B60Y2400/3019

Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Safety System and Method
20230219512 · 2023-07-13 ·

A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

Fuel system control

An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.

Systems and methods for vehicle fuel tank refueling

Methods and systems are provided for vehicle fuel tanks including multiple reservoirs. In one example, a method may include opening a canister purge valve of a fuel system responsive to a fuel level of a fuel tank transitioning above a first threshold fuel level, and closing the canister purge valve after flowing a pre-determined amount of fuel to the fuel tank while the canister purge valve is open.

Compressed natural gas vehicle safety system and method
11524639 · 2022-12-13 ·

A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

SENSING THE INGRESS OF WATER INTO A VEHICLE

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to sensing ingress of water in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, from a radar of a vehicle, radar data about a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The method includes determining a current state of the passenger cabin according to the radar data. The method includes, responsive to identifying that the current state indicates an ingress of water into the passenger cabin, generating a response to the ingress of the water.

FLUID MANAGEMENT MODULE AND MODULAR SYSTEM
20220348154 · 2022-11-03 ·

A fluid management module, e.g., for a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The fluid management module includes at least two function components and at least one electrical control/regulating device. The control/regulating device includes a circuit board with electrical connectors. The electrical connectors include a plurality of analogue signal input connectors and at least one component field bus connector, each for electrically connecting to a respective function component via a component field bus, and a vehicle field bus connector for electrically connecting to a CAN bus or LIN bus of a motor vehicle. At least the vehicle field bus connector, the component field bus connector and the analogue signal input connectors are electrically connected to a micro-controller of the control/regulating device provided on the circuit board. At least one of the at least two function components is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical connectors.

Methods and systems for diagnosing degradation in pressureless fuel tank
11651631 · 2023-05-16 · ·

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing leaks/degradation in a fuel system. In one example, a system for a vehicle may comprise a variable volume device disposed within a fuel tank; an atmospheric port of the variable volume device fluidly coupled to a vent line upstream of a hydrocarbon sensor housed in the vent line, the vent line coupling a fuel vapor canister to atmosphere; and a controller storing instructions for monitoring output of the hydrocarbon sensor; and generating an indication of a degradation in the variable volume device based on the monitored hydrocarbon sensor. In this way, it is possible to effectively detect a degradation/leak in the variable volume device with minimal specialized components in the fuel system.

Exhaust emission control apparatus for on-board internal combustion engine, and method for exhaust emission control apparatus

A controller calculates a period travel distance that is a travel distance of the vehicle from when the available travel distance is calculated to when the available travel distance is calculated next. The controller, when the remaining amount of urea aqueous solution inside a tank exceeds a predetermined amount, executes a first calculation process in which the available travel distance is calculated with reference to the remaining amount of the urea aqueous solution. The controller, after the remaining amount of the urea aqueous solution becomes smaller than or equal to a predetermined amount, executes a second calculation process in which the available travel distance is calculated by subtracting the period travel distance from the previously calculated available travel distance.

FUEL SUPPLY DEVICES

A fuel supply device has a cover member which is attached to an opening portion of a fuel tank and a pump unit comprising a pump. The cover member and pump unit are connected via a connecting portion where the pump unit is rotatably connected to the connecting portion. Further, the fuel supply device includes a fuel residual amount detection device which is attached to the pump unit and configured to detect the residual amount of fuel. The fuel residual amount detection device includes a gauge main body to which electric wirings are connected, an arm portion which is movably mounted relative to the gauge main body and a float which is attached to a leading end of the arm portion. The float is positioned above a lower terminal end of the base portion when the cover portion is held and lifted while the pump unit rotates with respect to the connecting portion.

FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL

An evaporative emissions control system includes a first vent valve configured to selectively open and close a first vent, a second vent valve configured to selectively open and close a second vent, a fuel level sensor configured to sense a fuel level in the fuel tank, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fuel tank, an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller configured to regulate operation of the first and second vent valves to provide pressure relief for the fuel tank. The controller is programmed to determine if a refueling event is occurring based one signals indicating the fuel level is increasing, the pressure in the fuel tank is increasing, and the vehicle is not moving, and open at least one of the first and second vent valves based on determining the refueling event is occurring.