| 摘要 |
A locking member for use in a fuel tank assembly of the type having a pressurizable tank with an aperture and having a plurality of retaining lugs transversely extending along the periphery of the tank aperture. A fuel sender assembly has a first portion disposed within the aperture and a second portion having a plate-like shoulder in a mating contact with an external tank surface. A seal element is disposed between the tank and the fuel sender assembly in an annular groove or other seal arrangement provided in the external tank surface intermediate the aperture and the retaining lugs. The locking member comprises a locking ring having an aperture through which a portion of the fuel sender assembly extends, the locking ring having a generally planar lower surface in a mating contact with an upper surface of the plate-like shoulder of the fuel sender assembly and having a plurality of tabs corresponding to the plurality of retaining lugs. The locking ring preferably has at least one upwardly projecting protrusion placed around the circumference of the locking ring. The protrusions enhance structural integrity of the locking ring. The tabs have a locking surface, for lockingly engaging the retaining lugs, and a flange section surrounding the retaining lugs for inhibiting permanent deformation thereof due to increased fluid pressure within the tank.
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