Vehicle fuel tank for improved crashworthiness
AssigneeRobson Forensic, Inc.
InventorsPeter J. Leiss, Marcus A. Mazza, Bret W. Johnson, Daniel Fridline
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compartment for storing fuel in a vehicle having a protective outer structure and an inner structure. The protective outer structure is maintained in position relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. The inner structure, which holds fuel, is positioned in the outer structure. The inner structure is maintained in position relative to the outer structure and relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. During an impact to the vehicle, the inner structure is configured to move independent of the outer structure.
Claims20
A compartment for storing fuel in a vehicle, the compartment comprising:
- a protective outer structure maintained in position relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle;
- an inner structure which holds fuel, the inner structure positioned in the outer structure, the inner structure maintained in position relative to the outer structure and relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle;
- wherein during an impact to the vehicle, the inner structure is configured to move independent of the outer structure i) in a direction which is horizontal or lateral to the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, ii) in a direction which is vertical or perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, iii) in a direction which is in line with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, iv) rotationally about a horizontal axis, v) rotationally about a first vertical axis, vi) rotationally about a second vertical axis, or vii) in a direction which is a combination of any or all of i), ii, iii), iv), v) and/or vi).
A container for storing fuel for use in a vehicle, the container comprising:
- a protective outer structure maintained in position relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle;
- an inner structure which holds fuel, the inner structure positioned in the outer structure, the inner structure maintained in position relative to the outer structure and relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle;
- wherein during an impact to the vehicle, the inner structure moves independent of the outer structure and the vehicle allowing the inner structure to be moved axially and/or radially relative to the outer structure and the vehicle to a position in which the inner structure is moved further from the point of impact, out of the path of the impact or protected by a chassis of the vehicle and/or the outer structure;
- wherein during the impact to the vehicle, the movement of the inner structure independent of the outer structure and the vehicle allows a portion of the energy or the forces associated with the impact to be absorbed by the outer structure, reducing the energy or force transferred to the inner structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.