Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Joseph Dierker, Jr

Robert H Thompson

Todd Nelson Clark

Lauren M Newton

Richard D Cupka, Jr

James A Anderson

An automotive fuel tank storage system includes a fuel storage tank installed in a vehicle and a barrier fluid tank containing a supply of barrier fluid. A distribution system connected with the barrier fluid tank and with the fuel storage tank distributes barrier fluid about the outer periphery of the fuel contained within the storage tank in the event of a collision event, creating a boundary layer of more viscous fluid which inhibits exfiltration of the fuel from the fuel storage tank.

Automotive fuel storage system with in-tank fuel encapsulation system

An automotive fuel storage system includes a fuel storage tank and a binder fluid tank containing a supply of binder fluid. A mixer system connected with the binder fluid tank and the fluid storage tank mixes binder fluid throughout fuel contained within the storage tank, so as to increase the bulk viscosity of the fuel stored within the tank restricting the ability of the fuel to flow from the tank in the event of a collision of the vehicle.

Automotive fuel storage system with in-tank fuel binder system

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a structural foam core.

Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with structural foam core

An onboard fire suppression system for a vehicle has at least one composite reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. The reservoir includes a pressure vessel formed from fiber-composite material and having at least one double concave section. At least one reinforcement is applied to the pressure vessel in the location of the double concave section. This construction permits the pressure vessel to have a shape conforming with the irregular spaces commonly found in the underbody areas of vehicles.

Automotive fire suppression system with a reinforced, double concave composite reservoir

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir is protected by a thermal protection barrier applied to the reservoir's outer surface, excluding the base of a pyrotechnic propellant.

Thermally protected reservoir for onboard fire suppression system

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The sensor system and controller determine not only the magnitude of an impact upon the vehicle, but also track subsequent motion of the vehicle, as well as the time which has elapsed since an impact, so as to decide if and when the fire suppressant agent should be dispersed. Alternatively, the fire suppressant agent may be dispersed following activation of a manual switch.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Joseph Dierker, Jr