Stiffening assembly for a fuel tank

US10703194B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Albert J. Boecker · Ettlingen, DE
• Ahmad Chehade · Karlsruhe, DE
• Alex Ehler · Rastatt, DE
• Patrick Gmuend · Karlsruhe, DE
• Peter Grauer · Kandel, DE
• Moez Haouala · Karlsruhe, DE
• Gerrit A. Michaelis · Friesenheim, DE
• Matthias B. Olbrich · Rastatt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 22, 2016
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60K2015/03467
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A tank assembly and a stiffening assembly include first and second inserts and an elongate coupler. The inserts comprise a base having flange, a head, and a neck. The elongate body has first and second couplers at respective first and second ends of the body, each coupler including a pocket sized to receive the head of a respective one of the inserts. The related method include forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a rigid connector within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connector including a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.