External Fuel Tank Fairing Mounting Preserves Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing a fairing to a fuel tank in vehicles require creating hollows in the tank, which reduces its available volume, compromising its capacity.
Innovation Solution
The fairing is secured to the tank using external fixing means that do not modify the tank's structure, allowing the tank to maintain its maximum capacity, with these means being offset from the reservoir in a horizontal plane and not overlapping it vertically, and utilizing extensions or inserts that are integral or attached to the tank for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fixing means are integrated into the tank wall, then the fairing can be securely attached, but the tank volume is reduced due to hollows
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing means are relocated from the interior of the tank wall to the exterior surface of the tank. By moving the attachment points to another dimension (outside the tank), the patent eliminates the need for hollows that would reduce tank volume, while still providing secure attachment for the fairing through external mounting structures
2Volume of stationary object
If external fixing means are used, then the tank volume is preserved, but the attachment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing means are segmented into separate components: mounting plates attached to the tank exterior, and corresponding attachment elements on the fairing. This segmentation allows the tank to maintain its full volume while the attachment function is distributed across multiple simple external components rather than requiring complex internal modifications
Solution Approach 2:
External mounting plates serve as intermediary elements between the tank and the fairing. These plates are attached to the tank's exterior surface and provide attachment points for the fairing, acting as a mediator that enables secure fastening without penetrating or modifying the tank's internal structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle (1, 100) having a fuel tank (2, 102) delimited by a wall (3, 4, 5, 103, 104, 105), and a fairing (8, 108) attached to said tank (2, 102) by fastening means (11, 12, 111, 112). According to the invention, at least one of said fastening means (111, 112) is external to the wall (103, 104, 105) delimiting the tank (102).