US 2022/0090953 A1 · FUEL LEVEL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE

Abstract

A fuel level measurement system and method for liquified natural gas (LNG) powered machines is disclosed. An engine control module (ECM) receives fuel line pressure levels at a first time (e.g., a key-off event) and, again, at a second time (e.g., a key-on event). The ECM predicts an expected change in pressure from the key-off event to the key-on event based on various factors. If the change in pressure detected is greater than a threshold level different from the predicted change in pressure, the ECM determines a fill event and resets a current fuel level. The ECM tracks mass flow commands used to provide fuel to the engine to determine the consumption of fuel from the fuel tank and to determine a new current fuel level based on the amount of fuel consumed. The current fuel level is displayed on a fuel gauge.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A machine, comprising:

an engine;
a fuel level gauge;
a fuel tank configured to hold fuel;
and
an engine control module (ECM) configured to:
identify a first fuel level in the fuel tank;
receive a first operator signal associated with operation of the engine;
generate, based at least in part on the first operator signal, a first mass flow command indicative of a first amount of fuel supplied to the engine;
determine the first amount of fuel supplied to the engine based at least in part on the first mass flow command;
determine a second fuel level in the fuel tank based at least in part on the first amount of fuel supplied to the engine;
and
cause the second fuel level to be displayed on the fuel level gauge.

9 more elements

A method of determining a level of fuel in a fuel tank of a machine, comprising:

identifying, by an engine control module (ECM), a first fuel level in the fuel tank;
receiving, by the ECM, a first operator signal associated with operation of an engine;
generating, by the ECM and based at least in part on the first operator signal, a first mass flow command indicative of a first amount of fuel supplied to the engine;
determining, by the ECM and based at least in part on the first mass flow command, the first amount of fuel supplied to the engine;
determining, by the ECM and based at least in part on the first amount of fuel supplied to the engine, a second fuel level in the fuel tank;
and
causing, by the ECM, the second fuel level to be displayed on a fuel level gauge.

4 more elements

A fuel level system of a machine, comprising:

a fuel level gauge;
a fuel tank configured to hold fuel;
and
an engine control module (ECM) configured to:
determine a change in pressure of the fuel between a first time and a second time;
determine a predicted change in pressure of the fuel between the first time and the second time based at least in part on a pressure model;
determine that the change in pressure and the predicted change in pressure are greater than a threshold level from each other;
determine, based at least in part on the change in pressure and the predicted change in pressure being greater than the threshold level, that a fill event occurred between the first time and the second time;
set, based on determining the fill event occurred between the first time and the second time, a first fuel level to full;
and
cause the first fuel level to be displayed on the fuel level gauge.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel level measurement system for a machine

Life of this patent

Fuel level measurement system for a machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20