Embodiments herein relate to fuel monitoring systems and related methods. In an embodiment, a fuel monitoring system for a vehicle is included having a fuel filter sensor device configured to generate data reflecting a filter restriction value of a fuel filter, a geolocation circuit configured to generate or receive geolocation data, and a system control circuit configured to evaluate the sensor data to determine changes in the filter restriction value. The control circuit can receive fuel level data, cross-reference geolocation data and fuel level data to identify refueling locations utilized, and correlate refueling locations with subsequent changes in filter restriction to identify an effect of specific refueling locations on fuel filter loading. In some embodiments, a refueling guidance system for a vehicle is included that can provide route and/or refueling site recommendations based on fuel filter loading rate data. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Embodiments herein relate to fuel monitoring systems and related methods. In an embodiment, a fuel monitoring system for a vehicle is included having a fuel filter sensor device configured to generate data reflecting a filter restriction value of a fuel filter, a geolocation circuit configured to generate or receive geolocation data, and a system control circuit configured to evaluate the sensor data to determine changes in the filter restriction value. The control circuit can receive fuel level data, cross-reference geolocation data and fuel level data to identify refueling locations utilized, and correlate refueling locations with subsequent changes in filter restriction to identify an effect of specific refueling locations on fuel filter loading. In some embodiments, a refueling guidance system for a vehicle is included that can provide route and/or refueling site recommendations based on fuel filter loading rate data. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A fuel filter monitoring method includes receiving pressure signals that are indicative of a pressure drop across at least one fuel filter of a fuel supply system configured to supply fuel to at least one fuel injector of an internal combustion engine and receiving a condition signal indicative of a condition of a fuel supply system, the condition signal being generated by one or more of a geographic location sensor, an altitude sensor, and/or a fuel temperature sensor. The method includes estimating a remaining life of at least one fuel filter of the fuel supply system based on the pressure signal and the condition signal and outputting a notification indicative of the estimated remaining life.

A fuel filter monitoring method includes receiving pressure signals that are indicative of a pressure drop across at least one fuel filter of a fuel supply system configured to supply fuel to at least one fuel injector of an internal combustion engine and receiving a condition signal indicative of a condition of a fuel supply system, the condition signal being generated by one or more of a geographic location sensor, an altitude sensor, and/or a fuel temperature sensor. The method includes estimating a remaining life of at least one fuel filter of the fuel supply system based on the pressure signal and the condition signal and outputting a notification indicative of the estimated remaining life.

A pump unit may include a pump configured to increase a pressure of diesel fuel and discharge the diesel fuel to a fuel passage in which a filter is disposed, and a controller configured to control an operation of the pump. The controller may be configured to execute freeze avoidance control in which the operation of the pump is controlled using an index that indicates a degree of clogging of the filter caused by the diesel fuel freezing. In the freeze avoidance control, the controller may be configured to apply a higher load to the pump as the degree of clogging of the filter indicated by the index is higher.

A method for monitoring a fuel supply system in an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: recording a first pressure value in the fuel supply system in a region of the fuel supply system associated with a pre-filter and upstream of a low pressure pump; recording a second pressure value in the fuel supply system downstream of the low pressure pump in a region of the fuel supply system associated with a primary filter; monitoring the first pressure value and the second pressure value for an error state of the fuel supply system; and recognizing the error state only if the error state is plausible on a basis of both the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

A method for monitoring a fuel supply system in an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: recording a first pressure value in the fuel supply system in a region of the fuel supply system associated with a pre-filter and upstream of a low pressure pump; recording a second pressure value in the fuel supply system downstream of the low pressure pump in a region of the fuel supply system associated with a primary filter; monitoring the first pressure value and the second pressure value for an error state of the fuel supply system; and recognizing the error state only if the error state is plausible on a basis of both the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

A filter monitor system (“FMS”) module is installed on the engine/vehicle and is connected to the filter systems, sensors and devices to monitor various performance parameters. The module also connects to the engine control module (“ECM”) and draws parameters from the ECM. The FMS module is capable of interfacing with various output devices such as a smartphone application, a display monitor, an OEM telematics system or a service technician's tool on a computer. The FMS module consists of hardware and software algorithms which constantly monitor filter systems and provide information to the end-user. FMS module provides necessary inputs and outputs for electronic sensors and devices.

A filter monitor system (“FMS”) module is installed on the engine/vehicle and is connected to the filter systems, sensors and devices to monitor various performance parameters. The module also connects to the engine control module (“ECM”) and draws parameters from the ECM. The FMS module is capable of interfacing with various output devices such as a smartphone application, a display monitor, an OEM telematics system or a service technician's tool on a computer. The FMS module consists of hardware and software algorithms which constantly monitor filter systems and provide information to the end-user. FMS module provides necessary inputs and outputs for electronic sensors and devices.

A fuel supply apparatus able to stop actuating of a fuel supply pump without mounting a special fuel supply sensor when the fuel supply is stopped or becomes slow, includes a control section which calculates an amount of the fuel in the fuel tank based upon a signal from a fuel gauge, and outputs the result to a fuel meter. The control section also calculates from the fuel gauge signal the amount of the supplied into the fuel tank per unit of time, and if the amount of the fuel supplied per unit of time is determined to be less than a set supply rate, the fuel supply pump is stopped so that a malfunction of the fuel supply can be detected without mounting a special fuel supply sensor.