Terminology

Here's a basic breakdown of the common terms used in describing fuel cell components and their associative meaning.

Alcohol - A type of fuel or fuel additive (Ethanol, Methanol). Special materials must be used for fuel cells running alcohol.

AN Fitting - Fittings that use a military specification standard as sizes.  They are not interchangeable with NPT fittings.

Baffle - Built into the inside of the bladder, baffles contain or direct fuel into a specific area of the fuel cell and reduce fuel "slosh".

Bladder - The resin coated material that contains the fuel.  These are typically, but not limited to, comprised of ballistic nylon coated in an elastic polymer.

Can - An aluminum, steel, or composite container housing the bladder.

Check Valve - A device that allows fuel/air flow in one direction.  When used in a fuel delivery system the check valve prevents fuel from flowing backwards.  When placed on a fuel cell it allows air flow in and out of the bladder but prevents fuel from spilling out in the event of a crash or rollover.

Collector - A device that "collects" and contains fuel in a specific area of the fuel cell to deliver fuel consistently to the engine.  They are typically located inside the fuel cell.

Fender Fill - A fill system that utilizes a fill neck on or near the body (hence the term "fender") of the vehicle and delivers fuel via hose to the fill plate.

Fill Plate - Any plate on the fuel cell where fuel enters, typically housing pickups, returns, senders, etc.

Flapper - A viton-based material that prevents fuel from coming back up the fill neck.

Foam Baffling - Safety material inside the bladder that reduces fuel slosh and prevents explosions.

4X6 - A standard plate size, with 12 holes, that covers an oval area approximately 4” x 6”.

4X7 - A standard plate size, with 14 holes, that covers an oval area approximately 4” x 7” exclusive to HARMON Racing Cells.

4 Hole - A small plate size typically used for remote applications.

Gasket - A material placed between the plate and bladder and prevents fuel leakage.

Heel Flapper - A flapper valve, usually made of a viton material, that bolts to a plate and allows fuel in but not out. These valves are used in place of a normal anti-spill system on plates with a cap.

Height - A measurement of the fuel cell, vertically, from the ground up.

Hydrocarbon Fuels - A type of fuel. Hydrocarbon fuels are the most widely used and include pump gas, racing fuel, diesel, and AVGAS.

HydraMat - A flat bag like design that solves the problems associated with traditional fuel pick-ups in stock fuel tanks as well as racing fuel cells

Length - A measurement of the fuel cell, horizontally, from the driver to passenger side.

Nipple - A flexible outlet on a bladder. Nipples are prohibited in most racing associations and must be replaced with a bottom/side pickup.

Nutring - A device inside the bladder that is glued in and has threaded inserts from which a plate can be bolted to.

Pickup - The hose/fitting that delivers fuel to the engine.

Quick Fill - A "Quick Fill" system typically utilizes a 3" Fill Neck with at least a 1" Check Valve and is used on fuel cells utilizing dump cans or other means ofdelivering fuel into the unit quickly, such as during pit stops.

Raw - Any untreated/unprocessed material.

Remote - A term used to describe a particular piece of hardware not located on a standard fill plate (i.e. a bottom or side pickup is a “remote” style pickup, since it is not located on a 4X6, 4X7, or 6X10 plate).

Rollover Valve - See Check Valve.

Return - A hose/fitting that will deliver fuel back into the bladder.

Sender - A device that measures the fuel level inside the bladder.

Slosh - A term used to describe the mass movement of fuel from one side of the fuel cell to the other. Fuel slosh can be reduces or eliminated by the use of baffles or safety foam.

Standard Fill - A "Standard Fill" system utilizes a 2.25" Fill Neck with a AN-08 Check Valve and is used for most applications where quick refueling is not necessary. Most commonly used for prerunning and short-course racing.

Surge Tank - See Collector.

6X10 - A standard plate size, with 24 holes, that covers and area approximately 6” x 10”.

6 Hole - A small plate size typically used for remote applications.

12 Hole - A large specialty plate size typically used for large remote applications.

Vent - See Check Valve.

Width - A measurement of the fuel cell from the front of the car to the back.