Manual emergency gas release system

• US 9,682,618 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2016
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agility Fuel Solutions LLC (Hexagon Composites ASA)
• Original Assignee: Agility Fuel Solutions LLC (Hexagon Composites ASA)
• Inventors: Sloan, Todd F., Baik, Seung W., Laycock, Jason, Forsberg, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US15/014,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20160229286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03006 Gas tanks B60K15/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03013 Control systems for LPG tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03026 comprising a valve
• 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 2015/03302 Electromagnetic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03328 Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03375 to improve security
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03561 Venting means working at specific times
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/06 using a magnet , e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/46 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/123 for gas bottles, cylinders or reservoirs for tank vehicles or for railway tank wagons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/056 Small (<1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/042 : Reducing risk of explosion
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 : by vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle fuel system is provided that includes a fuel tank and a manual vent system. The manual vent system includes an emergency valve and an actuator. The manual vent system is configured to cause the emergency valve to open after the actuator has been actuated.

Claims

1. A vehicle fuel system, comprising:

a fuel tank; and

a manual vent system, comprising;

an emergency valve; and

an actuator;

wherein the manual vent system is configured to cause the emergency valve to open after the actuator has been actuated, and

wherein a mechanical connection is provided between the actuator and the emergency valve such that movement of the actuator moves the mechanical connection to cause the valve to open.

2. The vehicle fuel system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection comprises a cable disposed in a sheath.

3. The vehicle fuel system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection comprises a time lag to delay the opening of the valve.

4. The vehicle fuel system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection is configured such that if severed the emergency valve is caused to open.

5. A vehicle fuel system, comprising:

a fuel tank; and

a manual vent system, comprising;

an emergency valve; and

an actuator;

wherein the manual vent system is configured to cause the emergency valve to open after the actuator has been actuated, and

wherein an electrical connection is provided between the actuator and the emergency valve such that movement of the actuator causes a signal to be sent to a controller that causes the valve to open.

6. The vehicle fuel system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to provide a time lag to delay the opening of the valve.

7. The vehicle fuel system of claim 5, wherein a signal provided along the electrical connection actuates a mechanism disposed adjacent to the valve to open the valve.

8. The vehicle fuel system of claim 7, wherein the mechanism disposed adjacent to the valve comprises a solenoid.

9. The vehicle fuel system of claim 5, wherein the electrical connection is disposed in a fire resistant structure.

10. The vehicle fuel system of claim 5, further comprising a secondary actuator disposed adjacent the valve, the secondary actuator configured to open the valve when actuated.

11. The vehicle fuel system of claim 5, wherein the controller is adapted to receive a wireless signal and in response to cause the valve to open.

12. The vehicle fuel system of claim 11, wherein the controller is adapted to provide a time lag to delay the opening of the valve.

13. The vehicle fuel system of claim 12, wherein the time lag is selectable by the actuator.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis; and

a fuel system coupled with the chasse, the fuel system comprising;

a fuel tank; and

a manual vent device comprising an emergency valve, an actuator, and a connector disposed between the actuator and the emergency valve actuator, the connector responsive to actuation of the actuator to cause the emergency valve to open, the connector having an accessible portion disposed along a surface of the vehicle;

wherein severing the connector at the accessible portion causes the emergency valve to open.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises a mechanical connection disposed between the actuator and the emergency valve.

16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises an electrical wire configured to convey current between the actuator and a controller.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein a signal provided along the electrical wire actuates a solenoid disposed adjacent to the valve to open the valve.

18. The vehicle fuel system of claim 16, wherein the electrical wire is disposed in a fire resistant structure.

19. The vehicle fuel system of claim 16, further comprising a mechanical actuator disposed at the valve and coupled with the valve to open the valve in the event the electrical wire is compromised.