Composite fuel tank
AssigneeThe Budd Company
InventorsRichard B. Freeman, Bruce N. Greve
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fiber reinforced plastic fuel tank includes a multipurpose inner liner that serves as an aid during molding as well as a corrosion resistant protector and/or secondary fuel container for the tank when in use.
Claims12
A molded article comprising a generally hollow body portion having an interior surface defined by a generally thin walled member that has seamless exterior and interior surfaces, said interior surface defining an interior cavity within said hollow body and said exterior surface being surrounded by and in direct surface contact with a resin impregnated fibrous material which defines an exterior surface of said body portion, said resin impregnated fibrous material having a thickness greater than said member, said member providing means for supporting said resin impregnated material within a mold as resin is injected into said mold around said member, said member being sufficiently rigid such that it is self standing and generally conforms to an inner surface of the mold prior to said resin being injected into said mold.
A generally hollow composite article for an automotive vehicle, said hollow composite article having an integrally molded interior portion comprising a blow molded member that is generally thin walled and has seamless exterior and interior surfaces, said blow molded member being integrally molded within said generally hollow composite article such that said interior surface of said blow molded member defines an interior cavity therein and said exterior surface is surrounded by an in surface contact with a resin impregnated fibrous material which surrounds said blow molded member and has a thickness greater than said blow molded member, said blow molded member providing means for supporting said resin impregnated material within a mold as resin is injected into said mold around said blow molded member, said blow molded member being substantially rigid such that it is self standing and generally conforms to an inner surface of the mold prior to said resin being injected into said mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.