Mercedes Mullins
Fuel tanks are containers for flammable fluids, typically gasoline or diesel fuel, and are integral to the engine system of a car. The placement of fuel tanks in mid-engine cars can vary depending on the design preferences of the manufacturer and the engineering requirements of the vehicle. In most cars, the fuel tank is located in front of the engine and behind the driver's seat, with the fuel filler door placed on the side opposite the tailpipe. The weight distribution and balance of the car are also considered when determining the placement of the fuel tank, with the tank often placed on the opposite side of the heavier engine to maintain balance. Safety, ease of refueling, and the layout of the fuel tank and exhaust system are other factors that influence the location of the fuel tank in mid-engine cars.
Characteristics and Values of Fuel Tank Placement in Mid-Engine Cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Fuel tanks should not be placed above the engine due to safety concerns and the potential impact of engine heat on fuel temperature. |
| Performance | The placement of the fuel tank should optimize vehicle weight distribution and balance for better handling and performance. |
| Refueling | The location of the fuel tank should consider ease of refueling, with accessibility from the driver's position and placement on the widest part of the vehicle. |
| Design | The fuel tank design, including size, shape, and material, influences its placement, considering underbody constraints and packaging. |
| Vehicle Dynamics | The fuel tank's position affects the vehicle's dynamics, with the weight and volume of fuel impacting the center of gravity and turning situations. |
| Regulations | The fuel tank must comply with regulations, including placement relative to the Tire Surface Envelope, Primary Structure, and line of sight to the driver. |
| Material | Fuel tanks are typically made of metal (steel, aluminum) or plastic (HDPE), considering factors like weight, complexity, and long-term viability. |
| Size | Larger fuel tanks increase the car's range but also impact weight and space. The average capacity is 50-60L (12-16 US gal). |
| Additional Features | Some vehicles have reserve tanks, secondary tanks, or racing fuel cells with a rigid outer shell and flexible liner to minimize puncture risks. |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel tank placement rules
Firstly, safety is a critical factor in fuel tank placement. It is generally recommended to avoid mounting the fuel tank directly above the engine, as engine heat can significantly affect fuel temperature. This configuration may pose safety hazards, as higher fuel temperatures can increase the risk of ignition or fuel system issues.
Secondly, weight distribution and vehicle dynamics play a crucial role in fuel tank placement. In mid-engine vehicles, the weight of the engine is typically positioned close to the center of gravity, evenly distributing the weight across the front and rear wheels. This arrangement enhances traction, stability, and agility, particularly in cornering. Therefore, fuel tank placement should consider the overall weight distribution of the vehicle to maintain optimal balance and handling characteristics.
Additionally, fuel tank placement should consider the available space within the vehicle. Mid-engine configurations often leave trunk space in the front, as the engine sits behind the driver and in front of the rear axle. Designers must carefully allocate space for the fuel tank while ensuring adequate clearance for other components and maintaining the desired weight distribution.
In some cases, fuel tanks have been placed under the seats, especially in long-distance rally cars. This placement can help lower the center of gravity and improve weight distribution. However, it is essential to carefully consider the potential risks, such as fuel leaks, which could have severe consequences if they occur above the engine or headers.
Finally, it is essential to comply with automotive safety regulations and industry standards. While specific rules may vary by region, adhering to safety standards set by organizations such as SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) or similar governing bodies is crucial. These standards often include requirements for fuel tank placement, materials, and safety features to mitigate the risks associated with fuel systems.
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Safety considerations
Safety is a key consideration when designing the placement of a fuel tank in a car. While the engine's heat can drastically affect the fuel temperature, placing the fuel tank above the engine is generally not recommended. This is because any fuel leaks will drip onto the engine, and the weight distribution of the car will be affected by the fuel sloshing around higher up from the ground.
Most cars have a layout in which the fuel tank is located in front of the engine and behind the driver's seat. Rules and regulations regarding fuel tank placement vary, but typically, the tank must remain below the surface defined by the top of the main roll hoop and beneath the surface defined by the outside edge of the tires. This rule is in place to prevent the fuel tank from being in the line of sight of the driver.
The integrity of the fuel system is crucial to safety. Fuel tanks must be designed to prevent leakage and limit evaporative emissions. Filling the tank must be done securely, without sparks, to mitigate the risk of ignition. In the event of a crash, fuel lines, fuel filler necks, and caps, as well as inertia switches, must be examined to prevent fuel leaks and potential fires.
The material used for the fuel tank is also a safety consideration. Metal (steel or aluminium) and plastic are the most common materials. While plastic tanks are viable in the short term, they have the potential to become saturated as fuels permeate the material, leading to environmental stress cracking and potential catastrophic failure. Metal tanks, on the other hand, are typically welded together from stamped sheet metal parts, providing a more durable option.
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Fuel tank materials
The material used to make a fuel tank depends on the make and model of the vehicle. The most common materials for fuel tanks are metal or plastic. Metal fuel tanks are usually made of steel or aluminium, while plastic fuel tanks are usually made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Metal fuel tanks are typically made by welding stamped sheet metal parts together. Steel is a cost-effective material that meets all the required performance criteria of gasoline tanks. It is also beneficial for its durability, heat resistance, and resistance to corrosion and rusting. Steel tanks are most commonly found in diesel vehicles. Aluminium is also used for its heat resistance and resistance to corrosion and rusting. It is also used for its visual appeal, giving the fuel tank a sleek look. Aluminium tanks are most commonly found in gasoline-driven vehicles.
Plastic fuel tanks are usually built using blow moulding, which allows for more complex shapes to be used. The most common material for plastic fuel tanks is plastic polypropylene, which is flexible and durable. Regrind plastic is also used, which is made from post-consumer resin-like bottles, containers, and other waste materials. Other materials used in plastic fuel tanks include ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVA), which helps create the chemical bond that holds pieces together, and plastic adhesives. While plastic fuel tanks are functionally viable in the short term, they have the long-term potential to become saturated as fuels such as diesel and gasoline permeate the HDPE material. This can lead to environmental stress cracking, which could cause a catastrophic failure due to the flammability of fuel.
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Fuel tank design
Fuel tanks are designed to be safe containers for flammable fluids, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. They are typically made of metal or plastic and must be designed to avoid leakage and limit evaporative emissions. The size and shape of a fuel tank can vary depending on the vehicle, with some tanks being smaller and more complex, while others are larger and simpler in design.
When designing a fuel tank, it is important to consider the placement of the tank in relation to the engine and the driver. In most cars, the fuel tank is located in front of the engine and behind the driver's seat. However, in some mid-engine cars, the fuel tank may be located above or below the engine. Placing the fuel tank above the engine can affect the fuel temperature due to engine heat and is generally not recommended.
The design of the fuel tank must also consider the filling process, ensuring that it can be filled securely without sparks, and provide a method for determining the level of fuel in the tank. One such design is the ""ship in a bottle" fuel tank, where all fuel delivery components, including the pump, control electronics, and hosing, are encased within a blow-molded plastic fuel tank. This design helps to reduce fuel vapor emissions.
Another design consideration is the use of trap doors or fuel tank dividers, especially in race cars. By dividing the fuel tank into smaller sections or cells, the issue of fuel sloshing during turning or acceleration is mitigated, ensuring that the fuel pump pickup remains submerged. This also helps maintain the balance of the car by preventing a large amount of fuel from shifting weight during acceleration or turns.
Finally, the choice of material for the fuel tank is crucial. Metal fuel tanks are typically made by welding together stamped sheet metal parts, while plastic fuel tanks are often created using blow molding, allowing for more complex shapes. Plastic tanks, such as those made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), may be suitable for short-term storage but can become saturated over time as fuels permeate the material, leading to potential environmental stress cracking and catastrophic failure.
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Fuel tank location relative to the driver
The placement of a fuel tank in a car is influenced by several factors, including safety, ease of refueling, vehicle design, and the layout of the fuel tank and exhaust system. The fuel tank's location relative to the driver can vary depending on the vehicle's make and model, with the tank typically placed either in front of or behind the driver's seat.
In most cars, the fuel tank is located behind the driver's seat, in front of the engine. This layout is common as it helps maintain balance by countering the weight of a heavier engine. Additionally, placing the fuel tank in this area provides easy access for refueling, especially when the fuel filler door is on the driver's side of the vehicle.
However, there are exceptions to this standard layout. In some vehicles, the fuel tank may be positioned directly above the engine, although this is less common due to safety concerns and the potential impact of engine heat on fuel temperature. In racing or collegiate engineering competition vehicles, the fuel tank's placement above the engine may be influenced by specific competition rules and the need to optimize weight distribution for performance.
In long-distance rally cars, fuel tanks were previously placed under the seats during the 1980s. This placement aimed to optimize the vehicle's center of gravity by reducing the distance between the fuel and the ground, minimizing changes in balance with varying fuel volumes.
The fuel tank's location relative to the driver is also influenced by the vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems, weight distribution, and packaging considerations. Engineers must consider the placement of other essential components and adhere to regulations that dictate the fuel filler's position relative to the vehicle's crumple zones and proximity to hot exhaust components.
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Frequently asked questions
The placement of fuel tanks varies across different cars. In most cars, the fuel tank is located in front of the engine and behind the driver's seat. However, in some cases, a vehicle with a heavier engine on one side may have its fuel tank on the opposite side to maintain balance.
The placement of a fuel tank in a car is influenced by various factors, including safety, ease of refuelling, vehicle weight distribution, and packaging considerations.
Yes, mounting a fuel tank directly above the engine may be unsafe due to the potential impact of engine heat on fuel temperature. It is generally recommended to keep the fuel tank away from the engine and consider the overall balance of the vehicle.
Fuel tanks are typically made of metal or plastic. Metal tanks are usually constructed by welding stamped sheet metal parts, while plastic tanks are formed using blow molding, allowing for more complex shapes.
Design considerations for fuel tanks in mid-engine cars include the size and shape of the tank, outlet placement, fluid level indicators, and weight distribution. Engineers also take into account the vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems to ensure optimal placement of the fuel tank.
