FLUID CONTAINER COMPONENT ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to fluid container
components, fluid container assemblies, and a method of mounting a fluid
container component to a fluid container.
[0002] Fluid containers such as, for example, fuel tanks for partial zero
emission vehicles (PZEVs), are often assembled with internally mounted fluid
container components such as valves, sensors, tubes, wiring harnesses, filters,
pumps, and/or other components. Traditionally, these fluid container assemblies
use mounting feature(s) inside the fluid container to suitably mount or otherwise
attach the component(s) to the fluid container shell. For example, the fluid
container component may be metallurgically mounted to the fluid container via an
internal blind weld. In another example, the fluid container component may be
mechanically mounted to the fluid container via a fastener. Although metallurgical
and mechanical mounts are suitable, these mounting features tend to be relatively
complex in design and often may pose difficulties in manufacturing of the fluid
container component including the mounting feature.
SUMMARY
[0003] A fluid container component assembly includes a fluid container
component including a body and at least one mounting feature attached to the
body. The mounting feature(s) are configured to magnetically engage a portion of
a fluid container shell.
[0004] Also disclosed herein is a fluid container assembly including a fluid
container shell and a fluid container component magnetically attached to an interior
surface of the fluid container shell.

[0005] Further disclosed herein is a method of mounting the fluid container
component to a fluid container. The method includes providing the fluid container
including a fluid container shell and magnetically attaching the fluid container
component to an interior surface of the fluid container shell, thereby mounting the
fluid container component to the fluid container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Features and advantages of embodiment(s) of the present disclosure
will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and
drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to similar, though perhaps
not identical components. Reference numerals having a previously described
function may or may not be described in connection with other drawings in which
they appear.
[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid container
component assembly as disclosed herein;
[0008] Fig. 2 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the fluid container
component assembly taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
[0009] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fluid
container component assembly;
[0010] Fig. 4 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the fluid container
component assembly taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
[0011] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the fluid
container component assembly;
[0012] Fig. 6 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of the fluid container
component assembly taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
[0013] Fig; 7 is a side view of still another embodiment of the fluid container
component assembly;
[0014] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid container component
assembly taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

[0015] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional, side view of a fluid container assembly
according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional, side view of the fluid container assembly
of Fig. 9 depicting another embodiment thereof;
[0017] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional, side view of still another embodiment of
the fluid container assembly;
[0018] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional, side view of yet another embodiment of
the fluid container assembly; and
[0019] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional, side view of an alternate embodiment of
the fluid container assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiment(s) of the fluid container assembly/fluid container
component assembly as disclosed herein advantageously use at least one
mounting feature for magnetically mounting the fluid container component to the
interior surface of the fluid container shell. The mounting feature(s) are suitably
strong enough for long term engagement of the fluid container component with the
fluid container shell, especially during use thereof under relatively rigorous
operating conditions (e.g., when used as a fuel tank in a vehicle being operated on
rough terrain). The mounting feature(s) are also suitably sized to allow
disengagement of the fluid container component from the fluid container shell for
routine maintenance and servicing of the component and/or fluid container. The
present fluid container component assembly including the mounting feature(s) is
simpler in design than the known mounting arrangements mentioned hereinabove.
The assembly also advantageously permits easy assembly of the component with
the fluid container without forming holes or other apertures in the fluid container
shell for mounting the fuel container component thereto.
[0021] As disclosed herein, the fluid container component assembly includes
a fluid container component including a body and a mounting feature attached
thereto. The fluid container component assembly magnetically engages a portion

of a fluid container shell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the fluid container is a
fuel tank for a motor vehicle. In other non-limrting embodiments, the fluid container
may be a urea tank, a windshield washer reservoir, a coolant reservoir, and/or the
like. In connection with this embodiment, the fluid container component will be
described as a fuel tank component (though it is to be understood that, in other
embodiments, the fluid container component may be any suitable component, as
desired). In an embodiment, the fuel tank component may be selected from any
component often or commonly used inside the fuel tank, non-limiting examples of
which include valves, sensors, tubes (e.g., vent tubes), wiring harnesses, filters,
pumps, transmitters, receivers, heaters, coolers, mixers, baffles, reservoirs,
nozzles, diffusers, anodes, and cathodes.
[0022] With reference now to the drawings, an embodiment of a fluid
container/fuel tank component assembly is depicted in Figs. 1 and 2. Although the
embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 uses a particular fuel tank component, it is
to be understood that this embodiment, as well as all of the embodiments
described hereinbelow, is applicable to any of the fluid container/fuel tank
components described herein. It should be noted that the embodiments depicted
in Figs. 1-6 will be described using a valve as the fuel tank component, whereas
the embodiments depicted in Figs. 7-8 will be described using a tube as the fuel
tank component.
[0023] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fluid container/fuel
tank component assembly 10 includes the fluid container/fuel tank component 12
having a body 14. The body 14 includes a mounting surface 16 configured to
receive one or more mounting feature(s) 20. The mounting feature 20 may be a
magnet or a magnetic coupling. As defined herein, a "magnetic coupling" refers to
a component composed of a material that is magnetically responsive to a magnet.
[0024] In this embodiment, the mounting surface 16 includes one or more
pin(s) 18 formed thereon. It is to be understood that the pin 18 may be a separate
piece that is attached to the mounting surface 16, or may be integrally formed with
the mounting surface 16, as depicted in Fig. 2. The pin 18 may have a length

about equal to the width of the mounting feature 20 and is configured to couple with
the mounting feature 20. The pin 18 includes a shaft 22 with at least one retention
member 24 formed thereon. The retention members 24 are generally projections
extending radially outwardly from the shaft 22. Non-limiting examples of suitable
retention members 24 for the pin 18 include prongs, claws, fasteners, or the like, or
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the retention members 24 are formed
after the mounting feature 20 is attached to the fuel tank component 12 via, for
example, heat staking or any other suitable method known in the art.
[0025] The retention member(s) 24 are configured to retain or hold the
mounting feature 20 against the mounting surface 16 when the mounting feature
20 is received on the pin 18. Although Figs. 1 and 2 show two retention members
24, this is merely for illustrative purposes. It is to be understood that any number of
retention members 24 may suitably be used.
[0026] The mounting feature 20 includes a bore 26 formed therethrough and
configured to receive the pin 18. The bore 26 includes a circular (e.g., substantially
cylindrically-shaped) or non-circular surface 32 that blends into a conically-shaped
surface 34 formed by a chamfered edge, cut or machined therein. The
substantially cylindrically-shaped surface 32 is configured to receive the shaft 22 of
pin 18 when it is received within the bore 26. The retention members 24 contact
and engage the conically-shaped surface 34 to retain the mounting feature 20
against the mounting surface 16. In an embodiment, it is to be understood that the
mounting feature 20 is desirably retained in the fuel tank component assembly 10
so that very little motion of the mounting feature 20 is allowed to restrict the
movement of the fuel tank component 12 when mounted inside a fluid
container/fuel tank 60 (e.g., as shown in Figs. 9-12). This may be advantageous,
for example, when the vehicle is being operated under substantially rigorous
driving conditions (e.g., off road driving).
[0027] In an embodiment, the retention members 24 may be formed from a
relatively malleable or elastic material so that the retention members 24 may be
temporarily bent or deformed to allow the mounting feature 20 to slide onto the pin

18. The mounting feature 20 is attached to the body 14 when the mounting feature
20 contacts the mounting surface 16 and the retention members 24 are bent or
substantially returned to their original shape until they contact the conically-shaped
surface 34. The mounting feature 20 is thereby held on the pin 18 and against the
mounting surface 16. It is to be understood that the mounting feature 20 may be
attached to the body 14 using a variety of other methods. In another non-limiting
example, the method includes a thermal attaching means, e.g., heat staking the pin
18 to retention member 24. In another embodiment, a groove is formed around the
outer diameter of mounting feature 20. The retention members 24 may then
contact the groove and hold the mounting feature 20 against the mounting surface
16.
[0028] Figs. 3 and 4 depict another embodiment of the fluid container/fuel
tank component assembly 10' as disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the body
14" of the fluid container/fuel tank component 12' includes the mounting surface
16' having an annular flange 36 formed thereon or integrally therewith. The flange
36 is generally made of a non-magnetic or a magnetically transparent material that
will not impede the magnetic coupling between fluid container shell and the fluid
container/fluid tank component 12'. The flange 36 is positioned substantially
normal to the mounting surface 16' and may extend outwardly from the mounting
surface 16' at a distance about equal to the width of the mounting feature 20'. As
shown in Fig. 3, the flange 36 includes two retention members 24' attached thereto
or integrally formed thereon. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable
number of retention members 24' may be used in the embodiment depicted in Figs.
3 and 4. Non-limiting examples of the retention members 24' include prongs,
claws, fasteners, an annular lip, or the like, or combinations thereof.
[0029] In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, a recess 40 is defined
by the mounting surface 16' and an inner surface 38 of the annular flange 36.
Recess 40 is configured to receive the mounting feature 20'. As depicted in the
drawings, this embodiment of the mounting feature 20' has a generally rounded or

circular shape, and the recess 40 is complementarity shaped to accommodate the
mounting feature 20'.
[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, the mounting feature 20' includes at least one
recessed step 42, e.g., machined or otherwise formed therein, where each step 42
is configured to receive a respective retention member 24'.
[0031] In this embodiment, the fabrication of the fluid container/fuel tank
component assembly 10' may be achieved by temporarily bending or otherwise
deforming the retention members 24' so that the retention members 24' expose
substantially the entire recess 40. The mounting feature 20' is placed inside the
recess 40 so that the side opposed to the side having the step 42 formed therein
contacts the mounting surface 16'. The retention members 24' may then be
substantially returned to their original shape and inserted into their respective steps
42 formed in the mounting feature 20', thereby retaining the mounting feature 20' in
the recess 40 and attaching the mounting feature 20' to the body 14'.
[0032] Figs. 5 and 6 depict yet another embodiment of the fluid
container/fuel tank component assembly 10". This embodiment is substantially
sjmilar to that depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, except that three or more substantially
flexible retention members 24" project directly from the mounting surface 16",
thereby resembling a cage configured to receive the mounting feature 20". Each
retention member 24" includes a head 122 configured to engage the mounting
feature 20".
[0033] In a non-limiting example, the mounting feature 20" includes three
steps 42" machined or otherwise formed therein, each configured to receive a head
122. In another non-limiting example, the mounting feature 20" may include an
annular step (not shown) formed therein. The heads 122 engage their respective
step 42' when the mounting feature 20" is retained within the cage formed by the
retention members 24".
[0034] In this embodiment, the fluid container/fuel tank component assembly
10" may be achieved by temporarily bending or otherwise deforming the retention
members 24" to expose the mounting surface 16". The mounting feature 20" is

placed between the retention members 24" (i.e., within the cage) so that the side
opposed to the side having the step 42' contacts the mounting surface 16'. The
retention members 24" may then be substantially returned to their original shape
and inserted to their respective step 42". The retention members 24" are thereby
retained in the cage and attach the mounting feature 20" to the body 14".
[0035] In a non-limiting example, the mounting feature 20', 20" may
otherwise be retained within the recess 40 (with respect to the embodiment
depicted in Figs. 3 and 4) or the cage (with respect to the embodiment depicted in
Figs. 5 and 6) via a sonic weld, and/or the like.
[0036] Figs. 7 and 8 depict still another embodiment of the fluid
container/fuel tank component assembly 10'". In this embodiment, the fluid
container/fuel tank component 12'" is depicted as a tube. This has been done for
illustrative purposes and to demonstrate the versatility of the various fluid
container/fuel tank components 12, 12', 12", 12"' with the fuel tank component
assemblies 10, 10', 10", 10'". It is, again, to be understood that any of the fuel tank
components listed hereinabove may also be used with this and any of the other
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0037] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the fluid container/fuel tank component
assembly 10'" includes the fluid container/fuel tank component 12'" including the
body 14'" and the mounting feature 20' (which is substantially similar to the
mounting feature 20' depicted in Figs. 3-4) attached thereto. The fuel tank
component assembly 10'" further includes a fastener 44 attached to the body 14'".
The fastener 44 may include a strap or ring 46 having a platform 48 (attached
thereto or integrally formed therewith) including a mounting surface 16'". The
fastener 44 may be slid onto the body 14'", or the ring 46 may be split into two legs
(not shown) that are fit over the body 14'". If desired, the fastener 44 may also be
tightened using, for example, a tie.
[0038] An annular flange 50 positioned substantially normal to the platform
48 is attached thereto or integrally formed thereon and extends generally outwardly
therefrom. A recess 52 is defined by the mounting surface 16'" and the interior

surface of annular flange 50, and is configured to receive the mounting feature 20'.
This is similar to the recess 40 for the embodiment described hereinabove.
[0039] As shown in Fig. 6, the annular flange 50 includes at least one
retention member 24', 24" (as described above in conjunction with either of the
embodiments depicted in Figs. 3 and 4 or in Figs. 5 and 6). The retention
members 24', 24" are configured to hold the mounting feature 20' against the
mounting surface 16'" when the mounting feature 20' is received within the recess
52. The mounting feature 20' is assembled or otherwise attached to the body 14'"
as similarly described for any of the embodiment(s) herein.
[0040] It is to be understood that it is within the scope and spirit of the
present disclosure that more than one pin 18, recess 40, 52, the cage, and/or
fastener 44 may be provided in the fluid container/fuel tank component assembly
10,10', 10", 10'", thereby allowing more than one mounting feature 20, 20', 20" to
be attached thereto.
[0041] Further, it is to be understood that the mounting surface 16, 16', 16",
16"' in any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be a substantially flat or
contoured, continuous or discontinuous surface, (some non-limiting examples of
discontinuous surfaces include screens, mesh, donut shapes, spring surfaces,
etc.). As such, it is also to be understood that the mounting surface 16,16', 16",
16'" is not limited to a single surface, but may encompass several surfaces that
contact and/or desirably restrain the mounting feature 20, 20', 20".
[0042] Still further, it is to be understood that the assembly of the fluid
container/fuel tank component assembly 10,10', 10", 10'" depicted in Figs. 1-8 are
just a few examples of several methods of forming the fluid container/fuel tank
component assembly 10, 10', 10", 10'". Regardless of the method selected, the
mounting feature 20, 20', 20" is positioned in the fluid container/fuel tank
component assembly 10, 10', 10", 10'" so that the mounting feature 20, 20', 20" is
in contact with, or substantially close to the fluid container shell 104 (described
below in conjunction with Figs. 9-12). This reduces the magnetic gap between the

mounting feature 20, 20', 20" and the fluid container shell 104 and increases the
magnetic strength between them.
[0043] With reference now to Figs. 9-12, a fluid container assembly 100,
100', 100", 100'" including a fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12"' is
magnetically attached to an interior surface 102 of a fluid container shell 104 of
fluid container 60 (one non-limiting example of which is a fuel tank for a motor
vehicle). It is to be understood that the fluid container shell 104 may be formed
from any suitable single or multi-layer material, as desired. In an embodiment, the
fluid container shell 104 is a single layer of a polymeric material. In another
embodiment, the fluid container shell 104 may be formed from multiple layers (not
shown) of polymeric materials.
[0044] It is to be understood that the fluid container 60 for the fluid container
assembly 100,100', 100", 100'" as disclosed herein may be used to hold or store a
variety of fluids including, but not limited to, fuels (e.g., gasoline, propane, natural
gas, hydrogen, etc.), transmission fluids, windshield wiper fluids, antifreeze fluids,
brake fluids, power steering fluids, oils, urea-containing fluids, and the like.
[0045] In an embodiment, the fluid container shell 104 may further include.a
recess 106 formed therein. The recess 106 may be, but is not necessarily
configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid container component 12, 12',
12", 12'". It is to be understood that the recess 106 may be formed as deep or as
shallow as desired. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the
depth and the shape of the recess 106 also may substantially improve the
magnetic path for coupling the magnetic feature/magnet 20, 20', 20", 112 with the
fluid container shell 104, thereby increasing the magnetic attraction force between
them. It is also to be understood that the fluid container shell 104 may be formed
without a recess 106. The recess 106 may facilitate the loading and mounting of
the fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" to the fluid container shell 104.
[0046] The fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" is mounted inside
the fuel tank 100, 100', 100", 100'" by magnetically attaching the fluid container
component 12, 12', 12", 12'" to the interior surface 102 of the fluid container shell

104. Figs. 9-12 provide five alternate, non-limiting configurations for the fluid
container assembly 100, 100', 100", 100'". It is to be understood that the fluid
container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" depicted in Figs. 9-12 may be any suitable
fluid container component, as desired, such as any of the components mentioned
above, e.g., valves, tubes, pumps, etc., or combinations thereof.
[0047] Referring again to Fig. 9, the fluid container assembly 100 includes a
mounting feature/magnetic coupling 20, 20', 20", 108 disposed on an exterior
surface 110 of the fluid container shell 104. In a non-limiting example, the
magnetic coupling 108 may be a generally rounded or circular piece or slab of
magnetically responsive metal (such as, for example, steel having a suitable
carbon content so that the steel is sufficiently magnetically responsive) that is
mechanically and/or chemically attached to the exterior surface 110 of the fluid
container shell 104. If the magnetic coupling 108 is chemically attached to the
shell, the chemical attachment means does not substantially interfere with the
magnetic attraction of the magnetic coupling 108. In a non-limiting example, the
chemical attachment means is glue.
[0048] In another non-limiting example, the magnetic coupling 108 may be a
metallic cup 108' (shown in Fig. 9A) disposed on the exterior surface 110 of the
fluid container shell 104 surrounding the recess 106 in a substantially
complementary-fit configuration. In an example, the metallic cup 108' may be
mechanically attached to the exterior surface 110 of the fluid container shell 104.
This may be accomplished by forming a plurality of barbs 132 on the surface of the
metallic cup 108' and snap-fitting the barbs 132 into complementary-shaped
recesses 134 formed into the exterior surface 110 during fabrication of the fluid
container shell 104. In another example, the metallic cup 130 may be attached to
the fluid container shell 104 by heat staking, ultrasonic welding, and/or the like.
This may be accomplished by including a plurality of holes (not shown) in the
metallic cup 108' and molding the metallic cup 108' to the exterior surface 110,
either before, during or after fabrication of the fluid container shell 104.

[0049] The fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12"' includes a mounting
feature/magnet 20, 20', 20", 112 and is disposed inside the fluid container shell
104 and positioned against the interior surface 102 thereof. The magnet 112 is
aligned with and magnetically engages the magnetic coupling 108 disposed on the
exterior surface 110 of the fluid container shell 104, thereby mounting the fluid
container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" thereto.
[0050] In still another embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 10, the magnet 112
is disposed on and attached to the exterior surface 110 of the fluid container shell
104, and the magnetic coupling 108 is attached to the fluid container component
12, 12', 12", 12'". The fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" including the
magnetic coupling 108 is disposed inside the fluid container shell 104, and the
magnetic coupling 108 is aligned with and magnetically engages the magnet 112,
thereby mounting the fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" to the fluid
container shell 104.
[0051] In yet a further embodiment, and as provided in Fig. 11, the magnet
112 is disposed on, and attached to the interior surface 102 of the fluid container
shell 104. Similar to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 8, the magnetic coupling 108
is attached to fluid container component 12,12', 12", 12"' and magnetically
engages the magnet 112, thereby mounting the fluid container component 12,12",
12", 12'" to the fluid container shell 104.
[0052] With reference now to Fig. 12, the fluid container assembly 100"'
includes a fluid container shell 104' made of a magnetically responsive metal such
as, for example, steel. In this embodiment, the fluid container component 12,12",
12", 12'" includes the magnet 112 attached thereto. Since the fluid container shell
104' is made of a magnetically responsive material (i.e., steel), a magnetic coupling
108 attached to the fluid container/fuel tank shell 104' is not necessary. The fluid
container assembly 100'" may be assembled by placing the fluid container
component 12, 12', 12", 12'" including the magnet 112 attached thereto into the
recess 106' and magnetically engaging the magnet 112 with the interior surface
102' of the fluid container shell 104'.

[0053] It is to be understood that to achieve desirable magnetic coupling or
engagement between the mounting feature/magnet 20, 20', 20" 112 and the
mounting feature/magnetic coupling 20, 20', 20" 108 in any of the embodiments
herein, the magnet 112 is selected to exhibit a suitable magnetic force. In an
embodiment, this magnetic force is strong enough to allow attachment of the fluid
container/fuel tank component 12, 12', 12", 12'" to the fluid container/fuel tank 60
and substantially maintain that magnetic attachment even during rigorous operating
conditions. The magnet 112 may also, however, be weak enough to facilitate
removal of the fluid container component 12, 12', 12", 12'" for maintenance and
servicing of any of the parts of the fluid container assembly.
[0054] To achieve this magnetic balance, the magnet 112 is selected based
on the ratio of the magnetic holding force to the weight of the fluid container
component 12, 12', 12", 12'". The magnet may generally be selected based on its
magnetic force being sufficient to attach the fluid container component 12, 12', 12",
12'" to the fuel container shell 104. In some instances, the magnet 112 may have
a magnetic force of at least about 15 lbs. In other instances, the magnetic force of
the magnet 112 may be higher. In yet other instances, the magnetic force of the
magnet 112 may be lower. Further magnet 112 may have a suitably high enough
exposed surface area for desirable magnetic engagement with the magnetic
coupling 108.
[0055] Figs. 1-12 semi-schematically depict the several parts of the fluid
container assembly 100, 100', 100", 100'" including the mounting feature 20, 20',
20". It is to be understood that the mounting feature 20, 20', 20", e.g., when the
mounting feature 20, 20', 20" is a magnet 112, may be substantially thin (e.g., the
magnet 112 may have a thickness of about 6 mm). It is also to be understood,
however, that the thickness of the magnet 112 depends, at least in part, on the
type of magnet selected. To maximize the retention power of the magnet 112
without making the fluid component assembly bulky, the magnet 112 may be
substantially larger in exposed surface area than in thickness.

[0056] It is to be understood that the term "attach/attached",
"mounted/mounting", and/or the like are broadly defined herein to encompass a
variety of divergent attachment arrangements and assembly techniques. These
arrangements and techniques include, but are not limited to (1) the direct
attachment between one component and another component with no intervening
components therebetween; and (2) the attachment of one component and another
component with one or more components therebetween, provided that the one
component being "attached to" the other component is somehow operatively
attached to the other component (notwithstanding the presence of one or more
additional components therebetween).
[0057] While several embodiments have been described in detail, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be
modified and/or other embodiments may be possible. Therefore, the foregoing
description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting.

We Claim:
1. A fluid container component assembly, comprising:
a fluid container component including a body; and
at least one mounting feature attached to the body and configured to
magnetically engage a portion of a fluid container shell.
2. The fluid container component assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein
the at least one mounting feature has a magnetic force sufficient to attach the fluid
container component to the fluid container shell during use of the fluid container.
3. The fluid container component assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein
the at least one mounting feature is a magnet or a magnetic coupling.
4. The fluid container component assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein
the fluid container component is selected from a valve, a sensor, a tube, a wiring
harness, a filter, a pump, a transmitter, a receiver, a heater, a cooler, a mixer, a
baffle, a reservoir, a nozzle, a diffuser, an anode, a cathode, or combinations
thereof.
5. A fluid container assembly, comprising:
a fluid container shell; and
a fluid container component magnetically attached to an interior surface
of the fluid container shell.
6. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the fluid
container shell includes at least one magnetic coupling disposed on an exterior
surface of the fluid container shell.
7. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the fluid
container component includes at least one magnet disposed on a surface thereof,

and wherein the at least one magnet engages with the at least one magnetic
coupling of the fluid container shell.
8. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the fluid
container shell includes a recess formed in an internal surface thereof.
9. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the
magnetic coupling is a metallic cup disposed on the exterior surface of the fluid
container shell and surrounding, in a substantially complementary-fit configuration,
a prominence corresponding to the recess.

10. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the
magnetic coupling is a metallic cup including a plurality of barbs formed thereon,
and wherein the metallic cup is at least one of mechanically attached to the fluid
container shell, or thermally attached to the fluid container shell.
11. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the
metallic cup includes a depth and a shape that substantially improves a magnetic
path for magnetically attaching the fluid container component to the interior surface
of the fluid container shell, thereby substantially increasing the magnetic attraction
force between them.

12. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the fluid
container shell includes at least one magnet disposed on an interior surface
thereof, an exterior surface thereof, or combinations thereof.
13. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein the fluid
container component includes at least one magnetic coupling disposed on a
surface thereof, and wherein the at least one magnetic coupling engages with the
at least one magnet of the fluid container shell.

14. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the fluid
container shell is formed from a magnetically responsive material, and the fluid
container component includes at least one magnet disposed on a surface thereof,
and wherein the at least one magnet engages with the magnetically responsive
fluid container shell.
15. The fluid container assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the fluid
container component includes one of a magnet or a magnetic coupling attached to
a surface thereof and the fluid container shell includes the other of the magnet or
the magnetic coupling attached to a surface thereof; and wherein the magnet or the
magnetic coupling attached to the fluid container component is positioned thereon
to thereby substantially reduce a magnetic gap between the magnet or the
magnetic coupling attached to the fluid container component and the other of the
magnet or the magnetic coupling attached to the fluid container shell.
16. A method of mounting a fluid container component to a fluid container,
the method comprising:
providing a fluid container including a fluid container shell; and
magnetically attaching the fluid container component to an interior
surface of the fluid container shell, thereby mounting the fluid container component
to the fluid container.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising:
disposing at least one magnet on the interior surface of the fluid
container shell, an exterior surface of the fluid container shell, or combinations
thereof; and
disposing at least one magnetic coupling on a surface of the fluid
container component.

18. The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising:
disposing at least one magnetic coupling on an exterior surface of the
fluid container shell; and
disposing at least one magnet on a surface of the fluid container
component.
19. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein the fluid container shell
includes a recess on an interior surface thereof, and wherein the magnetic coupling
is a metallic cup, the method further comprising:
disposing the metallic cup on the exterior surface of the fluid
container shell and surrounding a prominence corresponding to the recess; and
at least one of mechanically attaching the metallic cup to the exterior
surface, or thermally attaching the metallic cup to the exterior surface.
20. The method as defined in claim 16 wherein the fluid container shell is
made of a magnetically responsive material, and the method further comprises
disposing at least one magnet on a surface of the fluid container component.
21. The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising:
disposing one of a magnet or a magnetic coupling on a surface of the
fluid container shell; and
disposing the other of the magnet or the magnetic coupling on a
surface of the fluid container component;
wherein the magnet or magnetic coupling attached to the fluid
container component is positioned thereon to thereby substantially reduce a
magnetic gap between the magnet or the magnetic coupling attached to the fluid
container shell and the other of the magnet or the magnetic coupling attached to
the fluid container component.

A fluid container component (12) assembly includes a fluid container
component including a body (14) and at least one mounting feature (20)
attached to the body (14). The mounting feature (s) (120) are configured
to magnetically engage a portion of a fluid container shell (104).