LIQUID FUEL STORAGE TANK FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE

• US 20110017748A1
• Filed: 07/24/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Usman, Mohammad, Palma, Rodolfo, Dong, Mike
• Application Number:
  US12/508,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20110017748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/562
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/077 with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03453 for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0775 for reducing movement or slash noise of fuel

Abstract

A fuel storage tank for an automotive vehicle includes a receiver with a number of perimeter walls defining an interior volume for storing liquid fuel. A number of anti-slosh bodies are located within the receiver. A locator structure cooperates with perimeter walls to confine the anti-slosh bodies within a predetermined part of the interior volume.

Claims

1. A fuel storage tank for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a receiver having a plurality of perimeter walls defining an interior volume for storing liquid fuel;

a plurality of anti-slosh bodies located within said receiver; and

at least one locator structure cooperating with said perimeter walls to confine said anti-slosh bodies within a predetermined part of said interior volume.

2. A fuel storage tank according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said anti-slosh bodies comprises a generally ovoidal shell having a hollow interior, with a plurality of ports extending through the shell.

3. A fuel storage tank according to claim 2, wherein said at least one locator structure comprises a cage extending from a lower perimeter wall of said receiver to an upper perimeter wall of said receiver in a region circumscribing a fuel delivery module.

4. A fuel storage tank according to claim 2, wherein said at least one locator structure comprises a linear element extending between a plurality of said perimeter walls.

5. A fuel storage tank according to claim 4, wherein said linear element comprises a cable tensioned between at least two of said perimeter walls, with said cable extending through at least one of said anti-slosh bodies.

6. A fuel storage tank according to claim 4, wherein said linear element extends through a plurality of said anti-slosh bodies.

7. A fuel storage tank according to claim 6, wherein said linear element further comprises a plurality of separators, with at least one of said separators being located upon said linear element between adjacent ones of said anti-slosh bodies.

8. A fuel storage tank according to claim 1, wherein said anti-slosh bodies comprise at least one generally ovoid-sectioned hollow beam having an outer shell and extending between a plurality of said perimeter walls, with said beam having a plurality of ports extending through the outer shell, and with said at least one locator structure comprising a mount for attaching said beam to at least one of said perimeter walls.

9. A fuel storage tank according to claim 1, wherein said anti-slosh bodies comprise at least one generally generally hemispherical hollow shell having a plurality of ports extending therethrough, with said at least one locator structure comprising a mount for attaching said hollow shell to an interior surface of at least one of said perimeter walls.

10. A fuel storage tank for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a receiver having a plurality of perimeter walls defining an interior volume for storing liquid fuel;

a plurality of hollow, generally ovoid, anti-slosh bodies located within said receiver, with said bodies having ported outer shells allowing fuel to freely flow through said bodies; and

a locator system cooperating with said perimeter walls to suspend at least some of said anti-slosh bodies within a predetermined region of said interior volume.

11. A fuel storage tank according to claim 10, wherein said locator system comprises at least one cable extending between at least two of said perimeter walls, with said cable extending through said suspended anti-slosh bodies.

12. A liquid transport tank, comprising:

a receiver having a plurality of perimeter walls defining an interior volume for storing liquid;

a plurality of anti-slosh bodies located within said receiver; and

at least one locator structure cooperating with said perimeter walls to confine said anti-slosh bodies within a predetermined part of said interior volume.

13. A liquid transport tank according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said anti-slosh bodies comprises a generally ovoidal shell having a hollow interior, with a plurality of ports extending through the shell.

14. A liquid transport tank according to claim 12, wherein said anti-slosh bodies comprise at least one generally ovoid-sectioned hollow beam having an outer shell and extending between a plurality of said perimeter walls, with said beam having a plurality of ports extending through the outer shell, and with said at least one locator structure comprising a mount for attaching said beam to at least one of said perimeter walls.