Systems and methods for balancing levels of liquid fuel among multiple vehicle-mounted fuel tanks utilize at least one control valve that is configured to admit pressurized gas into a first fuel tank while a second fuel tank is ventilated, responsive to detection of a difference of liquid fuel levels within the first and second fuel tanks. Admission of pressurized gas into one fuel tank and ventilation of another fuel tank creates a pressure imbalance that causes liquid fuel to flow through a balancing line connecting the fuel tanks. Balancing may be performed in a bidirectional manner.

The disclosure relates to an assembly for a vehicle, in particular for a hybrid electric vehicle. The assembly includes at least one fuel tank having the form of a saddle tank. The assembly further includes at least one traction battery that is arranged outside the fuel tank and is thermally connected to the fuel tank, and at least one fuel pump arranged in the fuel tank. The fuel pump can convey a fuel from within the fuel tank to an internal-combustion engine of the hybrid electric vehicle. To provide a cooling system for the traction battery, the traction battery can be thermally connected to an active tank portion of the fuel tank, in which the fuel pump is arranged. The traction battery can be connected to the active tank portion via a bridge portion of the fuel tank, which is connected in a communicating manner to a passive tank portion of the fuel tank. Fuel in the passive tank portion can be conveyed into the active tank portion.

Systems and methods for balancing levels of liquid fuel among multiple vehicle-mounted fuel tanks utilize at least one control valve that is configured to admit pressurized gas into a first fuel tank while a second fuel tank is ventilated, responsive to detection of a difference of liquid fuel levels within the first and second fuel tanks. Admission of pressurized gas into one fuel tank and ventilation of another fuel tank creates a pressure imbalance that causes liquid fuel to flow through a balancing line connecting the fuel tanks. Balancing may be performed in a bidirectional manner.

Methods and systems are provided for increase a rate at which a saddle fuel tank is depressurized responsive to a request for refueling. In one example, a method may include, responsive to the request for refueling, depressurizing a primary side of the saddle fuel tank to a secondary side of the saddle fuel tank, and commanding open a refueling lock coupled to the primary side to allow fuel to be delivered to the primary side when pressure in the primary side drops below a threshold pressure. In this way, the secondary fuel tank may be maintained at atmospheric pressure prior to the request for refueling, which may increase the rate of depressurization of the saddle fuel tank responsive to the request.

Methods and systems are provided for a fuel tank comprising a scavenge pump. In one example, a system may include arranging a scavenge pump adjacent to a scavenge inlet, distal to a primary fuel delivery module. The arrangement may allow positive pressure from a fuel pump to force fuel back to the primary fuel delivery module during some vehicle conditions.

A fuel tank includes a fuel tank main body portion, a first supporting pillar portion, and a second supporting pillar portion. The first supporting pillar portion is provided at a vehicle rear side of an inner side of the fuel tank main body portion. The second supporting pillar portion is provided at a vehicle front side of the first supporting pillar portion at the inner side of the fuel tank main body portion and is longer in the vehicle vertical direction than the first supporting pillar portion is in the vehicle vertical direction.

Methods and systems are provided for a fuel tank comprising a scavenge pump. In one example, a system may include arranging a scavenge pump adjacent to a scavenge inlet, distal to a primary fuel delivery module. The arrangement may allow positive pressure from a fuel pump to force fuel back to the primary fuel delivery module during some vehicle conditions.

A fuel supply device includes: a cover attached to an upper wall of a fuel tank; a pump unit disposed on a bottom wall of the fuel tank; and a connecting strut that connects the cover and the pump unit with each other. The pump unit includes: a unit body supported by the connecting strut in a radial direction and a thrust direction, and a fuel pump arranged on the unit body to pump fuel drawn from the fuel tank toward an internal-combustion engine. The fuel pump is located offset toward the connecting strut from a width center of a width from a thrust support part where the unit body is supported by the connecting strut to an end part of the unit body opposite from the connecting strut in a specific transverse direction.

The present invention provides improved auxiliary fuel tank control systems and methods that avoid the need for locating, identifying, and tapping into a wire leading from the sending unit of the vehicle's primary fuel tank by connecting directly to a diagnostic port of the vehicle which is in communication with the output from the sending unit. Based on information received from the sending unit, embodiments of the invention may automatically cause fuel to be pumped from an auxiliary tank to the primary tank when the amount of fuel in the primary tank drops below a threshold.

A gas tank arrangement for an internal combustion engine is provided, the gas tank arrangement including a gas tank configured to contain a combustible gas, and a first additional gas tank positioned in downstream fluid communication with the gas tank, wherein the gas tank arrangement further includes a second additional gas tank positioned in downstream fluid communication with the gas tank and in upstream fluid communication with the first additional gas tank. A vehicle including such a gas tank arrangement is also provided.