VEHICLE FUEL TANK SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED CRASHWORTHINESS

摘要

A fuel tank system which has a revised mounting system and a revised location for the fuel system and fuel tanks to improve crashworthiness of the vehicle by reducing the occurrence of tank failure, fuel spillage, fire and/or explosion during and after a collision or similar event, while still providing a sufficient range for the vehicle. The fuel tanks are protected from damage from the side, bottom and between the tanks. The fuel tank mounting system also allows the energy associated with an event to be managed, such as by allowing the fuel tanks to be pushed or moved downwardly and/or laterally by the energy of the impact of a collision or similar event to a position in which the fuel tank is either out of the path of the impact or protected by the chassis or frame of the vehicle.

主权项

1. A fuel tank system for a vehicle, the fuel tank system comprising:
a fuel tank; a support structure which provides impact protection to the fuel tank, the support structure having mounting members and a base plate, the mounting members mount the support structure to frame members of the vehicle, the base plate extends between the mounting members; at least a portion of the fuel tank is positioned between the mounting members and the base plate, the fuel tank being supported by the base plate; the support structure being moveable relative to the vehicle and the fuel tank during an impact of an event such as, but not limited to a collision, crash or accident, the fuel tank being moveable relative to the vehicle and the support structure during the impact; wherein the support structure protects the fuel tank from being crushed or punctured during the impact.