초록 ▼

A manufacturing process for reverse building complex-shaped vehicle fuel tanks using complementary female mold halves which, when joined together about their mating peripheral edges, exactly duplicate the vehicle body cavity into which the completed tanks are to be mounted. Plies of a urethane elast

A manufacturing process for reverse building complex-shaped vehicle fuel tanks using complementary female mold halves which, when joined together about their mating peripheral edges, exactly duplicate the vehicle body cavity into which the completed tanks are to be mounted. Plies of a urethane elastomer are spray-coated into the molds and nylon fabric reinforcement is applied in two steps to complete the composite which forms the tank structure. Upon completion of forming of the composite, the mold halves are joined and a splice is completed from the inside of the tank by laying in reinforcement fabric at the butt joined sections of the composite and sealing it with urethane elastomer.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for the manufacture of a complex-shaped, fabric-reinforced elastomeric fuel tank of the type for installation into a vehicle body cavity comprising the steps of: providing complementary female mold sections which, when joined together, substantially duplicate the complex geometry of the ca

A process for the manufacture of a complex-shaped, fabric-reinforced elastomeric fuel tank of the type for installation into a vehicle body cavity comprising the steps of: providing complementary female mold sections which, when joined together, substantially duplicate the complex geometry of the cavity, said mold sections having means for locating and mounting tank fittings thereon; applying a ply of a release material to the surfaces of each mold section; spray-coating a first ply of a urethane elastomer having 20-70% solids in solution at a rate of 0.1-0.5 gals/min into each mold section; applying a square-woven 1.5-6.0 oz/sq yd nylon fabric to all areas by first applying fabric patches to the areas of severe complex contour and then applying fabric sheet material to all other areas, cutting the sheet to follow and conform to the contours of the mold; spray-coating a second ply of urethane elastomer to cover the nylon fabric material; installing tank fittings on the means provided and securing said fittings in place by suitable pressure applicators; spray-coating a fuel resistant film over the elastomer to provide barrier to hydrocarbon fuels; spray-coating a third ply of urethane elastomer onto the barrier film to provide a liner for the tank; applying an adhesive elastomer to the peripheral edges of the complementary molds; joining the two mold sections together about their mating peripheral edges and clamping said edges; applying nylon fabric material and urethane elastomer on the inside of the joined sections at the interface of the peripheral edges to form a splice between the two sections; and allowing the composite forming the tank to cure into an integral structure.