Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
FUEL TANK FOR A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application
Serial No. 60/275,105, which was filed on March 13, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to fuel containers. More
specifically, the
invention relates to fuel containers for motor vehicles, such as snowmobiles.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Canadian Patent Application No. 2,256,944 (the "'944 application")
discloses a new
improved recreational vehicle adapted for use as a snowmobile or an all-
terrain vehicle. The
vehicle disclosed therein is convertible from a snowmobile to an all-terrain
vehicle and vice
versa, and thus, can be used all year around both in winter and summer. The
'944 application
teaches, among other features, that the vehicle disclosed therein provides
improved
maneuverability and control than a conventional snowmobile, as the rider's
seat position is moved
forwardly and the engine is moved rearwardly by comparison with the a
conventional
snowmobile.
[0004] U.S. Patent Application No. 09/472,134 (the "'134 application")
discloses a
snowmobile where, among other features, the steering control position, the
seating position, and
the position of the footrests are arranged in relation to one another so that
the rider's center of
gravity is closer to the center of gravity of the vehicle than on a
conventional snowmobile.
Moreover, the snowmobile disclosed in the '134 application improves the
rider's control over the
vehicle and positions the rider so that he falls more naturally within a
laminar air flow region
defined by the windshield of the snowmobile. The '134 application discusses,
inter alia, the
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CA 02371477 2002-02-11
10. When the conventional fuel tank 10 is placed as shown in Fig. 9, it
interferes with the
placement of the driver's seat in the same space.
Summary of the Invention
[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel
tank suitable for
use in a recreational vehicle which is designed to take advantage of a
positioning the driver that is
closer to the engine.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank
suitable for use in
the vehicles disclosed in the '944 and ' 134 applications and the above-
mentioned co-pending
application.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank
for a
recreational vehicle, a snowmobile in particular, that has a low center of
gravity which improves
the stability and maneuverability of the vehicle.
[0013] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank
comprises a wall
structure configured and positioned to define an outer surface having an inner
liquid containing
volume therein. The wall structure includes an inlet for liquid to enter the
inner liquid containing
volume. An outlet for liquid is provided as an exit for the liquid contained
inside of the wall
structure. The fuel tank further comprises an elongated main body portion
above which a driver
of the vehicle may be seated and an oblong neck portion. The oblong neck
portion extends
diagonally upward away from the main body portion. The main body portion
extends along a
substantially entire length of the tunnel on which the fuel tank is
positioned. The main body
portion of the fuel tank is positioned substantially under the seat of the
snowmobile.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the fuel
tank has a
ridge protruding inside the fuel tank's main body portion, which is defined by
the wall structure.
The ridge is positioned at a midportion of the longitudinal length of the fuel
tank and is
configured to provide interference to a liquid wave within the inner liquid.
The ridge disrupts
movement of the liquid from the front to the rear (or vice versa) inside the
tank. This prevents
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
the movement of fuel from exerting sudden forces on the vehicle. The ridge is
also used to create
a fuel pick-up area when the vehicle is climbing a hill.
[0015] Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will
become
apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings,
and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Fig. 1 is a side view of two prior art fuel tanks illustrating in
particular the length
thereof by comparison with tunnel bodies of conventional snowmobiles;
[0017] Fig. 2 is a side view of the fuel tank constructed according to the
present
invention, which illustrates the length thereof by comparison with the tunnel
body of a
snowmobile;
[0018] Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of the fuel tank constructed according
to the
present W vention;
[0019] Fig. 4 is a side view of the fuel tank shown in Fig. 1;
[0020] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the fuel tank shown in Fig. 1;
[0021] Fig. 6 is a top view of the fuel tank shown in Fig. 1;
[0022] Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of fuel tank taken along the line 7-7
in Fig. 4,
showing the anti-wave portion;
4
CA 02371477 2003-08-05
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CA 02371477 2002-02-11
longitudinal lengths depending on the intended applications, such as racing,
touring or mountain
snowmobiling. Although not illustrated, it is possible, though not always a
standard practice, to
vary the size of the seats and fuel tank in proportion to the length of the
chassis 18.
[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, the conventional fuel tank 10 has a substantially
round shape
and a generally oblong configuration, which extends less than roughly one-half
of the length of
the chassis 18. For example, the ratio between the tunnel body 20 to the
length of conventional
fuel tanks 10, 10' is roughly 538:1358 and 631:1358, respectively (these
ratios being the
respective lengths of the elements in millimeters).
[0029] Some fuel tanks may even have a rearward extension, which does not
carry fuel.
The rearward extension supports the seat and driver/rider of the snowmobile by
acting as a seat
base.
[0030] Consequently, there exists a need in the art for a fuel tank which
provides a low
center of gravity and is capable of breaking up the disturbance waves which
can generate forces
that may interfere with the smooth operation of the recreational vehicle in
which it is placed.
Such a fuel tank may also incorporate a reserve supply of fuel therein.
[0031] Figs. 2-9 show a fuel tank, generally indicated at 100, which is
constructed
according to the principles of the present invention. More specifically, Figs.
2-6 show the fuel
tank 100, which may be used in recreational vehicles, such as the snowmobile
described in the
'134 application and other snowmobiles, as well as the vehicles described in
the '934 application
and the above-mentioned co-pending application.
[0032] The fuel tank 100 includes a main body portion, generally indicated at
120,
integrally coupled with an oblong neck portion, generally indicated at 140.
The oblong neck
portion 140 extends diagonally upward away from the main body portion 120. The
fuel tank 100
can also be configured to define a wave interference portion or ridge 160 at
the midportion of the
longitudinal length thereof. The wave interference portion 160 is configured
to provide
interference to liquid disturbance waves, which may be generated within the
fuel tank 100 when
6
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
liquid, such as, for example, fuel or gasoline, moves from the front to the
rear or vice versa,
inside the fuel tank 100. The sloshing of fuel within the fuel tank 100 can
adversely affect the
operation of the vehicle on which it is placed by exerting sudden and
unexpected forces on the
vehicle.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel tank 100 is positioned within a
vehicle
frame, such as, for example, on the upper surface 121 of the tunnel body 20.
However, it is
contemplated that the fuel tank 100 may be positioned within any motored
vehicle, such as a
motorcycle or other recreational vehicle, and should not be limited to
snowmobiles.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel tank 100 is formed by a blow
molding
process, which allows the main body, oblong neck and if desired the wave
interference portions
120, 140, 160, respectively, to have a substantially equal wall thickness
throughout. It may be
preferable to mold the fuel tank 100 from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Other suitable
materials also may be used, so long as they are resistant to degradation by
the liquid contained
therein.
[0035] As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the main body portion 120 is configured
and
positioned to extend to a height substantially equal to one-third the height
of the oblong neck
portion 140. The main body portion 120 is longitudinally elongated and is
formed by an outer
wall structure 122. The outer wall structure 122 has a hollow transverse cross-
section, preferably
substantially rectangular in form, so as to provide sufficient strength and
support for the fuel tank
100. The main body portion 120 may also be tubular in form to add torsional
rigidity of the fuel
tank 100. The main body portion 120 includes an upper surface 123 being of
substantially
uniform height.
[0036] Fig. 3 shows the upper surface 123 of the outer wall structure 122.
Formed in the
upper surface 123 is a cross-like depression 125, which is substantially
symmetrical about the
longitudinal direction of the outer wall structure 122. Although not shown,
the depression 125
may be configured to accept a portion of the snowmobile seat therein. The
depression 125 may
add to the overall rigidity of fuel tank 100.
7
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
[0037] As best shown in Fig. 5, a pair of tunnel engaging surfaces 124 are
integrally
formed with a generally flat bottom surface 126 on the underside of the main
body portion 120.
The tunnel engaging surfaces 124 are disposed on opposite sides of the bottom
surface 126.
Bottom surface 126 is situated at a higher level than tunnel engaging surfaces
124 to provide
space for a radiator (not shown) which can be formed into the middle of tunnel
body 20.
[0038] A pair of mounting flanges 132 are formed integrally with the fuel tank
100 and
outwardly extend from the tunnel engaging surfaces 124 of the main body
portion 120. Each
mounting flange 132 has a elongated opening 134 therein to receive a
conventional fastener (not
shown) therethrough for affixing the fuel tank 100 onto the snowmobile's
tunnel body 20. The
fasteners may be screws, bolts and nuts, adhesive or any other fastener known
in the art.
[0039) The fasteners securely mount the fuel tank 100 in close proximity to
the tunnel
body 20 such that the tunnel engaging surfaces 124 engage the tunnel body 20.
The bottom
surface 126 is preferably spaced from the tunnel body 20. Alternatively, in an
embodiment not
shown, the fuel tank 100 could be mounted onto or within a frame of a motor
vehicle.
[0040] As illustrated in Fig. 9, the main body portion 120 is mounted to the
tunnel body
20 so as to position the center of gravity 200 of the fuel tank 100 within a
horizontal distance
range of 375 mm to 500 mm and a vertical distance range of
240 mm to 255 mm away from the center of the drive axle 22. Preferably, the
main body portion
120 is mounted onto the tunnel body 20 so as to position the center of gravity
200 of the fuel tank
100 at a horizontal distance of 437 mm and a vertical distance of 248 mm as
measured from the
center of the drive axle 22.
[0041] In Fig. 9, examples of different centers of gravity are illustrated.
Center of gravity
200 is the center of gravity of the fuel tank 100. Center of gravity 202 is
the center of gravity of
the conventional fuel tank. Center of gravity 204 is the center of gravity of
a snowmobile having
the conventional fuel tank 10 when the fuel tank 10 is filled with gas and the
driver is seated on
the snowmobile. Center of gravity 206 is the center of gravity of a snowmobile
having the fuel
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
tank 100, when the fuel tank 100 contains fuel and the driver is seated on the
snowmobile.
Center of gravity 208 is the center of gravity of a snowmobile with the
conventional fuel tank
filled with fuel but without the driver seated on the snowmobile. Finally,
center of gravity 210 is
the center of gravity of a snowmobile carrying fuel tank 10U with fuel but
without a driver (or
operator).
[0042] As shown in Figs. 1 and 9, the upper surface 121 of the tunnel body 20
supports
the main body portion 120 of the fuel tank 100. As illustrated, the main body
portion 120 has a
length that is substantially equal to the length of the tunnel body 20 such
that the ratio between
the length of the fuel tank 100 and the length of the tunnel body 20 is
substantially 1:1. This 1:1
ratio allows the fuel tank 100 to provide sufficient support for the seat of
the snowmobile while
also maximizing its fuel-containing capacity. The fuel tank 100 may have a
width capable of
providing sufficient support to a driver/rider, for example, in cases where
the fuel tank 100 is
positioned substantially under the seat of the vehicle.
[0043] However, it is contemplated that the fuel tank 100 may be positioned on
tunnel
bodies that are longer than the tunnel body 20. In these situations, the
tunnel body, the seat and
the fuel tank 100 could create a space directly behind the fuel tank 100 along
the length of the
tunnel body 20. This space may be used for storage, or some other purpose
known in the art.
[0044] The oblong neck portion 140 includes the upwardly facing filler neck
opening 14
for fuel to be poured therethrough into the fuel tank 100. Although not shown,
a fuel cap could
threadedly engage the filler neck opening 14 so as to provide a tight seal
which precludes fuel
from escaping from the fuel tank 100.
(0045] The oblong neck portion 140 has a smaller cross sectional area than
does the main
body portion 120 and extends upwardly therefrom by an angle of about
45°. Though shown
extending upwardly from the main body portion at an angle of about 45°,
the oblong neck portion
140 may have any suitable angular configuration that complements the
construction of the
vehicle in which it is positioned.
9
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
[0046] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the wave interference portion 160 is
centrally disposed
within the main body portion 120 so as to upwardly, integrally extend from the
fuel volume
defining wall 128 toward the interior of the fuel tank 100. The wave
interference portion 160 is
substantially U-shaped and includes a pair of angled interference surfaces
162, 164. The U-shape
configuration has its open end facing the front of the fuel tank 10 and allows
fuel to flow thereby
on opposite ends thereof. The interference surfaces 162, 164 are integrally
formed at converging
angles with respect to one another so that the interference surface 162 is
sloped downward toward
the front of the fuel tank 10 and the interference surface 164 is sloped
downward toward the rear
of the fuel tank 10.
[0047] The interference surfaces 162, 164 may be disposed at any angle with
respect to
one another (greater than 0~, but less than 1800 within the main body portion
120. Alternatively,
the interference surfaces may be vertically disposed (at an angle of 90~)
within the main body
portion 120. However, it may be preferable to construct each interference
surface 162, 164 at an
angle of about 66~ as measured from the bottom surface126 toward the
interference surfaces 162,
164 such that the interference surfaces 162, 164 converge toward one another.
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
[0048] The angled interference surfaces 162, 164 are configured to break up
(or interfere
with the formation of) liquid disturbance waves in the fuel tank 100.
[0049) As best shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 10, the angled interference surface 162
is
configured and positioned to have an arcuate central portion 166 for trapping
fuel therein when
disposed at an angle, such as when the snowmobile is traveling up a
mountainside, hill, or other
sloped surface. The trapped fuel essentially forms a reserve fuel reservoir
168. A fuel supply
hose 170 may be disposed in communication with the reserve fuel reservoir 168
to supply the
fuel contained therein to the engine of the vehicle.
[0050] The fuel tank 100 has a low (close to the ground) center of gravity as
described
above. The low center of gravity provides stability and balance when
travelling at high rates of
speed. This stability and balance help reduce the risk of the snowmobile
rolling over when
turning at a high rate of speed, such as during racing conditions
[0051] It is desirable for vehicles to have a low center of gravity in racing
situations
where vehicles are subjected to sudden acceleration. In response to these
sudden accelerations
(or if travelling up a steep slope), disturbance waves of fuel can build up
and move within the
fuel tank, thus generating forces that may disrupt the operation of the
snowmobile to such an
extent that the disturbance can be felt by the driver/rider.
[0052] As the disturbance waves begin to build up and move within the fuel
tank 100,
some waves contact the angled interference surfaces 162, 164 of the wave
interference portion
160. The angled interference surfaces 162, 164 are configured to break up the
waves by
providing interference thereto. By breaking up the disturbance waves, the
angled interference
surfaces 162, 164 preclude disturbance of the driver/rider due to the forces
generated by the
disturbance waves in response to sudden movement within a vehicle.
(0053) In addition to breaking up the disturbance waves, the arcuate central
portions 166
of the angled interference surface 162 traps fuel therein when the snowmobile
is traveling up a
mountainside, hill, or other sloped surface. Even if there is a minimal amount
of fuel within the
11
CA 02371477 2002-02-11
fuel tank 100, as the fuel moves toward the rear of the fuel tank 100 due to
the snowmobile
travelling up a sloped surface, a small quantity of fuel will be trapped by
the arcuate central
portions 166 of the angled interference surface 162. That way, the fuel supply
hose 170 can
continuously supply fuel to the engine from the reserve fuel reservoir 168.
[0054] While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the
illustrative
embodiments set forth above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various
modifications may be made to the structure, arrangement, proportion, elements,
materials, and
components used in the practice of the invention
[0055] It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully
and
effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing
preferred specific
embodiments have been shown and described for the purpose of illustrating the
functional and
structural principles of this invention and are subject to change without
departure from such
principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed
within the spirit and
scope of the following claims.
12
