U.S. patent application number 10/559678 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for fuel tank.
Invention is credited to Andreas Boehmer, Martin Essing, Frank Reiter.
Application Number | 20060144842 10/559678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34428389 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060144842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boehmer; Andreas ; et
al. |
July 6, 2006 |
Fuel tank
Abstract
The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) for a motor vehicle,
the upper section of which is provided with at least one opening
(4) of a ventilation system. According to the invention, at least
one chamber (5, 6) for receiving fuel (2) when the fuel tank (1) is
in an inclined position, is configured in the upper section (8) of
the fuel tank (1).
Inventors: |
Boehmer; Andreas; (Dortmund,
DE) ; Essing; Martin; (Bocholt, DE) ; Reiter;
Frank; (Haan Rheinl, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAYER, BROWN, ROWE & MAW LLP
P.O. BOX 2828
CHICAGO
IL
60690-2828
US
|
Family ID: |
34428389 |
Appl. No.: |
10/559678 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
September 10, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/52118 |
371 Date: |
December 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/563 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 15/03504 20130101;
B60K 15/077 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/563 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/12 20060101
B65D088/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 14, 2003 |
DE |
103-47-736.5 |
Claims
1. A fuel tank for a motor vehicle, in the upper region of which at
least one opening of a ventilation system and at least one chamber
are arranged, characterized in that at least one chamber (5, 6) is
designed in such a way that, in the event of a deviation of the
fuel tank (1) from a horizontal position into an inclined position,
it holds a volume of fuel (2) and separates said volume of fuel
from the remaining volume of fuel for the duration of the
inclination.
2. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
chambers (5, 6) are open toward the side walls (9, 10) of the fuel
tank (1).
3. The fuel tank as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that
the chambers (5, 6) have a base (7) which is designed in such a way
that, in the horizontal position of the fuel tank (1), the base is
horizontal or inclined slightly downward toward the side walls (9,
10) of the fuel tank (1).
4. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each
side wall (9, 10) has a respective chamber (5, 6) oriented toward
it.
5. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that guide
elements (11) are arranged on the chambers (5, 6).
6. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the
guide elements (11) are integrally formed on the chambers (5, 6) or
connected to the chambers (5, 6) by means of a locking and plug
connection (12).
7. The fuel tank as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the
chambers (5, 6) have receptacles for fastening components, in
particular lines, filters and pumps to them.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of the invention is a fuel tank with a
ventilation system. Such fuel tanks are intended for use in motor
vehicles.
[0002] It is known to provide fuel tanks in motor vehicles with a
ventilation system. The ventilation system undertakes both the
supply and ventilation of air. Whilst the supply of air is
necessary in order to avoid a vacuum in the fuel tank as the fuel
level decreases, the ventilation of air serves to avoid excess
pressure in the fuel tank. Excess pressure can be brought about
when filling the fuel tank with fuel on account of the increasing
fuel level. In this case, the excess pressure leads to a hindrance
in the filling of the fuel tank, with the result that the filling
of the fuel tank takes a very long time. Excess pressure is also
brought about by high temperatures, since the expansion of the fuel
reduces the free volume in the fuel tank. In addition, the fuel
vaporizes at high temperatures, in particular when hot fuel which
has not been used in the engine is returned to the fuel tank. As a
result of the excess pressure, the structure of the fuel tank is
subject to intense loading, which in the worst case can lead to
damage to the fuel tank. In this respect, the ventilation system
serves for safe operation of the fuel tank.
[0003] Such ventilation systems are arranged in the upper region of
the fuel tank and have an opening in this region, via which air is
led into the fuel tank or gases are led out of the fuel tank. If
the vehicle is in an inclined position for an extended period of
time, for example whilst parked, the ventilation opening lies below
the fuel level if the fuel tank is nearly full. As a result, the
ventilation opening is closed and the fuel tank cannot be
ventilated.
[0004] It is also known to provide a ventilation system having a
plurality of openings for ventilating the fuel tank, the openings
being arranged in different regions of the fuel tank. Under
unfavorable circumstances, the openings of the ventilation system
can lie below the fuel level in this opening as well, so that
ventilation cannot be ensured under all circumstances. In addition,
the ventilation system with a plurality of openings requires a
significantly higher outlay in terms of manufacture and
assembly.
[0005] It is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,477 to arrange
chambers before the openings of the ventilation system. These
chambers should collect any permeating fuel and immediately return
it to the fuel tank via openings.
[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to produce
a fuel tank which can be reliably ventilated under all
circumstances, the intention being for ventilation to be realizable
with as little outlay as possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the invention, the object is achieved by means
of a fuel tank as described in the introduction, which has at least
one chamber which is designed in such a way that it is designed to
hold a volume of liquid above the liquid level of the fuel tank
when the fuel tank is in an inclined position, in order to separate
said volume of liquid from the remaining volume of fuel for the
duration of the inclination.
[0008] On account of the fuel stored in the chamber, less fuel is
left over in the remainder of the fuel tank. As a result of this,
the liquid level is lowered in the fuel tank in an inclined
position, so that the ventilation opening which, without the
chamber, was previously situated below the liquid level, is now
situated above the liquid level. As a result, ventilation of the
fuel tank is reliably ensured even in an inclined position. The
fuel tank according to the invention permits a simplification of
the ventilation system, so that ventilation lines which are complex
to manufacture and difficult to assemble can be dispensed with.
With appropriate configuration of the chamber, the ventilation
system can, in some cases, have only one centrally arranged
opening, as a result of which the outlay required for ventilation
is considerably reduced.
[0009] In an advantageous refinement, the chambers are
scoop-shaped, the openings of the chambers pointing toward the side
walls of the fuel tank. The base of the chambers is designed in
such a way that, in the normal position of the fuel tank, it is
horizontal or inclined slightly downward toward the opening of the
chambers. As a result, in the normal position, the fuel can flow
out of the chambers at all times and is thus available for supply
to the internal combustion engine. In an inclined position of the
fuel tank, the fuel is retained in the corresponding chamber. In
order to ensure ventilation under all circumstances, at least one
chamber is arranged on each side of the fuel tank. This ensures
that fuel is retained in a chamber, irrespective of which side the
fuel tank is inclined toward.
[0010] In further refinements, the chambers simultaneously serve as
damping elements for the liquid in the fuel tank. For this purpose,
various guide elements can be arranged at the outer side of the
chambers, which guide elements serve for calming the liquid. The
damping elements are advantageously integrally formed on the
chambers. Such elements can be retrofitted if they can be connected
to the corresponding chamber by means of a plug connection.
[0011] In a further refinement, the chambers can serve as mountings
for further components to be arranged in the interior of the fuel
tank. Lines, filters, suction jet pumps or other functional units
can be fastened in the fuel tank by means of locking and plug
connections arranged on the outer side of the chambers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention will be explained in more detail using a
plurality of exemplary embodiments, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1: shows a fuel tank according to the prior art;
[0014] FIG. 2: shows the fuel tank according to FIG. 1 in an
inclined position;
[0015] FIG. 3: shows a fuel tank according to the invention,
and
[0016] FIG. 4: shows the fuel tank according to FIG. 3 in an
inclined position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The fuel tank 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is arranged
horizontally and is therefore located in the normal position. The
fuel tank 1 is illustrated without fixtures such as fuel supply
unit, filter, pressure regulator or lines. The fuel tank 1 is
nearly full of fuel 2, so that the liquid level A is located in the
upper region of the fuel tank 1. A volume of fuel vapor/air mixture
3 is located above the liquid level A. A ventilation opening 4
belonging to a ventilation system (which is not illustrated in more
detail) is arranged centrally in the upper region of the fuel tank
1.
[0018] The fuel tank 1 from FIG. 1 is arranged so as to be inclined
to the left in FIG. 2. The inclination of the fuel tank 1 results
in the ventilation opening 4 now being located below the liquid
level A. The fuel vapor/air mixture 3 is enclosed in the upper
right corner of the fuel tank 1 by the fuel 2. In this arrangement,
the fuel tank 1 can no longer be ventilated.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the fuel tank 1 according to the invention in
the normal position. The fuel tank 1 additionally has two chambers
5, 6 which are arranged on the upper delimiting wall 8 of the fuel
tank 1. Both chambers 5, 6 are open toward the side walls 9, 10 of
the fuel tank 1. The bases 7 of the chambers 5, 6 are designed to
be inclined slightly downward so that, in this position of the fuel
tank 1, fuel 2 can flow out of the chambers 5, 6 into the fuel tank
1. Guide elements 11 are fastened to the chambers 5, 6 by means of
locking and plug connections 12 for damping the movement of the
fuel.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows an inclined arrangement of the fuel tank 1. The
chambers 5, 6 are likewise inclined on account of the inclination
of the fuel tank. The inclination is in this case so small that the
slightly inclined base 7 of the chamber 6 is now inclined upward,
so that, in this position, the chamber 6 retains a certain amount
of fuel 2. Correspondingly, less fuel is left over in the fuel tank
1, so that the fuel level A' is lower than illustrated in FIG. 2.
On account of the lower fuel level A', the ventilation opening 4 is
no longer closed off by the fuel 2. As a result, and in spite of
the inclined arrangement, the fuel tank 1 can be reliably
ventilated.
* * * * *