Partitioned fuel tank and fuel delivery system

• US 6,857,661 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AIH Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: American Ironhorse Motorcycle Company (Rocky Mountain Choppers LLC)
• Inventors: Waters, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US10/364,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20040155043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 180/219, 280/830, 280/833, 280/834, 280/835
• US Class Current: 280/830
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 35/00 Fuel tanks specially adapted for motorcycles or engine-assisted cycles; Arrangements thereof fuel tanks forming part of cycle frames B62K11/00; tanks in general B60K ; closure caps for fuel tanks B60K15/0406
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 37/00 Arrangements of fuel supply lines, taps, or the like, on motor cycles or engine-assisted cycles

Abstract

A tank for storing a fluid is provided. The tank has an outer shell defining an inner volume for containing the fluid, a filler opening in the outer shell for placing the fluid into the tank, and a partition within the outer shell. The partition divides the inner volume into a first lower portion, a second lower portion, and a common portion. A first drain opening is located in the first lower portion and a second drain opening is located in the second lower portion. The partition separates the first lower portion from the second lower portion such that when the tank is in an operating position the fuel is prevented from passing between the first lower portion and the second lower portion.

Claims

1. A tank for storing a fluid, the tank comprising:

an outer shell defining an inner volume for containing the fluid;

a filler opening in the outer shell for placing the fluid into the tank;

a partition within the outer shell,

the partition dividing the inner volume into a first lower portion, a second lower portion, and a common portion;

a first drain opening located in the first lower portion; and

a second drain opening located in the second lower portion,

wherein the partition separates the first lower portion from the second lower portion such that when the tank is in an operating position the fluid is prevented from passing between the first lower portion and the second lower portion.

2. The tank of claim 1, wherein the tank is for storing fuel.

3. The tank of claim 2, wherein the tank is for storing fuel for an internal combustion engine.

4. The tank of claim 3, wherein the tank is a fuel tank on a motorcycle.

5. The tank of claim 1, wherein the outer shell and the partition are configured such that only that portion of the fluid located in the common portion and the first lower portion drains from the tank through the first drain opening.

6. The tank of claim 5, wherein the outer shell and the partition are configured such that only that portion of the fluid located in the common portion and the second lower portion drains from the tank through the second drain opening.

7. The tank of claim 1, wherein the outer shell further comprises a tunnel formed in a lower portion of the outer shell.

8. The tank of claim 7, wherein the partition is attached at its lower edge to a top of the tunnel and is attached at its upper edge to an upper portion of the outer shell.

9. The tank of claim 1, further comprising a first cross over hole located in the first lower portion,

the first cross over hole being located at a position that is higher vertically than the first drain opening when the tank is in the operating position;

and

a second cross over hole located in the second lower portion,

the second cross over hole being located at a position that is higher vertically than the second drain opening when the tank is in the operating position.

10. The tank of claim 9, further comprising a third cross over hole located in the first lower portion,

the third cross over hole being located at a position that is higher vertically than the first drain opening when the tank is in the operating position;

and

a fourth cross over hole located in the second lower portion,

the fourth cross over hole being located at a position that is higher vertically than the second drain opening when the tank is in the operating position,

wherein the third cross over hole is located at a position that is vertically between the first cross over hole and the first drain opening when the tank is in the operating position, and

the fourth cross over hole is located at a position that is vertically between the second cross over hole and the second drain opening when the tank is in the operating position.

11. The tank of claim 10, further comprising a cross over tube that is repositionable between a first position connecting the first cross over hole to the second cross over hole and a second position connecting the third cross over hole to the fourth cross over hole;

and

a pair of cross over hole plugs for plugging the third and fourth cross over holes when the cross over tube connects the first and second cross over holes and for plugging the first and second cross over holes when the cross over tube connects the third and fourth cross over holes.

12. A fuel storage and delivery system for storing fuel and delivering the fuel to an engine, the system comprising:

the tank of claim 1, wherein the fluid is the fuel; and

a fuel valve functionally positioned between the tank and the engine, the valve having

an outlet for functionally connecting to the engine;

a first inlet functionally connected to the first drain opening of the tank;

a second inlet functionally connected to the second drain opening of the tank;

a closed position for preventing the fuel from being delivered to the engine;

a first open position for allowing the fuel to flow from the first inlet to the engine; and

a second open position for allowing the fuel to flow from the second inlet to the engine.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the outer shell and the partition are configured such that only that portion of the fuel located in the common portion and the first lower portion drains from the tank through the first drain opening.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the outer shell and the partition are configured such that only that portion of the fuel located in the common portion and the second lower portion drains from the tank through the second drain opening.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the outer shell further comprises a tunnel formed in a lower portion of the outer shell.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the partition is attached at its lower edge to a top of the tunnel and is attached at its upper edge to an upper portion of the outer shell.

17. A fuel tank for a motorized vehicle, the tank comprising:

an outer shell defining an inner volume for containing the fuel, the outer shell having a tunnel formed in a lower portion of the outer shell;

a filler opening in the outer shell for placing the fuel into the tank;

a partition within the outer shell,

the partition dividing the inner volume into a first lower portion, a second lower portion, and a common portion, and

the partition being attached at its lower edge to a top of the tunnel and being attached at its upper edge to an upper portion of the outer shell;

a first drain opening located in the first lower portion; and

a second drain opening located in the second lower portion,

wherein the partition separates the first lower portion from the second lower portion such that when the tank is in an operating position the fuel is prevented from passing between the first lower portion and the second lower portion,

the outer shell and the partition are configured such that only that portion of the fuel located in the common portion and the first lower portion drains from the tank through the first drain opening, and

the outer shell and the partition are configured such that only that portion of the fuel located in the common portion and the second lower portion drains from the tank through the second drain opening.

18. A fuel storage and delivery system for storing fuel and delivering the fuel to an engine, the system comprising:

the tank of claim 17; and

a fuel valve functionally positioned between the tank and the engine, the valve having

an outlet for functionally connecting to the engine;

a first inlet functionally connected to the first drain opening of the tank;

a second inlet functionally connected to the second drain opening of the tank;

a closed position for preventing the fuel from being delivered to the engine,

a first open position for allowing the fuel to flow from the first inlet to the engine, and

a second open position for allowing the fuel to flow from the second inlet to the engine.