4
FIAT PUNTO NATURAL POWER
Passive safety
The Fiat Punto Natural Power version has
the same passive safety features as the
other versions.
In particular, the location and mountings
of the canisters have been designed to
pass the impact tests in accordance with
Fiat safety standards. The flow of methane
coming out of the canisters is governed by
a solenoid valve that is only open during
methane operation.
The solenoid valve unit includes protec-
tion against excess flows (if the high pres-
sure system breaks, the flow of methane
is restricted to values that are not dan-
gerous), overheating (fuse pad that allows
the methane to drain off if the tempera-
ture exceeds 110 °C) and a pressure cal-
ibration device that intervenes if the pres-
sure goes above 300 bar ensuring the
methane escapes in a controlled manner
and as quickly as possible.
The solenoid valve is connected to the
Fire Protection System (inertia switch or
fuel cut off switch).
Active safety
The Fiat Punto Natural Power version has
the same active safety features as the oth-
er versions.
The Fiat Punto Natural Pow-
er version is equipped with a
high pressure methane system de-
signed to run at 200 bar.
It is dangerous to force the system
with higher pressures. When towing
or lifting the car, the instructions in
this booklet at the end of the chap-
ter should be followed in order to pre-
vent damage to the methane system
parts: “Towing the car”.
If there is a problem with the
methane system, only go to a Fiat
Dealer.
Do not alter the methane system con-
figuration or components; they are
designed exclusively for the Fiat Pun-
to Natural Power. The use of other
components or materials could cause
malfunctions and reduce safety.In the case of painting in an
oven, the canisters should be
removed from the vehicle and refit-
ted later by a Fiat Dealer. Although
the methane system has numerous
safety features, it is advisable to close
the manual taps for the canisters
every time the car is not in use for a
long period, transported on other ve-
hicles or moved in an emergency as a
result of a breakdown or accident.
WARNINGWARNING
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7
FIAT PUNTO NATURAL POWER
3) Excess flow,it intervenes if the piping
is broken limiting the flow of methane to
values that are not dangerous.
The flow restricter valve is located to al-
low it to operate even if the solenoid valve
casing is broken due to an impact.
4) Manual tap,it is located upstream of
the solenoid valve.
SOLENOID VALVES/
SAFETY DEVICES
The solenoid valves Fig. 5and Fig. 6are
bolted directly onto the methane canis-
ters with the main function on interrupt-
ing the flow of methane to the supply cir-
cuit.
The solenoid valves are open when:
❒the switching button is in the methane
position;
❒the pressure in the canister is sufficient
for operation;
❒the engine is running;
❒the inertia switch has not been trig-
gered.
The solenoid valve assembly is equipped
with the following safety devices:
1) Fuse pad,in the case of overheating
(temperature above 110 °C), it totally
eliminates the danger of excess pressure
making the methane in the canister flow
out as quickly as possible in a controlled
manner.
2) Mechanical excess pressure device
(Burt Disk),in the case of excess pres-
sure (above 330 bar), it ensures that the
methane escapes as quickly as possible in
a controlled manner.It separates the canister from the methane
system to allow maintenance operations.
The taps are accessible from outside the
car and are located, in the case of the
lengthwise centre canister, at the rear of
the canister and, in the case of the trans-
verse rear canister, towards the right
wheel side.
To close the taps D-Fig. 7: turn the knob
in the direction (1) shown by the arrow
(clockwise
OFF)
To open the taps D-Fig. 7: turn the knob
in the direction (2) shown by the arrow
(anti-clockwise
ON)
5) Single-acting valve,this prevents the
methane from flowing back to the filler.
fig. 5F0M0454m
fig. 6F0M0455m
fig. 7
D
1
2
F0M0456m
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