Visteon Global Technolgoies, Inc.

Automotive Components Holdings, LLC

James Potter

Erich James Vorenkamp

Brian Allen Engle

Duane Allen Fish

Kale Stephen Schulte

Harold Edward Cunningham

Link Eugene Vaughn

John E Thorn

Mark Alan Harris

Heather L Knechtges

Cory Borghi

Larry Dean Land

Huan-Kun Chang

Joseph DeMaria

Stanley Lank

Mark W Plansinis

Michael J Boehk

A method for securing a component to a tank includes forming the tank having a wall of multiple layers of polymer material with an opening in the wall, outer layers of polymer, and an inner layer of polymer having an inner surface whose color is dark relative to a natural color of the outer layers. The component is formed with a mounting surface of polymer. The tube wall opening is used to install the component in the tank such that the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. Energy is transmitted onto an area of a surface of the tank wall where the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. The transmitted energy is use to produce a weld between the mounting surface and the tank wall.

Attaching a component to an internal surface of a tank formed of polymer

A mounting apparatus for an internalized fuel system of a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a support portion and a valve retainer arm attached about the support portion. The support portion has a body and first and second ends. The first end has a connecting flange configured to engage the fuel tank and the second end has a reduced cross-sectional portion attached thereto to provide flexibility to the fuel tank from pressure and vacuum forces. The valve retainer arm has an attachment end attached about the support portion. The attachment end extends to a valve retainer end for retaining the internalized fuel system within the fuel tank.

Fuel tank system having enhanced durability and reduced permeation

A permeation resistant polymer fuel tank having a multilayer wall that includes a structural layer and a vapor barrier layer. A secondary barrier layer is attached to the multilayer wall wherein the vapor barrier layer and the second barrier layer have a permeation rate less than the structural layer. A protective coating may be applied over the secondary barrier layer to add durability and prevent degradation of the secondary barrier layer from environmental hazards that fuel tanks may be exposed to.

Low permeation polymer fuel tank

A device that is adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of a polymeric fuel tank includes a body, a weld foot adapted to be inserted into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and having a support surface adapted to control insertion of the weld foot into the molten inner surface of the fuel tank and to position the device relative to the inner surface, and a break zone positioned between and interconnecting the weld foot and the body and having a structural cross section that is weaker than the weld foot and the body such that under sufficient force, the break zone will fracture and allow the body to separate from the inner surface of the fuel tank, thereby leaving the weld foot embedded within the inner surface of the fuel tank.

Internal fuel vapor valve

Low permeation fittings and low permeation plastic containers using same are constructed by molding an outer component into the wall of a plastic container while it is being formed. This causes the opening of a passageway in the outer component to be covered with wall forming material. The inner component is then inserted into the outer component through the wall forming material thereby trapping the wall material between the internal and external components. The barrier layer of the container wall is therefore continuous from the container to inside the fitting. A new fuel container, fuel neck fitting, and flange for mounting components on a fuel tank are disclosed.

Low permeation fittings, low permeation containers utilizing same, and methods for forming same

A method for manufacturing a workpiece, such as an automotive fuel tank, that includes a connection between a male connector and a female connector, one of which includes a tab that is only removable following the connection. The tab includes a computer-readable code that is read by the computer. During manufacturing, the workpiece is loaded into a workstation, the connection is made, and the tab is removed. The tab is presented to a computer to verify the connection. In the event that a command is received to release the workpiece and the computer has not verified the connection, the computer issues an alert. In a workstation that comprises a computer-controlled release mechanism, a preferred alert comprises a refusal to release the workpiece prior to verification of the connection.

Workpiece release with computer verified connections

The present invention involves a low permeation sealing member for reducing permeation of hydrocarbons from a vessel. The low permeation sealing member comprises an elongated body having a contact surface and a low permeation barrier layer attached along the contact surface of the elongated body. The low permeation barrier layer has opposite edges spaced apart to define a slot. The low permeation barrier layer partially covers the elongated body to allow the elongated body to expand through the slot. The low permeation barrier layer has an outer side configured for contacting hydrocarbons from the vessel to reduce permeation of the hydrocarbons therefrom.

Low permeation sealing member

The present invention involves a low permeation pinchoff connection at a pinchoff region having a pinchoff end between first and second formed sheets of a fluid tank. The low permeation pinchoff connection comprises a continuous inner polymeric layer at a pinchoff region having a pinchoff end between the first and second formed sheets. The connection further comprises an outer polymeric layer in side-by-side relationship with the continuous inner polymeric layer. The outer polymeric layer tapers at the pinchoff region to first and second outer polymeric ends at the pinchoff end separating the first and second outer polymeric ends. The connection further comprises a low permeation barrier layer disposed between the continuous inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer. The low permeation barrier layer tapers with the outer polymeric layer at the pinchoff region to first and second barrier ends separated at the pinchoff end to determine a pinchoff gap. The low permeation barrier layer is exposed at the pinchoff end. The connection further includes a first adhesive layer disposed between the continuous inner polymeric layer and the low permeation barrier layer, and a second adhesive layer disposed between the low permeation barrier layer and the outer polymeric layer. The connection further comprises a barrier bridge disposed on the pinchoff end to bridge the pinchoff gap. The barrier bridge has material compatible with low permeation barrier layer to connect the first and second barrier ends for continuity therebetween.

Low permeation pinchoff connection for bridging a barrier layer and method of making same

A venting system for venting a gaseous fluid from a tank having an aperture and a fuel delivery module cover. The tank is made of a predetermined material. The venting system comprises a venting valve disposed within the aperture. The venting valve includes a valve body having a top portion and a neck portion extending from the top portion. The top portion is disposed outside the tank and is engaged thereto. The venting system further includes a channel which connects to the valve body so that the venting valve is in fluid communication therewith and is attached to the fuel delivery module cover to allow the gaseous fluid in the tank to be vented therefrom. The venting system further includes a cover which is comprised of the same predetermined material and is welded to the tank to seal the valve between the cover and the tank.

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

James Potter