The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 28, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 15, 1998
Neel Sirosh, Irvine, CA (US);
Syed Hussain, Anaheim Hills, CA (US);
Eric G Adler, Irvine, CA (US);
David Marley, Santa Ana, CA (US);
IMPCO Technologies, Inc., Cerritos, CA (US);
Abstract
The controls for controlling the supply of natural gas fuel for a vehicle are integrated together in a module which is located at the gas tank. Such controls include a high pressure regulator for lowering the pressure of the gas flowing from the tank and an electronically controlled solenoid valve which shuts off the gas flow when no fuel is required by the engine and when the gas pressure in the tank falls below a predetermined value. Also included in the module are a pressure sensor for providing signals for controlling the shutoff valve; a check valve which permits one way flow of gas into the gas tank when it is filled; a pressure relief mechanism responsive to the temperature and pressure sensors for allowing safe release of the gas to the outside should the temperature rise above a predetermined limit. The solenoid valve, as indicated above, responds to the sensors and additionally functions as an excess flow shut off valve to cut off gas flow from the tank should the gas line rupture or the module is sheared off.