Service Tank Patents (Class 280/834)
  • Patent number: 11932103
    Abstract: A device fastens a tank for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, to a frame. The tank comprises a base including a cylindrical seat. The device comprises a fastener able to clamp the cylindrical seat of the base, where the device also comprises at least one mechanical fuse that is able to break in case of impact experienced by the frame, so that the device releases the base from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FAURECIA SYSTEMES D'ECHAPPEMENT
    Inventor: Yannick Godard
  • Patent number: 11780326
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members configured to contact a ground surface, and a powertrain assembly operably coupled to the ground-engaging members. The utility vehicle also includes a frame supported by the ground-engaging members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a tunnel member coupled to the frame and extending along the longitudinal axis. The tunnel member is positioned at a first height from the ground surface. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a cargo portion supported by the frame and positioned generally rearward of the tunnel member. The cargo portion has a cargo surface substantially aligned with the tunnel member and positioned at a second height from the ground surface. The first height is approximately equal to the second height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Schlangen, Jason K. Raska, Aaron D. Deckard
  • Patent number: 11723511
    Abstract: A method for controlling a dishwasher includes: supplying washing water to a sump; rotating an impeller disposed in a washing pump by a washing motor so that the washing water flows into the washing pump from the sump; operating a heater disposed in the washing pump so as to heat the washing water existing in the washing pump and generate steam to supply to a steam nozzle; and supplying the washing water or steam in the washing pump to the steam nozzle by rotating the impeller at a second set rotational speed lower than a first set rotational speed by the washing motor. The method further includes closing a selector valve, configured to open and close a path between the washing pump and the steam nozzle, when the impeller rotates at the first set rotational speed or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwoo Woo, Kitae Kwon, Minchul Kim
  • Patent number: 11679668
    Abstract: A protection measure for a vehicle during a side collision is provided, and an oil feeding pipe is attached to a side face of a tank. A vehicle tank structure has a pair of left and right rear frames extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a floor panel coupling the rear frames, and a tank provided below the floor panel. A side face part of the tank includes a connection port to which an oil feeding pipe is connected, the side face part being directed toward the vehicle-width-direction outer side. A hit-first face part located on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to a distal end of the connection port is located above a mounting face part at which the connection port is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ito, Kenichiro Araki
  • Patent number: 11634026
    Abstract: A transport vehicle configured to run on electricity generated by a fuel cell includes: a body having a cargo space for freight; a chassis frame located below the body and supporting the body; and a tank unit including a plurality of tanks that stores fuel gas to be used for power generation by the fuel cell and a connecting portion connecting the tanks, the tank unit being located between the cargo space and the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Nakashima, Toshiyuki Kondo, Yukihide Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11597271
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank mounting assembly configured to secure a vehicle fuel tank to a vehicle is described. The assembly comprises a first elongate securing member having at least a first fixing point attachable to a vehicle body. The elongate securing member extends at least partially around the fuel tank in an assembled configuration. The assembly comprises a support member having a first end attachable to the first fixing point, and a second end configured to engage at least one of the elongate member and a wall of the fuel tank at a point remote from the fixing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Robert William Sleath
  • Patent number: 11541748
    Abstract: A tank system for a construction machine includes a fuel tank having an outer tank wall that closes off a tank volume to the outside, a withdrawal tank volume, which is separated by a partition wall from a main tank volume of the tank volume and has a fuel-exchanging connection to the main tank volume, and a fuel withdrawal arrangement having a main fuel pump and a withdrawal line opening into the withdrawal tank volume for conveying fuel by the main fuel pump via the withdrawal line from the withdrawal tank volume to a fuel-consuming system region. The tank system also includes a fuel feed arrangement having an auxiliary fuel pump for conveying fuel from the main tank volume into the withdrawal tank volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hamm AG
    Inventors: Gerd Köstler, Stefan Reber, Armin Landstorfer
  • Patent number: 11529868
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a tank to a space frame comprises a side mount configured to mount the tank to a center upper frame connection of the space frame, and a bottom mount configured to mount the tank to an elongate support member of the space frame. The bottom mount and the side mount are distinct mounts and configured to be mounted to the tank in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. The bottom mount and the side mount are coupled to a bottom and a rear side of the tank, respectively, and together are configured to mount the tank to the space frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jared E Louis, Bruno L Risatti, David W. Holthaus
  • Patent number: 11407306
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel tank module that accommodates a fuel gas, and a rail arranged along a vehicle-width direction of the fuel cell vehicle in a floor part of the fuel cell vehicle, in which the fuel tank module includes a casing that accommodates a fuel tank accommodating the fuel gas, a block unit arranged in a bottom surface of the casing and configured to be attachable to and detachable from the rail and movable along the rail, and a fixation unit that can fix the block unit to the rail and release fixation of the block unit to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Otsura, Hiroya Nakaji, Kazuhiro Higashiyama, Atsushi Fujimatsu, Koki Matsuno, Tsutomu Kumazaki, Itaru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 11260746
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame defining a cockpit area. The frame has a roll cage disposed over the cockpit area. The vehicle has driver and passenger seats, an engine connected to the frame, and a plurality of ground engaging members operatively connected to the frame, at least one ground engaging member of the plurality of ground engaging members being operatively connected to the engine. The vehicle also has a fuel tank assembly including a fuel tank connected to the frame. The fuel tank is forward of the seats and at least a portion of the fuel tank is disposed under the roll cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Andre Denis, Simon Filion, Jean Guillemette
  • Patent number: 11247550
    Abstract: A battery pack mounting system includes, among other things, an outboard bracket connecting a battery pack to a vehicle underbody, a first inboard bracket connecting the battery pack to the vehicle underbody, and a second inboard bracket connecting the battery pack to a tunnel of the vehicle underbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ihab Grace, Shamsuddin A. Syed
  • Patent number: 11186325
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rear part (4) of a vehicle (1) that comprises a rear structure (41) and a spare wheel (3), the rear structure (41) comprising a luggage compartment floor (43) in which a well (44) is formed in order for said spare wheel (3) to be positioned therein, the well (44) comprising a bottom (47) and at least one first wall positioned facing the spare wheel (3) and forming a rear wall or one of the two side walls of the well, the bottom of the well comprising attachment means (6) for securing the spare wheel (3) thereto, the well (44) comprising control means (7) positioned between said first wall (45) and the attachment means (6), said control means (7) being suitable for releasing the spare wheel (3) from the bottom (47) of the well (44) in the event of an impact against said rear part (4) of the vehicle, on the side of the first wall (45) of the well (44), in alignment with the control means (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Marc Peru
  • Patent number: 11124062
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell vehicle configured to support a fuel tank including a cylindrical part extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, the fuel cell vehicle including vehicle body frames, and a tank frame. The vehicle body frames extend in the longitudinal direction between a front tire and a rear tire. The tank frame includes at least a fixing part fixed to the vehicle body frames, and a supporting part configured to support the fuel tank by extending in an outward and downward direction of the vehicle body frames, and coming into contact with the fuel tank below a lower end of the vehicle body frames and above a lowermost part of the cylindrical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Sawada
  • Patent number: 11046192
    Abstract: An energy store tank assembly includes a tank adapted for mounting to a frame of a tractor-trailer vehicle by a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is coupled to the frame, and the mounting bracket extends around, and in contact with, a circumference of the tank to secure the tank to the frame. The energy store tank assembly further includes an energy store disposed within the tank, the energy store configured to supply electrical power to the tractor-trailer vehicle in a first mode of operation and further configured to receive energy from the tractor-trailer vehicle in a second mode of operation. In some embodiments, the tank includes an electrical interface through which the energy store supplies the electrical power to the tractor-trailer vehicle in the first mode of operation and through which the energy store receives energy from the tractor-trailer vehicle in the second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Hyliion Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Aufdencamp
  • Patent number: 11040616
    Abstract: A dual fuel tank system for a machine having a frame and an engine enclosure mounted on a rear portion of the frame includes a pair of support plates located at the rear portion of the frame and welded onto a pair of sides of the frame. Further, the dual fuel system also includes a pair of upper and lower support brackets secured onto each side of the engine enclosure. Furthermore, the dual fuel system also includes a pair of fuel tanks disposed on the pair of sides of the engine enclosure. Each fuel tank is releasably secured onto the support plate and an associated pair of the upper and lower support brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Selvaraj, Hugh Rillie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10894486
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an assembly that cools a traction battery of a vehicle, in particular a hybrid electric vehicle. The assembly can include at least one fuel tank, and at least one traction battery that is arranged outside the fuel tank and is thermally connected to the fuel tank. The assembly can further include at least one fuel pump that is arranged in the fuel tank and at least one fuel line that is connected and/or can be connected to a pressure side of the fuel pump. A connection portion of the fuel tank is thermally connected to the traction battery. Fuel can be used to cool the connection portion, which cools the traction battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Zenner, Caroline Born, Daniel Kok
  • Patent number: 10794537
    Abstract: A system for filling an LPG vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe is provided. The system may be configured for easily filling a main bombe with LPG even in the hot season (summertime) or the like during which the outside temperature rapidly rises, by using an auxiliary bombe in addition to using the main bombe. The system may also be capable of always smoothly refilling the main bombe with LPG by moving a portion of the LPG in the main bombe to the auxiliary bombe, when the pressure in the main bombe is higher than the LPG filling pressure of a filling gun in the hot season during which the outside temperature rapidly rises, so that the pressure in the main bombe becomes lower than the filling pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Han Kim, Jae Hwa Park, Jong Ki Kim, Jae Min Lee, Keun Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10792998
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel filler pipe. In one example, a system may include a bracket comprising a bumper physically coupled to a vehicle cross-member. The bumper coming into contact with a fuel filler pipe proximal to the cross-member during some vehicle conditions to block the fuel filler pipe from contacting the cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rolando Ramirez Macias, Mauricio García, Victor Cisneros, David Tidmas
  • Patent number: 10647195
    Abstract: A filling system includes a pipe, a restricting member, a detector, and an actuator. The restricting member is disposed in the pipe to restrict insertion of an object into the pipe. The detector is configured to detect the presence of a metal nozzle in the pipe. The actuator is configured to move the restricting member to enable access through the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Dennis
  • Patent number: 10520108
    Abstract: A mechanical valve assembly for the control of a gas flow to a gas appliance, the mechanical valve assembly comprising: a housing; a gas inlet port associated with the housing; a gas outlet port associated with the housing; a timer-controlled valve operable to open and close a gas flow between the inlet port and outlet port; and a manually-operated emergency shut-off valve positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port, ahead of the timer-controlled valve relative to a direction of the gas flow through the mechanical valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Skytech Products Group
    Inventors: Christopher Flick, Jih Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 10166861
    Abstract: A fuel tank structure including: a fuel tank that is mounted to an automobile and that stores fuel; a bat shaped member that is fixed to a ceiling portion inside the fuel tank, and that maintains a contact state with the fuel by expanding or contracting according to a fluid surface height of file stored inside the fuel tank; a pump housing recessed portion that is formed to a bottom portion of the fuel tank with a fuel pump disposed therein; and a fuel flow path that is in communication with the pump housing messed portion and that extends from the pump housing recessed portion in a groove shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Aso
  • Patent number: 10081244
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: Bobby Ray McKinney
  • Patent number: 9981550
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle body mounting structure for a fuel tank tank, which can suppress deformation of the fuel tank due to a band member while suppressing increase in weight of the fuel tank, the vehicle body mounting structure for a fuel tank includes: a band member (21) disposed along a lower surface (14) of the fuel tank (1) made of resin and having both ends secured to the vehicle body; an upper groove (31) formed in a side surface (12) of the fuel tank (1) to extend downward from an upper surface (13) of the fuel tank (1) over at least a part of the side surface (12) of the fuel tank (1); and a cushion member (26) interposed between the fuel tank (1) and the vehicle body and straddling the upper groove (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Shoji, Yuta Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 9873456
    Abstract: An onboard battery for a vehicle, the vehicle having a crushable area in which a functional component with a predetermined function is disposed, the crushable area being formed between a pair of rear side frames located apart from each other in a transversal direction, includes a housing case disposed in front of the crushable area, a holding frame that is fixed to a vehicle body and includes a frame-shaped part including a pair of first portions apart from each other in a longitudinal direction and a pair of second portions apart from each other in the transversal direction, and a battery module including a battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 9802477
    Abstract: A non-metallic fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body, at least one coupling device or mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body to a bed of a truck or to a trolley, and a fuel fill opening. A grounding wire may be coupled to the non-metallic tank as well as a fuel line connector which is also coupled to the existing fuel system of a truck. A mounting system for a non-metallic fuel tank includes two rear toe clamps and two front mounting assemblies which include a front mount base and an angle iron coupled together. A portable fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body and a trolley coupled to the tank body. The trolley includes a base, a mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body and the base, at least one handle and at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Anderson, Klint S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9751398
    Abstract: A grounded fuel tank assembly includes a non-metallic fuel tank having a container and a hollow filler neck, a fuel cap with a hollow stem, and an electrically conductive insert member. The insert member includes a hollow sleeve which is received by the neck, an annular frusto-conical first ring which is joined to an end of the sleeve, and a second ring which extends away from the first ring and which at least partially surrounds a portion of the neck. The sleeve has internal and external sleeve threads formed thereon. The internal sleeve threads engages external cap threads, and the external sleeve threads engages internal neck threads. An electrically conductive ground strap is exterior to the container and engages the second ring. The insert includes tabs which engage the neck to prevent rotation of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffery K. Brown, Jeffrey L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9688314
    Abstract: A vehicle floor lower structure comprises a floor panel that configures a floor of a vehicle; a fuel tank that is disposed at a vehicle body lower side of the floor panel; an exhaust pipe that extends from an engine toward a vehicle body rear side, and that passes at a vehicle width direction outer side of the fuel tank; and a left and right pair of under reinforcements that are joined to a lower face of the floor panel and that respectively extend along a vehicle body front-rear direction at vehicle width direction outer sides of the fuel tank and the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
  • Patent number: 9616942
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a tractor, which is a work vehicle, being capable of providing an air-conditioner unit and rear working lights in the interior of a ceiling without protruding the rear end of the cabin. Regarding a tractor, which is a work vehicle in which a cabin for covering a drive operating unit is provided, the ceiling of the cabin is formed in an arc shape from the front end to the rear end thereof, and a radius of curvature of the arc shape is configured to increase as the ceiling advances from the front end to the rear end of the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Kawashiri, Kiyoyuki Okuyama
  • Patent number: 9598115
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear fender module for arrangement on a side panel of a motor vehicle body. The rear fender module includes a fender shell and at least one add-on part arranged thereon. The fender shell has at least two fastening sites for detachable fastening on the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 9579972
    Abstract: To provide a structure for mounting a fuel tank on a vehicle body that can prevent harmful deformation of the fuel tank that would impair the function of the fuel tank in either case where the pressure in the fuel tank changes to a positive pressure or to a negative pressure, the structure for mounting a fuel tank on a vehicle body includes: a band lower (10L) secured to the vehicle body, extending along at least a lower wall (19L) of the fuel tank (1) and holding the fuel tank (1); a lower wall connecting means (40) that connects at least one part of the lower wall (19L) of the fuel tank (1) to the band lower (10L); a holding member (50) secured to the vehicle body and holding the fuel tank (1); and an upper wall connecting means (40) that connects at least one part of the upper wall (19U) of the fuel tank (1) to the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Taniguchi, Kazuyoshi Morooka, Kunio Takeda
  • Patent number: 9533569
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: Bobby Ray McKinney
  • Patent number: 9388779
    Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed which is adapted to improve engine ignition properties by ensuring that, when the engine ignition is turned off, residual fuel left over in the engine area after use is not returned to the fuel tank but instead remains in a common rail injector area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Sang-Deuk Kim
  • Patent number: 9381804
    Abstract: A pressure tank system for a motor vehicle has a fuel tank (4) operated in a differential pressure range between a low pressure and a high pressure. To ensure a simple construction and can be produced cost-effective construction, the low pressure is between ambient pressure minus 50 hectopascals ambient pressure and plus 50 hectopascals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Menke, Josef Oesterle, Dirk Braunwarth
  • Patent number: 9327593
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel door. A primary fuel door lock system includes a locking shaft having a locked configuration where a locking end of the locking shaft engages a locking member of the fuel door to inhibit opening of the fuel door and an unlocked configuration where the locking end of the locking shaft is removed from the locking member to allow opening of the fuel door. A secondary fuel door lock system is connected to the locking shaft by a decoupling structure that allows movement of the locking shaft between the locked and unlocked configurations relative to the secondary fuel door lock system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lafayette Minock
  • Patent number: 9321346
    Abstract: A revised location for the fuel system and fuel tanks to improve crashworthiness and reduce the occurrence of tank failure, fuel spillage, fire and/or explosion while still providing a sufficient range for the vehicle. The fuel tank system includes at least one fuel tank and a support structure. The at least one fuel tank is provided proximate frame rail members of the truck. At least a portion of the at least one fuel tank extends between an extension of a vertical axis of each of the frame rail members. The support structure protects the at least one fuel tank during an event, such as, but not limited to a collision, crash or accident. The support structure includes at least one mounting member which attaches the at least one fuel tank to the frame rail members, rails which extend about the at least one fuel tank, and at least one bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Erin Marie Shipp
  • Patent number: 9267268
    Abstract: A motor grader includes a fuel tank, a vehicle body frame, a left-side mount part, a right-side mount part, a rear-side mount part and a reducing agent tank. The left-side mount part and the right-side mount part are respectively disposed on a left lateral frame and a right lateral frame while being disposed on the both sides of the fuel tank in a vehicle width direction, and fix the fuel tank to the vehicle body frame. The rear-side mount part is disposed on the left lateral frame in the vehicle width direction while being disposed rearward of the fuel tank, and fixes the fuel tank to the vehicle body frame. The reducing agent tank is disposed rearward of and adjacently to the fuel tank while being disposed on the right lateral frame side, and accumulates a reducing agent for processing an exhaust gas from an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Arai, Eiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9227510
    Abstract: To provide a fuel tank fixing structure for a construction machine, which does not require a belt and is capable of fixing a fuel tank on a vehicle body stably. The present invention provides a fuel tank fixing structure, for example when fixing a fuel tank 11 made of synthetic resin on a revolving frame 2a of a revolving superstructure 2 of a compact excavator, that includes a standing member having a supporting member 11 to be fixed on the revolving frame 2a in a standing state, a hydraulic oil tank 10 made of iron, and a fixing bracket 14 made of iron, and a holding assembly for holding a fuel feed opening 11a provided on the fuel tank 11, such as a holding bracket 13 made of iron. A bushing 15 is engaged with a hole 13a1 formed in a plate part 13a of the holding bracket 13. The feed opening 11a of the fuel tank 11 is inserted into a hole 15a of the bushing 15 so that the feed opening 11a of the fuel tank 11 is held by the holding bracket 13 via the bushing 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9216647
    Abstract: A fuel tank system which has a revised mounting system and a revised location for the fuel system and fuel tanks to improve crashworthiness of the vehicle by reducing the occurrence of tank failure, fuel spillage, fire and/or explosion during and after a collision or similar event, while still providing a sufficient range for the vehicle. The fuel tanks are protected from damage from the side, bottom and between the tanks. The fuel tank mounting system also allows the energy associated with an event to be managed, such as by allowing the fuel tanks to be pushed or moved downwardly and/or laterally by the energy of the impact of a collision or similar event to a position in which the fuel tank is either out of the path of the impact or protected by the chassis or frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Erin Marie Shipp
  • Patent number: 9186983
    Abstract: In a joining structure of a lid box according to an embodiment of the invention, a joining area where a joining surface of a joining portion of a side outer panel faces a joining surface of a joining portion of the lid box includes a first area where the joining surfaces come into contact with each other and are supposed to be subjected to spot-welding and a second area where the joining surfaces are separated from each other by a predetermined gap and are supposed to be subjected to laser-welding, and the spot-welding is performed on the first area or the laser-welding is performed on the second area. For that reason, since the joining states respectively suitable for the spot-welding and the laser-welding are realized, sufficient welding quality is ensured in both the spot-welding and the laser-welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihisa Okada, Nobukazu Kato, Yasuhiro Hatta, Hirofumi Arima, Kenji Chiba
  • Patent number: 9174528
    Abstract: A non-metallic fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body, at least one coupling device or mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body to a bed of a truck or to a trolley, and a fuel fill opening. A grounding wire may be coupled to the non-metallic tank as well as a fuel line connector which is also coupled to the existing fuel system of a truck. A mounting system for a non-metallic fuel tank includes two rear toe clamps and two front mounting assemblies which include a front mount base and an angle iron coupled together. A portable fuel tank includes a non-metallic tank body and a trolley coupled to the tank body. The trolley includes a base, a mounting system for coupling the non-metallic tank body and the base, at least one handle and at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Anderson, Klint S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9156347
    Abstract: A mounting structure wherein a buffer member has a body portion, and a leg portion which is extended from the body portion and engaged with a recess, wherein the body portion has a plurality of first convex portions which are arranged around a center axis of the body portion at regular intervals and abut against a vehicle body, a plurality of first concave portions each of which is formed between the adjacent first convex portions, a plurality of second convex portions which are arranged around the center axis of the body portion 61 at regular intervals and abut the fuel tank, and a plurality of second concave portions each of which is formed between the adjacent second convex portions, and wherein the first convex portion is formed corresponding to the second concave portion, and the second convex portion is formed corresponding to the first concave portion, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Inaba, Mitsuhiro Seko
  • Publication number: 20150137500
    Abstract: There is disclosed a passenger service vehicle having an upper deck (100) and a lower deck (110), and a passenger staircase (400) extending between the upper deck and the lower deck. The staircase is positioned internal to the vehicle. In some examples, the staircase has at least an upper stair portion and a secondary stair portion, where the upper stair portion is connected to the upper deck and comprises at least one tread, and further connected to the secondary stair portion via an intermediate landing (420, 440), whereby the secondary stair portion extends parallel with respect to the length of the upper deck, and the upper stair portion extends transversely, and in some cases perpendicularly, with respect to the secondary stair portion. In some examples, the staircase comprises a lower stair portion. One embodiment envisages a U-shaped staircase. In some further examples, the staircase is described together with a fuel tank configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Tom Harley, Paul Donnachie
  • Publication number: 20150123393
    Abstract: In one aspect, a work vehicle may include a cab and a fuel tank coupled to the cab. The work vehicle may also include a cab housing configured to cover the fuel tank. The cab housing may define an access port configured to provide access to the fuel tank. In addition, the work vehicle may include a cover panel configured to be coupled to the cab housing so as to cover the access port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Dwayne Jackson, Aaron Richard, Stefano Fiorati, Kent A. Solberg
  • Publication number: 20150108747
    Abstract: A canopy for a refuse collection vehicle wherein the canopy can be placed on the vehicle without adding additional height to the vehicle. The canopy has a frame attachable to the vehicle which holds at least one container of fuel. The fuel is typically a compressed natural gas and depending on the model of vehicle a plurality of containers can be housed to extend the service area of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth D. GOEDKEN
  • Patent number: 9010809
    Abstract: An oil storage tank includes a hydraulic oil tank configured to store hydraulic oil, a fuel oil tank configured to store fuel oil, a breather valve disposed on the hydraulic oil tank, and a breather hose connected to the breather valve. The hydraulic oil tank includes a first facing face facing the fuel oil tank. The fuel oil tank includes a second facing face facing the hydraulic oil tank. The second facing face has a fuel-oil-tank adjacent face and a fuel-oil-tank sloped face. The fuel-oil-tank adjacent face extends along the hydraulic oil tank. The fuel-oil-tank sloped face is connected to the fuel-oil-tank adjacent face and slopes relative to the fuel-oil-tank adjacent face so as to be away from the hydraulic oil tank. The breather hose is disposed along the fuel-oil-tank sloped face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Nishiyama, Ryouji Shiota, Jun Yonehara
  • Publication number: 20150097364
    Abstract: A system for securing a fuel tank to a mobile machine includes a mounting frame connectable to the mobile machine and having a substantially rigid portion configured to support the fuel tank, and a mounting strap connected to the mounting frame and configured to secure the fuel tank to the mounting frame by extending around at least a portion of an outer surface of the fuel tank. The system also includes a first connection material connected to at least one of the mounting frame and the mounting strap, and a second connection material configured to mesh with the first connection material thereby forming a removable hook-and-loop connection therewith. The second connection material is connectable to the outer surface of the fuel tank such that when the first connection material is meshed with the second material the removable connection therebetween substantially prohibits rotation of the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick R. Moloney, Douglas T. Thomson
  • Patent number: 8979131
    Abstract: A fuel tank mounting system for a motor vehicle including an end plate, a sleeve, a fuel tank bracket, and a pin for coupling the fuel tank to a frame of the motor vehicle while allowing the fuel tank bracket to move axially with respect to the pin and to rotate about the pin to reduce stress on at least one fuel tank mount used to couple the fuel tank to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Schwark, James L. Greene
  • Patent number: 8973947
    Abstract: A protective plate can be mounted to a fuel tank without using costly melt bonding and insert blow molding. A mounting recess is formed in the peripheral wall of a fuel tank (1) formed by blow molding, and a fixing element (3) for fixing a protective plate (2) to the fuel tank (1) can engage with the mounting recess. The mounting recess is open in two directions, that is, in the direction of mold removal in the blow molding and in the direction of the thickness of the protective plate which direction is generally perpendicular to the direction of the mold removal. The fixing element comprises a first clip (6) provided with elastic leg sections (62) fitted in the mounting recess in the direction of the mold removal, and also comprises a second clip (7) provided with elastic leg sections (72) penetrating through the protective plate and fitting in the first clip in the direction of the thickness of the protective plate. The protective plate is sandwiched between the first and second clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshizawa, Ryutaro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20150035267
    Abstract: A fuel tank system which has a revised mounting system and a revised location for the fuel system and fuel tanks to improve crashworthiness of the vehicle by reducing the occurrence of tank failure, fuel spillage, fire and/or explosion during and after a collision or similar event, while still providing a sufficient range for the vehicle. The fuel tanks are protected from damage from the side, bottom and between the tanks. The fuel tank mounting system also allows the energy associated with an event to be managed, such as by allowing the fuel tanks to be pushed or moved downwardly and/or laterally by the energy of the impact of a collision or similar event to a position in which the fuel tank is either out of the path of the impact or protected by the chassis or frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Erin Marie SHIPP
  • Patent number: 8944469
    Abstract: A triple-CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) cylinder mounting device for a vehicle for mounting a single-gas cylinder placement unit (2) and a dual-gas cylinder placement unit (3) onto the vehicle frame (1) having a right frame member (11) and left frame member (12) partitioned by a front cross-member (13) and a rear cross member (14). The single-gas cylinder placement unit (2) is disposed at the front part of the vehicle frame (1). The single-gas cylinder placement unit (2) is locked by the locking means on the right frame member (11) and/or the left frame member (12) and/or at the front cross-member (13). While, the dual-gas cylinder placement unit (3) is disposed between the middle and rear parts of the vehicle frame (1). The dual-gas cylinder placement unit (3) is locked by the locking means on the frames (11) and/or (12) and optionally on the rear cross-member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Surayut Posirisuk
    Inventor: Kasap Mulanon