Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Roshini Venkatesh

Brent Edward Sealy

David Martin

Dennis Seung-Man Yang

Alan Robert Dona

John Joseph Virga

Vehicle fuel fill control systems may anticipate vehicle refueling events in order to control the timing of fuel tank depressurization sequences. In a first embodiment, a global positioning system (GPS) is utilized to anticipate the vehicle refueling event prior to initializing the depressurization sequence. In another embodiment, a camera system is utilized to anticipate the refueling event prior to initializing the depressurization sequence. In yet another embodiment, both the GPS and the camera system may be utilized to anticipate the refueling event. By anticipating refueling events, customer wait time for gaining refueling access may be reduced.

Fuel fill control systems and methods for anticipating vehicle refueling events

A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a fuel inlet conduit configured to receive a fuel dispensing nozzle. The fuel inlet conduit opens to an inlet opening. A guard is configured to move back and forth between a blocking position that prevents insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle through the inlet opening into the fuel inlet conduit, and an accessing position that permits insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle through the inlet opening into the fuel inlet conduit.

Fuel filler access control system

This disclosure is directed to vehicle fuel fill control systems for anticipating vehicle refueling events in order to control the timing of fuel tank depressurization sequences. In a first embodiment, a global positioning system (GPS) is utilized to anticipate the vehicle refueling event prior to initializing the depressurization sequence. In another embodiment, a camera system is utilized to anticipate the refueling event prior to initializing the depressurization sequence. In yet another embodiment, both the GPS and the camera system may be utilized to anticipate the refueling event. By anticipating refueling events, customer wait time for gaining refueling access may be reduced.

This disclosure is directed to vehicle fuel systems capable of isolating the energy within a fuel tank from the vehicle user. An exemplary fuel system may include a first valve located within a fuel inlet conduit and a second valve located within a vapor recovery recirculation line of the fuel system. The first and second valves may be controlled based on the pressure inside a fuel tank of the fuel system. Fuel may only be transferred into the fuel tank when the fuel tank is within a predefined threshold pressure range. A depressurization sequence of the fuel tank may be automatically initiated when a fuel door of the fuel system is moved to an open position. The positioning of the fuel door may be monitored by a fuel door position monitoring device.

Refueling control systems and methods for pressurized vehicle fuel systems

A vehicle fueling control system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fuel inlet conduit configured to receive a fuel dispensing nozzle, and a blocking assembly. The blocking assembly is configured to move back and forth between a fill blocking position that blocks airflow through a port of the fuel dispensing nozzle and a fill permitting position that permits airflow through the port of the fuel dispensing nozzle.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Roshini Venkatesh