An internally reinforced thermoplastic container has a body manufactured using rotational molding. Prior to molding, attachment elements are releasably attached to the interior surface of parts of a mold, and an initially separate tension member is connected between the attachment elements. The mold is closed and a body of the container molded such that the attachment elements are integrated into the walls of the body. After molding, the attachment elements are released from the mold. The attachment elements and the tension member define a tension structure to resist outward bulging of the container walls. The tension member may be tensioned prior to or after molding of the container body. The attachment elements may take the form of eyelets having a base incorporated into the wall of the container body. The method enables the formation of a hollow thermoplastic container with integrally formed internal reinforcement.

A support for connecting the upper and lower surfaces inside a fuel tank includes a connecting column. Each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting column is provided with an end surface. The end surface is coated with plastic. The connecting column is provided with a notch, and the number of the connecting column is at least one. The connecting column is configured in an I-shape, an H-shape, an M-shape, a W-shape or other shapes. The shape of the notch is V-shaped, U-shaped, semicircular or irregular. The notch is provided on a left side or a right side of the connecting column or in a middle of the connecting column.

A compartment for storing an energy source in a vehicle having a protective outer structure and an inner structure. The protective outer structure is maintained in position relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. The inner structure, which holds the energy source, is positioned in the outer structure. The inner structure is maintained in position relative to the outer structure and relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. During an impact to the vehicle, the inner structure is configured to move independent of the outer structure.

A system for a motor vehicle, the system including a container having a side made of a plastic material, and a component sealingly attached to the container side. The component has at least one portion provided with microgrooves that form a sealing area between the component and the container side.

An internal support part structure for a plastic tank includes a support rod and end surface components disposed at two ends of the support rod. The support rod is made of a first material. An outer surface of the end surface component is covered by a second material. An outer edge of the end surface component has a regular or irregular shape. The structure resolves a problem that a second material wrapping a first material and connected to an inner wall of a plastic tank may be easily pulled off the inner wall. When a fuel tank is impacted, the support rod of the structure breaks first, to protect the surface of the fuel tank from damage.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

The invention relates to a container made from thermoplastic polymer with at least one inner reinforcing rib in a container wall, wherein the reinforcing rib is formed by at least one linear groove track in a container outer wall, the groove track extends over a length on the container outer wall, the groove track is formed by a multiplicity of depressions in the container outer wall, said depressions being arranged at a distance from one another, and wherein material bridges are provided between each of the depressions, said material bridges each having a smaller depth than the depressions. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a container by extrusion blow molding or thermoforming.

A fuel tank includes a plurality of extending members that extend from an inside surface of a fuel tank main body, a connecting member that is arranged between the plurality of extending members and connects each of these extending members together, and a flexible portion formed on the connecting member.

An operating fluid container for a motor vehicle for accommodating an operating fluid. The operating fluid container has a compensation container that is at least indirectly fluidically connected to the atmosphere (ATM). The operating fluid container has the following features: the compensation container is situated within the operating fluid container in such a way that an outer surface of a compensation container upper shell is situated opposite from an inner surface of an operating fluid container upper shell; in the event of positive pressure in the operating fluid container relative to the atmosphere, a compensation container volume decreases; and in the event of negative pressure in the operating fluid container relative to the atmosphere, the compensation container volume increases. The operating fluid container is characterized in that the compensation container upper shell opposite from the operating fluid container upper shell has a shape, at least in sections, that is complementary to the operating fluid container upper shell.

An assembly for mounting at least one component in a tank for a motor vehicle, the tank including a wall portion and an attachment portion projecting outward from the wall portion, the attachment portion defining an opening in the wall portion, the assembly including: a mounting module configured to carry the at least one component and to close the opening in the wall portion; the mounting module including an outer side configured to be accessible from outside the tank; at least one connector arranged on the outer side of the mounting module, the at least one connector being connected to the at least one component; a clamp configured to clamp the mounting module to the attachment portion; and a cover attached to the clamp and covering at least partially the at least one connector.