Safety improvement for a fuel tank

Abstract

A fuel tank is improved by the addition of a filler of metallic mesh, the addition of an outer sleeve of fuel and vapor impervious, fire resistant, thermoplastic material, and the fuel line outlet cover is secured against release due to collision. A method of improving a fuel tank includes the securing of the fuel line outlet cover, the addition of the outer sleeve and the installation of the tank into the vehicle. Finally, a tank assembly is described which includes a tank enclosure, the sleeve surrounding the enclosure, a reinforced fastening of the fuel line attachment cover to the tank enclosure, and a filler of explosion suppressing metallic mesh positioned within the tank.

1 . A method for improving the safety of a vehicle fuel tank having an exterior surface defined thereon, an interior defined therein, and a fuel line attachment cover attached to the tank, the method comprising the step of: 
 covering said tank exterior surface with a sleeve of material that is substantially impervious to fuel and fuel vapor.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing within said tank interior a filler of metallic mesh, wherein said filler substantially fills said interior of said tank.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said filler is comprised of one or more sheets of expanded aluminum mesh formed into packets.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is comprised of a fire resistant thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising placing within said tank interior a filler of metallic mesh, wherein said filler substantially fills said interior of said tank.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said filler is comprised of one or more sheets of expanded aluminum mesh formed into packets.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of adding fastening means to secure the fuel line attachment cover to said tank.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said sleeve is comprised of a fire resistant thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising placing within said tank interior a filler of metallic mesh, wherein said filler substantially fills said interior of said tank.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said filler is comprised of one or more sheets of expanded aluminum mesh formed into packets.  
   
   
       11 . A fuel tank assembly comprising: 
 a tank enclosure having an exterior surface defined thereon, an interior defined therein, and having a fuel line attachment cover attached thereto;    a sleeve affixed to said exterior surface of said enclosure, wherein said sleeve is substantially impervious to fuel and fuel vapor.    
   
   
       12 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 11  further comprising a filler of metallic mesh positioned within said interior of said tank enclosure, wherein said filler is comprised of expanded aluminum mesh.  
   
   
       13 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 12  wherein said filler is comprised of packets formed from sheets of expanded aluminum mesh.  
   
   
       14 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 11  wherein said sleeve is comprised of a fire resistant thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       15 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a filler of metallic mesh positioned within said interior of said tank enclosure, wherein said filler is comprised of expanded aluminum mesh.  
   
   
       16 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 15  wherein said filler is comprised of packets formed from sheets of expanded aluminum mesh.  
   
   
       17 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 11  further comprising fastening means affixed to the fuel line attachment cover, wherein said fastening means prevents detachment of said fuel line attachment cover from said tank during a collision.  
   
   
       18 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 17  wherein said sleeve is comprised of a fire resistant thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       19 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 18  further comprising a filler of metallic mesh positioned within said interior of said tank enclosure, wherein said filler is comprised of expanded aluminum mesh.  
   
   
       20 . The fuel tank assembly of  claim 19  wherein said filler is comprised of packets formed from sheets of expanded aluminum mesh.