TI develops 'ship-in-a-bottle' fuel tank

TI Automotive has developed a fuel tank that will help automakers cut emissions in order to meet government control requirements including California's LEVII and ZEV. "Lower evaporative emissions," says Manouchehr Kambakhsh, vice president of global advanced engineering for TI, "this has been the driver for most of our activities."

TI 'ship-in-a-bottle' (SI BS fuel tank uses a plastic, blow mold-- ed fuel tank to encompass fuel pumps, level sensors and other components.

The fuel tank shell has only one or two openings compared to six or seven on conventional tanks. The SIB tank, says TI, reduces the level of emissions from the fuel tank by avoiding additional valves, lines and filters that can release emissions. Additionally, the tank is lighter, less expensive and more flexible then traditional tanks.

The SIB also allows for more fuel to be stored in the vehicle since the tank can be enlarged to take up the space formerly used for the external components.

Experts say the use of plastic tanks worldwide will increase from 40 percent today to 60 percent by 2004. Growth is expected in Asia - particularly in the Japanese market, says Bill Laule, TI CEO.

TI recently manufactured its first plastic tank in Korea for a Japanese OEM.

"There's a good trend that way," Laule says. - Andrea Wielgat