Deployable fuel tank baffle and fuel tank system
First Claim
1. A fuel tank baffle assembly for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising:
- a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting said first and second end sections, each of said first end section and said second end section including a respective divider plate which extends in a first direction, each said divider plate facing in a second direction transverse to said first direction to serve as a primary baffle structure; and
at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure operably associated with said main body, said auxiliary baffle structure facing at least one of said divider plates in said second directionwherein said auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state in facing relation with said divider plate during installation into a fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of said baffle assembly in said first direction, andwherein said auxiliary baffle structure is deployable into an extended position extending in said first direction, thereby defining an operational width for subsequent usage, where said operational width is greater than said installation width in said first direction.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel tank baffle assembly is provided for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the first and second end sections. Operably associated with the main body is at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure. The auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state during installation into a fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of the baffle assembly. Following installation, the auxiliary baffle structure is deployed into an extended position, thereby defining an operational width for subsequent usage. The operational width is greater than the installation width.
122 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fuel tank baffle assembly for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising:
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a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting said first and second end sections, each of said first end section and said second end section including a respective divider plate which extends in a first direction, each said divider plate facing in a second direction transverse to said first direction to serve as a primary baffle structure; and at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure operably associated with said main body, said auxiliary baffle structure facing at least one of said divider plates in said second direction wherein said auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state in facing relation with said divider plate during installation into a fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of said baffle assembly in said first direction, and wherein said auxiliary baffle structure is deployable into an extended position extending in said first direction, thereby defining an operational width for subsequent usage, where said operational width is greater than said installation width in said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fuel tank system comprising an internal baffle assembly, the fuel tank system comprising:
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a fuel tank; a baffle assembly located within said fuel tank, said baffle assembly comprising a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting said first and second end sections, each of said first end section and said second end section including a respective divider plate which extends in a first direction, each said divider plate facing in a second direction transverse to said first direction to serve as a primary baffle structure; and at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure operably associated with said main body, said auxiliary baffle structure facing said divider plates in said second direction, wherein said auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state in facing relation with said divider plates during installation into said fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of said baffle assembly in said first direction, and wherein said auxiliary baffle structure is deployable into an extended position, extending in said first direction to thereby define an operational width of said main body for subsequent usage, where said operational width is greater in said second direction than said installation width. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fuel tank baffle assembly for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising:
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a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting said first and second end sections, said first end section and said second end section each including at least one divider plate which extends in a first direction and faces in a second direction transverse to said first direction to serve as a primary baffle structure; and at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure operably associated with each said divider plate of said main body, said at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure being movable in said first direction relative to each said divider plate between an undeployed position and a deployed position, each said divider plate and said auxiliary baffle structure in said deployed position defining an installation width for said main body in said first direction, wherein said auxiliary baffle structure being disposed in said undeployed state during installation into a fuel tank so as to be disposed within said first installation width of said baffle assembly, and wherein said auxiliary baffle structure being deployable into said deployed position extending in said first direction beyond said installation width to thereby define an operational width for subsequent usage, where said operational width is greater in said first direction than said installation width. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification