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Fuel interface modules and related systems and methods

  • US 8,991,423 B2
  • Filed: 05/10/2011
  • Issued: 03/31/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fuel interface module that is configured to be coupled with a fuel tank and with a pressure regulator, the fuel interface module comprising:

  • a body that comprises a fuel inlet port, a fuel storage port, a filter port, and a fuel channel that connects each port to the other ports, wherein one or more mounting channels extend through at least a portion of the body, wherein the one or more mounting channels are configured to receive mounting hardware therein so as to mount the fuel interface module to a vehicle, wherein the one or more mounting channels extend through an upper face of the body toward a lower face thereof, and wherein the upper face of the body is devoid of ports for receiving controlling or analyzing components;

    a check valve coupled with the fuel inlet port, wherein the check valve is configured to permit a gaseous fuel to be introduced into the fuel channel via the fuel inlet port and is configured to prevent the gaseous fuel from exiting the fuel channel via the fuel inlet port;

    a shutoff valve coupled with the body, wherein the shutoff valve is configured to transition between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein when the shutoff valve is in the open orientation, it is configured to permit a gaseous fuel to flow from the fuel channel through the fuel storage port so as to fill a fuel tank or to permit a gaseous fuel from a fuel tank to flow through the fuel storage port into the fuel channel for subsequent delivery to a pressure regulator, and wherein when the shutoff valve is in the closed orientation, it is configured to prevent a gaseous fuel from flowing through the fuel storage port; and

    a coalescing filter assembly coupled with the filter port, wherein the coalescing filter assembly is configured to filter oil from a gaseous fuel that is received from a fuel tank into the fuel channel via the fuel storage port prior to delivery of the gaseous fuel to a pressure regulator, and wherein the coalescing filter assembly extends downwardly from a lower face of the body.

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