A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is return
A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to a vehicle engine from a plurality of fuel tanks. A transfer pump is positioned intermediate a pair of fuel tanks and is operable to transfer fuel therebetween. Fuel is provided to the engine from a first one of the two fuel tanks. Excess fuel is returned to the first one of the two fuel tanks. When the level in the first fuel tank is less than the level in the second fuel tank by a predetermined amount, the transfer pump transfers an amount of fuel from the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank. Fuel level sensors are utilized to monitor the level of fuel in the two fuel tanks and report to a microprocessor which controls the transfer pump. The microprocessor utilized to control the transfer pump may be incorporated into the transfer pump, may be a stand alone microprocessor, or may comprise an existing vehicle circuit board such as, e.g., the electronic control module (ECM). A fuel transfer line interconnects the two tanks and is located above the two tanks.
대표청구항▼
1. A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to an engine, comprising:a first fuel tank;a fuel supply line, said fuel supply line in direct fluid communication with said first fuel tank and the engine;a fuel return line, said fuel return line in direct fluid communication with the engine and said
1. A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to an engine, comprising:a first fuel tank;a fuel supply line, said fuel supply line in direct fluid communication with said first fuel tank and the engine;a fuel return line, said fuel return line in direct fluid communication with the engine and said first fuel tank;a first fuel level sensor operatively associated with said first tank;a second fuel tank;a second fuel level sensor operatively associated with said second tank;a pump in direct fluid communication with said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank, said pump operative to transfer fuel from said second fuel tank to said first fuel tank;a fuel gauge;a controller operatively connected to said first and second fuel level sensors and said fuel gauge whereby the total amount of fuel in said first and second tanks is computed by said controller and is indicated by said gauge; anda fuel transfer line interconnecting said first and second fuel tanks and located above both said fuel tanks. 2. The fuel transfer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fuel transfer line is connected to the tops of said two fuel tanks. 3. A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to an engine, comprising:a first fuel tank having a first fuel level sensor operably associated therewith;a fuel supply line, said fuel supply line in direct fluid communication with said first fuel tank and the engine;a second fuel tank having a second fuel level sensor operably associated therewith;a fuel return line, said fuel return line in direct fluid communication with the engine and one of said first and said second fuel tanks;a pump in fluid communication with said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank, said pump operable to transfer fuel from one of said first and said second fuel tanks to the other of said first and said second fuel tanks;a microprocessor communicatively connected to said first fuel level sensor and said second fuel level sensor, said microprocessor further communicatively connected to said pump, said microprocessor operable to compare a first fuel level value provided by said first fuel level sensor with a second fuel level value provided by said second fuel level sensor, said microprocessor signaling said pump to transfer fuel from said second fuel tank to said first fuel tank when said first fuel level value becomes less than said second fuel level value by a predetermined amount; anda fuel transfer line interconnecting said first and second fuel tanks, said fuel transfer line located above both said fuel tanks. 4. The fuel transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein said microprocessor is integral with said pump. 5. The fuel transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein said microprocessor comprises a vehicle electronic control module. 6. The fuel transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein said microprocessor is operable to output a fuel level value to a fuel gauge, said fuel level value being computed based upon both said first fuel level value and said second fuel level value. 7. The fuel transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein said microprocessor is communicatively connected to the vehicle engine, and wherein said microprocessor thereby receives an indication of the operational status of the engine, and whereby the microprocessor is operable to discontinue operation of said pump responsive to a signal that the engine is not operating. 8. A fuel transfer apparatus for providing fuel to an engine, comprising:a first fuel tank having a first fuel level sensor operably associated therewith;a fuel supply line, said fuel supply line in direct fluid communication with said first fuel tank and the engine;a second fuel tank having a second fuel level sensor operably associated therewith;a fuel return line, said fuel return line in direct fluid communication with the engine and one of said first and said second fuel tanks;a pump in fluid communication with said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank, said pump operable to transfer fuel from one of said fi rst and said fuel tanks to the other of said first and said second fuel tanks;a microprocessor communicatively connected to said first fuel level sensor and said second fuel level sensor, said microprocessor further communicatively connected to said pump, said microprocessor operable to compare a first fuel level value provided by said first fuel level sensor with a second fuel level value provided by said second fuel level sensor, said microprocessor signaling said pump to transfer fuel from said second fuel tank to said first fuel tank when said first fuel level value becomes less than said second fuel level value by a predetermined amount;a three-way valve positioned intermediate said pump and said first fuel tank, said three-way valve including an inlet operably connected to said pump, said three-way valve further including a first outlet in fluid communication with said first fuel tank and a second outlet in fluid communication with said fuel supply line, said three-way valve communicatively connected to said microprocessor; anda fuel transfer line interconnecting said first and second fuel tanks, said fuel line located above both said fuel tanks.
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