Reservoir Baffle Arrangement for a Vehicle Fuel Tank

Abstract

A baffle arrangement for a vehicle fuel tank includes first and second wall portions, each having an inner end and an outer end and formed as a spiral of about 270 degrees. The first wall portion and second wall portion are positioned with the respective inner ends in opposed spaced relation to define a central reservoir, and with the respective outer ends spaced from the other wall portion to form inlets on opposite sides, the portions between the inner ends and outer ends defining passageways to the central reservoir.

1 . A baffle arrangement for a vehicle fuel tank, comprising:
 a first wall portion having an inner end and an outer end and formed as a spiral of about 270 degrees turning in a first direction;   a second wall portion having an inner end and an outer end and formed as a spiral of about 270 degrees turning in a second direction opposite the first direction,   the first wall portion and second wall portion positioned with the respective inner ends in opposed spaced relation to define a central reservoir, and with the respective outer ends spaced from the other wall portion to form inlets on opposite sides, the portions between the inner ends and outer ends defining passageways to the central reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The baffle arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plane defining an interface between the inner end of the first wall portion and the inner end of the second wall portion is perpendicular to planes defining the inlets. 
     
     
         3 . The baffle arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a width of the inlets is greater than a distance between the respective inner ends of the first wall portion and second wall portion. 
     
     
         4 . The baffle arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first wall portion and second wall portion are formed of sheet material and are perpendicular to a bottom of the baffle arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The baffle arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first wall portion and the second wall portion is greatest where the respective outer ends form the inlets and narrows as the passageways lead to the central reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The baffle arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each wall portion is formed as a smooth curve. 
     
     
         7 . The baffle arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each wall portion is formed as a series of straight wall segments. 
     
     
         8 . A fuel tank arrangement for a vehicle, comprising:
 a tank having an outer wall defining an interior having an axial direction;   a baffle arrangement mounted in a bottom of the tank and having a first wall portion having an inner end and an outer end and formed as a spiral of about 270 degrees turning in a first direction, a second wall portion having an inner end and an outer end and formed as a spiral of about 270 degrees turning in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first wall portion and second wall portion positioned with the respective inner ends in opposed spaced relation to define a central reservoir, and with the respective outer ends spaced from the other wall portion to form inlets on opposite sides, the portions between the inner ends and outer ends defining passageways to the central reservoir;   wherein, the baffle arrangement is oriented so that the inlets open in the axial direction; and,   a draw tube mounted to extend with a mouth in the central reservoir.