Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
  • B60C23/00—Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
  • B60C23/001—Devices for manually or automatically controlling or distributing tyre pressure whilst the vehicle is moving
  • B60C23/002—Devices for manually or automatically controlling or distributing tyre pressure whilst the vehicle is moving by monitoring conditions other than tyre pressure or deformation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G11/00—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs
  • B60G11/26—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs
  • B60G11/27—Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs wherein the fluid is a gas
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G17/00—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load
  • B60G17/015—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
  • B60G17/017—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by their use when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. during loading, engine start-up or switch-off
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • 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
  • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
  • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
  • B60G2202/10—Type of spring
  • B60G2202/15—Fluid spring
  • B60G2202/152—Pneumatic spring
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
  • B60G2300/03—Silo or fluid transporting vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
  • B60G2400/05—Attitude
  • B60G2400/051—Angle
  • B60G2400/0511—Roll angle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
  • B60G2400/05—Attitude
  • B60G2400/051—Angle
  • B60G2400/0512—Pitch angle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
  • B60G2400/25—Stroke; Height; Displacement
  • B60G2400/252—Stroke; Height; Displacement vertical
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
  • B60G2400/50—Pressure
  • B60G2400/52—Pressure in tyre
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2800/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of movement or to the condition of the vehicle and to the end result to be achieved by the control action
  • B60G2800/20—Stationary vehicle
  • B60G2800/202—Stationary vehicle kneeling, e.g. for letting passengers on/off
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • 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
  • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
  • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
  • B60K2015/0319—Fuel tanks with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • 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
  • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
  • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
  • B60K2015/0319—Fuel tanks with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting
  • B60K2015/03197—Systems for exchanging data
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • 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
  • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
  • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
  • B60K2015/0319—Fuel tanks with electronic systems, e.g. for controlling fuelling or venting
  • B60K2015/03197—Systems for exchanging data
  • B60K2015/03203—Systems for exchanging data during refuelling
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • 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
  • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
  • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
  • B60K2015/03328—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for supplying fuel to a vehicle by filling fuel into a vehicle fuel tank wherein the fuel tank comprises a tank opening for filling fuel into the fuel tank.
• the invention also relates to a system for performing the method, a control unit for operating the system and a vehicle comprising the system.
• a method for supplying fuel to a vehicle by filling fuel into a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel tank comprising a tank opening for filling fuel into the fuel tank, wherein in a fuelling mode a position of the fuel tank opening is adapted to increase an intake capacity of the tank by moving the tank opening from a first position over ground level to a second position over ground level.
• the tank opening is normally arranged at an upper part of the fuel tank. This usually results in a dead volume above the maximum fuel level which cannot be filled with fuel and which is much larger than required for thermal expansion of the fuel in the tank.
• Moving the tank opening can be done by tilting the fuel tank with respect to a horizontal position for a normal driving operational mode. Expediently, the fuel tank is tilted about an axis which intersects the tank opening in the tank casing.
• the second position of the opening can be adjusted depending on the position of the vehicle, i.e. whether the vehicle is standing on even ground or on a declining or an ascending slope or is tilted sideward.
• an inclination of the fuel tank may be adjusted in a way that the tank opening is moved into an uppermost area of the fuel tank compared to ground level. On even ground without a slope, more free space is available the higher the tank opening can be moved above ground level.
• the inclination can be altered in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a
• the vehicle may be tilted to increase the intake capacity of the fuel tank.
• the fuel tank itself may be tilted to increase the intake capacity of the fuel tank. Tilting the vehicle and/or the fuel tank can be done by various means.
• a vehicle suspension system may be used to adapt the position of the tank opening from the first position over ground level to the second position over ground level.
• the inclination of the vehicle frame to which the fuel tank is mounted can be easily altered.
• one or more tires of the vehicle may be deflated and/or inflated to move the tank opening from the first position over ground level to the second position over ground level.
• a central deflation and inflation system for the wheels of the vehicle can be used for this purpose.
• the actual inclination of the vehicle may be determined and evaluated whether an adjustment of the position of the tank opening over ground level is necessary or not. In case the vehicle is standing on a slope already in an appropriate position for using the dead volume in the fuel tank for storing fuel, the position of the vehicle can be properly recognized. Otherwise, it can be
• the position of the tank opening over ground level may be adapted before fuelling, as soon as a filling operation or an intention to perform a filling operation is recognized and/or during filling. This can be done completely automatically or can be initiated manually by the driver, which is very time economic. Time can be saved during the tank stop as the tank opening can be brought to the desired position without delay.
• a system is proposed for performing the above described method, the system comprising at least one sensor unit for determining an inclination of the fuel tank and/or of the fuel surface in the fuel tank and/or a position of a tank opening for receiving fuel relative to a ground level.
• the shape of the fuel tank, the position in the vehicle and the position of the tank opening is known, it can be deduced how much fuel can be added above the normal maximum fuel level with the tank opening in its normal position. It is even possible to adjust the tilting operation to an actually available volume in the fuel tank. If the tank has a complex shape, the inclination of the fuel tank can be changed during the filling operation to make use of all available space.
• this filling method allows to build fuel tanks with complex shapes so that the fuel tank can be constructed in a space economic way using available construction space in the vehicle.
• Another favourable embodiment may provide an indicator unit for indicating when an at least local optimum of the position tank opening above the ground level in relation to the fuel surface in the fuel tank is reached.
• the term "local optimum” means that an optimum position above ground of the tank opening can be dependent on actual fuel level in the fuel tank and/or the shape of the fuel tank.
• Yet another expedient embodiment may comprise a control unit for automatically adjusting the position of the tank opening above ground level in relation of an available intake capacity of the fuel tank. This can be done either when it is recognized that the fuel tank should be filled and also during filling operation.
• Yet another expedient embodiment may have at least one sensor for detection of a fuel filling operation and/or an intention of a fuel filling operation, particularly by detecting at least one of
• the system can recognize when it should perform the method. For instance, when deflating or inflating of wheels is used to change the position of the tank opening over ground level, the action can be initiated early so that a time economic tank stop is possible. Deflating or inflating the wheels may take some minutes. Furthermore, the position of the tank opening can be readjusted to its normal position for the driving operational mode before the vehicle leaves the fuel station or after the vehicle has left the fuel station.
• a control unit for operating the described system is proposed, wherein the control unit is connected to a wheel suspension system of a vehicle for automatically adjusting a position of a tank opening relative to a ground level in relation to a fuel surface in the fuel tank.
• control unit may be connected to a vehicle inflation system for inflating and/or deflating tires of the vehicle. Air can be easily supplied in a truck.
• control unit may be connected to a suspension system for deflating and/or inflating air bellows of the suspension system may comprise a control unit connected to the vehicle inflation system. Air can be easily supplied in a truck.
• a vehicle comprising the above described system and additionally the above-described control unit.
• Fig. 1a, 1b an example embodiment of a vehicle comprising a fuel tank in even position (Fig. 1a) and in inclined position along a longitudinal axis (Fig. 1 b) for increasing the intake capacity of the tank according to the invention by deflating or inflating tires of the vehicle;
• Fig. 2 an example embodiment of a vehicle, comprising a fuel tank at each side of a vehicle frame;
• Fig. 3a, 3b an example embodiment of a tank and the position of the tank
• Fig. 4a, 4b a tank according to Fig. 3a, 3b in an inclined position employing air bellows of a suspension system (Fig. 4a) and employing a system for inflating and deflating tires (Fig. 4b).
• FIGs 1a and 1 b show an example embodiment of a commercial vehicle 10 such as a truck in an even position (Fig. 1a) and in an inclined position along a longitudinal vehicle axis (Fig. 1 b).
• the vehicle 10 comprises a fuel tank 20 mounted to a frame 12 of the vehicle 10.
• the fuel tank 20 has an tank opening 50 for filling fuel into the fuel tank 20.
• the tank opening 50 is conveniently provided at an upper part 22 of the tank casing 30.
• the tank opening 50 in the fuel tank 50 has a defined height H80 above a ground level GL. Due to the required buffer volume for thermal expansion of fuel in the fuel tank 20, there is a dead volume V60 above the maximum fuel level 60 in the fuel tank 20.
• the dead volume V60 is larger than the required buffer volume.
• the vehicle 10 can be tilted, for instance by deflating or inflating tires 14a, 16a, 18a of the vehicle 10.
• the inclination of the fuel tank 20 is changed, so that the tank opening 50 moves to a position 90 at a height L90 above ground level GL which is higher than the former position 80, Due to the larger height H90 of the tank opening 50 more fuel can be filled in and the maximum fuel level 60 in the fuel tank 20 increases and the dead volume V60 decreases.
• a control system 00 can determine if the vehicle 10 is standing on a slope or on even ground and/or is tilted sideward and can determine an actual position 80 as well as a desired position 90 of the tank opening 50 of the fuel tank 20.
• the position of the tank opening 50 relative to the ground level GL can be adjusted by the control system 100 as soon as a filling operation or an intention to perform a filling operation is recognised and/or during filling.
• a sensor 140 is provided which can detect the inclination of the vehicle 10. For instance, sensor readings of one or more sensors already provided in the vehicle 10 for other support functions can be included in the control.
• the control system 100 may include a control unit 144 for automatically adjusting the position of the tank opening 50 over ground level GL in relation of an available intake capacity of the tank 20.
• the control unit 144 may be a unit separate from control unit 100.
• the control unit 144 is responsive to an indicator unit 142 indicating when an at least local optimum of the tank opening 50 over ground level GL in relation to the fuel surface 60 in the tank 20 is reached.
• the indicator unit 142 for instance a height sensor and/or an inclination sensor, may be arranged in vicinity of the tank opening 50 or at another appropriate location of the vehicle 10.
• the control system 100 can be a separate control system or integrated in an already existing control system for an air suspension which for this purpose can have an additional functionality.
• At least one sensor 150 can be provided for detection of a fuel filling operation and/or an intention of a fuel filling operation, particularly by detecting at least one of approaching a fuel filling station with a fuel level in the fuel tank 20 at or below a predetermined level; a speed of increasing a fuel level 60 in the fuel tank 20 at or above a predetermined speed limit of increasing the fuel level 60; an increase of the fuel level 60 for at least a predetermined time; removing a cap from the tank opening 50 of the fuel tank 20; moving into and/or attaching a fuel nozzle to the tank opening 50 and/or recognizing fuel flow into the fuel tank 20.
• the control system 100 can prepare or initiate a proper positioning of the tank opening 50 of the fuel tank 20 when a fuel filling station is approached with a fuel level 60 in the fuel tank 20 at or below a predetermined level, and/or when a speed of increasing a fuel level at or above a predetermined speed limit of increasing the fuel level is detected, and/or when an increase a fuel level for at least a predetermined time is observed, and/or when a filler cap is removed from the tank opening of the fuel tank 20, and/or when a fuel nozzle is moved into and/or attached to the tank opening 50, and/or when a fuel flow into the tank 20 is adapted.
• the positioning change of the tank opening 50 above ground level GL can be done manually by the driver, for example.
• Fig. 2 depicts an example embodiment of an arrangement of fuel tanks 20 attached to beams 12a, 12b of a frame 12 of a vehicle.
• the fuel tanks 20 have a casing 30 with a rectangular cross section.
• the cross section can have any desired shape, for instance circular, oval, D-shaped or the like.
• the frame 12 is supported on air bellows 120a, 120b of an air suspension system 120.
• Tires 16a, 16b are connected to a central vehicle inflation system which can deflate or inflate tires of the vehicle wheels.
• the vehicle can be tilted along a longitudinal direction by inflating or deflating air bellows 120a, 120b or tires 16a, 16b on the same axle and/or along a transverse direction by inflating or deflating air bellows 120a or 120b or tires 16a or 16b on the same side of the vehicle.
• a fuel level 60 is established in the inside 40 of the fuel tank 20 with the opening 50 in the fuel tank 20 at a height H80 above ground level GL.
• Figures 3a and 3b depict an example embodiment of a fuel tank 20 as shown in Fig. 2 in a first position 80 of a tank opening 50 in an even position of the vehicle (Fig. 3a) and the position of the fuel tank 20 and the position 90 of the tank opening 50 with the fuel tank 20 in an inclined position (Fig. 3b).
• the fuel tank 20 in Fig. 3b is inclined transversely to the longitudinal vehicle axis by inflating and/or deflating air bellows 120a, 120b supporting longitudinal beams 12a, 12b of a frame 12 of the vehicle 10 (see Fig. 2).
• FIG. 3a indicating a fuel nozzle 160 filling fuel into an opening 50 in the tank casing 30 has a maximum fuel level 60 which cannot be exceeded in this position and a dead volume V60 above the maximum fuel level 60.
• a dead volume V60 above a new maximum fuel level 60 inside the fuel tank 20 decreases as the intake capacity of the fuel tank 20 has increased.
• the maximum fuel level shown in Fig. 3a is indicated by a broken line in Fig. 3b for comparison reasons.
• Fig. 4a, 4b show a fuel tank 20 according to Fig. 3a, 3b in an inclined position employing air bellows 120a, 120b of a suspension system 120 (Fig. 4a) and employing a system for inflating and deflating tires 16a, 16b (Fig. 4b).
• the fuel tank 20 is shown only at one side of the vehicle but there can be one at each side of the vehicle.
• the vehicle 10 can be tilted sideways when the air bellows 120a or 120b and/or the tires 16a or 16b at one side of the frame 12 are deflated or inflated, thus moving the tank opening 50 of the fuel tank 20 from a first position e.g. for normal driving to a second position 90 for filling fuel into the fuel tank 20.
• the invention is preferable suitable for trucks, especially for driving long distances and in environments with few cost effective petrol stations.
• the invention can also provide an improved handling comfort for the driver of the truck in that the need of replenishing fuel make demands on less time.
• the invention allows to use a smaller fuel tank for the same driving range or to provide a larger driving range with the same fuel tank size.
• a smaller fuel tank 20 allows for installing additional components to the vehicle frame.
• a higher intake capacity of the fuel tank 20 means a probably shorter vehicle or more space for cargo.
• the length of the fuel nozzle is large enough so that the fuel tank cannot be overfilled and enough dead volume, e.g. 3%, is still available for the required buffer space for thermal expansion of the fuel.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Sustainable Development (AREA)
• Sustainable Energy (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
• Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=45994156

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2010
  • 2010-10-26 CN CN2010800698511A patent/CN103180158A/zh active Pending
  • 2010-10-26 BR BR112013010053A patent/BR112013010053A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-10-26 WO PCT/SE2010/000257 patent/WO2012057659A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-10-26 EP EP10859033.2A patent/EP2632756A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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