US3747800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preventing air pollution and improving safety of automobile and similar tanks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An evaporation-proof and crash-resistant gasoline tank for automobiles. A flexible light-oil-resistant inner tank has an upper portion above the tank''s mid-section acting as a diaphragm and may be tightly attached to the mid-seam that connects the upper and lower halves of a conventional tank, the bottom half of the inner tank remaining in place lining the outer tank at all times. The top half of the inner tank is also tightly attached around the tank''s fuel inlet-pipe, and guide rods extend down from the end of the fuel inlet-pipe vertically into the tank to the bottom of the outer tank, to keep the flexible diaphragm from interfering with fuel entering the tank. An air vent at the top of the tank enables air to enter or to be expelled when temperature changes occur and when the tank is being filled or emptied. The gasoline-resistant diaphragm fits against the sides and top of the tank when the tank is full and against the sides and bottom when the tank is empty.
Inventors
- 👤 C Viland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:03
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/22; B65D90/38; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/035; B60K15/03504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for preventing pollution of the atmosphere by hydrocarbon vapors, and of crash-safety for an automotive vehicle, including, in combination with a conventional fuel tank for an automotive vehicle, having an inlet pipe and outlet means, a flexible hydrocarbon-resistant inner tank having a lower portion tightly attached to the walls of a lower portion of said fuel tank, said inner tank being also fluid-tightly attached to the fuel tank''s inlet pipe and outlet means, guide members encompassing the inlet area of the inlet pipe and extending vertically to and attached to the bottom of said tank, said inner tank portion having a flexible top diaphragm capable of fitting to the shape of both the top and the bottom of said tank, and to its upper and lower side walLs, and to the volume below the fill pipe encompassed by said guide-rods, said inner tank diaphragm portion being capable of collapsing to the bottom of said fuel tank when empty of fuel, and rising to and fitting the top when said fuel tank is filled, thereby acting as a flexible diaphragm to separate fuel from air, and an air vent at the top of said fuel tank to expel air as the tank is filled and to admit air as the fuel level is lowered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for preventing pollution of the atmosphere by hydrocarbon vapors, and of crash-safety for an automotive vehicle, including, in combination with a conventional fuel tank for an automotive vehicle, having an inlet pipe and outlet means, a flexible hydrocarbon-resistant inner tank having a lower portion tightly attached to the walls of a lower portion of said fuel tank, said inner tank being also fluid-tightly attached to the fuel tank''s inlet pipe and outlet means, guide members encompassing the inlet area of the inlet pipe and extending vertically to and attached to the bottom of said tank, said inner tank portion having a flexible top diaphragm capable of fitting to the shape of both the top and the bottom of said tank, and to its upper and lower side walLs, and to the volume below the fill pipe encompassed by said guide-rods, said inner tank diaphragm portion being capable of collapsing to the bottom of said fuel tank when empty of fuel, and rising to and fitting the top when said fuel tank is filled, thereby acting as a flexible diaphragm to separate fuel from air, and an air vent at the top of said fuel tank to expel air as the tank is filled and to admit air as the fuel level is lowered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fuel tank has a mid-seam, joining an upper portion to a lower portion, and said inner tank is attached adjacent said seam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner tank has a bottom portion attached throughout its surface to the bottom portion of said fuel tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fuel tank has bottom outlets and said inner tank is fluid-tightly attached around them.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner tank is constructed in three layers, the two outside members being thin membranes of gasoline-resistant elastomer, and the inner layer, thicker in section, being fabricated of a type of elastomer which absorbs hydrocarbons, thereby swelling and tending to stop leaks if the tank is punctured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |