# US 11,299,035 B2 · Flow regulation device, fuel managing system comprising such a device and automotive vehicle comprising such a system

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- Number: US 11,299,035 B2
- Document ID: US11299035B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/976,325
- Filed: 2018-06-13
- Published: 2021-01-07
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-13
- Assignees: Volvo Truck Corporation
- Applicants: Volvo Truck Corporation
- Inventors: François Giroud; Hervé Coste; Manas Phatak
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299035B2

## CPC

- B60K 15/03: Fuel tanks
- F02M 37/0017: {related to fuel pipes or their connections, e.g. joints or sealings (F02M55/004 takes precedence)}
- F02M 37/0052: {Details on the fuel return circuit; Arrangement of pressure regulators}
- F02M 37/0088: {Multiple separate fuel tanks or tanks being at least partially partitioned}
- B60K 2015/03144: {Fluid connections between the tanks}
- B60K 2015/03256: {characterised by special valves, the mounting thereof}
- B60K 2015/03296: {Pressure regulating valves}
- 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
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF

## Abstract

This flow regulation device comprises a housing (200) having an inlet port (202) and an outlet port (204), and a fluid flow conduit (206) between them, a valve body (208) mounted in the housing (200), and a first (210) and a second (212) orifices allowing fluid flow in the conduit (206). The valve body (208) is movable between an open position, in which the first and second orifices (210, 212) are open, and a closed position, in which only one (210) of the first and second orifices (210, 212) is open. The flow regulation device (20) comprises a resilient element (214) urging the valve body (208) towards its open position, and the valve body (208) passes from its open to its closed position under action of fluid pressure (P) entering in the inlet port (202).

## Claims

### Claim 1

Flow regulation device comprising: a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a fluid flow conduit between them, a valve body mounted in the housing, a first and a second orifices allowing fluid flow in the conduit, wherein: the valve body is movable between an open position, in which the first and second orifices are open, and a closed position, in which only one of the first and second orifices is open, the flow regulation device comprises a resilient element urging the valve body towards its open position, the valve body passes from its open to its closed position under action of fluid pressure entering in the inlet port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Flow regulation device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element is formed by a spring mounted in an inner space of the valve body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Flow regulation device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second orifices are arranged radially one inside the other.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

Flow regulation device according to claim 3, wherein the first orifice is formed by a through hole provided in the valve body, and the second orifice is formed by an annular space between the valve body and an inner surface of the fluid flow conduit, and wherein the second orifice is closed in the closed position of the valve body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Flow regulation device according to claim 1, wherein the first orifice has a hydraulic diameter comprised between 0.8 and 1 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Flow regulation device according to claim 1, wherein the second orifice has a hydraulic diameter comprised between 0.7 and 0.9 mm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Flow regulation device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the section of the second orifice and the section of the first orifice is comprised between 0.6 and 1, preferably between 0.8 and 0.9.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

Fuel managing system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising: an engine feeding pipe connected to an inlet side of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, an engine return pipe, a primary tank to which the engine feeding pipe is connected, a secondary tank, a transfer pipe arranged to allow transfer of fuel from the secondary tank to the primary tank and, preferably, to block fuel circulation in the inverse direction, a venturi valve connected on the engine return pipe and arranged to suck fuel in the transfer pipe from the secondary tank towards the primary tank, wherein it comprises a flow regulation device according to claim 1, connected on the engine return pipe upstream the venturi valve, the inlet port being connected to an engine side of the engine return pipe, and the outlet port being connected to a tank side of the engine return pipe.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

Automotive vehicle, such as a truck comprising a fuel managing system according to claim 8.