Fuel tank assembly

• US 6,138,859 A
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magna Steyr Fuel Systems Gesmbh (M Unicar, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Aulph, Steven F., Kensinger, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOY, JOSEPH MAN
• Application Number:
  US09/425,569
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 220/563, 220/4.14, 137/574, 2/576
• US Class Current: 220/563
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03 Fuel tanks chassis frame comprising fluid storage compartment B62D21/16 ; Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank F02M37/0076
• 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 15/073 Tank construction specially adapted to the vehicle B60K15/077 takes precedence
• 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 2015/0344 comprising baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0775 for reducing movement or slash noise of fuel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86212 Plural compartments formed by baffles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86228 With communicating opening in common walls of tanks or compartments

Abstract

A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell. The fuel tank assembly also includes a plurality of column supports disposed between and attached to the first half shell and the second half shell. The fuel tank assembly further includes a cradle baffle disposed between the first half shell and the second half shell and attached to the column supports. The cradle baffle has at least one compliant joint disposed between a pair of the column supports to allow the cradle baffle to distort when a force is applied to the tank shell.

Claims

1. A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell;

a plurality of column supports disposed between and attached to said first half shell and said second half shell;

a cradle baffle disposed between said first half shell and said second half shell and attached to said column supports; and

said cradle baffle having at least one compliant joint disposed between a pair of said column supports to allow said cradle baffle to distort when a force is applied to said tank shell.

2. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle baffle has a cradle saddle and at least one baffle section extending from said cradle section, said compliant joint being formed in said baffle section.

3. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compliant joint has a geometry of a generally S shaped cross-section.

4. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one compliant joint has a geometry of one of a group of S, Z, U, W, V, O, M, C and L.

5. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least one baffle section and said at least one compliant joint are integral, unitary and one-piece.

6. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said column supports are generally tubular in shape.

7. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tank shell is made of a plastic material.

8. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle baffle is made of a plastic material.

9. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least one compliant joint is located between ends of said at least one baffle section.

10. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first half shell and said second half shell each have a base wall and a side wall, said cradle baffle abutting said side wall.

11. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle baffle is a monolithic structure formed from the same material as said tank shell.

12. A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell;

a plurality of column supports disposed between and attached to said first half shell and said second half shell;

a cradle baffle disposed between said first half shell and said second half shell and attached to said column supports; and

said cradle baffle having plurality of baffle sections extending between said column supports, each of said baffle sections having at least one compliant joint.

13. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cradle baffle has a cradle saddle and said baffle sections extending from said cradle section.

14. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said at least one compliant joint has a geometry of one of a group of S, Z, U, W, V, O, M, C and L.

15. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said baffle sections and said compliant joints are integral, unitary and one-piece.

16. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said column supports are generally tubular in shape.

17. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tank shell is made of a plastic material.

18. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cradle baffle is made of a plastic material.

19. A fuel tank assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said compliant joints are located between ends of said baffle sections.

20. A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell;

a plurality of column supports disposed between and attached to said first half shell and said second half shell;

a cradle baffle disposed between said first half shell and said second half shell and attached to said column supports; and

said cradle baffle having a saddle and a plurality of baffle sections extending between said saddle and said column supports, each of said baffle sections having at least one compliant joint with a geometry of one of a group of S, Z, U, W, V, O, M, C and L.