# US 7,073,525 B2 · Multi-tank connecting device for liquefied petroleum injection vehicle

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- Number: US 7,073,525 B2
- Document ID: US7073525B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/750,688
- Filed: 2003-12-31
- Published: 2005-03-24
- Granted: 2006-07-11
- Earliest claimed: 2003-09-22
- Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Chan-Bok Chung
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7073525B2

## CPC

- F02M 37/106: {the pump being installed in a sub-tank}
- F16K 17/363: {the closure members being rotatable or pivoting (F16K17/386 takes precedence)}
- F16K 31/46: for remote operation
- B60K 15/07: of gas tanks
- Y10T 137/0753: Control by change of position or inertia of system
- Y10T 137/4841: With cross connecting passage
- Y10T 137/86187: Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- 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
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A multi-tank connecting device has a main tank with a fuel pump and one or more auxiliary tanks. A fuel pipe connects the main tank and the auxiliary tank and allows fuel to flow between the main tank and the auxiliary tank. A fuel isolating device closes the fuel pipe when the vehicle ascends or descends a slope. The auxiliary tank is disposed lower than the main tank. The fuel isolating device includes a ball, a panel attached to a rod, a spring attached to the panel, a switch, a throttle valve actuator, and a throttle valve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-tank connecting device for an LPI vehicle, comprising:
a main tank having a fuel pump therein;
one or more auxiliary tanks;
a fuel pipe connecting said main tank and said auxiliary tank that allows fuel to flow between said main tank and said auxiliary tank; and
a fuel isolating device closing said fuel pipe when the vehicle ascends or descends on a slope and said auxiliary tank is disposed lower than said main tank, wherein said fuel isolating device comprises:
a housing containing a passage slanted at a certain degree;
a ball placed inside said passage;
a panel slidably installed in said passage and attached at the rear to a rod;
a spring returning said panel toward said ball;
a switch that, when contacting said rod, due to said ball's rolling onto and applying pressure on said panel when the vehicle ascends a slope, turns on;
a throttle valve configured to open and close said fuel pipe; and
a throttle valve actuator closing said fuel pipe by activating said throttle valve when said switch is turned on.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device in claim 1, wherein an auxiliary fuel pipe connecting said main tank and said auxiliary tank is disposed higher than said fuel pipe.