Receptacles – Sectional – Tank for fluids
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-01-30
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Sectional
Tank for fluids
C220S004130, C220S004210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179145
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to fuel tanks for vehicles and, more particularly, to a serviceable sealed fuel tank for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a fuel tank such as a plastic fuel tank in a vehicle to hold fuel to be used by an engine of the vehicle. Typically, the fuel tank has a shell with a tank opening and a unit installed into the tank via the tank opening. The fuel tank also has a cover to close the tank opening.
It is desirable to form a serviceable sealed fuel tank for a vehicle that is formed using a thermoforming process and eliminating a tank opening for the fuel tank. It is also desirable to provide a sealed fuel tank that allows a fuel tank opening to be eliminated. It is further desirable to provide a sealed fuel tank that reduces cost and labor required to assemble a cover to the fuel tank. It is further desirable to provide a sealing cover for a fuel tank, which can be attached to the fuel tank at the time of service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a serviceable sealed fuel tank for a vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sealed fuel tank with a sealed service port that can be opened to allow servicing of internal components.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sealing cover that can be attached to a fuel tank at the time of service.
To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is a serviceable sealed fuel tank including a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell connected to the first half shell. The serviceable sealed fuel tank also includes at least one internal component disposed inside the tank shell between the first half shell and the second half shell. The serviceable sealed fuel tank further includes an inspection tower extending outwardly from the second half shell and being sealed. A portion of the inspection tower is removed to allow access to the at least one component after the first half shell and the second half shell are connected together.
One advantage of the present invention is that a new serviceable sealed fuel tank is provided for a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank has two halves joined by a thermoforming process and allows for internal components to be disposed and assembled into the fuel tank before the two halves are joined. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank allows a sealed service port to be molded into the fuel tank, which can then be opened by service technicians if servicing of the internal components becomes necessary. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank can be manufactured without a component installation tank opening or cover, which saves money and labor and improves tank reliability from a leakage/vapor emissions standpoint. A further advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank allows a sealing cover to be created which can be attached to the fuel tank at the time of service. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank has less components, less labor, less cost and a more robust fuel tank with components sealed within the fuel tank during assembly and an inspection tower opened only if the fuel tank requires service. Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank eliminates tank openings, improves tank assembly reliability, and reduces scrap by eliminating a leak path for fuel or fuel vapors. Another advantage of the present invention is that the serviceable sealed fuel tank reduces cost of fuel tank assembly by eliminating labor required to assemble a cover to the fuel tank and by making any cover as an after-market service item.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4159781 (1979-07-01), Bartlow et al.
patent: 4759459 (1988-07-01), Bailey et al.
patent: 5544777 (1996-08-01), Watson
patent: 5547096 (1996-08-01), Kleyn
patent: 5850933 (1998-12-01), Pazik
patent: 0799738 (1997-02-01), None
Cichosz Vincent A.
Delphi Technologies INC
Pollard Steven
LandOfFree
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