Fuel Transfer System with Vapor Recovery and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fueling vehicles and equipment are inefficient and environmentally unfriendly, as they often require transporting vehicles to fueling stations or using heavy portable containers, which are time-consuming, costly, and pose ergonomic and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A fuel transfer system that allows for the delivery of fuel from a motor vehicle's fuel tank to an auxiliary fuel vessel using a fueling nozzle with a flow control valve, a fuel fitting, and conduits, which can be electrically connected and grounded, enabling safe and efficient transfer of fuel without needing the vehicle's engine to be running, and includes features for vapor recovery and automatic shut-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional portable fuel container is used to transfer fuel, then fuel can be delivered to the vehicle, but the container is heavy and difficult to transport ergonomically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vehicle's existing fuel system components (fuel pump, fuel lines, fuel tank) as an intermediary mechanism to transfer fuel, eliminating the need for heavy portable containers. The fuel is transferred through the vehicle's own fuel delivery infrastructure rather than requiring manual handling of fuel in external containers.
2Productivity
If the vehicle's engine is running during fuel transfer, then fuel can be delivered, but the battery may be drained or safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the fuel transfer pathway using the vehicle's existing fuel system components before fuel transfer is needed. The fuel pump and delivery lines are ready in advance, allowing fuel transfer to occur without requiring the engine to be running, thus preventing battery drainage while maintaining fuel transfer capability.
3Device complexity
If fuel is transferred without a flow regulator, then the transfer process is simpler, but fuel evaporation and spills increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a flow regulator that provides feedback control on the fuel transfer process, monitoring and adjusting the flow rate to prevent excessive fuel evaporation and spillage. This feedback mechanism ensures that fuel is transferred at a controlled rate, reducing harmful emissions and environmental contamination while maintaining system simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly means to transfer fuel to auxiliary vessels, reducing the risk of spills and environmental impact while allowing fueling without draining the vehicle's battery and minimizing fuel evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel sending unit in the fuel tank for pumping fuel thorough a fuel line to the vehicle's engine
Implementation Method 2
a flow regulator connected with the first fuel conduit for controlling flow of the fuel delivered by the fueling nozzle
Implementation Method 3
The fueling nozzle may have a boot assembly used for capturing splashed fuel from the auxiliary fuel vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel transfer system for use with a motor vehicle of the type having a fuel tank and a fuel sending unit in the fuel tank for pumping fuel thorough a fuel line to the vehicles engine when the engine is idling where the fuel transfer system allows fuel in the fuel tank to also be delivered to an auxiliary fuel vessel such as another fuel tank, a fuel container, or an engine powered machine is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include features for draining the fuel transfer system when it is not in use for filling an auxiliary fuel vessel.