Ti Group Automotive Systems Corporation

Parker-hannifin Corporation

James Ryan Osborne

Steve L Toth

Darron G Peddle

Harald Knueppel

Giuseppe Antonio Gattozzi

Ted J Latouf

Win S Burrington

William J Laule

Michael R Rivenburgh

Brian W Brandner

Christopher K Quick

Vladimir Franjo

Keith D Kersey

Timothy David Heiman

Steven R Hilderley

Danielle E Berkes

William J Forsythe, Jr

A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank to contain fuel therein, and a carrier assembly disposed in the fuel tank. The carrier assembly includes a plurality of application-specific fuel system products, a carrier common to a plurality of different fuel tank assemblies to carry the products, and a plurality of common components to mount the products with respect to the carrier in application-specific positions.

Fuel tank assemblies, components, and methods of manufacture

A method of reducing fuel vapor permeation through a multi-layer tank includes providing a multi-layer overlay onto at least a portion of a structural layer of the multi-layer tank. The multi-layer overlay preferably comprises at least one structural layer composed of a polymeric material that is compatible with one or more of the polymeric structural layer(s) of the multi-layer tank. The multi-layer overlay further comprises at least one barrier layer composed of a vapor barrier material resistant to hydrocarbon permeation therethrough. The multi-layer overlay may be secured to the multi-layer tank by, for example, applying a suitable amount of heat and pressure thereto or by molding the multi-layer overlay to the tank body during a tank forming process.

Fuel tank and method for reducing vapor permeation through a fuel tank

Multilayer fuel tank with a seam having an overlay for reducing vapor permeation

A ring seal includes a body portion and a tail portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has, when viewed in cross-section and in an uncompressed state, an axially outboard surface and an axially inboard surface. The outboard surface defines a first sealing lobe, and the inboard surface defines a second sealing lobe that shares an axial centerline with the first sealing lobe.

Ring seal having sealing lobes

A multi-piece seal preferably for a sealed joint of a fuel tank assembly. An outer member has in an uncompressed state a cross-sectional shape defined by substantially semi-circular-shaped portions that define a substantially semi-circular channel and that terminate in free ends. An inner member is disposed at least partially in the channel of the outer member and has in an uncompressed state a substantially round cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the outer member is composed of a permeation-resistant material, and the inner member is composed of a relatively less expensive material capable of better elasticity performance at relatively lower temperatures compared to the outer member. The outer member preferably has lobed ends and the inner member preferably includes one or both of a stress-relieving feature or an orientation feature to orient the inner member relative to the outer member.

Multi-piece seal

A ring seal includes a sealing ring including an asymmetric body portion having axially-opposed and radially-offset seal beads. The ring seal may also include a reinforcement ring carried at least partially in the sealing ring to distribute load across the seal beads. The ring seal may further include a skirt depending generally axially from the body portion and defining an inner diameter of the sealing ring and preferably having frusto-conical cross-sectional shape.

Ring seal with axially-opposed radially-offset seal beads

A multi-piece seal has an outer member and an inner member partly disposed in the outer member. In cross section, the outer member has a C-shape and defines a channel, and the inner member is round and has a pair of lobes extending away from its body.

A fuel tank that is substantially impermeable to fuel vapor has a shell with an interior for holding fuel, an opening for receiving fuel into the interior, and a fill nipple with a barrier layer. The fill nipple has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage extending between a pair of generally opposed ends of the fill nipple. One of the ends is attached to the shell such that the passage is aligned with the opening to allow fuel to flow through the passage and into the interior of the fuel tank. The fill nipple has an inner layer of material forming the inner surface, and an outer layer of material forming the outer surface, and has at least one intermediate layer of material forming the barrier layer. The intermediate layer is formed from a material that is different in composition from the inner and outer layers.

Fuel system component and method of manufacture

A fuel storage system for a transportation or recreational vehicle has a fuel tank that carries a vapor assembly that seeks out vapor pockets and controllably removes fuel vapor from the tank without releasing hydrocarbons to the surrounding environment. Preferably, a vent manifold attaches to a flange that sealably covers an access hole of the tank. At least one flexible tentacle extends from the manifold in the tank to a respective vapor vent valve that floats upon the surface of fuel at a vapor dome. When freely floating, the vent valve is open thus communicates the vapor dome through the tentacle and preferably with a filtering carbon canister. As fuel surface levels change or the vehicle tilts, changing the vapor dome size or location in the tank, the floating vapor vent valve is free to move generally with the vapor dome and as permitted by the flexibility of the trailing tentacle. With tank orientations where the vapor vent valve falls below the surface of fuel, the vent valve automatically closes to prevent flooding of the respective tentacle and remote vapor canister.

Fuel storage system for a vehicle

A quick connector with an accessory housing. The accessory housing receives a system sensing device such as an absolute pressure sensor or a differential pressure sensor in fluid tight relation to the housing. A receptacle portion is arranged to connector the sensor to measuring instrumentation.

Growing community of inventors

Davisburg, MI, United States of America

James Ryan Osborne