Patent US6661339B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6661339B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High performance fuel tank
Assignee: Nextreme LLC
•
Filing: 2002-04-26
•
Granted: 2003-12-09
•
Expires: 2022-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A fuel tank and method of making the same having three polymeric sheet members arranged in a stacked relationship to define a first volume and a second volume. The first volume being separate from said second volume to provide a number of advantages, such as a barrier to prevent puncture, minimize vapor release, aid in cooling, define a reserve cavity, minimize fluid movement, and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott A. W. Muirhead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:26
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/266; B29C51/267; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/03177; F; F02; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0011; F02M37/04; F02M37/08; F02M37/10; F02M37/103; G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2434; G08B13/2437; G08B13/244; G08B13/2445; G08B13/2451; G08B13/2462; B29C51/12; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/022; B29C65/028; B29C66/00; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/53; B29C66/532; B29C66/5324; B29C66/53245; B29C66/53246; B29L; B29L2009/00; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7172; B60K15/073; B60K15/077; B60K2015/03111; B60K2015/03328; B60K2015/03401; B60K2015/0775
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A fluid container for storing a fluid comprising: a first sheet member; a second sheet member; and a third sheet member coupled between said first sheet member and said second sheet member, said first sheet member and said third sheet member together defining a first volume, said second sheet member and said third sheet member together defining a second volume, said first volume being fluidly isolated from said second volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A fluid container for storing a fluid comprising: a first sheet member; a second sheet member; and a third sheet member coupled between said first sheet member and said second sheet member, said first sheet member and said third sheet member together defining a first volume, said second sheet member and said third sheet member together defining a second volume, said first volume being fluidly isolated from said second volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member is a layer capable of deflecting heat away from at least one of said first volume and said second volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member is a vapor barrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member is electrically conductive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member is made of a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fluid container according to claim 5 wherein said thermoplastic resin is chosen from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyolefin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member is made of a filled polyolefin material chosen from the group consisting essentially of talc, silica, glass fibers or beads, cellulose, natural fibers, organic matter, a thermosetting resin, carbon, a pigment, metallic particles, nanocompounds and fire retardant substances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 , further comprising: a radio frequency device coupled to at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member, said radio frequency device being operable to output a signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member is made of a polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein said first volume serves as at least a puncture barrier, a noise-dampening barrier, a structural reinforcement, a vapor barrier, or a fire barrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of protrusions formed in said third sheet member, said plurality of protrusions extending into said first volume, said plurality of protrusions obstructing fluid flow in said first volume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein one of said first sheet member and said third sheet member includes a protrusion extending toward the other of said first sheet member and said third sheet member to separate said first volume into discrete volumetric sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fastener coupled to said first sheet member, said fastener being separate from said second volume.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fuel system component coupled between said first sheet member and said second sheet member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fourth sheet member coupled between said first sheet member and said third sheet member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fluid container according to claim 1 wherein said first sheet member, said second sheet member, and said third sheet member are simultaneously coupled together to form a unitary member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fuel tank for containing a fuel, said fuel tank comprising: a first polymeric sheet; a second polymeric sheet; and a third polymeric sheet coupled between said first polymeric sheet and said second polymeric sheet, said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet together defining a first volume, said second polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet together defining a second volume, said first volume being isolated from said second volume.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fuel tank for containing a fuel, said fuel tank comprising: a first polymeric sheet; a second polymeric sheet; and a third polymeric sheet coupled between said first polymeric sheet and said second polymeric sheet, said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet together defining a first volume, said second polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet together defining a second volume, said first volume being isolated from said second volume.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 wherein said third polymeric sheet is adjacent said first polymeric sheet to define a barrier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel tank according to claim 18 wherein said barrier is generally heat resistant, vapor impervious, puncture resistant, or noise-dampening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 wherein at least one of said first polymeric sheet, said second polymeric sheet, and said third polymeric sheet is made of a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel tank according to claim 20 wherein said thermoplastic resin is chosen from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyolefin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 wherein at least one of said first polymeric sheet, said second polymeric sheet, and said third polymeric sheet is electrically conductive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 wherein at least one of said first polymeric sheet, said second polymeric sheet, and said third polymeric sheet is made of a filled polyolefin material chosen from the group consisting essentially of talc, silica, glass fibers or beads, cellulose, natural fibers, organic matter, a thermosetting resin, carbon, a pigment, metallic particles, nano-compounds and fire retardant substances.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 , further comprising: a radio frequency device is mounted substantially between said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet, said radio frequency device being operable to output a signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 , further comprising: a plurality of protrusions formed in said third polymeric sheet, said plurality of protrusions extending into said first volume, said plurality of protrusions obstructing fluid flow in said first volume.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 wherein one of said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet includes a protrusion extending toward the other of said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet to separate said first volume into discrete volumetric sections.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 , further comprising: a fastener coupled to said first polymeric sheet, said fastener being separate from said second volume.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 , further comprising: a fuel system component coupled between said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 , further comprising: a fourth polymeric sheet coupled between said first polymeric sheet and said third polymeric sheet.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel tank according to claim 17 wherein said first polymeric sheet, said second polymeric sheet, and said third polymeric sheet are simultaneously coupled together to form a unitary member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
A fuel tank comprising: at least three extruded polymeric sheets arranged to define a first tank section and a second tank section, said at least three extruded polymeric sheets being thermoformed; and an aperture formed in one of said at least three extruded polymeric sheets to provide access to said first tank section via said second tank section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
A fuel tank comprising: at least three extruded polymeric sheets arranged to define a first tank section and a second tank section, said at least three extruded polymeric sheets being thermoformed; and an aperture formed in one of said at least three extruded polymeric sheets to provide access to said first tank section via said second tank section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fuel tank according to claim 31 , further comprising: a hydrocarbon barrier formed on at least one of said first tank section and said second tank section, said hydrocarbon barrier operable to inhibit fluid or vapor transmission therethrough.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The fuel tank according to claim 31 wherein at least one of said at least three extruded polymeric sheets is made of a filled polyolefin material chosen from the group consisting essentially of talc, silica, glass fibers or beads, cellulose, natural fibers, organic matter, a thermosetting resin, carbon, a pigment, metallic particles, nano-compounds and fire retardant substances.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fuel tank according to claim 31 , further comprising: a radio frequency device is mounted generally within said second tank section, said radio frequency device being operable to output a signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fuel tank according to claim 31 , further comprising: a plurality of protrusions formed in at least one of said at least three extruded polymeric sheets, said plurality of protrusions extending into said second tank section, said plurality of protrusions obstructing fluid flow in said second tank section.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fuel tank having three co-extruded thermoformed polymeric sheets, said fuel tank comprising: a first fuel tank section having a wall operable to contain a fuel, said first fuel tank section having a first hydrocarbon barrier layer interfacially fused to an inside surface of said wall and a second hydrocarbon barrier layer interfacially fused to an outside surface of said wall; and a second fuel tank section having a wall operable to contain escaping fuel vapors.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fuel tank having three co-extruded thermoformed polymeric sheets, said fuel tank comprising: a first fuel tank section having a wall operable to contain a fuel, said first fuel tank section having a first hydrocarbon barrier layer interfacially fused to an inside surface of said wall and a second hydrocarbon barrier layer interfacially fused to an outside surface of said wall; and a second fuel tank section having a wall operable to contain escaping fuel vapors.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel tank according to claim 36 , further comprising: a third hydrocarbon barrier layer interfacially fused to an inside surface of said wall of said second fuel tank section.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuel tank according to claim 36 , further comprising: a resealable aperture formed in said first fuel tank section that is accessible through said second fuel tank section.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fuel tank according to claim 38 wherein said resealable aperture is thermoformed.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of manufacturing a fuel tank, said method comprising: thermoforming a first polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; thermoforming a second polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; thermoforming a third polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; coupling said first polymeric sheet to said second polymeric sheet to form a two sheet subassembly having a first volume; and coupling said third polymeric sheet to said two sheet subassembly to form a three sheet subassembly having a second volume, said second volume being separate from said first volume.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of manufacturing a fuel tank, said method comprising: thermoforming a first polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; thermoforming a second polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; thermoforming a third polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; coupling said first polymeric sheet to said second polymeric sheet to form a two sheet subassembly having a first volume; and coupling said third polymeric sheet to said two sheet subassembly to form a three sheet subassembly having a second volume, said second volume being separate from said first volume.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 40 , further comprising: coupling a radio frequency device substantially between said first polymeric sheet and said second polymeric sheet, said radio frequency device being operable to send or receive a signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 40 , further comprising: coupling a fuel system component coupled between said first polymeric sheet and said second polymeric sheet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 40 , further comprising: thermoforming a fourth polymeric sheet to a predetermined shape; and coupling said fourth polymeric sheet to said three sheet subassembly to form a four sheet subassembly having a third volume, said third volume being separate from said first volume and said second volume.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 40 wherein said thermoforming a second polymeric sheet to said predetermined shape includes forming a plurality of protrusion in said second sheet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-08 | 2007-06-09 | 2007-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-08 | 2011-06-09 | 2011-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-08 | 2015-06-09 | 2015-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |