# US 9,751,395 B2 · Methods and systems for a detachable fuel pipe of a vehicle fueling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,395 B2 - Document ID: US9751395B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/724,483 - Filed: 2015-05-28 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-28 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque; Iskander Farooq; Dean M. Jaradi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751395B2 ## CPC - B60K 15/01: Arrangement of fuel conduits - B60K 15/03: Fuel tanks - B60K 15/04: Tank inlets (B60K15/077 takes precedence) - B60K 2015/0319: {with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting} - B60K 2015/0321: {characterised by special sensors, the mounting thereof} - B60K 2015/03328: {Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling} - B60K 2015/03375: {to improve security} - B60Y 2306/01: Reducing damages in case of crash, e.g. by improving battery protection - B60Y 2400/40: Actuators for moving a controlled member - B60Y 2400/404: Electro-magnetic actuators, e.g. with an electromagnet not rotating for moving a clutching member - F16L 55/1007: {Couplings closed automatically when broken} - 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 - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract Methods and systems are provided for a detachable fuel pipe of a vehicle fuel system. In one example, a method may include, in response to a detected vehicle collision, removing physical and fluidic couplings between the detachable fuel pipe and a fuel tank. The method may further include sealing the fuel tank upon removing the couplings to the detachable fuel pipe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for a vehicle, comprising: a side fueling port fluidly and physically coupled to a fuel tank via a fuel pipe including a detachable nozzle; an actuator coupled to the nozzle; an impact sensor; and a controller with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for: disengaging the nozzle from the fuel tank via the actuator in response to receiving a signal from the impact sensor indicating a vehicle side impact. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein disengaging the nozzle from the fuel tank includes actuating the actuator coupled to the nozzle to detach the nozzle and the fuel pipe coupled to the nozzle from the fuel tank only in response to receiving the signal indicating the vehicle side impact, and not in response to indications of impacts in non-side directions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator includes a solenoid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is adapted to be engaged with an opening of the fuel tank and wherein the fuel pipe is coupled between the nozzle and the side fueling port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein disengaging the nozzle from the fuel tank includes actuating the actuator coupled to the nozzle to retract the nozzle out of and away from the opening of the fuel tank. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the opening is an opening in an exterior housing of the fuel tank and includes a cap less fueling port including a tab movable between a first position where the tab covers the opening and a second position where the tab is pushed inward into the fuel tank and away from the opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein when the nozzle is engaged with the opening, the cap less fueling port is in the second position and when the nozzle is disengaged with the opening, the cap less fueling port is in the first position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is adapted to be engaged with a first end of a fuel tank extension pipe, where a second end of the fuel tank extension pipe is directly coupled to the fuel tank, the fuel tank extension pipe extending away from the fuel tank and toward the side fueling port, and wherein the first end of the fuel tank extension pipe includes a cap less fueling port including a movable tab. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein disengaging the nozzle from the fuel tank includes actuating the actuator coupled to the nozzle to retract the nozzle out of and away from the first end of the fuel tank extension pipe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein when the nozzle is engaged with the first end of the fuel tank extension pipe the tab is pushed inward into the fuel extension pipe and when the nozzle is disengaged with the first end of the fuel tank extension pipe the tab covers an opening of the first end of the fuel tank extension pipe. ### Claim 11 A method for a vehicle fueling system, comprising: in response to a detected vehicle side impact event, fluidly and physically uncoupling a nozzle of a fuel pipe from a fuel tank via an actuator coupled with the nozzle, where the nozzle is arranged at a first end of the fuel pipe and a second end of the fuel pipe is coupled to a side fueling port of a vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein uncoupling the nozzle of the fuel pipe includes actuating the actuator coupled with the nozzle to retract the nozzle out of and away from an opening in the fuel tank. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising, upon uncoupling the nozzle of the fuel pipe from the fuel tank, moving a tab of a cap less fueling port of the fuel tank over the opening to block fuel from exiting the fuel tank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein uncoupling the nozzle of the fuel pipe includes actuating the actuator coupled with the nozzle to retract the nozzle out of and away from an opening in a fuel tank extension pipe directly coupled to an opening of the fuel tank. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising, upon uncoupling the nozzle of the fuel pipe from the fuel tank, moving a tab of a cap less fueling port of the fuel tank extension pipe over the opening to block fuel from exiting the fuel tank extension pipe. ### Claim 16 An engine system of a vehicle, comprising: an engine fueling system including a fuel tank; a fueling port coupled to a side exterior of the vehicle; a fuel pipe with a first end coupled to the side fueling port and a second end coupled to the fuel tank, where the second end includes a detachable nozzle; an impact sensor; and a controller with computer readable instructions for: disengaging the nozzle of the fuel pipe from the fuel tank via an actuator coupled with the nozzle in response to a signal from the impact sensor indicating a side impact of the vehicle, where disengaging the nozzle from the fuel tank includes physically and fluidly decoupling the fuel pipe from the fuel tank. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The engine system of claim 16, wherein when the nozzle is engaged with the fuel tank, the nozzle is directly coupled to an inlet port in a surface of the fuel tank. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The engine system of claim 16, further comprising a fuel tank extension pipe coupled between the fuel tank and the fuel pipe, where a second end of the fuel tank extension pipe is directly coupled to the fuel tank, and wherein when the nozzle is engaged with the fuel tank the nozzle is directly coupled to an inlet port in a first end of the fuel tank extension pipe. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The engine system of claim 16, wherein the engine fueling system further comprises a fuel pump fluidly coupled to the fuel tank at an alternate location than the fuel pipe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The engine system of claim 16, further comprising the actuator in electronic communication with the controller and physically coupled to the nozzle and wherein disengaging the nozzle of the fuel pipe from the fuel tank includes actuating the actuator to translate the nozzle in an axial direction away from and out of fluidic engagement with the fuel tank.