Alternate fuel storage system and method
A fuel tank for storing an alternate fuel and providing the fuel to an internal combustion engine includes: an inner shell with an internal cavity designed to store fuel; an outer shell configured and positioned relative to the inner shell such that an interstitial volume is created between the inner and outer shells; and a heating unit positioned in the interstitial volume. In some embodiments, the interstitial volume is filled with air; in other embodiments, the interstitial volume is filled with a thermally insulative material.
1. A fuel tank for storing an alternate fuel and providing the fuel to an internal combustion engine, comprising:
an inner shell with an internal cavity designed to store fuel;
an outer shell configured and positioned relative to the inner shell such that an interstitial volume is created closed between the inner and outer shells; and
a heating unit positioned in the interstitial space, the heating unit configured to transfer heat energy to fuel stored within the inner shell.
2. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial volume is filled with a gas.
3. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial volume is filled with at least one thermally insulative material.
4. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial volume is evacuated.
5. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the interstitial volume is a thermally insulative barrier that also functions as one of the inner shell and the outer shell.
6. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the heating unit is a heat exchanger.
7. The fuel tank defined in claim 6 , wherein the heat exchanger is mounted on an outer surface of the inner shell.
8. The fuel tank defined in claim 6 , wherein the heat exchanger includes a control device that prevents coolant from reaching a portion of the heat exchanger.
9. The fuel tank defined in claim 8 , wherein the control device is operatively associated with a temperature sensor positioned to detect the temperature of coolant in circulation.
10. The fuel tank defined in claim 8 , further comprising a temperature sensor positioned to detect the temperature of fuel in the inner shell, the temperature sensor being operatively associated with the control device.
11. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor positioned to detect the temperature of fuel in the inner shell.
12. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the heating unit comprises an electrical heating element.
13. The fuel tank defined in claim 12 , wherein the heating element is configured to be connected to power through electrical conductors that extend outside the outer shell.
14. The fuel tank defined in claim 12 , further comprising a thermostat operatively associated with the heating element.
15. The fuel tank defined in claim 12 , wherein the heating element is mounted on an outer surface of the inner shell.
16. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , wherein the inner shell is thermally conductive.
17. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , further comprising a fuel volume sensor.
18. The fuel tank defined in claim 1 , further comprising a fuel viscosity sensor.
19. A fuel tank for storing an alternate fuel and providing the fuel to an internal combustion engine, comprising:
an inner shell with an internal cavity designed to store fuel;
an outer shell configured and positioned relative to the inner shell such that an interstitial volume is created closed between the inner and outer shells;
a heating unit positioned in the interstitial space, the heating unit configured to transfer heat energy to fuel stored within the inner shell;
wherein the heating unit, inner shell and outer shell are mounted on a common mounting structure.
20. The fuel tank defined in claim 19 , wherein the fuel tank includes at least one of a fuel level sensor, a fuel viscosity sensor, and a fuel temperature sensor mounted to the mounting structure.
21. The fuel tank defined in claim 19 , wherein the fuel tank includes at least two of the fuel level sensor, a fuel viscosity sensor, and the fuel temperature sensor mounted to the mounting structure.