Abstract: A liquid/vapor separator assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a liquid separator plate adapted to be disposed within and secured to a portion of the fuel tank to form a liquid trap therebetween. The liquid/vapor separator assembly also includes a standpipe extending from the liquid separator plate and communicating with the liquid trap to allow fuel vapors to flow to a vapor canister. The liquid/vapor separator assembly further includes at least one valve mounted to the liquid separator plate to allow fuel from the liquid trap to return to an interior chamber of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A liquid/vapor separator assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a liquid separator plate adapted to be disposed within and secured to a portion of the fuel tank to form a liquid trap therebetween. The liquid/vapor separator assembly also includes a standpipe extending from the liquid separator plate and communicating with the liquid trap to allow fuel vapors to flow to a vapor canister. The liquid/vapor separator assembly further includes at least one valve mounted to the liquid separator plate to allow fuel from the liquid trap to return to an interior chamber of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a fuel tank having a tank opening and a component disposed therein includes a seal adapted to be disposed between the component and a tank surface of the fuel tank. The seal assembly also includes an encapsulated studded ring assembly for attachment to the tank surface and adapted to be disposed about the tank opening. The seal assembly further includes a locking ring cooperating with the encapsulated studded ring assembly for engagement with the component to secure the component to the fuel tank and to seal the tank opening via the seal.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a vehicle includes a plastic tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell. The fuel tank also includes a support structure having a honeycomb configuration disposed between and connected to the first half shell and the second half shell to provide support to the tank shell.

Abstract: A plastic fuel tank including a hollow plastic tank body and a variable length plastic strut in the hollow tank body. A pair of flat plastic sheets are vacuum formed at a forming temperature in upper and lower mold cavities to the shape of upper and lower plastic shells. The plastic strut includes an upper foot, a lower foot, and a coupling means operable to support the upper foot on the lower foot for back and forth linear translation against a controlled resistance. With the mold cavities separated, the plastic strut is interposed between the upper and lower shells. The mold cavities are closed to form the hollow tank body by fusion bonding the upper and lower shells at respective attachment flanges on each. When the tank body thereafter cures and shrinks, the plastic strut is squeezed between the upper and lower shells against the controlled resistance of the coupling means to fusion bond the upper and lower feet of the strut to the shells.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a fuel tank having a tank opening and a component disposed therein includes a seal adapted to be disposed between the component and a tank surface of the fuel tank. The seal assembly also includes an encapsulated studded ring assembly for attachment to the tank surface and adapted to be disposed about the tank opening. The seal assembly further includes a locking ring cooperating with the encapsulated studded ring assembly for engagement with the component to secure the component to the fuel tank and to seal the tank opening via the seal.

Abstract: A spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a flange tower adapted to be at least partially disposed in a fill spout of a fuel tank. The spud assembly also includes a bead flange extending from the flange tower for engagement with a tank filler neck tube to retain the tank filler neck tube thereto. The spud assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the flange tower to allow fuel to enter the fuel tank from the tank filler neck tube and prevent fuel from exiting the fuel tank to the tank filler neck tube.

Abstract: A vapor canister and fuel tank assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel tank having an interior chamber and a tank opening communicating with the interior chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly also includes an insert disposed in the interior chamber and the tank opening and forming a vapor plenum chamber in the tank opening and a canister chamber therein. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly includes a canister bed disposed in the canister chamber to absorb vapor fuel in the vapor plenum chamber. The vapor canister and fuel tank assembly further includes a coaxial line having one end for connection to an engine of the vehicle and another end connected to the vapor plenum chamber to allow liquid fuel to communicate with the interior chamber and vapor fuel to communicate with the vapor plenum chamber.