Granted Patent B2

US 7,455,190 · App. 10/989,532 · Granted Nov 25, 2008

Abstract

Claims (19)

1. A fluid tank system having enhanced durability and reduced permeation, the fluid tank system comprising:

a fuel tank having first and second outer portions and internalized fuel system components;

a support portion having a body and first and second ends, the first end having a flange configured to engage the first outer portion of the fuel tank for providing support to the system, the second end having a reduced cross-sectional portion configured to engage the second outer portion of the fuel tank for limiting movement from pressure and vacuum forces, the second end having a second outer diameter less than the first outer diameter, the reduced cross-sectional portion including legs extending from the second end to a ring having a third outer diameter to engage the second outer portion of the fuel tank for limited movement from pressure and vacuum forces, the third outer diameter being less than the second outer diameter; and

a valve retainer arm having an attachment end attached to the support portion, the attachment end extending to a valve retainer end for retaining the internalized fuel system within the fuel tank.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first outer portion of the fuel tank includes a first inner wall and the second outer portion of the fuel tank includes a second inner wall, the first inner wall having a first mounting portion formed thereon and the second inner wall having a second mounting portion formed thereon.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first end of the support portion cooperates with the first mounting portion of the first inner wall for providing support to the system and the second end of the support portion cooperates with the second mounting portion of the second inner wall for limiting movement from pressure and vacuum forces.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the flange has a first outer diameter for providing support to the system.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the reduced cross-sectional portion is configured to disengage from the second inner wall at a threshold pressure placed on the fuel tank from pressure and vacuum forces.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the attachment end of the valve retainer arm has an attachment bore formed therethrough and is attached about the support portion.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a supported internalized fluid tank system including: a vapor valve assembly for regulating vapor pressure in the fuel tank.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the valve retainer end has a holding portion formed thereon to hold the vapor valve assembly adjacent the first inner wall.

9. A mounting apparatus for an internalized fuel system of a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising:

a support portion having a body and first and second ends, the first end having a connecting flange configured to engage the fuel tank and the second end having a reduced cross-sectional portion attached thereto to provide flexibility to the fuel tank from pressure and vacuum forces, the second end having a second outer diameter, the reduced cross-sectional portion including legs extending from the second end to a ring having a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being less than the second outer diameter; and

a valve retainer arm having an attachment end attached to the support portion, the attachment end extending to a valve retainer end for retaining the internalized fuel system within the fuel tank.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flange has a first outer diameter.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reduced cross-sectional portion is configured to disengage from the second inner wall at a threshold pressure placed on the fuel tank for enhanced support.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the attachment end of the valve retainer arm has an attachment bore formed therethrough and is attached about the support portion for support.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the valve retainer arm has a holding portion formed to hold the internalized fuel system of the fuel tank.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the holding portion is a holding cup.

Assignments (8)