System and method for fuel balancing

Abstract

A system and method for fuel balancing is disclosed. The system and method measures the difference in fuel levels between two fuel tanks. In one case, when the difference in the two fuel levels exceeds a predetermined amount, an indicator is activated. In another case, when the difference in the two fuel levels exceeds a predetermined amount, the fuel is only drawn from the fuel tank containing the most fuel.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 monitoring a difference between at least a first amount of fuel in a first fuel tank and a second amount of fuel in a second fuel tank;    indicating when the difference exceeds a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  where the difference is monitored by comparing a first fuel level in the first fuel tank with a second fuel level in the second fuel tank.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  where the difference is monitored by comparing a first weight of the first fuel tank with a second weight of the second fuel tank.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  where a visual signal is used to indicate when the difference exceeds the predetermined amount.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  where an audio signal is used to indicate when the difference exceeds the predetermined amount.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  where the first fuel tank is on a first side of a truck and the second fuel tank is on a second side of the truck.  
   
   
       7 . A method, comprising: 
 monitoring a difference between at least a first fuel level in a first fuel tank and a second fuel level in a second fuel tank;    switching from a first connection to a second connection when the difference exceeds a predetermined amount, where the first connection is between the first fuel tank and a fuel pump and the second connection is between the second fuel tank and the fuel pump.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  where the switching occurs automatically.  
   
   
       9 . A method, comprising: 
 balancing a fuel use between at least a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank by drawing fuel from at least one of the fuel tanks;    monitoring a difference in an amount of fuel in the first fuel tank and an amount of fuel in the second fuel tank;    automatically stopping the fuel from being drawn from the fuel tank that has the least amount of fuel, when the difference between the amount of fuel in the first fuel tank and the amount of fuel in the second fuel tank reaches a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  where the fuel is initially drawn from both fuel tanks.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  where the fuel is stopped by switching the fuel use from the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank.  
   
   
       12 . A fuel system, comprising: 
 a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank;    a first fuel monitor configured to measure an amount of fuel in the first fuel tank;    a second fuel monitor configured to measure an amount of fuel in the second fuel tank;    a comparator configured to compare the measured amount of fuel from the first fuel monitor with the measured amount of fuel from the second fuel monitor;    the comparator configured to activate an indicator when the difference between the amount of fuel in the first fuel tank and the amount of fuel in the second fuel tank exceeds a predetermined amount.    
   
   
       13 . The fuel system of  claim 12  where the fuel system is for a diesel truck.  
   
   
       14 . A fuel system, comprising: 
 a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank;    a switching device connecting the first fuel tank to a fuel pump;    the switching device connecting the second fuel tank to the fuel pump;    a first fuel monitor configured to measure an amount of fuel in the first fuel tank;    a second fuel monitor configured to measure an amount of fuel in the second fuel tank;    a comparator configured to compare the measured amount of fuel from the first fuel monitor with the measured amount of fuel from the second fuel monitor;    the comparator configured to signal the switching device when the difference between the amount of fuel in the first fuel tank and the amount of fuel in the second fuel tank exceeds a predetermined amount;    the switching device configured to disconnect the fuel tank that has the least amount of fuel from the fuel pump when signaled by the comparator.    
   
   
       15 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the switching device comprises a first solenoid and a second solenoid where the first and second solenoids feed into a common manifold.  
   
   
       16 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the switching device is a three position valve.  
   
   
       17 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the fuel system is for a diesel vehicle.  
   
   
       18 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the fuel system is for a gasoline vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the fuel system is for a natural gas vehicle.  
   
   
       20 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the comparator is implemented in hardware.  
   
   
       21 . The fuel system of  claim 14  where the comparator is implemented using a processor running firmware.  
   
   
       22 . A fuel system comprising: 
 a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank;    a means for monitoring a difference between a first fuel level in the first tank and a second fuel level in the second tank;    a means for switching a connection to a fuel pump from the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank when the difference exceeds a predetermined amount.