fuel gas above a predetermined threshold level is detected; and
a fuel management controller operatively connected with said electronically controlled valve and said gas sensor, with said controller closing said electronically controlled valve and operating said at least one atmospheric circulator so as to ventilate said fuel storage tank enclosure in the event that said gas sensor emits said gas detection signal.
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22. An automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a passenger cabin; a prime mover comprising an internal combustion engine coupled to at least a traction motor/generator; and a fuel management system comprising; a gaseous fuel storage tank mounted within an enclosure having at least one atmospheric circulator associated therewith; a fuel line for conveying gaseous fuel from said storage tank to said prime mover, with said fuel line having at least one electronically controlled valve for controlling a flow of gaseous fuel in the fuel line; at least one gas sensor for detecting a presence of gaseous fuel outside of the confines of at least one of said storage tank, said fuel line, and said prime mover, with said sensor emitting a gas detection signal if a concentration of fuel gas above a predetermined threshold level is detected; a fuel management controller operatively, connected with said electronically controlled valve and said gas sensor, with said controller disabling said engine by closing said electronically controlled valve and operating said at least one atmospheric circulator so as to ventilate said fuel storage tank enclosure, while permitting continued operation of said vehicle with said traction motor/generator, in the event that said gas sensor emits said gas detection signal indicating a concentration of fuel gas in excess of a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of operating a gaseous fueled automotive vehicle having both a prime mover fueled by said gaseous fuel, and a traction motor/generator, comprising the steps of:
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providing a passive ventilation system to mitigate any significant buildup of fugitive fuel gas emissions within said vehicle; monitoring at least one interior space of said vehicle, so as to determine the presence of fugitive fuel gas within said space, by means of at least one electronic gas sensor; providing at least one atmospheric circulator for supplying ambient air to said least one space within said vehicle; and disabling operation of said prime mover, while allowing operation of said traction motor/generator, and operating said at least one atmospheric circulator so as to purge said at least one interior space of fugitive fuel gas, if fugitive gas is sensed while said vehicle is in operation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification