FUEL TANK

• US 20020047015A1
• Filed: 11/18/1999
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: ECK, KARL, RUMPF, BERND, KELLER, DIETER, MEYER, DR. KNUT, MOHR, INGO, SINZ, DR. WOLFGANG, DISTELHOFF, DR. MARKUS, MOSER, DR. RAINER, FROHLICH, WINFRIED, KLOKER, DR. JUSTUS
• Granted Patent: US 6,491,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/562
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03177 made of non-metallic material, e.g. plastics, or of a combination of non-metallic and metallic material B60K15/03006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03504 adapted to avoid loss of fuel or fuel vapour, e.g. with vapour recovery systems

Abstract

A fuel tank for a motor vehicle comprising a wall composed of two shells arranged one above the other. The outer shell of the wall preferably has an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. A filter element is arranged in front of the outlet orifice. Scavenging air from the inlet orifice thereby passes first into a gap between the shells and subsequently to a filter element. As a result, fuel vapors can no longer diffuse through the wall and pollute the environment.

Claims

1. A fuel tank for a motor vehicle, comprising a wall manufactured from plastic, wherein the wall has at least two shells arranged one above the other, and wherein the fuel tank has means for the removal of fuel vapors present in a gap between the shells.

2. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for the removal of the fuel vapors comprise a filter element arranged between the two shells.

3. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for the removal of the fuel vapors have, arranged on the outer shell, an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for scavenging air.

4. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are capable of being closed by a valve.

5. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein a connection for a line leading to an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle is arranged in the region of the outlet orifice.

6. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter element is spaced from the shells.

7. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for the removal of the fuel vapors have a filter element arranged at the outlet orifice.

8. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filter element comprises activated charcoal.

9. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein spacers are manufactured in one piece with one of the shells.

10. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spacers are designed as a lattice-like insert part.

11. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filter element arranged between the shells forms a structural unit with the spacers.

13. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second shells comprise injection molded plastic.

14. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fuel tank further comprises a filter element between the first and second shells.

15. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fuel tank further comprises an inlet orifice attached to the second shell.

16. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 15, wherein the outlet orifice and inlet orifice contain valves.

17. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outlet orifice is connected to a internal combustion engine.

18. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 12, wherein a filter is connected to the outlet orifice.

19. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 18, wherein the filter comprises activated charcoal.

20. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 12, wherein there are a plurality of spacers located between the first and second shells.

12. A fuel tank comprising:

a first shell;

a second shell surrounding the first shell, wherein there is a gap between the first and second shells; and

an outlet orifice attached to the second shell, wherein the outlet orifice communicates with the gap.