Patent ID: 7829819

Claim:
A fuel tank system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank formed with a polymeric wall having an inside surface and having an opening in the wall; and a valve component that is welded to the inside surface of the polymeric wall, wherein the valve component is comprised of: a body portion for engaging a gripper on a robotic arm that places the valve component through the opening in the wall and into a welding position; a first wing secured to and extending laterally from the body, formed of polymer, and including a first surface that at least partially contacts the inside surface at the welding position; and a second wing secured to and extending laterally from the body and spaced from the first wing, formed of polymer, and including a second surface that at least partially contacts the inside surface at the welding position; wherein at least the first and second wings or the polymeric wall of the fuel tank include a thin film of black polymer for heating by radiant energy that is emitted inside the fuel tank from an energy source carried on the robotic arm until a weld forms between the first and second wings and the polymeric wall, wherein the thin film of black polymer comprises a first thin film of black polymer secured to the first surface and a second thin film of black polymer secured to the second surface.