US 5,555,873 AGranted

Fuel tank switching apparatus

OwnerJay A. Noleninventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A fuel tank switching apparatus provides for the automatic switching of fuel delivery systems from a tank or tanks containing fuel which is taxed, to an auxiliary tank which stores untaxed fuel therein. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use in large, over the road diesel powered semi trucks, but may be adapted to other types of motor vehicles as well. The apparatus automatically transfers fuel delivery and return to the auxiliary fuel tank whenever the parking brake is applied, which action will only occur when the truck or vehicle is parked, or possibly in very rare emergency situations. As both the parking brake annunciator (light or audible device) and the pneumatic pressure system are independent of the primary service brake system in large vehicles, the apparatus receives a signal from the parking brake system to switch tanks automatically with no intervention required or allowed by the driver or operator. The system may also provide for automatic switching back to the main fuel system, and notification to the vehicle operator, in the event the auxiliary fuel system is depleted.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fuel tank switching apparatus for a motor vehicle, with the motor vehicle including at least a main fuel tank system, an engine fuel distribution system, and a parking brake system, said fuel tank switching apparatus comprising:

at least a main fuel supply valve providing for primary fuel supply from the main fuel tank system to the engine fuel distribution system of the motor vehicle, an auxiliary fuel tank system, and an auxiliary fuel supply valve providing auxiliary fuel supply from said auxiliary fuel tank system to the engine fuel distribution system of the motor vehicle, and;
automatic switching means communicating with said main fuel supply valve and said auxiliary fuel supply valve and controlled by operation of the vehicle parking brake system, with said automatic switching means closing said main fuel supply valve and opening said auxiliary fuel supply valve when the parking brake is applied, thereby causing stoppage of fuel delivery from the main fuel tank system and simultaneous initiation of fuel delivery from said auxiliary fuel tank system, and further opening said main fuel supply valve and closing said auxiliary fuel supply valve when the parking brake is released, thereby causing stoppage of fuel delivery from said auxiliary fuel tank system and simultaneous initiation of fuel delivery from the main fuel tank system of the motor vehicle, whereby;
switching from the main fuel tank system to said auxiliary fuel tank system of the motor vehicle is accomplished automatically without intervention of a vehicle operator when the vehicle parking brake is applied, and reversed when the vehicle parking brake is released.

In combination with a motor vehicle having at least a main fuel tank system, an engine fuel distribution system, and a parking brake system, a fuel tank switching apparatus comprising:

at least a main fuel supply valve providing for primary fuel supply from said main fuel tank system to said engine fuel distribution system of said motor vehicle, an auxiliary fuel tank system, and an auxiliary fuel supply valve providing auxiliary fuel supply from said auxiliary fuel tank system to said engine fuel distribution system of said motor vehicle, and;
automatic switching means communicating with said main fuel supply valve and said auxiliary fuel supply valve and controlled by operation of said vehicle parking brake system, with said automatic switching means closing said main fuel supply valve and opening said auxiliary fuel supply valve when said parking brake system is actuated, thereby causing stoppage of fuel delivery from the main fuel tank system and simultaneous initiation of fuel delivery from said auxiliary fuel tank system, and further opening said main fuel supply valve and closing said auxiliary fuel supply valve when said parking brake system is released, thereby causing stoppage of fuel delivery from said auxiliary fuel tank system and simultaneous initiation of fuel delivery from said main fuel tank system of said motor vehicle, whereby;
switching from said main fuel tank system to said auxiliary fuel tank system of said motor vehicle is accomplished automatically without intervention of a vehicle operator when said vehicle parking brake system is actuated, and reversed when said vehicle parking brake is released.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/389,394Filed 16 Feb 1995
Granted: 17 Sep 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

F02M 37/0064
Layout or arrangement of systems for feeding fuel: for engines being fed with multiple fuels or fuels having special properties, e.g. bio-fuels;…
F02D 19/0618
Switch-over from one fuel to another: depending on the engine's or vehicle's position, e.g. on/off road or proximity to a harbor
F02D 19/0676
Valves; Pressure or flow regulators; Mixers: multi-way valves; Switch-over valves
F02M 37/0088
Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank: multiple separate fuel tanks or tanks being at least partially partitioned