Automotive fuel storage system with in-tank fuel encapsulation system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRobert Thompson, Joseph Dierker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automotive fuel tank storage system includes a fuel storage tank installed in a vehicle and a barrier fluid tank containing a supply of barrier fluid. A distribution system connected with the barrier fluid tank and with the fuel storage tank distributes barrier fluid about the outer periphery of the fuel contained within the storage tank in the event of a collision event, creating a boundary layer of more viscous fluid which inhibits exfiltration of the fuel from the fuel storage tank.
Claims20
An automotive fuel storage system, comprising:
- a fuel storage tank installed in a vehicle;
- a barrier fluid tank containing a supply of barrier fluid;
- and
- a distribution system, connected with said barrier fluid tank and with said fuel storage tank, for distributing barrier fluid in a boundary layer about the outer periphery of fuel contained within said storage tank, such that exfiltration of fuel from the fuel storage tank will be inhibited.
An automotive fuel storage system, comprising:
- a fuel storage tank, installed in a vehicle, and containing a supply of liquid fuel;
- a barrier fluid tank comprising a reservoir containing a supply of barrier fluid, and a propellant for discharging the barrier fluid from said reservoir;
- a distribution system, connected with said barrier fluid tank and with said fuel storage tank, for distributing barrier fluid about the outer periphery of fuel contained within said storage tank, with said distribution system comprising a plurality of flow nozzles located so as to direct the barrier fluid in a laminar flow along the interior surfaces of the fuel storage tank;
- and
- a controller for triggering the discharge of said propellant such that fuel within the fuel tank will be encapsulated by the barrier fluid, and exfiltration of the fuel through the barrier fluid will be inhibited.
An automotive fuel storage system, comprising:
- a fuel storage tank, installed in a vehicle, and containing a supply of liquid fuel;
- a barrier fluid tank comprising a reservoir containing a supply of barrier fluid, and a propellant for discharging the barrier fluid from said reservoir;
- and
- a distribution system, connected with said barrier fluid tank and with said fuel storage tank, for distributing barrier fluid in a laminar flow about the outer periphery of fuel contained within said storage tank, so as to establish a boundary layer of barrier fluid between said fuel and the walls of said fuel tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.