Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A fuel tank (100) for a vehicle (10), comprising:
an inlet (110) for receiving a fuel (P);
an outlet (120) configured to deliver the fuel (P) to an internal combustion engine (12); and
a condensation zone (104) configured at a bottom portion (106) of the fuel tank (100), the condensation zone (104) being disposed substantially below the outlet (120), whereby water and/or sediments (S) present in the fuel (P) is condensed and accumulated at the condensation zone (104).

2. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet (120) is disposed at a fuel delivery zone (102) of the fuel tank (100).

3. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outlet (120) comprises an outlet spout (122) connected to the internal combustion engine (12) via a hose (122A)

4. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the condensation zone (104) is disposed substantially below the fuel delivery zone (102) and at a central location of the bottom portion (106) of the fuel tank (100), whereby the water and/or sediments (S) present in the fuel (P) is accumulated due to gravity at the condensation zone (104).
5. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fuel delivery zone (102) is disposed substantially towards a side (104A) of the condensation zone (104).

6. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, the condensation zone (104) comprises a drain spout (108) extending downwardly from the condensation zone (104) for draining the condensed water and/or sediments (S) from the fuel tank (100).

7. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drain spout (108) is connected with a plug (112) for opening or closing the drain spout (108) during a manual draining operation for draining the water and/or sediments (S) from the condensation zone (104) of the fuel tank (100).

8. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plug (112) is connected to the drain spout (108) through a clip (114).

9. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 3 - 8, wherein the outlet spout (122) is disposed well above the drain spout (108).

10. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drain spout (108) is configured to connect with an automatic drain valve (116) for automatically draining the water and/or sediments (S) based on a pressure difference inside the fuel tank (100).

11. The fuel tank (100) as claimed in claim 1 is adapted to receive an ethanol blended gasoline fuel, and the condensation zone (104) of the fuel tank (100) is configured to condense and accumulate the water and/or sediments present in the ethanol blended gasoline fuel.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. More particularly, it relates to a fuel tank for the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Due to increasing global demand and consumption of fossil fuel (example gasoline) and increasing price of the fossil fuel, use of renewable or bio-fuel has gained popularity. One kind of a renewable or bio-fuel is ethanol or ethyl alcohol and is found to be a clear, colourless alcohol made from a variety of biomass materials of feedstocks. Use of the ethanol blend with gasoline has gained popularity for running vehicles. However, with more increase of ethanol percentage in gasoline, parts of the fuel system are to be re-designed to ensure compatibility, which increases cost of the overall product. Further, in some places since there is no regulation or control on ethanol blended fuel, more than 50% ethanol fuel is added to the gasoline. Due to increased ethanol percentage with gasoline, water condensed from ethanol is major cause of concern and hence making a system for such blended fuel increase the cost. This is because, water entering the engine will disturb the combustion and can lead to corrosion of the engine parts as well. Further, presence of water in the fuel tank surfaces may lead to corrosion of the fuel tank.
[003] In addition, since condensation occurs while using the ethanol blended fuel, it results in accumulation of water in the fuel tank. The presence of water affects the durability and reliability of the engine and the fuel system components. Though the ethanol blended gasoline fuel is used in different proportions for economic and environmental reasons, the ethanol blended fuel shortens the life of fuel system parts like hoses, fuel tank, filter etc.
[004] In one kind of existing system used in an internal combusting engine, a separating device is provided for separating the ethanol from the blend of ethanol and gasoline fuel mixture. The separating device is fluidly coupled to down-stream of the fuel tank and is used to separate ethanol from a blended fuel mixture. A series of injectors are used to supply the separated fuel to a combustion chamber in the engine. Water is provided to the separating device to aid in the separation of the ethanol from the blended fuel mixture. The water is recovered from the engine exhaust. However, this system is complex and involves multiple steps and requires multiple parts to carry out separation of the ethanol from the fuel blend.
[005] In another kind of existing system used in an internal combustion engine using blended fuel type, a multiple fuel supply to an internal combustion engine wherein phase separation of components is deliberately induced. The resulting separation permits the use of a single fuel tank to supply components of either or both phases to the engine. Specifically, phase separation of a gasoline/methanol blend is induced by the addition of a minor amount of water sufficient to guarantee separation into an upper gasoline phase and a lower methanol/water phase. A single fuel tank holds the two-phase liquid with separate fuel pickups and separate level indicators for each phase. Either gasoline or methanol, or both, are supplied to the engine as required by predetermined parameters. This kind of system is complex, and the method of operation involves multiple steps in order to use the methanol.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a fuel tank which could address at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a fuel tank for a vehicle. The fuel tank includes an inlet for receiving a fuel and an outlet configured to deliver the fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel tank further includes a condensation zone configured at a bottom portion of the fuel tank. The condensation zone is disposed substantially below the outlet, whereby water and/or sediments present in the fuel is condensed and accumulated at the condensation zone.
[008] In an embodiment, the outlet is disposed at a fuel delivery zone of the fuel tank and includes an outlet spout connected to the internal combustion engine via a hose.
[009] In a further embodiment, the condensation zone is disposed substantially below the fuel delivery zone and at a central location of the bottom portion of the fuel tank, whereby the water and/or sediments present in the fuel is accumulated due to gravity at the condensation zone.
[010] In a further embodiment, the fuel delivery zone is disposed substantially towards a side of the condensation zone.
[011] In a further embodiment, the condensation zone includes a drain spout extending downwardly from the condensation zone for draining the condensed water and/or sediments from the fuel tank.
[012] In a further embodiment, the drain spout is connected with a plug for opening or closing the drain spout during a manual draining operation for draining the water and/or sediments from the condensation zone of the fuel tank.
[013] In a further embodiment, the plug is connected to the drain spout through a clip.
[014] In a further embodiment, the outlet spout is disposed well above the drain spout.
[015] In a further embodiment, the drain spout is configured to connect with an automatic drain valve for automatically draining the water and/or sediments based on a pressure difference inside the fuel tank.
[016] In a further embodiment, the fuel tank is adapted to receive an ethanol blended gasoline fuel, and the condensation zone of the fuel tank is configured to condense and accumulate the water and/or sediments present in the ethanol blended gasoline fuel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[017] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle included with a fuel tank, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a portion of the vehicle with the fuel tank shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the fuel tank of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel tank shown in Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the fuel tank shown in Figures 3 and 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the fuel tank showing condensation and deposition of the water and/or sediments in a condensation zone of the fuel tank, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate side views of the fuel tank, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates side view of the fuel tank having an automatic drain valve, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[018] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a scooter-type vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied to any automobile capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.
[019] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. More particularly, it relates to a fuel tank for the vehicle.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle 10 included with a fuel tank 100 (shown in Figure 2), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a scooter-type vehicle. It may be contemplated that the fuel tank 100 as disclosed in the present invention may be applied onto other types of vehicles. Thus, the application of the fuel tank 100 as disclosed in the present invention should not be meant to limiting only the illustrated scooter-type vehicle.
[021] The vehicle 10 as illustrated in the present invention includes a prime mover typically disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle 10 and below a seat assembly 18 and/or a storage bin 20 (shown in Figure 2). In an exemplary embodiment, the prime mover can be an internal combustion engine 12 (shown in Figure 2) and/or an electric motor (not shown) connected with a battery pack (not shown) in a hybrid vehicle and is adapted to provide a driving force for movement of the vehicle 10.
[022] The vehicle 10 further includes a front wheel 14 and a rear wheel 16 for movement of the vehicle and a main frame 28 (shown in Figure 2) providing a structural element for the vehicle 10. The main frame 28 extends towards a front portion of the vehicle 10 to connect with a main tube 24 and a head tube 26 for mounting an instrument cluster assembly (not shown) and a handlebar 30 mounted with one or more control switches / devices (not shown) of the vehicle 10. The front portion of the vehicle 10 includes a head light 32 and a rear portion of the vehicle includes a taillight 36. The main frame 28 of the vehicle 10 is adapted to support the storage bin 20, the seat assembly 18 and the fuel tank 100 at the rear portion of the vehicle 10. As shown in Figure 2, the fuel tank 100 includes a fuel tank body having a shape which is adapted to fit in a space at the rear portion on the main frame 28 and behind the storage bin 20 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the fuel tank 100 connected to the main frame 28 via fasteners (not shown) such that a fuel tank cap 34 is disposed towards a rear end of the vehicle 10 (shown in Figure 2).
[023] Figures 3 - 5 illustrate a side view, a perspective view and a top view of the fuel tank 100 of the vehicle 10, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel tank 100 includes an inlet 110 for receiving a fuel “P”. In an embodiment, the fuel tank body of the fuel tank 100 can be formed to have a predetermined volume for accommodating the fuel “P”. In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel “P” can be gasoline or an ethanol blended gasoline. In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel tank body can be made of metal or a fibre material or any other material which is non-reactive to the gasoline and/or the ethanol blended gasoline. The inlet 110 of the fuel tank 100 can be opened (shown in Figure 4) or closed (shown in Figure 3) by operating the fuel tank cap 34. In some embodiment, the fuel tank cap 34 can be opened using an ignition key (not shown) of the vehicle 10.
[024] The fuel tank 100 further includes an outlet 120 configured to deliver the fuel “P” to the internal combustion engine 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 120 is disposed at a fuel delivery zone 102 of the fuel tank 100. The outlet 120 includes an outlet spout 122 connected to the internal combustion engine 12 via a hose 122A. The outlet 120 is connected to an Auto Fuel Cock (AFC) 124 through an AFC hose 122B. The AFC 124 is further connected to a vacuum hose 122C (shown in Figure 3). The fuel delivery zone 102 includes a fuel filter 40 (shown in Figure 6) at the outlet 120 for filtering the fuel “P” before delivering to the internal combustion engine 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel delivery zone 102 is disposed substantially towards a side 104A of the condensation zone 104 and it is placed substantially above the condensation zone 104.
[025] The fuel tank 100 further includes a condensation zone 104 configured at a bottom portion 106 of the fuel tank 100. The condensation zone 104 is disposed substantially below the outlet 120, whereby water and/or sediments “S” (shown in Figure 6) present in the fuel “P” is condensed and accumulated at the condensation zone 104. The term “substantially” as used herein would mean that the placement of the condensation zone 104 with respect to the outlet 120 is not in same level. This provides an advantage of clear separation of the condensate and/or sediments “S” in the fuel “P” to be accumulated only at the condensation zone 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the condensation zone 104 is disposed substantially below the fuel delivery zone 102 and at a central location of the bottom portion 106 of the fuel tank 100. Thus, the water and/or sediments “S” present in the fuel “P” is accumulated due to gravity at the condensation zone 104.
[026] In another embodiment, the condensation zone 104 can be provided at a bottom most end of the fuel tank 100. This enables that all the condensed water and / or the sediments “S” are deposited in the condensation zone 104 itself.
[027] In another exemplary embodiment, an intermediate portion 105 (shown in Figure 6) of the fuel tank body is provided between the fuel delivery zone 102 and the condensation zone 104. The intermediate portion 105 is inclined towards the condensation zone 104. Thus, the condensed water and/or sediments having higher density can be deposited at the condensation zone 104 of the fuel tank 100.
[028] The condensation zone 104 is provided with a drain spout 108 at a bottom end of the condensation zone 104. The drain spout 108 extends downwardly from the condensation zone 104 for draining the condensed water and/or sediments “S” from the fuel tank 100. In an embodiment, the outlet spout 122 is disposed well above the drain spout 108. The drain spout 108 is connected with a plug 112 for opening or closing the drain spout 108 during a manual draining operation for draining the water and/or sediments “S” from the condensation zone 104 of the fuel tank 100. The plug 112 is connected to the drain spout 108 through a clip 114.
[029] In an exemplary embodiment as shown in Figure 9, the drain spout 108 is configured to connect with an automatic drain valve 116 for automatically draining the water and/or sediments “S” based on a pressure difference inside the fuel tank 100. In other words, the automatic drain valve 116 attached to the downwardly extending drain spout 108 automatically drains the water and/or sediments depending upon the difference in pressure inside the fuel tank 100, i.e., by comparing the pressure difference between metered quantity of gasoline inside the fuel tank 100 against the presence of accumulated condensed water and/or sediments “S” within the fuel tank 100.
[030] In another exemplary embodiment, the drain spout 108 is connected to a periodically opening drain valve (not shown). The periodically opening drain valve can be controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the vehicle 10 for opening the drain spout 108 for a predetermined duration after a predetermined mileage of the vehicle 10.
[031] As shown in Figure 5, the fuel tank 100 is provided with a Fuel Sender Unit (FSU) 38. The FSU 38 is used to measure the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 100 and communicate the fuel level to a fuel gauge on a dashboard of the vehicle 10.
[032] In one embodiment, the plug 112 is a transparent drain plug (shown in Figures 6 - 8) which indicates the accumulation of the condensed water and/or sediments “S” at the condensation zone 104 of the fuel tank 100.
[033] In some embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank 100 in the present invention may be included with one or more additional components to obtain one or more variants of the fuel tank 100. The one or more additional components may include a plurality of separators, a plurality of separators oriented in different orientation, one or more separators attached to tank using threads. Further, the fuel tank 100 can have a different proportion of volume with respect to the condensation zone 104 in the fuel tank 100.
[034] When gasoline is blended with an ethanol and used for fuelling the internal combustion engine 12 of the vehicle 10, and if any water content and dust / sediment particles are present in the fuel “P”, the water and / sediment particles can affect the engine’s performance as well as the life of the fuel supply systems’ parts. Hence, there is need of separating out the water and / or sediments (contaminants) from the fuel “P”. The gasoline, ethanol and the like are naturally separated from the water under the effects of gravity and accumulate on a surface of the water. As the water is heavier than the gasoline, the water and/or sediments are collected at a bottom surface of the fuel tank 100, i.e., at the condensation zone 104 of the fuel tank 100. Once the deposited water and/or sediments are separated from the fuel, pure ethanol mixed fuel can be fed to the internal combustion engine 12 through the hose 122A, thus avoiding any other side effects in the internal combustion engine’s 12 performance. Periodically, the condensation zone 104 of the fuel tank 100 is either drained manually by opening the plug 112 or can be automated to open, based on pressure signal or with time dependent logic. The presence of the condensation zone 104 and the plug 112 will also benefit in separating contamination from the fuel “P”, by behaving as a container for the condensed water and / or sediments.
[035] Advantageously, the fuel tank in the present invention improves serviceability since the water and / or sediments from the ethanol blended fuel are separated and the draining of the water and / or sediments is a simple process. Further, with the present fuel tank, the performance of the vehicle’s engine is enhanced, and deterioration of the engine is also reduced. With the fuel tank in the present invention, durability of fuel system parts like hoses, fuel tank, filter etc are also improved.
[036] The fuel tank in the present invention separates a mixture of fluids having different specific gravities, where fluid with highest specific gravity is undesirable and they are drained through the drain outlet. Thus, the fuel tank 100 in the present invention can be applied in any vehicle with an IC engine running on the ethanol blended gasoline. Further, the existing construction of the fuel tank may be modified to collect the condensed water and/or the sediments from the ethanol blended fuel.
[037] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.