Fuel supply arrangement and land-based vehicle

Abstract

Fuel supply arrangement (1) for a land-based vehicle (3), comprising: - a first fuel tank (5) with a first fuel tank connection (7), - at least one second fuel tank (9) with a second fuel tank connection (11), - a first pump (13), and a fuel tank (15) having an outlet (17), a first inlet (19), and at least one second inlet (21), wherein the first inlet (19) is fluidly connected to the first fuel tank connection (7) and the second inlet (21) is fluidly connected to the second fuel tank connection (11), wherein the first pump (13) is fluidly connected to the outlet (17) of the fuel tank (15) and is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank (5) and at least the second fuel tank (9) through the fuel tank (15), wherein the fuel supply arrangement (1) further comprises a first valve (33) and at least one second valve (35), wherein the first valve (33) is configured to close a fluid connection through the first fuel tank connection (7) if a fuel level in the first fuel tank (5) is below a threshold value,and wherein the at least second valve (35) is configured to close a fluid connection through the second fuel tank connection (11) if a fuel level in the second fuel tank (9) is below a threshold value, characterized in that the fuel supply arrangement (1) comprises a buffer tank (23) and a second pump (25), wherein the first pump (13) is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank (5) and at least the second fuel tank (9) into the buffer tank (23), and wherein the second pump (25) is arranged to pump fuel from the buffer tank (23) to a high-pressure pump (27) of the land-based vehicle (3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel supply arrangement for a land-based vehicle and a land-based vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel supply arrangement. BACKGROUND

[0002] Fuel supply arrangements with multiple fuel tanks are particularly common for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks. Multiple tanks are used to extend the potential range of the vehicle. Fuel supply arrangements with multiple fuel tanks typically include a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from a first fuel tank of the plurality of fuel tanks. Further fuel tanks of the plurality of fuel tanks are in fluid communication with the first fuel tank via conduits. During driving, fuel is pumped from the first fuel tank, and when the fuel level in the first fuel tank decreases, fuel flows from the further fuel tank through the conduits into the first fuel tank, based on the principle of communicating reservoirs.

[0003] Document WO 2013 / 084018 A1 relates to a vehicle fuel tank assembly for a fuel containing at least a first fluid and a second fluid. The tank assembly comprises a tank, a partition wall arranged within the tank to create at least a first compartment for storing the first fluid and a second compartment for storing the second fluid. The position of the partition wall within the tank can be changed to adjust the volume of the first compartment or the second compartment to a predetermined value.

[0004] A common problem with fuel supply assemblies, and in particular with the one described above, is the intake of air into the pump designed to pump fuel from the first fuel tank. This intake of air can be caused by fuel sloshing in one of the fuel tanks. Such intake of air can lead to problems and malfunctions in the fuel supply assembly and the associated internal combustion engine. Furthermore, such intake of air can be damaging to the pump.

[0005] From the generic document DE 103 60 936 A1, a multiple-tank arrangement for a vehicle powered by liquefied petroleum gas is known. The arrangement comprises a main tank containing a fuel pump, as well as one or more auxiliary tanks that are fluidly connected to the main tank. If, while driving uphill or downhill, a situation arises in which an auxiliary tank is located below the main tank, a fuel isolating device arranged between the main tank and the auxiliary tank ensures that the fluid connection between the main tank and the auxiliary tank is shut off, preventing the main tank or another auxiliary tank from running dry.

[0006] WO 02 / 053404 A1 discloses a fuel outlet valve for a fuel tank, which is provided with a float coupled to a valve closure member. If the fuel level in the fuel tank falls below a certain level, the lack of buoyancy of the float causes the fuel outlet valve to be closed by the closure member coupled to the float, thus preventing air intake.

[0007] There is still a need for an improved fuel supply arrangement. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable fuel supply arrangement for a land-based vehicle.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a fuel supply arrangement according to claim 1 for a land-based vehicle. Since the first pump is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank and the at least second fuel tank through the fuel tank, the risk of air intake is reduced. This is because the first pump pumps fuel directly from the first fuel tank and the at least second fuel tank through the fuel tank, rather than relying on the principle of communicating tanks. This can prevent problems and malfunction of the fuel supply arrangement and an associated internal combustion engine. Furthermore, damage to the pump can be avoided.

[0010] The fuel supply assembly further comprises a buffer tank, wherein the first pump is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank and the at least second fuel tank into the buffer tank. This provides a fuel supply assembly in which air and / or water, if pumped from any of the fuel tanks, can be handled in the buffer tank.

[0011] Finally, the fuel supply arrangement comprises a second pump arranged to pump fuel from the buffer tank to a high-pressure pump of the land-based vehicle. This ensures fuel flow to the high-pressure pump even if some air or water is sucked in from the first fuel tank or the at least second fuel tank, since the second pump is configured to pump fuel from the buffer tank. Consequently, the reliability of the fuel supply arrangement is further improved, since in the event of any intake of air or water, the sucked-in air or water is handled in the buffer tank.

[0012] Thus, a reliable power supply arrangement for a land-based vehicle is provided. Consequently, the aforementioned object is achieved.

[0013] Optionally, the first pump and the fuel tank are arranged on the first fuel tank. This provides a fuel supply arrangement that facilitates servicing and maintenance of the fuel supply arrangement. Furthermore, the routing of pipes connecting the first pump to the fuel tank and the fuel tanks can be facilitated.

[0014] Optionally, the fuel supply arrangement further comprises a tank module, wherein the first pump, the fuel tank, and the buffer tank are arranged in the tank module. This provides a fuel supply arrangement that is easy to maintain. Furthermore, the installation of pipes that fluidly connect the first pump, the fuel tank, and the buffer tank can be facilitated.

[0015] Optionally, the fuel supply arrangement further comprises a fuel level monitoring unit arranged to monitor a fuel level in the buffer tank. The arrangement further comprises a control unit connected to the fuel level monitoring unit and the first pump. The control unit is configured to maintain the fuel level in the buffer tank above a predetermined threshold by controlling the pumping of the first pump. This provides a fuel supply arrangement with even further improved reliability, since a sufficient fuel level in the buffer tank can be ensured.

[0016] Optionally, the fuel supply arrangement further comprises a first valve and at least one second valve, wherein the first valve is configured to close a fluid connection through the first fuel tank port if a fuel level in the first fuel tank is below a threshold value, and wherein the at least second valve is configured to close a fluid connection through the second fuel tank port if a fuel level in the second fuel tank is below a threshold value.This provides a fuel supply arrangement in which the risk of air intake is further reduced, since the first valve will close the fluid connection through the first fuel tank port if a fuel level in the first fuel tank is below the threshold value, and the second valve will close a fluid connection through the second fuel tank port if a fuel level in the second fuel tank is below a predetermined value. Accordingly, a fuel supply arrangement with even greater reliability is provided.

[0017] Optionally, the first valve and the at least second valve each comprise an electric drive, a valve body, and a valve seat, wherein the electric drive is connected to the valve body and arranged to control the position of the valve body relative to the valve seat between an open position and a closed position in order to control a fluid connection through the first or at least second fuel tank connection. This provides a fuel supply arrangement with even further improved reliability, since the shutoff of a fluid connection through the first or at least second fuel tank connection is ensured.

[0018] Optionally, the first valve is arranged in the first fuel tank and the at least second valve is arranged in the at least second fuel tank, wherein the first valve and the at least second valve each have a float and a switch, wherein the float is connected to the switch and arranged to actuate the switch if a fuel level in the fuel tank is below a threshold value, and wherein the electric drive is connected to the switch and arranged to control the position of the valve body into the closed position upon actuation of the switch. This provides a fuel supply arrangement with even greater reliability, since shutting off a fluid connection through a fuel tank connection of a fuel tank that is about to become empty is ensured.

[0019] Optionally, the arrangement further comprises a control unit which is connected to the electric drives of the first valve and of the at least second valve, wherein the first fuel tank or the at least second fuel tank has a fuel tank inlet which is provided with a filler neck cover which is arranged at the fuel tank inlet so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the arrangement further comprises a sensor connected to the control unit, wherein the sensor is arranged to detect the position of the filler neck cover, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the first and the at least second valve, which are in a closed position, into an open position if the filler neck cover is moved into the open position.This provides a fuel supply arrangement that facilitates filling the first fuel tank and the at least second fuel tank, since when the filler cap is moved to the open position, each of the first and at least second valves that is in a closed position is controlled to the open position. Accordingly, the first fuel tank and the at least second fuel tank can be filled simply by filling the first fuel tank or the at least second fuel tank through the fuel tank inlet.

[0020] Optionally, the valve seat is frusto-conical, with a surface of the valve body arranged to abut the valve seat being convex. When a fuel tank is about to run empty, the risk of particles in the fuel becoming trapped between the valve body and the valve seat increases. However, because the valve seat is frusto-conical and because the surface of the valve body arranged to abut the valve seat is convex, such a risk is reduced. Consequently, a fuel supply arrangement with even further increased reliability is provided, since the risk of any particles in the fuel preventing complete closure of the corresponding valve is reduced.

[0021] Optionally, each fuel tank includes a separation compartment located at a bottom of the corresponding fuel tank, with each valve located in a corresponding separation compartment. This prevents air intake caused by fuel sloshing. Furthermore, the risk of any particles in the fuel preventing complete closure of the corresponding valve is further reduced. Consequently, a fuel supply arrangement with even further improved reliability is provided.

[0022] It is an object of the present invention to provide a land-based vehicle with prerequisites for reliable operation of an internal combustion engine of the land-based vehicle.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, this object is also achieved by a land-based vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel supply arrangement according to some embodiments, wherein the fuel supply arrangement is configured to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine of the land-based vehicle. Since the land-based vehicle has a fuel supply arrangement that is configured, according to some embodiments, to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine of the land-based vehicle, a land-based vehicle is provided with prerequisites for reliable operation of the internal combustion engine.

[0024] Consequently, the above-mentioned problem is solved.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0026] Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the embodiments set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a fuel supply arrangement for a land-based vehicle according to some embodiments, Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a first fuel tank of a fuel supply arrangement according to some embodiments, Fig. 3a schematically illustrates a valve according to some embodiments in an open position, Fig. 3b schematically shows the Fig. 3a shows the valve in a closed position, and Fig. 4 illustrates a land-based vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel supply arrangement according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail. Like numerals refer to like components throughout. Well-known features or embodiments are not necessarily described in detail in the interest of conciseness and / or clarity.

[0028] Fig. 1 schematically shows a fuel supply arrangement 1 for a land-based vehicle. The fuel supply arrangement 1 comprises a first fuel tank 5 with a first fuel tank connection 7, a second fuel tank 9 with a second fuel tank connection 11, and a third fuel tank 10 with a third fuel tank connection 12. Accordingly, the fuel supply arrangement 1 comprises a plurality of fuel tanks 5, 9, 10, in the illustrated embodiments, three fuel tanks 5, 9, 10. The fuel supply arrangement 1 can have a number of fuel tanks other than three, for example, two, four, five, six, seven, eight, etc., each tank being provided with a fuel tank connection. The fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a fuel container 15 with an outlet 17, a first inlet 19, a second inlet 21, and a third inlet 22.The first inlet 19 is fluidly connected to the first fuel tank connection 7 of the first fuel tank 5. The second inlet 21 is fluidly connected to the second fuel tank connection 11 of the second fuel tank 9. The third inlet 22 is fluidly connected to the third fuel tank connection 12 of the third fuel tank 10. Accordingly, the fuel tank 15 comprises one inlet 19, 21, 22 per fuel tank 5, 9, 10. In embodiments of the fuel supply arrangement 1 with two fuel tanks, the fuel tank 15 has two inlets, and in embodiments in which the fuel supply arrangement 1 has four or more fuel tanks, the fuel tank 15 has a number of inlets corresponding to the number of tanks, wherein a tank connection of each tank is fluidly connected to an inlet of the fuel tank 15.The fuel tank 15 has an internal volume which is fluidly connected to the outlet 17 and each of the inlets 19, 21, 22. The fuel tank 15 shown in . Fig. 1 has a circular cross-section and may be referred to as a fuel rail, fuel tank or the like.

[0029] In further embodiments, the fuel tank 15 may have a rectangular cross-section or the like. In still other embodiments, the fuel tank 15 may be spherical.

[0030] The fuel supply arrangement 1 comprises a first pump 13, which is fluidly connected to the outlet 17 of the fuel tank 15. The first pump 13 is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank 5, the second fuel tank 9, and the third fuel tank 10 through the fuel tank 15. Due to this arrangement, the first pump 13 creates a negative pressure in the internal volume of the fuel tank 15, which is evenly distributed to each inlet 19, 21, 22 of the fuel tank 15. As a result, a substantially equal fuel flow is obtained from each fuel tank 5, 9, 10 through the fuel tank 15.

[0031] The fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a buffer tank 23, wherein the first pump 13 is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank 5, the second fuel tank 9, and the third fuel tank 10 through a water separation filter 26 into the buffer tank 23. The fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a second pump 25 configured to pump fuel from the buffer tank 23 to a high-pressure pump 27 of the land-based vehicle. The high-pressure pump 27 is configured to increase the fuel pressure before the fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine 57 of the land-based vehicle. Due to this arrangement, any water or air sucked from any of the tanks 5, 9, 10 by the first pump 13 is handled in the buffer tank 23. The first pump 13, the second pump 25, and the high-pressure pump 27 may be a CAN-type pump.In the illustrated embodiments, the second pump 25 is arranged to pump fuel from the buffer tank 23 through a fuel filter 28 to a high-pressure pump 27 of the land-based vehicle. The fuel supply arrangement 1 can have multiple fuel filters, for example, between the buffer tank 23 and the second pump 25.

[0032] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a first fuel tank 5 of a fuel supply arrangement 1 according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiments, the first pump 13 and the fuel tank 15 are arranged on the first fuel tank 5. The fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a tank module 24, wherein the first pump 13, the fuel tank 15, and the buffer tank 23 are arranged in the tank module 24. This provides a fuel supply arrangement 1 that facilitates servicing and maintenance of the fuel supply arrangement 1. In further embodiments, the fuel tank 15 can be arranged below the first tank 5, e.g., below the tank module 24.

[0033] The fuel supply arrangement 1 according to the Fig. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 further comprises a fuel level monitoring unit 29, which is arranged to monitor a fuel level in the buffer tank 23. The fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a control unit 31 connected to the fuel level monitoring unit 29 and the first pump 13. The control unit 31 is configured to keep the fuel level in the buffer tank 23 above a predetermined threshold value by controlling the pumping of the first pump 13 based on the fuel level in the buffer tank 23, which is monitored by the fuel level monitoring unit 29. This ensures a sufficient fuel level in the buffer tank 23 and can prevent air from being sucked in by the second pump 25. As mentioned, the first pump 13 is configured to pump fuel from the buffer tank 23, and the second pump 25 is configured to pump fuel from the buffer tank 23.Furthermore, as illustrated, the control unit 31 may also be connected to the second pump 25 and configured to control its pumping. The control unit 31 may control pumping of the first pump 13 based on pumping of the second pump 25 to maintain the fuel level in the buffer tank 23 above a predetermined threshold, and may supplement such control based on the monitored fuel level in the buffer tank 23.

[0034] The fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a first valve 33, a second valve 35, and a third valve 36. The first valve 33 is arranged at the first fuel tank connection 7 of the first fuel tank 5 and is configured to close a fluid connection through the first fuel tank connection 7 if a fuel level in the first fuel tank 5 is below a threshold value. The second valve 35 is arranged at the second fuel tank connection 11 of the second fuel tank 9 and is configured to close a fluid connection through the second fuel tank connection 11 if a fuel level in the second fuel tank 9 is below a threshold value.The third valve 36 is arranged at the third fuel tank port 12 of the third fuel tank 10 and is configured to close a fluid connection through the third fuel tank port 12 if a fuel level in the third fuel tank 10 is below a threshold value. Accordingly, the fuel tanks 5, 9, 10 each have a valve 33, 35, 36 at the associated fuel tank port 7, 11, 12, which is configured to close a fluid connection through it if the fuel level in the fuel tank 5, 9, 10 is below a threshold value.Thus, in embodiments where the fuel supply arrangement 1 comprises more than three fuel tanks, for example, five fuel tanks, each of the five fuel tanks has a valve at the fuel tank connection configured to close a fluid connection therethrough if the fuel level in the corresponding fuel tank is below a threshold value. This prevents air intake by the first pump 13.

[0035] Fig. 3a schematically shows a first valve 33 according to some embodiments in an open position. Fig. 3b shows schematically the Fig. 3a, the first valve 33 is in a closed position. Fig. 1 shown second and third valve 35, 36 may be of the same valve type with the design of the valve as in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. In such embodiments, the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b also represent the second and / or third valve 35, 36. The first valve 33 has an electric drive 37, a valve body 39 and a valve seat 41. The electric drive 37 is connected to the valve body 39 and arranged to adjust the position of the valve body 39 with respect to the valve seat 41 between a Fig. 3a shown open position and one in Fig. 3b shown closed position in order to control a fluid connection through the first fuel tank connection 7.

[0036] The electric drive 37 can be an electromechanical drive such as an electromagnet. According to the illustrated embodiments, the valve seat 41 is frustoconical, and a surface 53 of the valve body 39, which is arranged to abut against the valve seat 41, is convex. This reduces the risk of any particles in the fuel becoming trapped between the valve body 39 and the valve seat 41 and thereby hindering complete closure of the valve 33. Furthermore, a larger cross-section is provided between the valve body 39 and the valve seat 41 with a shorter stroke of the drive 37. This allows lower flow resistance through the valve 33 to be achieved using an electric drive 37 with a short stroke. In the illustrated embodiments, the valve body 39 is dome-shaped.However, the valve body 39 may have a different shape, such as a shape in which at least the surface 53 of the valve body 39 arranged to abut the valve seat 41 is convex. In further embodiments, the valve seat 41 may be convex, and a surface 53 of the valve body 39 arranged to abut the valve seat 41 may be frustoconical. Although it may be more difficult to manufacture, the same advantages can be achieved with such a valve.

[0037] The valve 33 comprises a separation compartment 55 formed by partition walls 56 and a screen 58 in an upper region of the separation compartment 55. The screen 58 has a plurality of openings arranged to allow fuel flow from the fuel tank through the screen 58 into the separation compartment 55. The screen 58 can also function as a fuel filter that prevents particles above a certain size from entering the separation compartment 55. A valve 33 with the separation compartment 55 as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is shown at the bottom of the Fig. 1, corresponding fuel tanks 5, 9, 10 are arranged.

[0038] According to the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the valve 33 comprises a float 43 and a switch 45. The float 43 is connected to the switch 45 and is arranged to actuate the switch 45 if a fuel level in the fuel tank 5, 9 is below a threshold value. In the illustrated embodiments, the threshold value is determined based on a height of the partition walls 56 and the size of the fuel tank. This means that if the fuel level in one of the fuel tanks falls below the threshold value, e.g., below an upper edge of the partition walls 56, the float will sink and actuate the switch 45 when the fuel in the partition compartment 55 is pumped out of the partition compartment through the tank connection 7. The electric drive 37 is connected to the switch 45 and is arranged, upon actuation of the switch 45, to change the position of the valve body 39 from the position shown in Fig. 3a reproduced disclosure which is in Fig. 3b to control the closed position shown.

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the first valve 33 is located in the first fuel tank 5, the second valve 35 is located in the second fuel tank 9, and the third valve 36 is located in the third fuel tank 10. Thus, when the fuel level in one of the fuel tanks drops below the threshold, the float will lower and actuate the switch, and the electric drive will control the position of the valve body to the closed position. This prevents air from being sucked into the first pump 13.

[0040] According to the Fig. 1, the fuel supply arrangement 1 further comprises a control unit 31, which is connected to the electric drives of the associated valve 33, 35, 36 of the corresponding fuel tank 5, 9, 10, which in the illustrated embodiment are the first valve 33, the second valve 35 and the third valve 36. According to the Fig. 1, the first fuel tank 5 has a fuel tank inlet 47 provided with a filler neck cover 49 which is arranged on the fuel tank inlet 47 so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The fuel supply arrangement 1 comprises a sensor 51 connected to the control unit 31, wherein the sensor 51 is arranged to detect the position of the filler neck cover 49. The control unit 31 is designed to control all of the valves, i.e. in the illustrated embodiments the first valve 33, the second valve 35 and the third valve 36, which are in a closed position, into an open position if the filler neck cover 49 is moved into the open position. As a result, when the first tank 5 is filled, the fuel will flow through the first tank connection 7 through the fuel container 15 into the other fuel tanks 9, 10.Accordingly, due to this arrangement, a user can fill all fuel tanks 5, 9, 10 simply by filling the first tank 5. Accordingly, a fuel supply arrangement 1 with multiple fuel tanks 5, 9, 10 and the above-described advantages of preventing the intake of air and / or water into the fuel pumps 13, 25 is provided, which at the same time is easy to fill.

[0041] According to the Fig. 1, the first fuel tank 5 comprises the fuel tank connection 47, which is provided with the fuel filler cap 49. However, according to other embodiments, one of the other fuel tanks 9, 10 may have the fuel tank inlet 47 equipped with the filler cap 49. In the embodiment shown in Fig. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the filler cap 49 is illustrated as a filler cap. However, according to other embodiments, the filler cap 49 includes an inner cover within the fuel tank inlet 47, which is movably disposed within the fuel tank inlet 47 between an open position and a closed position. In such embodiments, the sensor 51 is thus arranged to detect the position of the inner cover.

[0042] The control unit 31 may include a computing unit, which may take the form of essentially any suitable type of processor circuit or microcomputer, e.g., a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic capable of interpreting and executing instructions. As used herein, the term "computation unit" may represent a processing circuit comprising multiple processing circuits, such as any, some, or all of the foregoing.The control unit 31 may have a storage unit connected to a calculation unit of the control unit 31, which storage unit supplies the calculation unit with, for example, the stored program code and / or stored data which the calculation unit requires to execute calculations.

[0043] Control systems in modern vehicles generally include a communication bus system consisting of one or more communication buses for connecting a number of electronic control units (ECUs) or controllers to various components on board the vehicle. Such a control system may include a large number of control units, and the management of a particular function may be divided between two or more of them. Vehicles of the type in question here are therefore often equipped with considerably more control units than in Fig. 1, as experts in this field will certainly know.

[0044] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a land-based vehicle 3 with an internal combustion engine 57 and a fuel supply assembly 1 according to some embodiments. The fuel supply assembly 1 is configured to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine 57 of the land-based vehicle 3. The internal combustion engine 57 may be a diesel engine or a gasoline engine. Fig. The vehicle 3 shown in Figure 4 is a truck. However, the provided fuel supply assembly 1 may be configured to supply fuel to an internal combustion engine 57 of another type of manned or unmanned land-based vehicle, such as a truck, construction vehicle, tractor, car, etc.

[0045] It is understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various embodiments, and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments may be modified and that different features of the embodiments may be combined to produce embodiments other than those described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0046] As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended and includes one or more specified features, elements, steps, components, or functions, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.

Claims

[1] Fuel supply arrangement (1) for a land-based vehicle (3), comprising: - a first fuel tank (5) with a first fuel tank connection (7), - at least one second fuel tank (9) with a second fuel tank connection (11), - a first pump (13), and a fuel tank (15) having an outlet (17), a first inlet (19), and at least one second inlet (21), wherein the first inlet (19) is fluidly connected to the first fuel tank connection (7) and the second inlet (21) is fluidly connected to the second fuel tank connection (11), wherein the first pump (13) is fluidly connected to the outlet (17) of the fuel tank (15) and is configured to pump fuel from the first fuel tank (5) and at least the second fuel tank (9) through the fuel tank (15), wherein the fuel supply arrangement (1) further comprises a first valve (33) and at least one second valve (35), wherein the first valve (33) is configured to close a fluid connection through the first fuel tank connection (7) if a fuel level in the first fuel tank (5) is below a threshold value,and wherein the at least second valve (35) is configured to close a fluid connection through the second fuel tank connection (11) if a fuel level in the second fuel tank (9) is below a threshold value, , characterized by in that the fuel supply arrangement (1) has a buffer tank (23) and a second pump (25), wherein the first pump (13) is designed to pump fuel from the first fuel tank (5) and at least the second fuel tank (9) into the buffer tank (23), and wherein the second pump (25) is arranged to pump fuel from the buffer tank (23) to a high-pressure pump (27) of the land-based vehicle (3). [2] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first pump (13) and the fuel tank (15) are arranged on the first fuel tank (5). [3] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a tank module (24), wherein the first pump (13), the fuel tank (15) and the buffer tank (23) are arranged in the tank module (24). [4] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fuel level monitoring unit (29) arranged to monitor a fuel level in the buffer tank (23), wherein the fuel supply arrangement (1) further comprises a control unit (31) connected to the fuel level monitoring unit (29) and the first pump (13), wherein the control unit (31) is arranged to maintain the fuel level in the buffer tank (23) above a predetermined threshold value by controlling the pumping of the first pump (13). [5] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve (33) and at least the second valve (35) each have an electric drive (37), a valve body (39) and a valve seat (41), and wherein the electric drive (37) is connected to the valve body (39) and is arranged to control the position of the valve body (39) with respect to the valve seat (41) between an open position and a closed position in order to control a fluid connection through the associated first and at least second fuel tank connection (7, 11). [6] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first valve (33) is arranged in the first fuel tank (5) and the second valve (35) is arranged in the second fuel tank (9), wherein the first valve (33) and the second valve (35) each have a float (43) and a switch (45), and the float (43) is connected to the switch (45) and is arranged to actuate the switch (45) if a fuel level in the fuel tank (5, 9) is below a threshold value, and wherein the electric drive (37) is connected to the switch (45) and is arranged to control the position of the valve body (39) into the closed position upon actuation of the switch (45). [7] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a control unit (31) connected to the electric drives (37) of the first valve (33) and at least the second valve (35), wherein the first fuel tank (5) or the second fuel tank (9) has a fuel tank inlet (47) provided with a filler neck cover (49) which is arranged on the fuel tank inlet (47) so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the fuel supply arrangement (1) further comprises a sensor (51) connected to the control unit (31), wherein the sensor (51) is arranged to detect the position of the filler neck cover (49), and wherein the control unit (31) is configured to control the first and at least the second valve (33, 35), which are in a closed position, into an open position if the filler neck cover (49) is moved into the open position. [8] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to claims 5 to 7, wherein the valve seat (41) is frustoconical and wherein a surface (53) of the valve body (39) arranged to bear against the valve seat (41) is convex. [9] Fuel supply arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each fuel tank (5, 9) comprises a separation compartment (55) arranged at a bottom of the corresponding fuel tank (5, 9), and wherein each valve (33, 35) is arranged in an associated separation compartment (55). [10] Land-based vehicle (3) with an internal combustion engine (57) and a fuel supply arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel supply arrangement (1) is adapted to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine (57) of the land-based vehicle (3).

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