IP Library Granted Patent US 7,159,607
Granted Patent B2
US 7,159,607 · App. 11/138,569 · Granted Jan 9, 2007

Low permeation weldable fuel tank assembly

Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,159,607
App. No.
11/138,569
Granted
Jan 9, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A low permeation weldable fuel tank assembly is provided to reduce fuel vapor permeation from a fuel tank. The weldable fuel tank assembly has a mounting portion mountable to the fuel tank and a valve housing that is attachable to the mounting portion. The mounting portion includes a fuel vapor permeation barrier.

Claims (26)

1. A fuel system apparatus for a fuel tank in communication with a fuel vapor recovery device, the fuel system apparatus comprising:

a mounting assembly defining a mount body, a weldable extension, and at least one permeation barrier disposed at least within the weldable extension, the weldable extension configured for welding to a fuel tank wall at a weldpoint, the permeation barrier spaced apart from the weldpoint and configured to block fuel vapor permeation from a fuel tank interior;

a valve assembly attached to the mount body and at least partially disposed in the fuel tank interior, the valve assembly configured to selectively open or close communication between the fuel tank interior and the fuel vapor recovery device; and

means for connecting the mount body and the valve assembly together.

2. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the weldable extension is made of a weldable material and the permeation barrier is made of an anti-permeation material.

3. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the permeation barrier is disposed within the mount body.

4. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the permeation barrier is disposed between at least two layers of the weldable material.

5. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the permeation barrier forms substantially a U-shape in cross section within the weldable material at least within the weldable extension, a bottom area of the U-shaped permeation barrier depending in a direction of the fuel tank wall but spaced apart from the weldpoint.

6. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein at least two permeation barriers are disposed apart from each other each between two respective layers of the weldable material.

7. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the permeation barrier is EVOH.

8. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting are respective opposing ribs depending from the mount body and the valve assembly, opposing ribs configured for interlocking to connect the mount body and the valve assembly together.

9. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle depending from the mount body, the permeation barrier disposed proximate an interior surface of the nozzle to block fuel vapor permeation from the nozzle.

10. A fuel system apparatus for a fuel tank including a valve assembly disposed in an interior of the fuel tank, the fuel system apparatus comprising:

a mount body made of a weldable material and an anti-permeation material, the mount body connected to a valve and welded to a tank wall at a weldpoint, the anti-permeation material embedded in the weldable material such that the anti-permeation material is spaced apart from the weldpoint.

11. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 10 , wherein the weldable material and the anti-permeation material are co-extruded.

12. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the anti-permeation material is disposed between at least two layers of the weldable material.

13. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the weldable material is HDPE and the anti-permeation material is EVOH.

14. The fuel system apparatus as in claim 10 , wherein the mount body includes a nozzle having an inner surface defining a passageway therethrough, the anti-permeation material disposed proximate the inner surface.

15. A fuel system apparatus for a fuel tank, the fuel system apparatus comprising:

a mount body defining a passageway in communication with an interior of the fuel tank, the mount body formed from multiple layers of material including at least one layer of an anti-permeation material configured to block fuel vapor permeation, the mount body further including a weld foot configured for welding to a surface of the fuel tank at a weldpoint, the anti-permeation layer being co-extruded at least within the weld foot and disposed within the weld foot such that the anti-permeation layer is spaced apart from the weldpoint; and

a valve assembly attached to the mounting portion and at least partially disposed in the inside of the fuel tank and configured to selectively open or close communication between the passageway to the inside of the fuel tank.

16. The fuel system apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the material of the multiple layers is selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a metal, an adhesive, and combinations thereof including combinations with the anti-permeation material.

17. The fuel system apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the weldable material surrounds the anti-permeation layer.

18. The fuel system apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the anti-permeation material is EVOH.

19. The fuel system apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the mount body is unitarily formed with the weld foot.

20. The fuel system apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the anti-permeation material is disposed only in the weld foot.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 27, 2023
From: ALFMEIER CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 062878/0529 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2005
From: FROHWEIN, AXEL; GOODMAN, WILLIAM H., JR.
To: ALFMEIER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016613/0228 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 1035638000 · Jan 31, 2003
Related Publication 20050211297A1 · Sep 29, 2005