Systems and methods for determining the integrity of internal fuel tank structural supports
US9694674B2 · kind B2 · utility
4Cited by
4References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/62
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fuel system comprises a fuel tank including at least a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more stanchions positioned within the fuel tank, each stanchion coupled to the top wall and the bottom wall. A strain gauge is positioned on the outside of the fuel tank, opposite an intersection of a stanchion and the top wall, such that degradation of the stanchion results in results in pressure-dependent deformation of the fuel tank that is registered by the strain gauge. In this way, degradation of deformable fuel tanks, such as polymeric fuel tanks, may be diagnosed and indicated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.