An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

A cover for a fuel tank includes a flange unit configured to close an opening of the fuel tank and a joint member connected to the flange unit. The joint member is movable in an upward/downward direction. The flange unit includes a side tubular portion extending in the upward/downward direction. The joint member includes a support column portion extending in the upward/downward direction. The support column portion is movably disposed in the side tubular portion so as to be movable in the upward/downward direction. The support column portion is connected to the side tubular portion by a snap-fit so as to be movable and suspendable in the upward/downward direction.

Various techniques are provided for an expandable energy absorbing fluid bladder. In one example, the fluid bladder includes a primary portion and a secondary portion. The secondary portion can be configured to expand or increase in volume when the fluid bladder is subjected to a pulse greater than a threshold pulse. Expansion of the secondary portion can allow fluid or additional fluid to flow into the secondary portion and thus decrease a peak pulse and, thus, avoid rupture of the fluid bladder.

Filling methods and systems are provided for a conformable fuel tank. In one example, a system comprises an active thermal management arrangement for the conformable fuel tank. The active thermal management arrangement comprises one or more recirculation passage for mixing hot fuel distal to an inlet port of the conformable fuel tank with cool incoming fuel flowing to the inlet port.

A fuel tank cover (150) is provided with a flange unit (22) closing an opening of a fuel tank, and a joint member (24) configured to be connected to the flange unit (22) movably in the upward/downward direction. The flange unit (22) includes a side tubular portion (43) extending in the upward/downward direction. The joint member (24) includes a columnar portion (160) extending in the upward/downward direction. The columnar portion (160) is inserted into the side tubular portion (43) movably in the upward/downward direction. A metal retainer (162) is provided to cover an outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion (160).

A cover for a fuel tank includes a flange unit configured to close an opening of the fuel tank and a joint member connected to the flange unit . The joint member is movable in an upward/downward direction. The flange unit includes a side tubular portion extending in the upward/downward direction . The joint member includes a support column portion extending in the upward/downward direction . The support column portion is movably disposed in the side tubular portion so as to be movable in the upward/downward direction. The support column portion is connected to the side tubular portion by a snap-fit so as to be movable and suspendable in the upward/downward direction.

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.

In a fuel tank in which an upper joint flange of an upper tank half body and a lower joint flange of a lower tank half body are sandwiched between and seam welded by a pair of roller electrodes, the lower tank half body includes a lower tank main body portion and expansion tank portions shallower than the lower tank main body portion and disposed on opposite sides of the lower tank main body portion. A side wall of at least one of the upper and lower tank half bodies is provided with roller escape recesses recessed inwardly, the roller escape recesses being formed at a position corresponding to a connection portion of a main body corresponding joint portion and expansion tank corresponding joint portions in a joint portion formed by seam welding, and avoiding a contact with at least one of the pair of roller electrodes.

A fuel tank includes: a tank body including a bottom wall, a lateral wall and an upper wall, the tank body storing fuel in an interior surrounded by the bottom wall, the lateral wall and the upper wall; and a sub-tank storing a part of the fuel, the sub-tank including a wall portion, an opening portion and a post portion, the wall portion standing on the bottom wall and extending toward the upper wall. The opening portion is provided in the wall portion and is a portion in which the fuel flows. The post portion is provided integrally with the wall portion. The post portion is extended along a height direction of the wall portion from the bottom wall and is joined to the bottom wall and the upper wall.

A fuel tank for a vehicle, having a plurality of chambers, the chambers fluidly connected to allow a flow of fuel between the chambers, where at least one of the chambers has a flexible fluid container contained within an expandable rigid outer shell.