Fuel storage assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10336184-B2
Application number	US-201715676052-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2017
Priority date	Aug 14, 2017
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

A fuel storage assembly includes a power source, a first tank, a fuel pump, an electric relay, a second tank, and a shut-off device. The fuel pump is adapted to remove fuel from the first tank. The electric relay is electrically connected between the power source and the fuel pump for terminating electric power to the fuel pump. The second tank is adapted to receive the fuel removed from the first tank. The shut-off device is located in the second tank and is electrically connected to the electric relay, and is configured to detect a shut-off level of fuel in the second tank. Upon detection of the shut-off level, the shut-off device effects shut-down of the fuel pump via the electric relay.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel storage assembly comprising:
a power source;
a first tank;
a first fuel pump adapted to remove fuel from the first tank;
an electric relay electrically connected between the power source and the first fuel pump for terminating electric power to the first fuel pump;
a second tank adapted to receive the fuel removed from the first tank;
a second fuel pump adapted to remove fuel from the second tank;
a fuel level sensor configured to measure fuel level within the second tank; and
a shut-off device located in the second tank and electrically wired to the electric relay and configured to detect a shut-off level of fuel in the second tank, wherein upon detection of the shut-off level the shut-off device effects shut-down of the first fuel pump via the electric relay, wherein the shut-off device effects shut-down of the first fuel pump module upon detection of a deactivate transfer level that is lower than the shut-off level.

2. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the shut-off level is lower than a manually filled level.

3. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to receive signals from the fuel level sensor, monitor fuel levels in the second tank, and command shut-down of the first fuel pump when the deactivate transfer level is reached.

4. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 3 , further comprising:
a warning indicator electrically connected to the controller, and configured to initiate upon detection of the shut-off level.

5. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 4 , wherein the shut-off level is higher than a manually filled level.

6. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 3 , wherein the electric relay is normally closed and opened by the shut-off device when the shut-off level is reached.

7. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the electric relay is normally closed and opened by the shut-off device when the shut-off level is reached.

8. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the shut-off device includes a thermistor for detecting fuel level.

9. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the shut-off device includes a reed switch.

10. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the shut-off device includes a shield adapted to limit the fuel level sensor from liquid fuel exposure.

11. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 10 , wherein the shield defines a vapor dome and the fuel level sensor is located in the vapor dome.

12. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 11 , wherein the shut-off device is disposed below a manually filled level.

13. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the shut-off device is attached and supported by the fuel pump module.

14. The fuel storage assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fuel storage assembly is a vehicle fuel storage assembly.

15. A vehicle fuel storage assembly comprising:
a secondary fuel tank;
a primary fuel tank;
a secondary fuel pump adapted to pump fuel from the secondary fuel tank to the primary fuel tank;
a primary fuel pump adapted to expel fuel from the primary fuel tank;
a primary fuel level sensor adapted to measure fuel level in the primary fuel tank;
a shut-off fuel level sensor located in the primary fuel tank and adapted to effect shutdown of the secondary fuel pump during an excessive fuel transfer condition;
a controller configured to receive fuel level signals from the primary fuel level sensor and command activation and deactivation of the secondary fuel pump as dictated by preprogrammed level thresholds; and
an electric relay in electric communication with the shut-off fuel level sensor, wherein the electric relay is configured to open when the shut-off fuel level sensor detects a shut-off fuel level in the primary fuel tank, and thereby effect shutdown of the secondary fuel pump.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Villaire William L
• Strzelecki Edward J
• Demare Kristin M

Classifications

• B60K2015/03368

  for preventing overfilling of tanks · CPC title

• Y10T137/86163

  Parallel · CPC title

• F02M37/14

  the pumps being combined with other apparatus · CPC title

• B60K15/061 Primary

  with level control · CPC title

• B60K2015/03223

  comprising at least two level fuel sensors · CPC title