Fuel tank flange

Abstract

Embodiments of a fuel tank flange are disclosed, including a single fuel tank flange plate having multiple fuel tank system components secured thereto.

1 . A fuel tank system comprising:
 a fuel tank including a wall having a fuel tank aperture formed therein, said fuel tank aperture extending between an interior and an exterior of said fuel tank;   a flange plate secured over said fuel tank aperture, and including at least three flange plate apertures formed therein; and   at least three fuel tank system components, wherein individual ones of said at least three fuel tank system components is secured within an individual one of said at least three fuel tank flange plate apertures and extends into said interior of said fuel tank from said exterior of said fuel tank.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least three fuel tank system components are chosen from a supply fitting, a return fitting, a vent fitting, a filler neck fitting, and fuel level sender assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said flange plate is secured to said fuel tank around said fuel tank aperture by a single weld line on said exterior of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said fuel tank includes a drain aperture formed therein, and wherein said system further includes a tube support including a tube support wall extending through said drain aperture and a tube support base secured to said exterior of said fuel tank and around said drain aperture. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said flange plate is secured on a top surface of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said exterior of said fuel tank defines a rounded cross sectional shape and wherein a lower surface of said flange plate defines a rounded cross sectional shape that matches said rounded cross sectional shape of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  comprising at least five fuel tank system components, wherein individual ones of said at least five fuel tank system components is secured within an individual one of at least five fuel tank flange plate apertures and extends into said interior of said fuel tank from said exterior of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       8 . A method of installing multiple components on a fuel tank, comprising:
 forming a fuel tank aperture in a wall of a fuel tank, said fuel tank aperture extending between an interior and an exterior of said fuel tank;   forming a flange plate sized to be secured over said fuel tank aperture, and forming at least three flange plate apertures in said flange plate;   securing at least three fuel tank system components on said flange plate, wherein individual ones of said at least three fuel tank system components is secured within an individual one of said at least three fuel tank flange plate apertures; and   securing said flange plate on said fuel tank aperture such that said at least three fuel tank system components each extends into said interior of said fuel tank from said exterior of said fuel tank.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said at least three fuel tank system components are chosen from a supply fitting, a return fitting, a vent fitting, a filler neck fitting, and fuel level sender assembly. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said flange plate is secured to said fuel tank around said fuel tank aperture by a single weld line on said exterior of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising forming a drain aperture in said wall of said fuel tank, securing a tube in said tube support, and securing said tube support within said drain aperture, wherein said tube is a part of one of said at least three fuel tank system components. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said flange plate is secured on a top surface of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said forming said flange plate includes forming said flange plate to have a cross sectional shape that matches a cross sectional shape of said exterior of said fuel tank. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  comprising forming at least four flange plate apertures in said flange plate, and securing at least four fuel tank system components on said flange plate, wherein individual ones of said at least four fuel tank system components is secured within an individual one of said at least four fuel tank flange plate apertures. 
   
   
       15 . A fuel tank flange comprising:
 a flange plate including at least three flange plate apertures formed therein, said flange plate adapted to be secured in a single fuel tank aperture; and   at least three fuel tank system components, wherein individual ones of said at least three fuel tank system components is secured within an individual one of said at least three fuel tank flange plate apertures, and wherein individual ones of said at least three fuel tank system components is chosen from a supply fitting, a return fitting, a vent fitting, a filler neck fitting, and fuel level sender fitting.   
   
   
       16 . The flange of  claim 15  wherein said flange plate defines a lower surface having a curved shape.