# US 10,500,954 B2 · Compressed natural gas vehicle safety system and method

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- Number: US 10,500,954 B2
- Document ID: US10500954B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/997,502
- Filed: 2016-01-16
- Published: 2016-08-04
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2012-05-03
- Applicants: Daniel McNicholas
- Inventors: Daniel McNicholas
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500954B2

## CPC

- B60K 28/10: responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
- F17C 5/06: for filling with compressed gases
- B60K 2028/003: {inhibiting the starter motor, e.g. by controlling ignition or park lock circuits}
- F17C 2205/0326: electrically actuated
- F17C 2205/0332: Safety valves or pressure relief valves
- F17C 2205/0364: flexible or articulated, e.g. a hose
- F17C 2205/0373: Adapters
- F17C 2221/033: Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
- F17C 2221/035: Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C 2223/0123: gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
- F17C 2223/036: Very high pressure (>80 bar)
- F17C 2250/034: using wireless transmissions
- F17C 2250/036: using alarms
- F17C 2250/043: Pressure
- F17C 2250/0439: Temperature
- F17C 2250/0443: Flow or movement of content
- F17C 2250/0478: Position or presence
- F17C 2250/0482: Acceleration
- F17C 2260/042: Reducing risk of explosion
- F17C 2265/066: for feeding engines for propulsion
- F17C 2270/0178: Cars
- Y10T 137/8158: With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
- 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
- F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle safety system for disabling a natural gas-fueled vehicle while fueling from a natural gas fueling system, comprising:
a first sensor adapted to sense presence of a gas fill hose in proximity to a tank fill adapter coupled to a pressurized gas source;
a second sensor adapted to sense an open/closed position of an isolation valve, said isolation valve isolating said tank fill adapter from said gas source when closed;
a logic circuit adapted to combine inputs from said first and second sensors to produce a safe electrical signal indicating a safe condition when said fill hose is not in proximity to said tank fill adapter, and said isolation valve is closed;
a lockout circuit adapted to disable said vehicle when said safe electrical signal is absent;
a plurality of motion sensors configured to detect excessive movement of the vehicle, a first sensor of said plurality of motion sensors being configured to detect slip-away of the vehicle, a second sensor of said plurality of motion sensors configured to detect roll or pitch of the vehicle;
wherein the first and second sensors of said plurality of motion sensors are coupled to: a processor, a cascading control circuit, the logic circuit, or a relay configured to: cause the fueling system to shut down upon slip-away or roll or pitch of the vehicle beyond a first predetermined limit, and cause the fueling system to disconnect upon slip-away or roll or pitch of the vehicle beyond a second predetermined limit, the second predetermined limit being greater than the first predetermined limit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle safety system of claim 1 wherein said lockout system is also configured to override a lockout that may be in effect so that said vehicle may be moved.

### Claim 3

A vehicle safety system for disabling a natural gas-fueled vehicle while fueling from a natural gas fueling system, comprising:
a first sensor adapted to sense presence of a gas fill hose in proximity to a tank fill adapter coupled to a pressurized gas source;
a second sensor adapted to sense an open/closed position of an isolation valve, said isolation valve isolating said tank fill adapter from said gas source when closed;
a logic circuit adapted to combine inputs from said first and second sensors to produce a safe electrical signal indicating a safe condition when said fill hose is not in proximity to said tank fill adapter, and said isolation valve is closed;
a lockout circuit adapted to disable said vehicle when said safe electrical signal is absent;
at least one fire or explosion sensor coupled to a processor executing stored instructions configured to determine if there is a possible fire or explosion, and if so, configured to shut down fueling operations;
a plurality of motion sensors configured to detect excessive movement of the vehicle, a first sensor of said plurality of motion sensors being configured to detect slip-away of the vehicle, a second sensor of said plurality of motion sensors configured to detect roll or pitch of the vehicle;
wherein the first and second sensors of said plurality of motion sensors are coupled to: a processor, a cascading control circuit, the logic circuit, or a relay configured to: cause the fueling system to shut down upon slip-away or roll or pitch of the vehicle beyond a first predetermined limit, and cause the fueling system to disconnect upon slip-away or roll or pitch of the vehicle beyond a second predetermined limit, the second predetermined limit being greater than the first predetermined limit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The vehicle safety system of claim 3 wherein said system is also configured to override a lockout that may be in effect so that said vehicle may be moved.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The vehicle safety system of claim 3 wherein the fire or explosion sensor is chosen from the group consisting of infrared sensors, ultraviolet sensors, temperature rise sensors, ionization or smoke sensors, fusible link sensors, acoustical sonic sensors and acoustical ultrasonic sensors.

### Claim 6

A vehicle safety system for disabling a natural gas-fueled vehicle while fueling from a natural gas fueling system, comprising:
a first sensor adapted to sense presence of a gas fill hose in proximity to a tank fill adapter coupled to a pressurized gas source;
a second sensor adapted to sense an open/closed position of an isolation valve, said isolation valve isolating said tank fill adapter from said gas source when closed;
a logic circuit adapted to combine inputs from said first and second sensors to produce a safe electrical signal indicating a safe condition when said fill hose is not in proximity to said tank fill adapter, and said isolation valve is closed;
a lockout circuit adapted to disable said vehicle when said safe electrical signal is absent;
at least one ultra-violet and one infra-red sensor coupled to a processor executing stored instructions configured to determine if there is a possible fire or explosion, and if so, configured to shut down fueling operations;
a plurality of motion sensors configured to detect excessive movement of the vehicle, a first sensor of said plurality of motion sensors being configured to detect slip-away of the vehicle, a second sensor of said plurality of motion sensors configured to detect roll or pitch of the vehicle;
wherein the first and second sensors of said plurality of motion sensors are coupled to: a processor, a cascading control circuit, the logic circuit, or a relay configured to: cause the fueling system to shut down upon slip-away or roll or pitch of the vehicle beyond a first predetermined limit, and cause the fueling system to disconnect upon slip-away or roll or pitch of the vehicle beyond a second predetermined limit, the second predetermined limit being greater than the first predetermined limit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The vehicle safety system of claim 6 wherein said system is also configured to override a lockout that may be in effect so that said vehicle may be moved.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The vehicle safety system of claim 1 further comprising a natural gas leak sensor configured to shut down the fueling system when ambient natural gas is detected.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The vehicle safety system of claim 3 further comprising a natural gas leak sensor configured to shut down fueling operations when ambient natural gas is detected.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The vehicle safety system of claim 6 further comprising a natural gas leak sensor configured to shut down fueling operations when ambient natural gas is detected.