Vehicular Fuel Tank Patents (Class 220/4.14)
  • Patent number: 11840140
    Abstract: A combination vehicle includes a tractor and a trailer towed by the tractor. The trailer includes a first tank that is configured to store a high-pressure gas as a fuel used by the tractor to travel. The tractor includes a second tank that is configured to store a high-pressure gas as a fuel used by the tractor to travel. The combination vehicle is configured to travel using the fuel supplied from the first tank and the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kondo, Yukihide Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10906395
    Abstract: Provided is a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system that can include a frame and at least one container. The frame can include a first side and a second side, with each side being configured to partly define a portion of an interior space. The at least one container can be configured to house or contain CNG and can be engaged to and partly encased by the frame. The at least one container can be partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side. The frame assembly can be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle such that the at least one container is located either at least partially underneath a cab of the vehicle or at least partially behind a cab of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Gary Gibb, Michael Pintz, Stephen Polatas
  • Patent number: 10816138
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-pressure fluid vessel includes forming a first portion of a high-pressure fluid vessel with a molding process. The high-pressure fluid vessel includes a stack of capsules. Each capsule includes a first domed end, a second domed end, and a semicylindrical portion extending between and connecting the first domed end to the second domed end. The method further includes forming a second portion of a high-pressure fluid vessel with the molding process. The second portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel is positioned adjacent to the first portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel. The second portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel is welded to the first portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Patent number: 10730591
    Abstract: Multi-lobe tank for containing pressurized liquids, such as liquefied gas, for mounting into a ships hull, wherein the tank comprises at least a first longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part having a center line and a second longitudinally extending multi-lobe tank part having a center line that are positioned behind each other resulting in a forward multi-lobe tank part and a rear multi-lobe tank part with aligned center lines, wherein the first part can tapered towards an end of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: AC-INOX GMBH
    Inventor: Sascha Werner
  • Patent number: 10302053
    Abstract: A fuel tank structure comprising a fuel tank; a canister; a first pipe that joins together a holding portion of the fuel tank and the canister; a first shut-off valve provided at the first pipe; a filler pipe; a second pipe that joins together the filler pipe and the canister; a second shut-off valve provided at the second pipe; a pressure sensor that detects the pressure inside the holding portion; a fuel pump that feeds the fuel to an engine; and a control unit. The control unit opens the first shut-off valve during refueling such that evaporative fuel is permitted to move from the holding portion to the canister, and closes the first shut-off valve after refueling. The control unit opens the second shut-off valve when the pressure inside the holding portion detected by the pressure sensor drops below a predetermined pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Aso
  • Patent number: 10086469
    Abstract: A method for welding together two workpieces. The method includes stamping, using a stamping system, a first workpiece comprising a material that creates vapor when melted, such as zinc. The first workpiece is stamped at a first preselected region to form a plurality of depressions in the first preselected region. The method further includes positioning the first preselected region adjacent a second preselected region of a second workpiece. After stamping and positioning as such, the method includes applying energy to at least one of the first preselected region and the second preselected region to melt material of the first and second workpieces to form a joint connecting together the first and second workpieces. Based on the configuration and arrangement created, any vapor formed by molten material vents from the joint being formed, between the depressions formed, and away from the first and second workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, Justin A. Wolsker
  • Patent number: 9815562
    Abstract: A fuel tank dam closes a gap that is formed between a first structural component and a second structural component. The fuel tank dam includes a first portion disposed on a first structural component side, a second portion disposed on a second structural component side, an elastic member that is supported by the first portion at one end while supported by the second portion at the other end and closes a gap that is formed between the first portion and the second portion, and a sealing mechanism that seals between the first member and the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Eizaburo Yamaguchi, Akihisa Okuda
  • Patent number: 9764507
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Stephane Leonard, Thierry Ferracin, Frederic Jannot
  • Patent number: 9428882
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine having a central foothold and a maintenance access passage with high safety. The construction machine includes an upper slewing body including: an upper frame, an engine compartment, a cabin on a right or left region of the upper frame, a central foothold immediately forward of the engine compartment and on a central region of the upper frame widthwise of the upper frame, and a maintenance access passage extending rearward while elevated to guide a worker from the ground forward of the upper frame to the central foothold on a side opposite to the cabin. Widthwise of the upper frame, an inward edge of an upper end portion of the maintenance access passage is located inward of one edge of the central foothold, to thereby form a transit zone between the maintenance access passage and the central foothold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Murakami, Hironori Tsukamoto, Tsuyoshi Noda
  • Patent number: 9415879
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for preventing gases and/or fluids emanating from a wing box of an aircraft from passing to an aircraft fuselage cell situated underneath it. The device comprises at least one sheet-like material positioned below or above the wing box. The sheet-like material is preferably made of a woven fabric comprising aramid fibers or the like, which fabric in order to ensure the required seal vis-à-vis liquid and/or gaseous substances, in particular vis-à-vis fuels, has been impregnated or soaked with an epichlorohydrin elastomer compound or with some other elastomer, for example a rubber compound or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christos Bogiatzis
  • Patent number: 9347335
    Abstract: The tank for a turbine engine comprises a partition separating a first compartment from a second compartment of the tank , the partition having a first end and a second end, the second end being closer to the bottom of the tank than the first end, the partition being inclined from the first end to the second end in the first direction and in the direction of the first outlet to the second outlet , the partition comprising at least one first Through-hole near the first end and at least one second through-hole closer to the second end than the first hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Antoine Laigle, Gilles Le Gouellec, Bellal Waissi
  • Patent number: 9108506
    Abstract: An improved fuel tank and method of forming a fuel tank utilize reinforced porous metal composite materials. In one embodiment, the composite material includes a fully dense, fluid-impermeable skin combined with a porous metal baffle. The skin and baffle may be formed as a single monolithic system via electrodeposition of a nanolaminate material into at least a portion of open, accessible void space within a porous preform (e.g., a metal foam preform) and on the exterior surface of the preform to form the fluid-impermeable skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Modumetal, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Whitaker, Christina A. Lomasney
  • Publication number: 20150114363
    Abstract: A fuel tank for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel tank may have a first fuel compartment defining a first convex volume. The first convex volume may be configured to provide fuel having a first fuel temperature to the internal combustion engine. The fuel tank may also have a second fuel compartment defining a second convex volume. The second fuel compartment may be disposed above the first fuel compartment. The second fuel compartment may also be configured to receive excess fuel from the internal combustion engine. The excess fuel may have a second fuel temperature higher than the first fuel temperature. In addition, the fuel tank may have a fluid passage configured to fluidly connect a first gravitationally upper most portion of the first fuel compartment to a second gravitationally upper most portion of the second fuel compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Voss, Thomas Mann
  • Patent number: 9010809
    Abstract: An oil storage tank includes a hydraulic oil tank configured to store hydraulic oil, a fuel oil tank configured to store fuel oil, a breather valve disposed on the hydraulic oil tank, and a breather hose connected to the breather valve. The hydraulic oil tank includes a first facing face facing the fuel oil tank. The fuel oil tank includes a second facing face facing the hydraulic oil tank. The second facing face has a fuel-oil-tank adjacent face and a fuel-oil-tank sloped face. The fuel-oil-tank adjacent face extends along the hydraulic oil tank. The fuel-oil-tank sloped face is connected to the fuel-oil-tank adjacent face and slopes relative to the fuel-oil-tank adjacent face so as to be away from the hydraulic oil tank. The breather hose is disposed along the fuel-oil-tank sloped face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Nishiyama, Ryouji Shiota, Jun Yonehara
  • Publication number: 20150096977
    Abstract: A fuel holding device is secured to a vehicle by means of straps and brackets, which sits on a system of gaskets to prevent longitudinal sliding and rotation. A gasket system for preventing longitudinal sliding is disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and a circumferential bracket system that includes a U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket. The gasket system comprises a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion. A system for preventing rotation of a fuel-holding device has a circumferential wedge gasket segment, or a corrugated segment, positioned at a gap between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: QUANTUM FUEL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Neel Sirosh, Derrin Lynn Olischefski
  • Publication number: 20150083733
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a conformable high pressure gas fuel storage system has a high pressure gaseous storage vessel with a central section disposed between end sections and in fluid communication therewith. The end and central sections have hollow geometric objects. The geometric objects have self-similarity providing the gas storage vessel with a fractal geometry. Each geometric object of each end section branches into a plurality of the geometric objects of the central section. The geometric objects of the central section have a smaller cross-section and thinner outer wall than the geometric objects of the end sections. The geometric objects of at least the central section are formable with bends to a configuration to conform the gas storage vessel to a space in a vehicle in which the gas storage vessel is packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Tarek Abdel-Baset
  • Publication number: 20150041592
    Abstract: A fuel tank in which it is possible to reduce working hours or cost in a manufacturing process and prevent an increase in weight in, a main wing, an aircraft fuselage, an aircraft, and a mobile body. The fuel tank is provided with a structural member using carbon fiber reinforced plastic in which a reinforcing material includes carbon fibers and a matrix includes plastic, wherein the matrix has electrical conductivity applied thereto. Furthermore, a cut surface of the structural member, which is formed by cutting the structural member, may be exposed to the inside in which fuel is accommodated, of a fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kamihara, Masayuki Yamashita, Toshio Abe, Yuichiro Kamino
  • Patent number: 8944268
    Abstract: A fuel introducing member is connected to an opening end of a siphon pipe forming a fuel tank. The fuel introducing member has an opening for introducing fuel within the tank, and the opening is formed in the upper surface of a cover section. A lid body is pivotably mounted to the upper surface. When the opening is above the level of fuel, the lid body closes the opening by the weight of the lid body, and when the opening is below the level of the fuel, the lid body floats in the fuel to open the opening. The opening is located below the upper end of the inner diameter of the opening end of the siphon pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Murabayashi, Takeaki Nakajima, Kiyofumi Shida, Hiroaki Watanabe, Yutaka Utsumi, Kengo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20150014308
    Abstract: Edge seals for composite structure fuel tanks are disclosed herein. One disclosed apparatus includes a seal covering an exposed edge of a carbon fiber reinforced composite fuel tank, where the seal comprises a layer of dielectric material to insulate carbon fibers at the exposed edge from fuel in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kovach, Kari L. Stromsland, Diane L. Heidlebaugh, John A. Ward, Arlene M. Brown, Donald K. Dabelstein
  • Publication number: 20150014307
    Abstract: A tie rod for a plastic tank, in which the tie rod has end faces made of plastic and between the end faces has a central part made of a metal, a plastic tank having such a tie rod and a method for producing a plastic tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Günther POZGAINER, Bernd KAHLER
  • Patent number: 8910675
    Abstract: A method for venting of a liquid tank with a valve, a primary compartment and a secondary compartment which are connected together via a bridge. The valve includes a chamber provided with a cover, which extends at least partly into the tank and is connected via an upper venting aperture to a venting circuit. A first device monitors a level of liquid in the primary compartment. A second device monitors a level of liquid in the secondary compartment. The valve configured to be closed when the first device detects that the level of liquid in the primary compartment is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second device detects that the level of liquid in the secondary compartment is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Philippe Coulon, Sebastien Jouie, Remi Thebault, Pierre Lacome, David Hill, Joseph Douglas Chiasson
  • Patent number: 8899433
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving a fluid. The housing may be generally rectangular with six orthogonally oriented sides. A plurality of mounting portions are carried by the housing. One or more fittings are selectively attached to respective mounting portions of the plurality of mounting portions. The mounting portions may include mounted surfaces at an intersection of a pair of adjacent sides of the housing. The mounting surfaces may be at angles to both of the respective adjacent sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Colin Andrew Hill
  • Patent number: 8881924
    Abstract: A tank for containing a fluid, such as fuel, oil or gas within a chamber. The walls of the chamber are partially defined by a rigid structure having an opening; and partially defined by an elastomeric diaphragm which is attached around its periphery to the rigid structure and covers the opening in the rigid structure. An attachment frame engages the diaphragm and the rigid structure, and extends around the periphery of the diaphragm. The attachment frame has a first portion which engages the diaphragm, and a second portion which is positioned outside an outer edge of the diaphragm and attached to the rigid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Colin John West, James Alves, Robert Piper
  • Publication number: 20140305936
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank for a motor vehicle, which is made up of two shells which are complementary to one another, wherein the shells are supported against one another by at least one strut penetrating the tank (1), connecting opposing wall regions of the tank. The strut is configured as a two-part hollow strut (4), wherein the parts of the hollow strut are latched together via a plug connection and the latching connection is secured by at least one closure body (12) at least partially filling up the cross section of the hollow strut (4) at least level with the latching connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Gebert, Jochen Hild, Markus Hützen, Christoph Mehren
  • Patent number: 8844754
    Abstract: A fuel tank made of plastic, in the interior of which an insert (2) is located, wherein the insert should enclose a space (3), wherein the fuel tank should offer the greatest possible economy of space, and the fuel tank and the insert should have a simple form. For this purpose, a box made of plastic and open at the top is attached to the inside of the upper wall (1) of the fuel tank as an insert (2), wherein the box forms a closed space (3) together with the wall (1) of the tank, wherein the insert (2) comprises a bottom (5) and side walls (6, 7, 8, 9), the upper edges of which are connected in a bonded manner to the wall (1) of the tank. The insert (2) contains inner parts (20-26) that are integral therewith and has at least one fitting (13-16) on the side walls (6, 7, 8, 9) for connecting a pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fuel Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Pozgainer, Mark Polifke
  • Publication number: 20140231424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid container (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a fuel container (1), having at least one filler tube (4) and having means for operational and filling ventilation, comprising at least one operational ventilation line (7) which is connected to an equalizing volume of the liquid container (1) and at least one filling ventilation opening (9) which opens into the equalizing volume. The fuel container (1) according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the operational ventilation opening (7) is connected to the filler tube (4) outside the container volume, in a manner which forms a siphon (8), and that the connection of the operational ventilation line (7) to the filler tube (4) is arranged in such a way that liquid is collected in the siphon (8) during each filling operation and closes the operational ventilation line (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ibrahim Koukan
  • Patent number: 8763646
    Abstract: Functional components which are stationarily mounted in a fuel tank and connected together by way of a connecting line can be damaged by a change in size and shape of the fuel tank. The invention concerns a fuel tank, in particular of thermoplastic material, comprising at least two functional components such as for example venting valves, pumps, containers or the like, which are stationarily arranged in a fuel tank and which are connected together by way of a connecting line. To avoid damage, in accordance with the invention one connecting line includes at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the stiffness of the first portion is less than the stiffness of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Timo Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8741207
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including a built-in neck, by molding a parison in a mold. The neck is molded by locally deforming the parison using a concave counter-form and a convex form configured to enter the counter-form, these two parts being secured one of them to the mold and the other to a core located inside the mold, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research S.A.
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Serge Dupont
  • Patent number: 8720732
    Abstract: A plastic fuel tank including an upper wall, a lower wall and at least two compartments, such compartments being established by a dividing wall including a part of the tank upper and lower walls, this dividing wall having at least opening enabling free flow of liquids between the at least two compartments and at least opening enabling free flow of vapors between the at least two compartments, such openings occupying less than 80% of the dividing wall, the at least 20% remaining of the dividing wall being constituted by at least one kiss point formed by welding together a multiplicity of contact points of the upper and lower walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (SociétéAnonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Benoit Devaux
  • Patent number: 8714390
    Abstract: A container for operating media of motor vehicles which is chemically stable both in respect of the fuel carried and in respect of additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Fuel Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Kögel
  • Patent number: 8707937
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8685149
    Abstract: A breather 2 on a top of a tank body 1 is opened through a carbon dioxide permeable membrane 3 to an atmospheric air so as to take an inert gas containing plenty of carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane 3 into the tank body 1 by a negative pressure due to reduction of a fuel F in the tank body 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Uchida
  • Patent number: 8678226
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) consisting of thermoplastic, with at least one continuous seam (3), with a filler orifice, with means for aeration and venting and with means for the conveyance and extraction of fuel which are in the form of at least one fuel conveying unit (11) arranged inside the fuel tank (1). In the fuel tank (1) according to the invention, with the exception of the filler orifice, no orifices or perforations which are substantially larger than the diameter of the line to be led through are provided in the tank wall, instead the fluid lines and/or electrical lines led out of or into the fuel tank (1) pass through the seam (3) of the fuel tank (1) so as to extend at an angle with respect to the profile of the seam (3), and/or are led partially through the filler orifice and, if appropriate, a filler neck adjoining the filler orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk Eulitz
  • Patent number: 8663544
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Stephane Leonard, Thierry Ferracin, Frederic Jannot
  • Publication number: 20140042160
    Abstract: A non-metallic fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body, at least one coupling device or mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body to a bed of a truck or to a trolley, and a fuel fill opening. A grounding wire may be coupled to the non-metallic tank as well as a fuel line connector which is also coupled to the existing fuel system of a truck. A mounting system for a non-metallic fuel tank includes two rear toe clamps and two front mounting assemblies which include a front mount base and an angle iron coupled together. A portable fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body and a trolley coupled to the tank body. The trolley includes a base, a mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body and the base, at least one handle and at least one wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Anderson, Klint S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8636162
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly for vehicles including a fuel tank shell having reduced wall thickness, accordingly resulting in a reduced total mass of the tank assembly. The fuel tank shell comprises two half shells connected to one another and having at least one support member attached thereto for providing structural support to the fuel tank shell. In particular, the support member may be positioned internally or externally to the fuel tank with such a positioning being selected so as to offer support in at least one area where the stress level exerted on the fuel tank shell is maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Les Industries Spectra/Premium, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Schoen, Todd Marentette, Steve Fontaine, Cory Borghi, Doug Olgren, Leslie Menec, Mark Church
  • Patent number: 8631556
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: introducing a parison into mold cavities; introducing a core inside the parison, where the core is first fitted with a swirl pot having a housing for the pump; closing the mold so that the cavities come into leaktight contact with the core; pressing the parison against the cavities by blowing through the core and/or applying a vacuum behind the cavities; fastening the swirl pot to the parison using a device attached to the core; molding the parison by blow molding and/or thermoforming; unmolding the tank, and mounting a pump in the housing of the swirl pot. The mounting of the pump is achieved by way of an intermediate part, the external shape of which is standard and complementary to that of the housing, and the internal shape of which is adapted to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Ralph Pohlmann, Franck Dhaussy
  • Patent number: 8591798
    Abstract: Method for stake-fastening an accessory (4) into a plastic fuel tank, whereby:—the accessory (4) is equipped with at least one orifice (5) which passes right through the accessory (4); —at least some of the plastic of which the wall of the tank (1) is made is melted; and—some of the molten plastic is forced through the orifice (5) of the accessory without becoming detached from the remainder of the molten plastic; —the protruding molten plastic is given an appropriate shape (8) to obtain a self-formed plastic rivet, and is left to solidify; the size and shape of the orifice (5) and/or of the solidified plastic (8) being such that the accessory (4) is mechanically fastened to the tank by at least some of the solidified plastic (8), the stake-fastening of the accessory (4) occurring at the time of manufacture of the tank (1) through the moulding of a split or at least two-part parison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Pascal De Henau
  • Publication number: 20130306628
    Abstract: A fuel tank system is obtained, in which internal pressure does not readily increase and in which there is no need to secure a space for deformation at the periphery of the fuel tank. A vapor pipe is connected to a fuel tank, and an atmosphere release pipe is connected through a canister. An electromagnetic valve is attached to the vapor pipe, communicating a gas layer at an upper portion inside the fuel tank with the external atmosphere by opening the electromagnetic valve. A thinned deformation location capable of indentation-deformation towards the inside is provided at an upper wall portion of the fuel tank. A negative pressure pump is provided to reduce the pressure inside the fuel tank, causing the deformation location to indentation-deform towards the inside. The fuel tank is sealed by closing the electromagnetic valve in a state in which the deformation location is indentation-deformed towards the inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Aso
  • Publication number: 20130284732
    Abstract: A vehicle tank and/or fill pipe for the vehicle tank, the vehicle tank and/or the fill pipe including a flexible part having an auxetic structure and/or a flexible part including helicoidal corrugations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen
  • Publication number: 20130248525
    Abstract: A liquid level detecting device and a fuel tank structure are obtained that do not require provision of plural, independent detection electrodes. A liquid level detesting device 40 has a pair of electrode plates (42, 44), and has a first detection electrode (70A) that detects electrostatic capacitance between the pair of electrode plates, and a variable structure (60) that can vary a surface area of an overlapping region of the pair of electrode plates (42, 44) and can switch to a second detection electrode (70B) by changing the surface area by a predetermined amount with respect to the first detection electrode (70A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chiaki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 8539938
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Publication number: 20130240520
    Abstract: An energy-storing container is made of a lightweight steel having the following chemical composition (in wt %): C 0.04-2%; Mn 14-30%; Al 1.5-12%; Si 0.3-3%; Cr 0.12-6%, and additionally one or more of the following elements: Ti, V, Nb, B, Zr, Mo, Ni, Cu, W, Co, P, N, each at up to 5% and in total at up to 10%, wherein the remainder is Fe including common steel tramp elements, wherein the concrete alloy composition is selected in order to limit the a?-martensite fraction before or after a forming process to no more than 3%, with the stipulation that the a?-martensite equivalent according to 0.1*wt % Mn+wt % C+0.05*wt % Si is between 3.4 and 10.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SALZGITTER FLACHSTAHL GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Braun, Manuel Otto, Zacharias Georgeou, Bianca Springub
  • Publication number: 20130233850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid reservoir (1), in particular for an aqueous urea solution, comprising a buffer storage means (2) arranged on the bottom of the liquid reservoir (1) in the installation position, a liquid delivery unit (3), at least one, preferably a plurality of first filter elements (4) arranged on the bottom in the installation position outside the buffer storage means (2), each of which first filter elements is connected to the liquid delivery unit (3) via a liquid line (5), the first filter elements (4) being constructed such that the filter fabric of the first filter elements (4) is permeable to the liquid located in the liquid reservoir (1) and impermeable to air, a second filter element (6) being arranged between the interior of the buffer storage means (2) and the liquid delivery unit (3), which second filter element is constructed such that the filter fabric of the second filter element (6) is permeable to the liquid located in the liquid reservoir (1) and impermeable to air, the bre
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Volker Treudt
  • Publication number: 20130228572
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel tank made of thermoplastic material with at least one sheet-like stiffening element (1) which is connected to the tank wall, consists of material that has a higher modulus of elasticity than the base material of the fuel tank and which is connected to the fuel tank with interlocking engagement on the outer side thereof, the stiffening element (1) not being completely enclosed by the base material of the outer tank wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Raimund Helmig, Ulrich Karsch, Harald Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20130228573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic plastic. The method comprises the extrusion of at least two sheet-like preforms consisting of thermoplastic plastic, the introduction of the preforms into a preferably multipart molding die with a molding cavity which at least partially defines the contour of the hollow body to be manufactured, and the shaping of the preforms inside the die, using a vacuum and/or gas pressure in the first heat of the material. The method is distinguished in that at least two preforms to be shaped into a hollow body and to be connected are extruded successively, that is to say sequentially, in time and are shaped simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Eckhardt, Matthias Franke-Maintz, Gerd Wolter
  • Patent number: 8524344
    Abstract: A polymeric vessel includes a first shell formed from a thermoplastic polymer and including a weld stub, and a second shell formed from the thermoplastic polymer and including a weld anvil matable with the weld stub. The polymeric vessel also includes a friction weld joint joining the weld stub and the weld anvil, and a coupling element interconnecting the first shell and the second shell and spaced apart from the friction weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations PLLC
    Inventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, Michael A. Karram, Xin Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20130220999
    Abstract: The present invention is to enhance the reliability of a fuel tank by integrating sealing points of a fuel tank body into one point, and to achieve the reduction in cost. The fuel tank according to the present invention is a fuel tank (10) including a fuel supply device (30) for pressure-feeding fuel to an engine (E) of a vehicle; a fuel vapor treating device (20) configured to enable adsorption of fuel vapor; a fuel tank body (10m) which stores the fuel; and a cover material (45) which blocks an opening portion (41) formed in the fuel tank body (10m), wherein an inlet portion (50) to which an inlet pipe for guiding the fuel from a fueling port to the fuel tank body (10m) is connected is fixed to the cover material (45) in a state of penetrating the cover material (45), and a pipe (37s) and a wire (39x) of the fuel supply device (30) and pipes (45a) and (45p) of the fuel vapor treating device (20) are further fixed to the cover material (45) in a state of penetrating the cover material (45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Usui
  • Patent number: 8500170
    Abstract: An aerodynamically-shaped fuel tank is provided for a refrigeration unit mounted on the forward end of a truck body. The fuel tank includes a cylindrical main body portion having forward and rearward ends. An aerodynamically-shaped nose portion extends forwardly and upwardly from the forward end of the main body portion. An aerodynamically-shaped tail portion extends rearwardly and upwardly from the rearward end of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Raimund Pfaff
  • Patent number: 8499788
    Abstract: A dry air fuel vent breather to remove the moisture from air entering a fuel system is provided. When air flows in to the breather from the outside, it is forced through a desiccant cartridge. When air is exhausted from the system, it bypasses the desiccant cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Richard J. Raymo, Sr.