Vehicle Mountable Tank Patents (Class 220/562)
  • Patent number: 11946207
    Abstract: A portable water spreader has a water tank with a coupler to couple to and be elevated and tilted by a front-end loader. Discharge pipes are coupled to the tank with spray heads. Vent pipes are coupled to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Steve Watson
  • Patent number: 11878621
    Abstract: Fuel delivery vessels and vehicles are described. Some embodiments include nozzles for access by an operator. Some embodiments include optimized size and material characteristics. Some embodiments include various dispensing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Westmor Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Abe Wruck, Jeremy Kellen, Mike Hennen, Milt Swenson
  • Patent number: 11794571
    Abstract: A blow molded thermoplastic fuel tank with built-in fuel system components inside of the tank on separate and spaced apart internal brackets reduces the detrimental effects of thermoplastic swell to ensure fuel volume capacity is maximized, and appropriate clearances with the fuel tank wall are maintained. An internal configuration with separate spaced apart brackets provides more design freedom in the shape and configuration of the tank while enabling the tank shape to be thinner overall and fit within tighter spaces. The separate brackets also act as baffles to prevent sloshing noises of liquid fuel in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Leigh Robert Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11772483
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a built-in component with a head portion, a neck portion, and a shoulder portion, and has the built-in component anchored to a tank body with a parison wrapped around the neck portion during molding. The fuel tank includes a deformation prevention structure configured to prevent a wrapping parison portion wrapped around the neck portion from being deformed due to pressure acting on the tank body. The deformation prevention structure is configured to include one of a stepped portion provided in the shoulder portion, a convex portion, and a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: YACHIYO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Morooka
  • Patent number: 11708778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid container for a motor vehicle, having a container wall that bounds a storage volume for storing liquid with respect to an environment, a heating element that is arranged in the storage volume, and a housing, wherein the housing encloses the heating element in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the supply volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Nicolai Schumacher, David Regier, Claas Goedecke
  • Patent number: 11661235
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bulk material shipping container top wall assembly, and a bulk material shipping container including the top wall assembly, that provides various advantages over previously known commercially available bulk shipping material container top wall assemblies and bulk shipping material containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: C. John Allegretti, Kevin Sylvester Corrigan, Daniel J. Falce
  • Patent number: 11618314
    Abstract: A support for connecting the upper and lower surfaces inside a fuel tank includes a connecting column. Each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting column is provided with an end surface. The end surface is coated with plastic. The connecting column is provided with a notch, and the number of the connecting column is at least one. The connecting column is configured in an I-shape, an H-shape, an M-shape, a W-shape or other shapes. The shape of the notch is V-shaped, U-shaped, semicircular or irregular. The notch is provided on a left side or a right side of the connecting column or in a middle of the connecting column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: YAPP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Liu, Weidong Su, Wenjuan Dou, Lin Jiang
  • Patent number: 11597577
    Abstract: A compartment for storing fuel in a vehicle having a protective outer structure and an inner structure. The protective outer structure is maintained in position relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. The inner structure, which holds fuel, is positioned in the outer structure. The inner structure is maintained in position relative to the outer structure and relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. During an impact to the vehicle, the inner structure is configured to move independent of the outer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Robson Forensic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Leiss, Marcus A. Mazza, Bret W. Johnson, Daniel Fridline
  • Patent number: 11364793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated fuel tank assembly, and a process of manufacturing the same, for use in commercial vehicles, and more particularly, to an integrated fuel tank assembly that allows multiple components to be manufactured as a single integral structure, such as a single extruded device including a draw tube, a return tube, a fuel sender device, and a vent, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Daniel Ray Enyeart
  • Patent number: 11273814
    Abstract: A hydraulic block, the upper side of which is provided with a brake-fluid reservoir which is fixed in place on the front surface and on the rear surface of the block by fastening apparatus/device (arrangement). The front fastening apparatus/device (arrangement) is formed by a tab that projects from the underside of the reservoir, this tab being screwed to the front surface of the block. The rear fastening apparatus/device (arrangement) is made up of a tab, which projects from the rear side of the reservoir and is formed by a hook that is supported by a carrier that is fastened to the rear side of the hydraulic block and forms a support for the tab, as well as a clamp, which connects the tab to the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Amine Alili, Mickenson Jean Louis
  • Patent number: 11254203
    Abstract: A liquid container for a motor vehicle, comprising a storage volume for storing a liquid and comprising at least one shell, which at least partially delimits the storage volume, wherein the shell has been produced at least partially in an injection molding process, the shell has a barrier film, the shell has a reinforcing element, which is formed at least partially or completely of a thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite material, the shell has a single-part or multi-part support structure, which is formed at least partially or completely of an injection-molded material, the barrier film is integrally bonded to the reinforcing element, and the barrier film and the reinforcing element are each integrally bonded to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Roman Bouffier
  • Patent number: 11248745
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reinforcement method for a cylindrical high-pressure tank reinforced by FRP prepreg bandage, totally. For that purpose, this invention developed the manufacturing process for the internal metallic tank assembly where its diameter is comparatively large. It is effective for lightening weight of a high-pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Tsukasa Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11247828
    Abstract: A fuel tank in a vehicle. The fuel tank includes a protective outer shell and an inner shell. The protective outer shell has an inner shell receiving area. The inner shell, which holds fuel, is housed in the inner shell receiving area of the outer shell. The inner shell cooperates with the outer shell to maintain the position of the inner shell relative to the outer shell and relative to the vehicle during normal operation. During an impact to the vehicle, the inner shell moves independent of the outer shell and the vehicle, allowing a portion of the energy or the forces associated with an impact to be absorbed by the outer shell, reducing the energy or force transferred to the inner shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Peter J. Leiss, Marcus A. Mazza, Bret W. Johnson, Daniel Fridline
  • Patent number: 11162626
    Abstract: A preform that is embodied for manufacture of a combined heating and anti-surge apparatus for automotive operating fluid tanks, in particular for automotive reservoir tanks for aqueous urea solution, encompasses a planar plastic component having at least one electrical resistance heating trace provided thereon and having anti-surge baffles embodied integrally with the planar plastic component and standing off therefrom, the planar plastic component including as functional portions a heating portion having at least one electrical resistance heating trace provided thereon and an anti-surge portion, two functional portions of the plastic component being connected to one another movably relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Fabrizio Chini, Elmar Pichler, Ivan De Metri, Francesca Brunori, Christoph Ganthaler
  • Patent number: 11104221
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel tank for a motor vehicle, with a tank wall bounding a fuel tank interior, characterized by the following features: the fuel tank has a first fiber-reinforced stiffening structure and a second fiber-reinforced stiffening structure; the first stiffening structure is connected to an inner surface of the tank wall, said inner surface facing the fuel tank interior, and the second stiffening structure is connected to an outer surface of the tank wall, said outer surface facing away from the fuel tank interior; and the tank wall is arranged at least in sections in a sandwich-like manner between the first stiffening structure and the second stiffening structure such that the first stiffening structure and the second stiffening structure are arranged overlapping at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Elsasser, Sebastian Rosenstrater
  • Patent number: 11060663
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a vessel main body, a first protective member, and a second protective member. The vessel main body is configured to contain gas inside. The second protective member is configured to exhibit performance that is different from that of the first protective member. One of the first protective member and the second protective member has recesses that the other one of the first protective member and the second protective member does not have at an end on a peak of a domical panel side provided with the one of the first protective member and the second protective member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motoki Maekawa
  • Patent number: 11021051
    Abstract: A liquid vehicle tank (1) having a wall made of a plastic material, the tank (1) comprising a component (3, 5) affixed to the wall, the component (3, 5) having a portion (10) embedded in the wall, the embedded portion (10) having an external surface (21) a part of which is chemically incompatible with the plastic material of the wall, wherein the tank (1) also comprises a strengthening element welded to the wall over the embedded portion (10) of the component (3, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Coing
  • Patent number: 10850606
    Abstract: A flange main body as a cover member for a fuel tank includes a cover plate for closing an opening of the fuel tank, an accommodating tubular portion formed as part of the cover plate so as to extend through the plate in a plate thickness direction, and a rib formed at the cover plate. The accommodating tubular portion and the rib are formed to be non-contiguous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kensuke Niwa, Koji Yoshida, Akira Iida, Shinya Higashi, Morihiro Takemura, Hiroyasu Kariya, Tatsuki Fukui, Takuhito Fujiwara, Takeaki Morizono, Takehiro Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10836298
    Abstract: A transport system for hauling non-hazardous bulk liquids via dry van with a trailer that contains two or more deflatable, flexible bladder tanks that are pressure tested and welded to the trailer bed of the dry van. The bed is pre-lined to avoid puncture. Upon delivery to its destination, the flexible, deflatable bladder tanks are drained completely and deflated, ready for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventors: Ty F Bonnar, Michael Agins
  • Patent number: 10794542
    Abstract: A high pressure tank structure includes a high pressure tank, a pressure relief device, and a heat-resistant plate. The high pressure tank is capable of storing a fluid on an inside of a resin-made liner covered with a reinforced layer. The pressure relief device, when heated to a certain activating temperature, reduces an internal pressure of the high pressure tank. The heat-resistant plate is integrally attached to the high pressure tank, so as to be disposed facing the reinforced layer which is positioned at least on a bottom surface side when mounted in a mounting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ogiwara, Kazuo Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 10744869
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated fuel tank assembly, and a process of manufacturing the same, for use in commercial vehicles, and more particularly, to an integrated fuel tank assembly that allows multiple components to be manufactured as a single integral structure, such as a single extruded device including a draw tube, a return tube, a fuel sender device, and a vent, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel Ray Enyeart
  • Patent number: 10682905
    Abstract: A fuel tank and a method for producing a fuel tank for a motor vehicle. The fuel tank is designed as a blow-molded hollow plastic member, into the interior of which a functional component support is introduced. The support, to which functional components, such as a fuel pump, a level indicator or valves can be secured, includes at least one supporting leg to be supported on an inner face of the hollow plastic member delimiting the interior thereof. The supporting leg of the functional component support is designed to include a connection point to which a functional component can be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Axel Diestelhorst
  • Patent number: 10683139
    Abstract: A replaceable fluid container for a vehicle, the container comprising: a housing comprising a fluid reservoir; an outlet port arranged on the housing to couple the reservoir in fluidic communication with a fluid system of the vehicle for supplying fluid from the reservoir to the vehicle; an inlet port arranged on the housing to couple the reservoir for receiving fluid from the engine to the reservoir; and a vent port arranged on the housing to couple the reservoir for allowing gas to be passed into and out from the reservoir, wherein the inlet, outlet and vent ports are arranged on a common end of the housing and are arranged such that the distance between the vent port and the nearest of the inlet port and outlet port is greater than the distance between the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Castrol Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Philip Barnes, Peter Stuart Brett, Steven Paul Goodier, Piers Sebastian Harding, Gary Keith Jepps, Mark O'Malley, Thomas James McPherson
  • Patent number: 10668805
    Abstract: A method of forming a tank with a stiffening assembly includes forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a connecting assembly within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connecting assembly including a rigid body, a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Ahmad Chehade, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Moez Haouala, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
  • Patent number: 10641217
    Abstract: A deformation inhibiting device for inhibiting deformation of a fuel tank includes a strut member. The strut member includes a bottom support portion and a top support portion configured to support a bottom wall portion and a top wall portion, respectively, of the fuel tank when the strut member is disposed within the fuel tank. The strut member is deformable or movable between an arrangement state for arrangement within the fuel tank and an insertion enabled state configured to be inserted into the fuel tank via the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Ikeya
  • Patent number: 10604005
    Abstract: In a pipe attaching structure of a fuel tank, a pipe attachment section and the fuel tank are molded simultaneously, and the pipe attachment section can be securely molded. In the pipe attaching structure of the fuel tank, which is provided with a pipe attachment section adapted to attach pipes to an exterior wall of the fuel tank, the fuel tank has the pipe attachment section elongating from the exterior wall of the fuel tank outwardly of the fuel tank so as to be integral therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Nakamura, Yasunari Isomura, Kiyotaka Tsukidate
  • Patent number: 10578247
    Abstract: A container that provides for control of fluid flow in the event of a failure of the container is disclosed. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a container is presented that includes a container wall; and one or more flow impeding structures coupled to the container wall, wherein at least one of the one or more flow impeding structures is a multi-sheet layer that deforms to impede flow in a failure of the container wall. In some embodiments, the multi-sheet layer includes cavities formed between individual sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: H2Safe, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Harlan Weisberg
  • Patent number: 10544273
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylene polymer compositions containing a homogeneously-branched first ethylene polymer component and a homogeneously-branched second ethylene polymer component of higher density than the first ethylene polymer component. The ethylene polymer composition can be characterized by a density from 0.912 to 0.925 g/cm3, a melt index less than 3.5 g/10 min, and a CY-a parameter at 190° C. from 0.25 to 0.65. These polymer compositions have the excellent dart impact strength and optical properties of a metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE, but with improved machine direction tear resistance, and can be used in blown film and other end-use applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Praetorius, Chung C. Tso, Qing Yang, Yongwoo Inn, John T. Blagg, Ashish M. Sukhadia
  • Patent number: 10435527
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylene polymer compositions containing a homogeneously-branched first ethylene polymer component and a homogeneously-branched second ethylene polymer component of higher density than the first ethylene polymer component. The ethylene polymer composition can be characterized by a density from 0.912 to 0.925 g/cm3, a melt index less than 3.5 g/10 min, and a CY-a parameter at 190° C. from 0.25 to 0.65. These polymer compositions have the excellent dart impact strength and optical properties of a metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE, but with improved machine direction tear resistance, and can be used in blown film and other end-use applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Praetorius, Chung C. Tso, Qing Yang, Yongwoo Inn, John T. Blagg, Ashish M. Sukhadia
  • Patent number: 10434346
    Abstract: A firefighting training apparatus includes a tank having a tank outlet and a tank inlet, and a cuboid-shaped receptacle mounted on top of the tank. The receptacle has an open rear side, a closed front side, a planar top side, and a bottom side with a sump connected to the tank inlet. The closed front side has a vertical lower portion and an angled upper portion connected to the top side. A plane containing the angled upper portion forms an acute angle with the top side to help disperse training fluid within the receptacle. A plurality of flow dividers are provided on the closed front side to further disperse training fluid being sprayed through the open rear side into the receptacle. The tank with the open-sided receptacle mounted on top is supported by a mobile trailer to facilitate transporting the training apparatus to a training site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Draft Commander, LLC
    Inventor: Gary L Weis
  • Patent number: 10399709
    Abstract: A composite resin tank includes a wall joined to a dome along a joint. A softening strip is used to control stress in the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Robinson, Michael Leslie Hand, Creed Ernest Blevins
  • Patent number: 10378694
    Abstract: A Sealed and thermally insulated tank has a tank wall on a carrier structure. The tank wall has an insulating barrier, sealed barrier and an anchoring member. The sealed barrier has a first undulating metal membrane and a second undulating metal membrane which are located at one side and the other of the anchoring member, along an assembly edge which is oriented parallel with a longitudinal direction of the anchoring member. The first and the second membrane undulate with a first series of undulations which intersect with the assembly edge. Terminal undulation portions which are associated with the first series of undulations of the first membrane extend in a direction transverse to the assembly edge in the direction of the second membrane, beyond the terminal undulation portions which are associated with the first series of undulations of the second membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Gaztransport ET Technigaz
    Inventors: Sebastien Delanoe, Marc Boyeau, Mickael Herry, Antoine Philippe, Virginie Longuet, Fabien Pesquet
  • Patent number: 10343833
    Abstract: A fuel tank in a vehicle. The fuel tank includes a protective outer shell, an inner shell and a crush sleeve. The protective outer shell defines an outer tank. The inner shell defines an inner tank which holds fuel. The inner shell is housed in the outer shell and is isolated from the outer shell by a space. The crush sleeve is provided in the space between the outer shell and the inner shell. The crush sleeve supports the inner shell and maintains the inner shell in position relative to the outer shell. Wherein during an impact to the vehicle, the force of the impact causes the outer shell and the crush sleeve to deform and the inner shell to move relative to the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventors: Peter J. Leiss, Marcus A. Mazza, Bret W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10227108
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to couple fuel components to a fuel tank are described. An example method includes coupling a carrier to a guide suspended in a cavity of a fuel tank, where the guide extends in a longitudinal direction between a first end of the guide adjacent a first side wall of the fuel tank and a second end of the guide adjacent a second side wall of the fuel tank opposite the first side wall, and moving the carrier along the guide between the first end of the guide and the second end of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher Bostwick, IV
  • Patent number: 10132229
    Abstract: An expansion tank for a motor-vehicle cooling system has an inlet port and an outlet port and is provided with a plastic shell having a container and two protruding collars, respectively at the two ports; at least one of the collars defines a seat, which is engaged by a tubular insert coaxial to the collar; elastically deformable teeth are provided for snap-coupling the tubular insert and the shell to each other and axially retaining the tubular insert in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Grava, Maurizio Giani, Salvatore Danise, Marco Colantoni, Giacinto Giai Gischia, Davide Balestro
  • Patent number: 10099766
    Abstract: A pressurized aircraft fuselage includes a pressure bulkhead installed on a fuselage structure, which forms a barrier between an internal pressurized cabin area and an outside area, wherein the edge of the pressure bulkhead is circumferentially attached to the fuselage structure by fastening means, wherein the fastening means include a pair of ring-shaped attachment frames made of an open or hollow profile, which are disposed at each side of the pressure bulkhead respectively, in order to form a clamping connection for the pressure bulkhead towards the fuselage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Karim Grase, Ichwan Zuardy, Henning Scheel, Dieter Hachenberg, B. Claudio Vultaggio
  • Patent number: 10076955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) of thermoplastic material with at least one support (4), which is arranged in the interior of the container, extends between opposing container walls (2) and is anchored at each end to the container walls with a positive engagement and/or a material bond, the support (4) comprising at least one supporting strut (5) and the supporting strut (5) substantially absorbing a supporting load on the container walls (2) induced by negative pressure in the container, and a tensile force that is induced by positive pressure being absorbed by at least one tension-resistant bracing element in the form of a tension-resistant band (8) which extends between the container walls (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Timm Heidemeyer, Ulrich Karsch, Stefan Lenz, Frank Quant, Thomas Wagner
  • Patent number: 10012126
    Abstract: This reservoir assembly includes a reservoir, a liquid supply module of a downstream pipe, and a level sensor. The bottom has a first protruding portion, for housing the supply module, and a second protruding portion for defining a passage housing the downstream pipe. The level sensor is located in the housing. The bottom further has an upper area and a lower area adjacent to the housing. The upper area is defined by a top portion of the passage. The lower area is located lower than the upper area. The level sensor is in the housing at the same altitude as the lower area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MGI COUTIER
    Inventors: Yves Lamirand, Christophe Bondran
  • Patent number: 9975422
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fluid container (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a fuel tank. The fluid container (1) comprises at least one clamping strap (3) surrounding this to hold it at predefined fixing points of the bodywork (4) of a motor vehicle. The fluid container (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the clamping strap (3) is premounted captively on the fluid container (1) without additional fixing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Bruns, Stefan Janicke, Hartmut Looden, Mohr Olaf, Alfred Sinning
  • Patent number: 9914383
    Abstract: An over the wheel well liquid storage tank for storing liquid in a bed of a truck includes a tank body having a main tank portion shaped to fit in an area adjacent a wheel well in the bed of a truck and an over a wheel well tank portion shaped to fit in an area above a wheel well in the bed of a truck. The main tank portion is shaped to fit in an area adjacent a proximal side of the wheel well or in an area adjacent a distal side of the wheel well. A mounting system is coupled to the tank body. The mounting system couples the tank body to the bed of a truck. The mounting system includes a channel coupled to the tank body and a mounting bracket for coupling to the channel and to the truck. The mounting system includes an adjustable bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Anderson, Klint S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9827851
    Abstract: A fuel tank includes a plurality of extending members that extend from an inside surface of a fuel tank main body, a connecting member that is arranged between the plurality of extending members and connects each of these extending members together, and a flexible portion formed on the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Nagasaku
  • Patent number: 9796263
    Abstract: A fuel tank includes a plurality of extending members that extend from an inside surface of a fuel tank main body, a connecting member that is arranged between the plurality of extending members and connects each of these extending members together, and a flexible portion formed on the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Nagasaku
  • Patent number: 9784158
    Abstract: A device for providing a liquid additive includes an assembly main body on which at least one hydraulic component is mounted for the operation of the device. A plug-in plate is fastened to the assembly main body and at least one electric heater and at least one further electrical component for the operation of the device are mounted on the plug-in plate. The at least one electric heater extends from the plug-in plate into at least one cutout of the assembly main body. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Maguin, Philippe Mertes, Cheikh Diouf, Finn Frederiksen, Sven Schepers, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 9718346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating fluid container (1) composed of thermoplastic for a motor vehicle, comprising a reinforcing element (10; 11, 12), which is arranged between two container walls (2, 3) of the operating fluid container (1) and is at least indirectly joined to the container walls (2, 3). The operating fluid container (1) according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the container walls (2, 3) are joined to one another indirectly via the reinforcing element (10; 11, 12) by means of at least one joining element (20; 21-25). In this arrangement, the joining element (20; 21-25) comprises at least two material layers (21-25) joined to one another, wherein a joining force joining the two material layers (21, 22) to one another is less than a joining force between the joining elements (20; 21-25) and the container wall (2, 3) and/or between the joining element (20; 21-25) and the reinforcing element (10; 11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Karsch
  • Patent number: 9669751
    Abstract: An over the wheel well liquid storage tank for storing liquid in a bed of a truck includes a tank body having a main tank portion shaped to fit in an area adjacent a wheel well in the bed of a truck and an over a wheel well tank portion shaped to fit in an area above a wheel well in the bed of a truck. The main tank portion is shaped to fit in an area adjacent a proximal side of the wheel well or in an area adjacent a distal side of the wheel well. A mounting system is coupled to the tank body. The mounting system couples the tank body to the bed of a truck. The mounting system includes a channel coupled to the tank body and a mounting bracket for coupling to the channel and to the truck. The mounting system includes an adjustable bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Supertanks, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Anderson, Klint S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9649929
    Abstract: A fuel tank having two opposite wall portions and at least one reinforcing element connecting these two wall portions, such reinforcing element comprising at least two parts linked by at least one rotating link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: David Hill, Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, Scott McCleary
  • Patent number: 9605803
    Abstract: Fuel tank apparatus and related methods are described. An example method includes placing a first end of a flexible coupling through an access opening formed on a wall of a fuel tank and into a first end of a guide positioned in a cavity of the fuel tank; feeding the first end of the flexible coupling in a first direction through the guide and away from the access opening; redirecting the first end of the flexible coupling towards the access opening by continuing to feed the flexible coupling the first direction; coupling a first fuel component to the first end of the flexible coupling when the first end of the flexible coupling is accessible via the access opening; and directing the flexible coupling in a second direction opposite the first direction via the guide to couple the first fuel component in the cavity of the fuel tank at a position away from the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Bostwick, IV, Sean Whelan, Chad Edward Jaros
  • Patent number: 9566944
    Abstract: Fuel anti-theft systems, apparatus, and methods. Embodiments provide fuel anti-theft systems including a circuit and sensors which define nominal (secure) and tampered-with states. The tampered-with states are indicative of the sensor(s) being absent. Controllers of the current embodiment, moreover, senses a combined state of (all of a pre-selected number of) the sensors and determines therefrom whether all of the sensors are present and secure. In some embodiments, the controller senses the sensors (which can be wired in parallel) via a vehicle chassis ground. If desired, a resistor (which is about electrically equivalent to one of the sensors) and/or a geo-positioning system can be connected to the controller. The sensors can include normally open switches and clamps, cable ties, adhesives, etc. which close the switches. Some sensors include grounding straps while others include ground return leads. In some embodiments, sensors are positioned at vehicle fuel caps and/or fuel filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Elom Tsogbe, Antonio Arocha
  • Patent number: 9393764
    Abstract: An automobile fuel tank includes an outer wall including a main body of a multiple-layered synthetic resin, in which the outer wall includes at least an outer body layer, an outer adhesive layer, a barrier layer, an inner adhesive layer, and an inner body layer. The outer body layer and the inner body layer include a high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a main ingredient. Each of the outer adhesive layer and the inner adhesive layer includes a synthetic resin having adhesiveness against both the high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: FTS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuta Aoe, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Kazuaki Naito, Hisamitsu Kato, Hisayuki Iwai, Yoshiro Umemoto, Katsuhiro Kajikawa
  • Patent number: 9358742
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fuel tank, including: inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; inserting a core inside the parison, the core including two parts of a reinforcing element capable of securing two different locations inside the parison; pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities; fixing the two reinforcing element parts at the two locations of the parison using the core; withdrawing the core; closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; 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; opening the mold and extracting the tank; making an opening into the tank wall; and through the opening, putting at least a third reinforcing element part to link/connect the two first parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, David Hill