Provided is a method for making a composite structure with exposed conductive fibers. The exposed conductive fibers can be used for static dissipation. In the present method, a liquid, gum, gel, or impermeable film mask is applied to the conductive fiber material. The mask functions to prevent infiltration of curable liquid resin into the conductive fiber material. The masked conductive fiber material is incorporated into the composite structure, along with structural fiber material. The liquid resin is cured. The mask material and cured resin are removed from the masked areas, thereby exposing the conductive fiber material. The exposed conductive fiber material can collect and drain electrostatic charges. The present method can be used to make storage tanks and other objects that require electrostatic charge dissipation.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of forming a cover of a fuel intake system of a vehicle. The method may include providing a mold that defines a cover-forming cavity having a main body portion and a grounding strap portion connected to the main body portion, inputting a forming material into the cover-forming cavity to a specified level, allowing the forming material within the cover-forming cavity to cool and harden, separating the mold to expose the cover having an integrally molded and formed grounding strap, and removing the formed cover having the integrally molded and formed grounding strap from the separated mold.

The present invention relates to a method, system, and apparatus for verifying a groundwire connection prior to transferring a fluid between a tank and a reservoir. The system may comprise a vehicle comprising a tank and a groundwire, the groundwire comprising a first communicating member, a grounding unit configured to electrically ground the vehicle when the groundwire is connected thereto, the grounding unit comprising a second communicating member, and at least one processor in communication with at least one of the first communicating member and the second communicating member. The at least one processor may be configured to determine whether the groundwire is connected to the grounding unit, and facilitate fluid transfer between the tank and the reservoir based at least partially on the determination.

Provided is a storage tank or structure with conductive fiber material (e.g. carbon fiber) for dissipating electrostatic charge. The tank comprises a tank wall made of composite material, such as polyester-fiberglass composite. On an inner tank surface, open areas are provided in which the conductive fiber is exposed. The conductive fiber material has broken fiber tips and stray fibers for collecting electrostatic charge. Outside the open areas, the conductive fiber material is covered with a layer of cured resin. The conductive fiber is exposed only in the open areas. An impermeable film may be present under the conductive fiber in the open areas. The present invention also includes a method for making the tank, in which a liquid, gel, or impermeable film mask is applied to the conductive fiber material. The mask functions to prevent infiltration of liquid resin into the conductive fiber material.

A method of predicting electrostatic charges in a liquid container is provided. The method includes generating a computer geometric model of the liquid container according to a design of the liquid container and generating executable code to reproduce fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation during transfer of liquid into the liquid container. The method includes executing a simulating application to at least: perform a simulation of the transfer of liquid into the liquid container subject to the fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation to produce a prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container during the transfer of liquid; and iterate the simulation to update the electrostatic charge conservation. The method includes outputting the prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container to enable certification of the design of the liquid container.

Provided is a method for making a composite structure with exposed conductive fibers. The exposed conductive fibers can be used for static dissipation. In the present method, a liquid, gum, gel, or impermeable film mask is applied to the conductive fiber material. The mask functions to prevent infiltration of curable liquid resin into the conductive fiber material. The masked conductive fiber material is incorporated into the composite structure, along with structural fiber material. The liquid resin is cured. The mask material and cured resin are removed from the masked areas, thereby exposing the conductive fiber material. The exposed conductive fiber material can collect and drain electrostatic charges. The present method can be used to make storage tanks and other objects that require electrostatic charge dissipation.

An assembly for stored containment of fuel including a high-strength, impact resistant container having a hermetically sealed, fuel containing chamber and a nozzle operatively connected in fluid communication with the chamber. The nozzle includes a conduit disposed in fluid communication with the chamber and a sleeve movable relative to the conduit, between an inward retracted position and an outwardly extended position. The conduit at least partially defines a liquid flow path out of the chamber and a gaseous flow path into the chamber is disposed between the conduit and the sleeve. A seal assembly is mounted on the sleeve and movable therewith relative to the conduit to define a first opening of the liquid flow path and a subsequent opening of the gaseous flow path, both into fluid communication with and between the chamber and an exterior of the nozzle.

Provided is a method for making a composite structure with exposed conductive fibers. The exposed conductive fibers can be used for static dissipation. In the present method, a liquid, gum, gel, or impermeable film mask is applied to the conductive fiber material. The mask functions to prevent infiltration of curable liquid resin into the conductive fiber material. The masked conductive fiber material is incorporated into the composite structure, along with structural fiber material. The liquid resin is cured. The mask material and cured resin are removed from the masked areas, thereby exposing the conductive fiber material. The exposed conductive fiber material can collect and drain electrostatic charges. The present method can be used to make storage tanks and other objects that require electrostatic charge dissipation.

Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation.

Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel door to cover an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank, a lock to lock or unlock the fuel door, and a controller to cause the lock to unlock the fuel door if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are electrically coupled.