Tanks and methods of constructing tanks

Abstract

There is provided a method of constructing a tank which provides an improvement in the strength of the tank. Therefore, tanks can be constructed from thinner materials providing lighter tanks which are more capable of withstanding explosions or other trauma. In addition, the tank is more suited for use in vehicles as it effectively controls unwanted movement of fluid within the tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tank, for use in a vehicle, including
 a body portion, and   at least one substantially horizontal baffle,   wherein the at least one substantially horizontal baffle is positioned and orientated in the body portion to have a substantially horizontal orientation when the tank is installed the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tank has at least one of a latitudinal baffle and a longitudinal baffle. 
     
     
         3 . The tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the latitudinal baffle is secured to at least one of an internal surface of a first side wall of a tank shell and an internal surface of a second side wall of the tank shell. 
     
     
         4 . The tank as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one longitudinal baffle is secured to at least one of an internal surface of a first end wall of a tank shell and an internal surface of a second end wall of the tank shell. 
     
     
         5 . The tank as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the substantially horizontal baffle is welded to at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall, wherein the substantially horizontal baffle is welded to at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall on both sides of the substantially horizontal baffle. 
     
     
         6 . The tank as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the substantially horizontal baffle is secured to at least one of the latitudinal and longitudinal baffles. 
     
     
         7 . The tank as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the substantially horizontal baffle is welded to at least one of the latitudinal baffle and the longitudinal baffle. 
     
     
         8 . The tank as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the substantially horizontal baffle is welded to at least one of the latitudinal baffle and the longitudinal baffle on both sides of the latitudinal baffle and the longitudinal baffle. 
     
     
         9 . The tank as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the latitudinal, longitudinal, and substantially horizontal baffles divide the tank into compartments. 
     
     
         10 . The tank as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the substantially horizontal baffle has at least one aperture, and wherein the aperture(s) each connect two adjacent compartments to each other to facilitate fluid flow between the compartments. 
     
     
         11 . The tank as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the aperture(s) in the substantially horizontal baffle(s) each have a uniform shape. 
     
     
         12 . The tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the apertures are positioned substantially centrally with respect to the corresponding compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The tank as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one of a longitudinal baffle opening and a lateral baffle opening, and wherein the opening(s) each connect two adjacent compartments to each other to facilitate fluid flow between the compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The tank as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the opening is located at or near a bottom edge of a respective longitudinal baffle or a latitudinal baffle. 
     
     
         15 . The tank as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the body portion has a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top, and a base. 
     
     
         16 . The tank as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein a sheet material is folded to provide the first side wall, the second side wall, and the base. 
     
     
         17 . The tank as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the body portion includes flanges which extend from at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, the first end wall and the second end wall over the base. 
     
     
         18 . The tank as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the top is provided by at least one sheet of material which is positioned inside the body portion and secured to an internal surface of the at least one flange. 
     
     
         19 . The tank as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the lateral baffle and the longitudinal baffle includes breather holes to equalize pressure within the compartments. 
     
     
         20 . The tank as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the longitudinal baffle and the lateral sit flush with an internal surface of the flanges. 
     
     
         21 . The tank as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the baffles are welded to the internal surface of the flanges. 
     
     
         22 . The tank as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the body portion includes a plurality of exhaust ports.