Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Guards and shields
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-02-27
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Guards and shields
C137S565340, C137S565240, C123S509000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192918
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a pressure vessel assembly according to the preamble of claim
1
.
Such a pressure vessel assembly is known from DE- 94 11 124 U 1. In the case of conventional pressure vessels such as those for holding LPG a plate is welded onto a part of the wall thereof, in order to achieve a greater wall thickness in this way. Holes are tapped in said wall, and the various inlets, outlets and the like are fitted thereon. Since this is a relatively complex method, it is proposed in the above prior art to provide such a so-called accessories plate as a separate part and attach it to the tank by means of a seal. In this way the accessories plate with parts mounted thereon can be fitted in the tank in a single operation. This is important particularly if a complex float device for the filling level is fitted.
Such an accessories plate is preferably designed for a system with single line, in the case of which liquefied gas under pressure is supplied to an internal combustion engine and combusted there. However, a recent development makes use of an injection system for LPG in which a fuel pump is used and a return line is present, inter alia, in order to ensure that liquefied gas is constantly present in the injection lines concerned. In this case it is essential for such a pump to operate as far as possible in excess pressure, because when negative pressure is created during the suction of the liquefied gas there is a danger of this gas passing into vapour form. For that reason, every effort is made to fit such a pump at the bottom of a pressure vessel if possible. However, this entails drawbacks as regards design, because a top opening of considerable size must be present. Another problem is that tanks with different dimensions are used, depending on the type of vehicle.
DE-94 11 124 describes a fuel tank for motor vehicles in which the fuel pump is mounted inside the tank through a spring loaded structure supporting on the other hand on a vertical mounting rod suspended from the top wall of the tank.
The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel assembly in the case of which the fuel pump is easy to fit, and in the case of which it is always ensured that such a fuel pump is situated near the bottom of the vessel.
This object is achieved in the case of a pressure vessel assembly of the type described above by the fact that a fuel pump is present in the vessel, which fuel pump is suspended from the flanged plate solely by way of exchangeable spacer means of a length to be selected, said length being selected in such a way that the underside of the fuel pump is situated near the bottom, while the accessories plate is provided with a fuel return line element.
The invention is based on the idea of using the removable accessories plate known in the prior art. This produces a relatively large opening which can be used in a particularly effective way for allowing through the fuel pump. Contrasting with earlier proposals, the fuel pump is not fixed to the bottom of the vessel, but to the accessories plate, so that it is possible to mount everything in advance. This is important in particular for the coupling of pipes, but spacers are used between the accessories plate and the fuel pump, in order to provide.an adaptation to different (height) dimensions of the tanks. If these spacers are in the form of vibration-damping elements such as silent blocks, the advantage obtained here is that the noise of the pump is insulated as much as possible relative to the environment.
The accessories plate can be combined in any way known in the prior art with the box which has to be fitted thereon as a compulsory measure in many countries. Such a box is an additional safety measure which prevents gas from escaping to, for example, the boot of the car if there is leakage between the accessories plate and the various accessories fitted thereon. For this purpose, a gastight box which is in communication by way of an outlet with the outside of the vehicle, preferably the underside, is stipulated. In the event of any leakage, the gas in question will escape to the outside of the vehicle, so that the risk of explosion during starting and the like is largely removed. Such an accessories box in the prior art is a separate expensive casting which has to be fitted by complicated steps.
According to one-object of the invention, use of such a complex accessories box is avoided by the fact that the pressure vessel comprises a circular opening which is made in the pressure vessel and in which a pipe section is welded, the end of which pipe section facing the inside of the vessel being provided with the flanged edge, and in which the end facing away from the inside of the vessel can be provided with a cover, i.e. the construction for the accessories plate is effectively combined with the box described above.
The now very simply designed cover can be used in particular for the accommodation of electronic components. This cover is a relatively cool part and provides such components with sufficient protection. Such electronic components comprise in particular circuits relating to the control of the pump,
Although the pump can comprise any construction known in the prior art, it is preferably provided with a buffer element fitted in its vicinity. LPG can be stored in said buffer element, and in particular if the tank is almost empty, the presence of the buffer element ensures that the pump does not suck up vapour instead of liquefied gas. A non-return valve is preferably fitted in the buffer element, so that material din only enter the buffer element. The buffer element can be made of a relatively flexible material which can adapt to the local conditions.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fuel return line opens put into the buffer element, so that when the pressure vessel is just about empty it is ensured that liquid is sucked up as long as possible. The good heat conduction will mean that the slightly warmer liquid from the return line is cooled immediately, before being pumped back by the fuel pump described above.
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Den Hartog Marcus Johannes Petrus Gerardus
Jaasma Servatius Alfons Maria
Rivell John
Vialle Beheer B.V.
Young & Thompson
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