Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Daniel Frank Cragel

Russell Randall Pearce

Patrick Sullivan

Aed M Dudar

Dennis S Yang

Brian Aitken

Mark Edward Hipp

Frank Joseph Topolovec

Dennis Michael Harrigan, Sr

Kenneth J Kuenzel

A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.

Fuel tank assembly and method for manufacture of the fuel tank assembly

Systems and methods are presented herein for detecting a degradation condition in a variable volume device of a fuel tank of a vehicle. In one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a diagnostic method for a vehicle with a valve and a fuel tank having a variable volume device internal to the tank, comprising: operating the fuel tank over a diurnal cycle; and differentiating between degradation of the fuel tank and the variable volume device based on a fuel tank pressure at a plurality of different valve conditions; and indicating the differentiated degradation.

Diagnostic method for pressure-less fuel tank

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing leaks in a fuel system. In one example, a method may include monitoring a fuel level in a vehicle fuel tank of the fuel system during refueling and indicating degradation of the vehicle fuel tank and/or a bellows coupled to the vehicle fuel tank based on the monitored fuel level. In some examples, indicating the degradation may further be based on a rate of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank during the refueling and/or a vehicle fuel economy. In this way, degradation to the vehicle fuel tank and the bellows may be passively determined with minimal specialized components in the fuel system.

Methods and systems for diagnosing fuel system degradation

A fuel tank having one or more support domes configured to engage with, and assist in positioning, a fuel tank insert.

Object positioning method

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle, comprising a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a support element coupled to a first side of a structural element and a reinforcing element coupled to a second opposing side of the structural element.

Compliance structure for a distensible fuel tank

A system for diffusing a fuel flow for a vehicle. The system includes a fuel tank, containing fuel in both liquid and vapor form. A fuel filler spud extends from a fuel inlet on the exterior of the vehicle into the fuel tank and defines a fuel outlet there. A diffuser is mounted on the fuel filler spud for diffusing fuel flowing into the tank. The diffuser can take the form of a tongue-like protrusion, which can have flow channels or grooves, as well as flow diverters, which can be arranged in a matrix in the fuel outlet.

Fuel filler spud diffuser

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a base element coupled to a side of a structural element.

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing having an exterior surface and a lattice structure coupled to the exterior surface, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the plurality of wall members having an unequal thickness.

Lattice structure for a distensible fuel tank

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a lattice structure substantially spanning a portion of an interior defined by the housing, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the wall members having an unequal thickness.

A tank connection includes a tank formed with a plastic wall having multiple thicknesses, a first thickness being substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, the wall having an opening surrounded by an edge of the wall, a component secured by a weld to an outer surface of the wall, and seal substantially impervious to hydrocarbon permeation, contacting a surface of the component, and biased into elastic contact with said edge.

Sealing a fuel tank against hydrocarbon permeation

A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

Daniel Frank Cragel