Ford Motor Company Limited

Superior Valve Company

Alan J Porter

Robin N Borland

Paul R Ervin

Ronald C Malec

Dino V Sciullo

Charles A Geis

An in-line fuel fill valve assembly which provides for rapid and efficient refueling of compressed natural gas powered vehicles is provided and includes a receptacle adapted to mate with a fuel supply nozzle and a valve body having an in-line gas flow passage therethrough. The gas flow passage has first and second ends, with the first end communicating with the receptacle, and the second end terminating at an outlet which is adapted to communicate with a fuel storage vessel. A check valve is positioned in the gas flow passage of the valve body and is normally biased into a closed position to prevent the flow of gas through the first gas flow passage, but which opens in response to a flow of fuel under pressure.

In-line fuel fill valve

A container (10) for compressed gas with a pressure relief member (18) made from a bimorph shape memory material. The bimorph (18) is impermeable by the gas. The bimorph (18) assumes a shape which changes depending on temperature. Below a critical temperature, the bimorph (18) lies in a first (deformed) state, and reverts to a second (remembered) state thereabove. The gas is entrapped within the container (10) when the bimorph (18) assumes the first state. When pressure rises due to temperature increase above the critical temperature, gas may escape from the container (10). This is because the bimorph (18) reverts to its second state, in which a relief gas passageway is opened, thereby relieving gas pressure.

Compressed gas container with shape memory alloy pressure relief member

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

Alan J Porter