Steven F Aulph

US Patent:

61388599, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Oct 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/425569

Inventors:

Steven F. Aulph - Flint MI
Steven G. Kensinger - Burnsville MN

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60P 300
F17B 114

US Classification:

220563

Abstract:

A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a first half shell and a second half shell. The fuel tank assembly also includes a plurality of column supports disposed between and attached to the first half shell and the second half shell. The fuel tank assembly further includes a cradle baffle disposed between the first half shell and the second half shell and attached to the column supports. The cradle baffle has at least one compliant joint disposed between a pair of the column supports to allow the cradle baffle to distort when a force is applied to the tank shell.