CA2360339A1 - Vehicle fuel tank management - Google Patents

Vehicle fuel tank management Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2360339A1
CA2360339A1 CA002360339A CA2360339A CA2360339A1 CA 2360339 A1 CA2360339 A1 CA 2360339A1 CA 002360339 A CA002360339 A CA 002360339A CA 2360339 A CA2360339 A CA 2360339A CA 2360339 A1 CA2360339 A1 CA 2360339A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
gas
vehicle
fuel
cycle
compressor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002360339A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alan Brightwell
Nigel Raymond Lacey
Philip John Wedge
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BG Intellectual Property Ltd
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9900591.0A external-priority patent/GB9900591D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9918195.0A external-priority patent/GB9918195D0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2360339A1 publication Critical patent/CA2360339A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/063—Arrangement of tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/063—Arrangement of tanks
    • B60K15/067—Mounting of tanks
    • B60K15/07—Mounting of tanks of gas tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0639—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels
    • F02D19/0642—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels at least one fuel being gaseous, the other fuels being gaseous or liquid at standard conditions
    • F02D19/0647—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels at least one fuel being gaseous, the other fuels being gaseous or liquid at standard conditions the gaseous fuel being liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], liquefied natural gas [LNG], compressed natural gas [CNG] or dimethyl ether [DME]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0665—Tanks, e.g. multiple tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0697—Arrangement of fuel supply systems on engines or vehicle bodies; Components of the fuel supply system being combined with another device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
    • F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
    • F02M21/0218—Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02M21/0221—Fuel storage reservoirs, e.g. cryogenic tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B2201/00—Fuels
    • F02B2201/06—Dual fuel applications
    • F02B2201/064—Liquid and gas
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A vehicle engine management system includes a single engine control unit (4) with a control/processor (22) and store devices (23-25). The vehicle can be powered by gas fuel from tank (27) via gas injectors (6) or by petrol from tank (8) via petrol injectors (2). The control (22) determines whether gas or petrol is utilised dependent on driving conditions using mapping (23, 24). To refuel the vehicle a cycle of operations is carried out by control (22) using the sequences stored in device (25). The presence of a connected gas supply is determined via detector (13a) and gas tank pressure via sensor (27a) and a compressor (28) is operable during the cycle to refuel the tank. Refilling automatically terminates and after this the car can be driven away when fuel line decoupling is detected.

Description

VEHICLE FUEL TANK MANAGEMENT
The invention relates to an engine management system arrangement typically for a passenger vehicle.
In petrol (gasoline) cars an electronic engine management system is provided which controls the operation of fuel injectors supplying fuel to the engine so as to maximise effectiveness in dependence on load, speed and other sensed conditions.
In bi-fuel vehicles such as for petrol and natural gas there is a need to provide electronic engine management systems for both fuels.
The present invention is concerned with utilising an engine management system to assist in refuelling such a bi-fuel vehicle with gas.
According to the invention there is provided a multiple fuel vehicle management system for operating a motor vehicle on either gas or liquid fuel during normal road use and including means for controlling an automatic refill cycle to fill a gas tank at high pressure from a low pressure gas supply in response to sensed information from sensors within the vehicle.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Further according to the invention there is provided a method of managing the operation of a multiple fuel motor vehicle, including the steps of operating the vehicle on either gas or liquid fuel during normal road-use and controlling the vehicle when stationary to provide an automatic refill cycle following receipt of an initiating signal, the cycle including the steps of sensing the presence of a gas supply the source and filling a gas tank with high pressure gas derived from a low pressure source.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a program on a carrier for controlling the operation of gas fuel utilisation vehicle in use, the program providing a refuelling cycle includes the steps of detecting the presence of a source of low pressure gas fuel, detecting the pressure of gas stored within a tank mounted on the vehicle, determining whether tank pressure is such as to be capable of replenishment, providing an operation signal for a compressor to power up a compressor during a period required to replenish stored gas fuel and terminating the power up when detecting pressure meets requirements.
The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Figure 1 shows a bi-fuel vehicle with facilities for gas refuelling with an on-board compressor;
Figure 2 shows aspects of the vehicle in more detail-including the electronic control mechanism for all three operations with a single unit;
Figure 3A and 3B shows the flowchart associated with the refuelling operation; and Figure 4 shows a more detailed configuration of the on-board gas compression of the supply.
In a petrol vehicle an engine management arrangement including an electronic control unit (ECU) controls fuel injectors which ECU controls the fuel intake and engine speed and so on, by utilising vehicle sensors and actuators at various points within the vehicle.
Where bi-fuel capability is required, compressed natural gas is utilised in addition to the petrol (gasoline) or diesel liquid fuel.
The arrangement of Figure 1 shows a bi-fuel vehicle 100 with the capability of gas refuelling with on-board compression and control. The vehicle includes an engine block 7 with both petrol injectors 2 and gas injectors 6 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) associated with an inlet manifold 3. In addition to accommodating the injectors 2 and 6 the manifold will accommodate the suction intakes from the brake servo, petrol tank vapour canister-discharge, engine crankcase ventilation and the like. Such a manifold is described in more detail in our copending patent application. A
throttle 5 regulates the air intake to the engine under the control of the ECU 4.
Gas will pass from gas tank 27 through pipe 15 to the injectors 2 and petrol will pass from petrol tank 8 through pipe 16 to injectors 6. The petrol tank 8 is refilled via filler point 14.
The gas stored in tank 27 is at high pressure (typically 200 bar) and this is obtained from a low pressure source, typically a domestic natural gas source 17 at 1 bar and is made available to the vehicle via a low pressure quick release hose 12 coupled to the gas filling point 13 mounted on the vehicle. This low pressure gas passes through hose 36 and is converted into high pressure via the compressor 28 mounted in the region of the gas tank 27. The compressor is operated using vehicle power as described in more detail below.
The petrol tank 8 at least partially surrounds the gas tank 27 to act as impact buffer and to provide dual SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) fuels storage from a compact source of storage. The gas tank could typically have a capacity of 17 litres and the petrol tank a capacity of 50 litres.
The ECU 4 is configured to provide three modes of operation. The first is to control the provision of vehicle power using petrol as the fuel. The second is to control the provision of vehicle power using gas as the fuel. The third is to control the provision of vehicle power to drive the compressor refuelling sequence.
The manner in which this can be achieved is described in more detail with reference to Figure 2.
In an ECU, used for petrol vehicle control the device receives information from vehicle sensors and uses this information to control the petrol injectors. The ECU
determines the flowrate of air via the throttle and the correct amount of petrol for each cylinder intake stroke dependent on sensed information. The quantity of fuel is determined from stored information, known as mapping or calibration, of the engine speed and load, temperature, throttle position, ignition timing, air/fuel ratio, exhaust emissions and other powertrain sensors specific to the model of engine fitted.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) -WO 00/41906 PCT/GB99l04266 Such an arrangement is replicated in the present configuration by the control/processor 22 and the storage area 23. The control 22 together with stored mapping controls the petrol injectors via electric-connections 19. The throttle has the electrical connection 43. The known engine sensors mentioned above are shown collectively as being received by input 44.
In the present vehicle, however, two other operations are envisaged and to keep down costs and size as well as to maximise control effectiveness, these have been incorporated into the same ECU 4, by the provision of additional storage areas 24 and 25 and extended programming control. The same control 22 (e.g. a microprocessor) can be utilised for all three functions as now described. For the sake of simplicity any interfacing for the sensors and power output stages for actuating the controls are omitted.
For gas operation, the petrol injectors 2 are no longer used and the gas injectors 6 come into play. The gas supplied to the injectors will typically be at a pressure of 7 bar, having been reduced from the tank pressure via regulator 20.
The gas injectors operate in a similar manner to the petrol injectors, but the amount of gas fuel mixing with SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the air will be different for the same set of circumstances. To accommodate this change, a separate mapping store 24 is provided. The existing engine sensors can be employed to provide intelligence on-conditions to allow the gas mapping to be effective.
Hence the throttle position will be different but the throttle position sensor will provide an output via electrical cable 43 to the control 22. The injectors 6 will be pulsed to open a needle valve against spring pressure using an internal electromagnetic coil within the injector housing via control cable 19.
The control 22 can be programmed to make the decision as to which fuel is the most appropriate and this can be determined from sensed parameters such as load, speed and fuel capacity remaining. Sensor 27a is provided to supply information on gas pressure indicative of volume in the tank 27 via cable 42.
In such an embodiment, the switchover of fuel will be effected without any noticeable change of handling of the vehicle by the driver. It may be preferable, however, to include an indicator device 45 to display to the driver what fuel source is currently employed.
In addition to the bi-fuel operation, the vehicle has the capability to allow refuelling at a convenient gas SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) supply source at the driver's house, for example. The driver can initiate the gas refill cycle once the vehicle is parked and the low pressure hose is connected to the gas filling point as detected by sensor 13a via-lead 41. The ECU 4 controls operation of the compressor 28 via lead 46. The compressed gas begins to fill the tank 27 and pressure information is available to the ECU
from sensor 27a via lead 42. The cycle can be arranged to be automatic so that replenishment is effected without further intervention from the driver once manual initiation is instigated using the stored sequence information stored in store 25 within the ECU 4.
A flow chart shown in Figure 3A and 3B illustrates the steps and decisions programmed into the ECU 4 to allow the automatic sequence to operate.
Although not shown on the flow chart, for simplification the presence of the low pressure quick release hose and other parameters could in practice be continuously monitored during the cycle. After the manual initiation by means of a designated switch the program follows a sequence of steps and checks to ensure safe operation automatically. The detection of an error will trigger an audible/visual alarm. The visual alarm could comprise a display unit with indicia relating to the particular detected event. This could be incorporated SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) -in an expanded display 45. Hence in operation, for example if the hose is determined not to be connected this will result in an indication or prompt on the display.
The on-board compressor arrangement utilised during the automatic cycle is described in more detail in Figure 4.
The compressor 28 is a two stage compressor of the type disclosed in our copending patent application. It includes a body portion 50 which includes a first cylindrical chamber 51 and a second smaller cylindrical chamber 52. Rams A and B are connected by rod 54 and hydraulic fluid under pressure simultaneously pushes piston A and pulls piston B during part of the operational cycle. This allows gas received externally via coupling 13 and duct 36 to be drawn into chamber 51.
On completion of the stroke, the hydraulic pressure rises rapidly and a spool valve 34 switches and causes hydraulic fluid to force the rod 54 in the reverse direction so compressing the gas in chamber 51.
The compressed gas passes via conduit 55 and valve 56 into the now open chamber 52 to provide a second stage of compression, once the hydraulic fluid reverses flow on actuation of the spool valve into its second bi-stable position. After the second stage of compression the compressed gas is allowed to exit to the storage SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) -tank 27. The hydraulic fluid spool valve 34 ensures that correct passage of the hydraulic fluid is maintained. The power to drive the hydraulic fluid is provided by an electric motor 30 via a belt 31 to-hydraulic pump 29 under the control of the ECU 4. Fluid passes to the compressor 28 under the switching action of spool valve 34 to allow second stage compression of the gas whilst the first stage intake is occurring and vice versa.
The compressor may be cooled internally by liquid in a reservoir 35 passing through a radiator 32 and filter 33 in the vehicle engine cooling system. This may be simplified by using a hydraulic pump 29 designed to operate with a glycol based fluid so that the coolant in the engine cooling system can be used directly to power and cool the compressor without the need for an intermediate fluid or secondary cooling circuit.
The electrical power is provided by the engine running to generate electricity via an alternator (not shown).
This avoids draining the battery. It would also be possible to utilise a hydraulic pump directly linked to the engine as in the manner employed with a power steering pump.
The on-board arrangement utilising the common ECU avoids SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) long recharging times when a low pressure source of natural gas is available. A recharge cycle of 30 minutes or less is possible.
Typical gas flowrates and pressures for the on-board compressor for a passenger road vehicle are given in the following table.
Gas Refuelling - Engine Driven Two Stage Gas Compressor Gas Flow Rate L/min 128 Gas Discharge Pressure Bar 225 Delivered gas volume in '-~ hour L 3,840 cycle Equivalent petrol volume in 1-~ L 4.65 hour cycle Hydraulic oil flowrate L/min 15.7 Compressor interstage pressure Bar 15 Peak hydraulic pressure Bar 268 Hydraulic power input (peak) kW 7.01 The arrangement shown in the example is for a naturally SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) aspirated engine. This arrangement could also be applied to turbocharged or blown systems, where air is forced through the manifold by an external fan or blower rather than being drawn into the engine by suction from-the engine cylinders as each piston performs an intake stroke, or to more recent engine technologies which employ air ram and direct fuel injection.
The vehicle ECU will normally be programmed to use the compressed natural gas as the preferred fuel but in use where operational load or speed requirements favour the liquid fuel (e. g. petrol) the system automatically switches over without noticeable loss of power.
When changing between fuels under load, the ECU can be programmed to switch in steps such that the gas injectors switch over in sequence rather than all together to ensure an smooth changeover over several engine revolutions between each injector switching.
Hence the switchover may occur over 30 or more revolutions.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims (19)

1. A multiple fuel vehicle management system for operating a motor vehicle on either gas or liquid fuel-during normal road use and including means for controlling an automatic refill cycle to fill a gas tank at high pressure from a low pressure gas supply in response to sensed information from sensors within the vehicle.
2. A system wherein the management system is configured to share a common control device and including a compressor and mounted on the vehicle utilising power available for the vehicle under the control of the common device.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compressor is constructed to use pressurised hydraulic fluid to compress the gas by means of at least one operational compression stage.
4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pressurised hydraulic fluid is provided by pump means operated during a running period of the vehicle engine.
5. A system as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein pressurised hydraulic fluid is provided by electric pump means operated by electrical power derived from the vehicle.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for controlling the automatic cycle includes means for initiating engine start up, means for monitoring gas pressure during refuelling and means for shutting down of the engine when refuelling requirements are detected to have been met.
7. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the means for controlling the automatic cycle includes means for inhibiting driving operation of the vehicle during the refuelling cycle.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the automatic refill cycle includes first detector means for detecting the presence of a source of low pressure gas fuel, first detector means for detecting stored gas pressure from a vehicle storage tank, compressor means for compressing gas from the low pressure source and control means for automatically powering the compressor means during the period required to replenish stored gas as determined by information from the second detector means.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the control means includes automatic vehicles immobilisation means to prevent movement of the vehicle when an external source of low pressure gas fuel is connected to the vehicle and means for automatically activating vehicle power to facilitate driving of the compressor means during the refill cycle.
10. A method of managing the operation of a multiple fuel motor vehicle, including the steps of operating the vehicle on either gas or liquid fuel during normal road use and controlling the vehicle when stationary to provide an automatic refill cycle following receipt of an initiating signal, the cycle including the steps of sensing the presence of a gas supply the source and filling a gas tank with high pressure gas derived from a low pressure source.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 including the step of compressing the gas to convert it to high pressure and powering the compressing step by means of power derived from the vehicle.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 including the step of initiating engine start-up, monitoring gas pressure within a tank during refuelling and shutting down engine operation when monitored gas pressure reaches a predetermined value.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 including the step of inhibiting vehicle movement during the refuelling cycle.
14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 including the steps of detecting correct coupling of a gas hose for gas supply during refilling, detecting engine speed, detecting compressor operation and providing indication to a driver in the vehicle as to any error status associated with such operations.
15. A program on a carrier for controlling the operation of gas fuel utilisation vehicle in use, the program providing a refuelling cycle includes the steps of detecting the presence of a source of low pressure gas fuel, detecting the pressure of gas stored within a tank mounted on the vehicle, determining whether tank pressure is such as to be capable of replenishment, providing an operation signal for a compressor to power up the compressor during a period required to replenish stored gas fuel and terminating the power up when detected pressure meets requirements.
16. A program as claimed in claim 15 including the steps of providing control signals to operate the vehicle on either gas or liquid fuel during normal use and switching to the refuelling cycle following receipt of a refuelling cycle request.
17. A multiple fuel management system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A method of managing the operation of a multiple fuel motor vehicle substantially as described.
19. A program on a carrier for controlling the operation of a gas fuel utilisation vehicle, in use, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
CA002360339A 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Vehicle fuel tank management Abandoned CA2360339A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9900591.0 1999-01-13
GBGB9900591.0A GB9900591D0 (en) 1998-12-04 1999-01-13 Integrated fuelling for compressed natural gas cars
GB9918195.0 1999-08-03
GBGB9918195.0A GB9918195D0 (en) 1999-08-03 1999-08-03 Home-fill vehicle fuel
PCT/GB1999/004266 WO2000041906A1 (en) 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Vehicle fuel tank management

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2360339A1 true CA2360339A1 (en) 2000-07-20

Family

ID=26314974

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002360339A Abandoned CA2360339A1 (en) 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Vehicle fuel tank management
CA002359327A Abandoned CA2359327A1 (en) 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Multiple fuel vehicle
CA002359326A Abandoned CA2359326A1 (en) 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Vehicle fuel tank arrangement

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002359327A Abandoned CA2359327A1 (en) 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Multiple fuel vehicle
CA002359326A Abandoned CA2359326A1 (en) 1999-01-13 1999-12-24 Vehicle fuel tank arrangement

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (3) EP1140542A1 (en)
JP (3) JP2002534641A (en)
AR (3) AR022399A1 (en)
AU (3) AU1869600A (en)
BR (3) BR9916899A (en)
CA (3) CA2360339A1 (en)
GB (3) GB2345679A (en)
IL (3) IL144280A0 (en)
WO (3) WO2000041905A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2636838B1 (en) * 1988-09-28 1997-04-18 Celatose Sa PANTIES
US6536547B1 (en) 1999-05-05 2003-03-25 Daniel J. Meaney, Jr. Hybrid electric vehicle having alternate power sources
US6892840B2 (en) 1999-05-05 2005-05-17 Daniel J. Meaney, Jr. Hybrid electric vehicle having alternate power sources
US6543423B2 (en) * 2001-07-23 2003-04-08 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Control system and method for a bi-fuel engine
FR2864159B1 (en) 2003-12-18 2006-03-17 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE OPERATION OF A THERMAL MOTOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2933046B1 (en) * 2008-06-25 2010-12-31 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa COMPONENT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SAID ASSEMBLY.
WO2011064903A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-03 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel tank system and fuel supply system
AT11734U1 (en) 2010-04-22 2011-04-15 Alutech Gmbh COMBINATION TANK FOR FUELS AND COMPRESSED GASES
US9080517B2 (en) 2011-10-20 2015-07-14 Ford Global Technologies, Llc System and method for supplying fuel to an engine via multiple fuel paths
US8919325B2 (en) 2012-02-08 2014-12-30 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method and system for engine control
US8903630B2 (en) 2012-02-08 2014-12-02 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method and system for engine control
JP6039205B2 (en) * 2012-03-21 2016-12-07 キヤノン株式会社 Imaging device
US9422900B2 (en) 2012-03-27 2016-08-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc System and method for closing a tank valve
US9115653B2 (en) 2012-03-27 2015-08-25 Ford Global Technologies, Llc System and method for emptying a tank
US9175615B2 (en) 2013-01-30 2015-11-03 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method and system for engine control
US9528472B2 (en) 2013-04-19 2016-12-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Enhanced fuel injection based on choke flow rate
JP5848375B2 (en) * 2014-01-30 2016-01-27 三井造船株式会社 Fuel gas supply device
US9624851B2 (en) 2014-02-12 2017-04-18 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Method of operating a vehicle powertrain having a gas phase fuelable engine
US9233679B2 (en) 2014-04-24 2016-01-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Systems and methods for supplying gaseous fuel to an engine
US9327708B2 (en) 2014-04-24 2016-05-03 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Systems and methods for improving torque response of an engine
US10781411B2 (en) 2015-01-30 2020-09-22 The Lubrizol Corporation Composition for cleaning gasoline engine fuel delivery systems, air intake systems, and combustion chambers
US10245940B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2019-04-02 Cngmotive, Inc. Dual fuel tank for locomotive and marine applications
JP2018013098A (en) * 2016-07-21 2018-01-25 株式会社エッチ・ケー・エス Engine for automobile
IT201900023103A1 (en) * 2019-12-05 2021-06-05 Ferrari Spa ROAD VEHICLE FITTED WITH A TANK FOR A COMPRESSED GAS

Family Cites Families (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR771822A (en) * 1933-04-21 1934-10-18 Daimler Benz Ag Device for adjusting the arrival, in an injection diesel engine, of two fuels, one difficult to ignite, the other easy to ignite
US4335697A (en) * 1980-04-08 1982-06-22 Mclean Kerry L Internal combustion engine dual fuel system
US4433664A (en) * 1980-07-17 1984-02-28 Rodrigues John J Fuel system for an internal combustion engine
DE3147792A1 (en) * 1981-12-03 1983-06-09 Ferenc Dipl.-Ing. 5060 Bergisch Gladbach Takacs Fuel tank of a motor vehicle
EP0211115A1 (en) * 1985-07-30 1987-02-25 Mobile Natural Gas Inc. Natural gas adaptor system for automobiles
US4531497A (en) * 1982-10-04 1985-07-30 Eneroil Research Ltd. Natural gas adaptor system for automobiles
JPS59101560A (en) * 1982-12-01 1984-06-12 Mazda Motor Corp Controller of engine
FR2539355B1 (en) * 1983-01-18 1986-01-24 Union Gaz Modernes TANK FOR STORING THE FUEL SUPPLY OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE USING LIQUID FUEL AND GAS FUEL, ESPECIALLY LIQUEFIED
JPS59173542A (en) * 1983-03-19 1984-10-01 Toyota Motor Corp Bifuel feed device in internal-combustion engine
US4522159A (en) * 1983-04-13 1985-06-11 Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. Gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant for vehicles and associated refueling apparatus
US4535728A (en) * 1984-02-02 1985-08-20 Propane Carburetion Systems, Inc. Fuel feed control system and control valve for dual fuel operation of an internal combustion engine
DE3415049A1 (en) * 1984-04-21 1985-10-31 GOK Regler- und Armaturen GmbH & Co KG, 5200 Siegburg Auxiliary container for liquefied-gas tanks
EP0164465B1 (en) * 1984-06-27 1988-04-20 David Tibor Szloboda Apparatus for enabling an engine to burn either liquid fuel or gaseous fuel
US5224457A (en) * 1992-02-28 1993-07-06 Deere & Company Dual fuel electronic control system
US5411058A (en) * 1992-12-22 1995-05-02 Welsh; James W. Method and apparatus for utilizing gaseous and liquid fuels in an internal combustion device
US5370097A (en) * 1993-03-22 1994-12-06 Davis Family Trust Combined diesel and natural gas engine fuel control system and method of using such
DE4324046C2 (en) * 1993-07-17 1998-08-13 Pluto Chem Betriebe Device for the additivation of liquid fuels
IT1266859B1 (en) * 1994-06-16 1997-01-21 Fiat Ricerche CONTROL SYSTEM OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE POWERED BY PETROL, METHANE OR LPG.
DE59505907D1 (en) * 1994-12-22 1999-06-17 Siemens Ag Arrangement for operating an internal combustion engine with different fuels
US5713336A (en) * 1995-01-24 1998-02-03 Woodward Governor Company Method and apparatus for providing multipoint gaseous fuel injection to an internal combustion engine
DE19516144C1 (en) * 1995-05-03 1996-07-04 Daimler Benz Ag Fuel supply unit for mixture-compressing IC engine
US5658013A (en) * 1995-09-20 1997-08-19 The Babcock & Wilcox Company Fuel tank for vehicles for holding and dispensing both a liquid and gaseous fuel therein
DE19539170A1 (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-04-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Operating method for road vehicle internal combustion engine
DE69600267T2 (en) * 1996-02-16 1998-08-27 Fiat Ricerche Internal combustion engine with methane injection system
CA2213939C (en) * 1997-08-25 2001-12-18 Alternative Fuel Systems Inc. Conversion system with electronic controller for utilization of gaseous fuels in spark ignition engines
US5832906A (en) * 1998-01-06 1998-11-10 Westport Research Inc. Intensifier apparatus and method for supplying high pressure gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine
US5908141A (en) * 1998-03-12 1999-06-01 Teel; James R. Method and system of hydraulically-pressurizing natural gas at a residence to re-fuel natural gas vehicles
FR2777514B3 (en) * 1998-04-16 2000-06-23 Alfonso Barabino SAFETY TANK ASSEMBLY WITH LIQUEFIED GAS OR NOT FOR BI-FUEL VEHICLES WITH SATELLITE FUEL TANK WITH REINFORCING PARTS AND FLANGES THEREOF

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR022399A1 (en) 2002-09-04
JP2002534642A (en) 2002-10-15
AR020289A1 (en) 2002-05-02
EP1140541A1 (en) 2001-10-10
GB2345679A (en) 2000-07-19
BR9916901A (en) 2002-03-05
EP1150855A1 (en) 2001-11-07
CA2359326A1 (en) 2000-07-20
AU1869600A (en) 2000-08-01
BR9916902A (en) 2002-03-05
CA2359327A1 (en) 2000-07-20
EP1140542A1 (en) 2001-10-10
AU1869800A (en) 2000-08-01
GB2345678A (en) 2000-07-19
GB9930510D0 (en) 2000-02-16
BR9916899A (en) 2002-03-05
JP2002534319A (en) 2002-10-15
GB2345729A (en) 2000-07-19
WO2000041906A1 (en) 2000-07-20
AU1869700A (en) 2000-08-01
IL144281A0 (en) 2002-05-23
IL144282A0 (en) 2002-05-23
IL144280A0 (en) 2002-05-23
WO2000041904A1 (en) 2000-07-20
JP2002534641A (en) 2002-10-15
WO2000041905A1 (en) 2000-07-20
GB9930494D0 (en) 2000-02-16
AR020557A1 (en) 2002-05-15
GB9930495D0 (en) 2000-02-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2360339A1 (en) Vehicle fuel tank management
US5528901A (en) Compact auxiliary power system for heavy-duty diesel engines and method
US5704323A (en) Arrangement in - and method for starting - an internal combustion engine
US6676565B2 (en) Apparatus and method for controlling automatic stop of internal combustion engine
RU2719120C2 (en) Method (versions) and system for detecting leaks in intake manifold
EP1903199B1 (en) Engine idle stop control device and method
US8146559B2 (en) Vehicle hybridization system
CN103912369A (en) Improved turbocharger
CN109667653A (en) Use the engine cool of electric drive inlet air compressor
US20100222991A1 (en) Method for operating an internal combustion engine
RU2715637C2 (en) Method (embodiments) and system for controlling ejection flow through aspirator for vehicle engine
CN101397969B (en) Combustion engine control device
EP2885526A1 (en) Engine fuel enhancement management system
US4133410A (en) Anti-theft device for vehicles
US20060105881A1 (en) Combustion engine for a motor vehicle
CN110219738A (en) Evaporative emission control system and method
WO1990015920A1 (en) Automatic starting fluid injection apparatus and method
GB2508834A (en) Controlling the fuel supply system of a vehicle engine during shutdown and start-up
GB2510846A (en) A method of recuperating energy from a motor vehicle
US4732123A (en) Safety air supply for diesel engine shutdown systems
US4166441A (en) Compressed air-actuated fluid injection apparatus
US11885284B2 (en) Fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine, in particular for a hydrogen combustion engine
US4248190A (en) Fluid injection apparatus for use with vehicles having on-board compressed air systems
CN112943486B (en) System and method for pump assist to maximize fuel consumption in a natural gas powertrain
Hákansson et al. Cold Starting the Volvo Way

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued