Service Tank Patents (Class 280/834)
  • Patent number: 8919817
    Abstract: A bulldozer includes a cab, a fuel tank arranged to a rear of the cab, and first and second engaging members. The cab includes a driver seat and an air-conditioning cooling module projecting rearward from an upper end portion of the cab. The first and second engaging members are provided on the fuel tank, with each having an engaging part to engage onto a suspension member. The engaging part of the first engaging member is positioned on a first lateral side of a first straight line connecting a first lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module and a first lateral side end of the fuel tank. The engaging part of the second engaging member is positioned on a second lateral side of a second straight line connecting a second lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module, and a second lateral side end of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Taira Ozaki, Hiroshi Nakagami, Shuta Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20140367954
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Bobby Ray MCKINNEY
  • Patent number: 8899627
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mobile machine, such as hydronic surface heater designed to be transported to a potentially remote worksite and operated for an extended period of time. The machine has a fueled component, such as a burner, fueled by a fuel supply system having at least two fuel tanks that are operably connected to one another by a connection line having an electronically controlled valve therein. The valve is coupled to the machine's electrical system, such as being coupled to the output of the machine's main breaker, so as to be opened whenever the machine is operating but to be otherwise closed. The fuel supply system thus has, in effect, a single tank when the machine is running and multiple separated tanks when the machine is not running. Fuel spill risks therefore are mitigated without having to sacrifice operating time and without significantly complicating the machine's fuel supply systems or its controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLC
    Inventors: Paul Krause, Jason Fu, John Lane, Todd Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140333056
    Abstract: A floor panel of a vehicle body is provided with bulging sections in which seats are disposed to the left and right of a tunnel section, and a rear tunnel cross member extending in the vehicle width direction at the rear ends of the bulging sections. The vehicle body is provided with left and right floor extensions set further toward the tunnel section along a dashboard lower relative to the front side frames, floor frames extending so as to span between the floor extensions and the rear tunnel cross member and having a predetermined distance in the vehicle body vertical direction from a rear floor panel, and an energy container placed below the bulging sections and supported on the floor frames. The floor frames are fixed to the vehicle body so as to be capable of being removed from the below the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Masayasu Yoshida, Mitsushige Goto, Takeki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8882151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device, in particular for filling a tank with a urea solution, comprising: at least one vehicle-specific pipe element, one standardized filler neck, and one holder, wherein the holder is fixed to said vehicle-specific pipe element via a joining method, particularly a welding method, used for the vehicle-specific pipe element, either in axial and/or in radial and/or in circumferential direction of said vehicle-specific pipe element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Veritas AG
    Inventor: Artur Wagner
  • Patent number: 8876163
    Abstract: An oil storage tank includes a step member, a first tank part and a second tank part. The step member has a placement face. The first tank part is disposed below the step member to support the step member. The second tank part is coupled to the first tank part and has an upper face a lower face, a first side face, a second side face and a recessed section. The upper face is provided above the placement face. The first side face faces the first tank part and is connected to the upper face and the lower face. The second side face is connected to the upper face, the lower face and the first side face. The recessed section is formed by a sloped face provided to a corner portion at which the upper face, the first side face and the second side face intersect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Nishiyama, Ryouji Shiota, Jun Yonehara
  • Patent number: 8864175
    Abstract: A fuel cell powered vehicle fuel storage system is disclosed having a suspension system, a fuel tank, and a support system, wherein the suspension system, fuel tank, and support system cooperate to carry vehicle structural loads and the reaction loads of the suspension system and to maximize a volume of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dandalides, David A. Young, Robert Metzenmacher
  • Patent number: 8851523
    Abstract: A frame for a vehicle to accommodate a large-sized accessory, such as a fuel tank, to be mounted downwardly of a rear pipe without having to lower a rear sub-pipe. A large-sized accessory, such as a fuel tank, can be inserted into a space under a rear pipe by removing a second rear sub-pipe from a main frame and the rear pipe. The second rear sub-pipe can be fixed to the main frame and the rear pipe by simply tightening bolts. Similarly, by simply loosening the bolts the second rear sub-pipe can be removed from the main frame and the rear pipe and the large-sized accessory can be removed onto an outside in a vehicle width direction. This facilitates mounting and helps reduce the number of man-hours involved in mounting the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Shiina, Akihiro Yamashita, Masayuki Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 8820289
    Abstract: A unitary assembly for retaining the various components of a fuel control system on a vehicle, wherein the assembly includes a unitary module at least partially structured in the form of a mounting assembly operative to contain and support at least a portion of the fuel control system specifically including a containment structure or at least one fuel tank for storing and operatively disposing a fuel supply associated with the fuel control system. An electronic control unit of the fuel control system is structured to facilitate metering and distribution of an operative fuel mixture which may include an alternate fuel as well as a conventional distillate fuel. The module and the mounting assembly are cooperatively structured to collectively retain the electronic control unit, the containment structure and at least a portion of a remainder of the fuel control system as a self-contained unit on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jason Green
  • Publication number: 20140239625
    Abstract: A bulldozer includes a cab, a fuel tank arranged to a rear of the cab, and first and second engaging members. The cab includes a driver seat and an air-conditioning cooling module projecting rearward from an upper end portion of the cab. The first and second engaging members are provided on the fuel tank, with each having an engaging part to engage onto a suspension member. The engaging part of the first engaging member is positioned on a first lateral side of a first straight line connecting a first lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module and a first lateral side end of the fuel tank. The engaging part of the second engaging member is positioned on a second lateral side of a second straight line connecting a second lateral side end of the air-conditioning cooling module, and a second lateral side end of the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Taira Ozaki, Hiroshi Nakagami, Shuta Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8813780
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a spark-ignition motor with a vapor intake port has a tank body having a tank wall enclosing a tank volume. A filler port in a first upper portion of the tank wall establishes a liquid fill-level limit for the tank volume. A vapor dome formed by a second upper portion of the tank wall subtends a vapor space above the liquid fill-level limit. A vapor vent valve is mounted in the vapor dome and is connectable to the vapor intake port. The vapor dome has a shape and size allowing the tank body to tilt from about a horizontal position to about thirty degrees in any direction from the horizontal position before a liquid filling the tank volume to the liquid fill-level limit contacts the vapor vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Schiller Grounds Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Scheffler, Richard Lee Bedford, III, Anthony S. Weber
  • Patent number: 8807256
    Abstract: Provided is a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system comprising a frame, a first container, a second container, a first manifold, a second manifold, and a casing. The frame may have: a first side; a first connecting member; and a second side. The first container may be configured to house or contain CNG and be engaged to and substantially shrouded by the first side of the frame. The second container may be configured to house or contain CNG and be engaged to and substantially shrouded by the second side of the frame. The first manifold may be engaged to and substantially shrouded by the first side of the frame. The second manifold may be engaged to and substantially shrouded by the second side of the frame. The casing may at least partially surround the frame, the first container, the first manifold, and the second manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Trilogy Engineered Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Gibb, Michael Pintz, Stephen Polatas
  • Patent number: 8794673
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes an undercarriage having a crawler and a rotating superstructure. The rotating superstructure includes a plate-shaped rotating frame, an engine, a fuel tank a counterweight and a fuel line. The engine is mounted inside the rotating frame. The fuel tank is disposed on one side of the engine. The counterweight is supported on the rotating frame to the rear of the engine, and disposed so that a bottom end portion faces a rear end surface of the rotating frame with a gap interposed therebetween and the gap is open to the atmosphere. The fuel line is connected to the fuel tank and disposed in the gap between the rear end surface of the rotating frame and the bottom end portion of the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichirou Kimura, Jun Yonehara, Risa Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140191498
    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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Erin Marie SHIPP
  • Publication number: 20140175783
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for mounting a fuel system to a vehicle. In some embodiments, the invention provides systems and methods for mounting a fuel system comprising a fuel tank to a vehicle chassis using a bracket, which may be a multi-part bracket, and may be referred to as a “drop and go” bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Agility Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Sloan, Chris Forsberg
  • Publication number: 20140175782
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for mounting a fuel system to a vehicle. In some embodiments, the invention provides systems and methods for mounting a fuel system comprising a fuel tank to a vehicle chassis using a bracket, which may be a multi-part bracket, and may be referred to as a “drop and go” bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Agility Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Sloan, Chris Forsberg
  • Publication number: 20140103629
    Abstract: A grass mowing machine operator platform includes a one-piece plastic composite molded structure with a top surface and an outer wall, and a plurality of slots in the top surface and outer wall. A pair of steering levers may be pivotably mounted to steering pivot bolts in the slots in the top surface, and a brake lever pivotably mounted in a slot in the outer wall. The slots where the steering levers and brake lever are mounted have integral bearing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Paul Elhardt, Kyle T. Ressler, Thomas R. Genz
  • Publication number: 20140103628
    Abstract: A fuel tank mounting assembly for mounting on a vehicle frame rail and method of installing the assembly on the vehicle frame rail to optimize the vehicle assembly line to allow for shorter takt time for the fuel tank mounting. The fuel tank mounting assembly includes a fuel tank, support brackets that each have two supporting tabs, and tank strap assemblies that attach to the support brackets to secure the fuel tank to the tank support brackets. Receiver brackets are attached to the frame rail of the vehicle, and the receiver brackets have two alignment notches that are sized to receive the two tabs of the fuel tank support brackets to couple the fuel tank to the vehicle for later permanent attachment, particularly at a subsequent assembly line station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Attilio De Biasi, Tim Urech, Luciano Ballestrin
  • Patent number: 8690191
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a receiving area in a refuse collection device. The receiving area includes a body cradle to receive at least one CNG tank. At least one CNG tank is positioned in the body cradle. At least one door covers the receiving area. The at least one door is pivotally secured on the refuse collection device to enable access to the at least one CNG tank without use of external lift device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: David C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 8690190
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle frame extending between a right and left pair of rear wheels. An engine is mounted in a vertical position on a horizontal mounting surface defined in the vehicle frame in a peripheral area of the rear wheels in a central portion of a transverse direction of the vehicle. A fuel tank includes a main tank body mounted under a driver's seat and an auxiliary tank body mounted on the mounting surface on one lateral side of the engine in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A canister is mounted adjacent to the engine on one lateral side of the engine and rearwardly of and adjacent to the auxiliary fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: David Spitz, Masahiro Yamada, Takeshi Komorida, Takashi Shibata
  • Patent number: 8672359
    Abstract: An object is to provide a vehicle in which the configuration of a frame supporting a tank is effectively used. In order to achieve such an object, the vehicle includes a tank supported by a pair of side frames and cross frames which traverse the side frames, wherein a displacement suppression target on a vehicle floor is supported by the cross frames, the displacement suppression target having a relative displacement during an action of an external force on the vehicle, needed to be suppressed. The tank is preferably suspended on the cross frames. In addition, the displacement suppression target is preferably attached to the cross frames on which the tank is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20140021711
    Abstract: A heavy-duty truck chassis has a frame assembly having a first rail spaced from a second rail to define a gap therebetween. A front axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a front portion of the frame assembly. A rear axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a rear portion of the frame assembly. A fuel tank is supported by the frame assembly and positioned in the gap and behind the rear axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SHEM, LLC
    Inventors: Herman Edward Steyn, Shane Leppan, Francois Pierre Hough, Johann Christiaan Vorster
  • Publication number: 20140025246
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle frame, a swing arm and a fuel tank. The vehicle frame includes a front portion and a rear portion and defines a longitudinal centerline therebetween. The front portion is configured to support a recumbent seat. The rear portion is configured to be coupled to the swing arm and. The swing arm defines a longitudinal centerline and includes a wheel mounting portion configured to be coupled to a wheel assembly. The wheel mounting portion defines a radial axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle frame in at least one plane. The fuel tank is coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle frame such that the fuel tank is above the longitudinal centerline of the swing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TANOM MOTORS, LLC
    Inventors: Merrill C. HALL, Adam J. CANNI
  • Publication number: 20140015239
    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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Travis Schwark, James L. Greene
  • Patent number: 8628115
    Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The storage system includes a pressure vessel, a plurality of mounting systems disposed on each end of the pressure vessel, each mounting system having a vessel shell having an end coupled to the end of the pressure vessel, a mounting shell having a first end coupled to the vehicle and a second end coupled to another end of the vessel shell, and an impact element formed in one of the vessel shell and the mounting shell having a yield strength less than a yield strength of the vessel shell and the mounting shell, a clamping element for coupling the vessel shell to the pressure vessel, and a coupling means for coupling the vessel shell and the mounting shell together through the impact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Valentin Schultheis, Thorsten Schutz, Helmut Schuermann, Wolfgang Bleser
  • Patent number: 8616581
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a vertical wall of a fuel tank protector to a vertical wall of a fuel tank includes a protector tab received in a fuel tank slot and a dog-house fastener received through a protector aperture and anchored in a fuel tank dog-house recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Rihtar
  • Publication number: 20130334804
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a hinge assembly, a fuel tank, and at least one hinge bolt. The hinge assembly includes a hinge pin and a hinge stay. The hinge pin pivotally couples the hinge stay to a vehicular frame and defines a hinge axis about which the hinge stay is pivotable with respect to a frame. The at least one hinge bolt releasably couples the hinge stay to the fuel tank such that the fuel tank is pivotable about the hinge axis. The at least one hinge bolt intersects the hinge axis and obstructs the hinge pin from being removed from the hinge stay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Masayuki HIRUKAWA
  • Patent number: 8608202
    Abstract: A tank module is provided for a motor vehicle comprises at least two fuel tanks and a carrier body having concave flanks formed of sheet material and arranged between the fuel tanks and facing the fuel tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andreas Dossow
  • Patent number: 8602147
    Abstract: In a compact excavator of the type wherein an opening portion of an engine room with a fuel tank installed therein is opened and closed with a bonnet and an operator's seat is provided on the bonnet, a load transfer member is provided on an upper surface of the fuel tank in a state in which a load receiving portion is in contact with the bonnet, so that a total load comprising the weight of the operator's seat, the weight of an operator sitting on the operator's seat and the weight of the bonnet is transmitted from the bonnet to the fuel tank as a force of pressing down the tank from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Miyachi
  • Patent number: 8596682
    Abstract: A load mounting system for a vehicle generally includes a support assembly configured for supporting a load, wherein the support assembly has a first end and a second end, the first end being mountable to a frame of a vehicle at one or more support assembly mounting locations along the frame. The system further includes at least one retaining device configured for securing the load on the support assembly, the at least one retaining device being coupleable to the first and second ends of the support assembly, wherein the at least one retaining device is coupleable to the first end of the support assembly at a different location than the support assembly mounting locations along the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Erik Johnson, Chris Gross, Jeff Schlutt, Josh Engstrom
  • Patent number: 8579331
    Abstract: A tank holding mechanism holds a gas tank that has a cylindrical portion and hemispherical-shaped domical portions formed on respective sides of the cylindrical portion. The tank holding mechanism includes: a tank accommodating portion that contacts a peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion of the gas tank; tank end-side members provided near respective ends of the gas tank; a tank band that pushes the gas tank against the tank accommodating portion; and band securing portions that secure end portions of the tank band to the respective tank end-side members. The tank band is routed from one of the domical portions through the cylindrical portion to the other domical portion. The tank band extends along a diagonal line of the gas tank over an outer face of the cylindrical portion, conforms to the outer face of the cylindrical portion, and conforms to hemispherical outer faces of both of the domical portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetsugu Hayashi, Shusuke Inagi
  • Patent number: 8579332
    Abstract: A tank arrangement for a vehicle, particularly a truck, includes at least a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank which are connected by a balancing pipe, a suction pipe for feeding fuel to an engine and a return pipe for feeding fuel from the engine to at least one of the fuel tanks. The balancing pipe is provided with a first end to supply fuel to the first tank and a second end to suck fuel from the second tan, wherein a check valve is arranged upstream of the return pipe in the balancing pipe between the at least two tanks allowing a flow direction from the second tank to the first tank and blocking a flow in the reverse direction. Suction of fuel to the engine is from the first tank only. The check valve provides an automatic purging of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagner AB
    Inventors: Sigurd Sonderegger, Anders Ivarsson
  • Patent number: 8556335
    Abstract: A vehicle bottom structure is provided which, in the case where a vehicle is involved in an accident such as a rear-end collision, can prevent an exhaust system component reaching a high temperature from being brought into contact with a fuel tank without causing any trouble. A vehicle bottom structure according to the present invention includes a suspension member installed between a fuel tank and a muffler silencer and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and a stopping member suspended from the bottom of the vehicle between the suspension member and the muffler silencer, the vertical position of the sopping member overlapping the vertical position of the muffler silencer. The suspension member is on a trajectory obtained by rotating the stopping member to the front side of the vehicle around the point at which the stopping member is suspended from the bottom of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroo Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 8544891
    Abstract: A washer inlet attaching structure, configured to attach a washer inlet to a vehicle structural body made of resin, the washer inlet communicating with a tank main body adapted to store a windshield washer fluid and guiding the windshield washer fluid into the tank main body, the washer inlet attaching structure includes a washer inlet holding portion, configured to hold the washer inlet, the washer inlet holding portion being molded integrally with the vehicle structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tohru Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8540045
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle frame, a swing arm and a fuel tank. The vehicle frame includes a front portion and a rear portion and defines a longitudinal centerline therebetween. The front portion is configured to support a recumbent seat. The rear portion is configured to be coupled to the swing arm and. The swing arm defines a longitudinal centerline and includes a wheel mounting portion configured to be coupled to a wheel assembly. The wheel mounting portion defines a radial axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle frame in at least one plane. The fuel tank is coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle frame such that the fuel tank is above the longitudinal centerline of the swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Tanom Motors, LLC
    Inventors: Merrill C. Hall, Adam J. Canni
  • Patent number: 8523231
    Abstract: A riding mower includes a pair of right and left front wheels; a pair of right and left rear wheels; a driver's seat provided between the rear wheels and the front wheels; an engine provided in the rear of the driver's seat; and a mower provided under the driver's seat. The riding mower is capable of being mounted with a fuel gas cylinder sideways on a side of the engine in which an operation section of the fuel gas cylinder faces backward. The riding mower further includes a guard member that is opposed to a rear surface of the fuel gas cylinder and is switchable between a protection position to cover the rear side of the operation section and an open position to open the rear surface of the fuel gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tada, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Kazuaki Nogami, Akira Minoura
  • Patent number: 8500169
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle which for preventing the fuel tank from receiving a load imposed on the tank cover and for achieving a weight reduction of the fuel tank. A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame; a fuel tank, fixed to the vehicle body frame, for storing fuel; a tank cover for covering at least part of the fuel tank; a flange part, provided to the fuel tank, for fastening the fuel tank to the vehicle body frame; and a cover supporting member, fastened to the flange part, for supporting the tank cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Koji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8480131
    Abstract: A fuel vessel assembly for a fuel cell-powered vehicle and a method of increasing the structural rigidity of a fuel cell-powered vehicle. A vessel for storage of hydrogen or related fuel cell-compatible fuel is rigidly attachable to a vehicular frame or related load-bearing structure through one or more shells that extend from the vessel. Loads imparted to one or more of the shell, vessel frame are transmitted between them through the connection between the assembly and the frame such that a load-bearing capability inherent in the frame is enhanced by the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Valentin Schultheis, Thorsten Schutz, Helmut Schuermann, Wolfgang Bleser, Andreas Bleier
  • Patent number: 8469402
    Abstract: A riding mower having left and right driving rear wheels independently drivable forward and backward and a pair of left and right steerable front wheels is provided with a support device capable of being mounted with a cylindrical gas cylinder in a horizontal position on an external side of a rollover projection frame. The support device is provided such that the mounted gas cylinder is positioned along front and rear of the rollover protection frame and is mounted in a tilted state in which the central axis of the cylindrical gas cylinder is closer to a central side in a lateral direction of a vehicle body toward a rear side from a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Minoura, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kuninosuke Iwata, Hiroyuki Tada, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Patent number: 8465057
    Abstract: A fuel cell powered vehicle fuel storage system is disclosed having a suspension system, a fuel tank, and a support system, wherein the suspension system, fuel tank, and support system cooperate to carry vehicle structural loads and the reaction loads of the suspension system and to maximize a volume of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James W. Dandalides, David A. Young, Robert Metzenmacher
  • Patent number: 8424914
    Abstract: Fluid container for a motor vehicle, with a tank (10, 11) and a retaining structure (14, 14a), which is suitable for carrying the tanks (10, 11), characterized in that the retaining structure is designed in such a way that the tank (10, 11) is mounted on it such that it can be displaced. The tank can be displaced in such a way that access to important components is possible without complete dismantling, and, as well as this, the installation and dismantling of the tank can be designed to be easier, faster, and therefore more economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Honzek
  • Patent number: 8408600
    Abstract: A tank mounting technique of the invention effectively responds to a variation in size of a high-pressure tank T in its longitudinal direction and allows positioning of the high-pressure tank T around its longitudinal axis. A tank receiving recess 110 provided below a vehicle platform F has a pair of a front inclined surface 112F and a rear inclined surface 112R arranged to face each other across a concave groove 114. A side face of the high pressure tank T is brought into contact with both the inclined surfaces 112F and 112R. An end face of a tank positioning groove TVS formed on the high pressure tank T is brought into contact with a contact structure 121 of a tank edge bracket 120. This arrangement enables the high-pressure tank T to be positioned in a vehicle vertical direction and a vehicle front-back direction, as well as in the tank longitudinal direction (in a vehicle width direction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Kondo, Toshikazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20130069357
    Abstract: A system and attendant structural components for incorporating an alternate fuel supply, such as of the type used in combination with a conventional distillate fuel, to power a heavy duty industrial vehicle, such as a mine haul dump truck. The system and attendant structure includes a mounting assembly structured for containment and support of the alternate fuel and a containment area disposed on the vehicle and structured and dimensioned to retain the mounting assembly therein. The containment area and the mounting assembly are disposed in laterally adjacent, exposed relation to an operator area of the mine haul truck, wherein the mounting assembly and the containment area are cooperatively disposed and structured to facilitate storage of the alternate fuel and operative communication and distribution thereof with the powering engine of the mine haul vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Jason Green
  • Patent number: 8382162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel tank mounting structure for a vehicle which includes a rear floor panel forming a rear portion floor, a first cross member disposed in front of and under the rear floor panel and extending in a vehicle width direction, and a second cross member disposed rearward of the first cross member and extending in the vehicle width direction. A fuel tank is supported by belts stretched between the first and the second cross members so as to abut on an undersurface of the rear floor panel via a resilient pad. Brackets are joined to the first cross member such that they project rearward of the first cross member, each of the belts is connected to the first cross member by the corresponding bracket, and the fuel tank abuts on a rear surface of each bracket via a second resilient pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hourai
  • Patent number: 8366152
    Abstract: A tank mounting structure adopts a new approach against a force of moving downward a high-pressure tank transversely mounted on a vehicle. A tank mounting assembly has a winding strap and a restraining strap located on an upper side and a lower side of a high-pressure tank to transversely fix the high-pressure tank between a frame and a frame. This structure causes the high-pressure tank to be transversely mounted on the vehicle. A winding strap is wound on the high-pressure tank. A restraining strap extended from a fixing bracket of the winding strap is laid on the winding strap to be placed directly on an upper end portion of a circumferential wall of the high-pressure tank and is fastened to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehisa Tsubokawa
  • Publication number: 20120313361
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank disposed adjacent to a propeller shaft in a widthwise direction of the vehicle, and a differential unit coupled to a rear end of the propeller shaft. The differential unit includes a differential gear coupled to the rear end of the propeller shaft, a housing positioned rearward of the fuel tank to accommodate the differential gear, a bracket member fixed to the rear sub-frame, a plurality of bolts that fasten the housing and a first bracket together, and a stay member provided separate from the bolts to couple the housing and the first bracket together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yuichiro Saneyoshi, Kenji Hama, Makoto Nishida
  • Patent number: 8317227
    Abstract: A car body is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a structural unit including a rear frame structure with a rear axle and mountings for a fuel tank or an electric accumulator. The structural unit is fixed on a bottom plate of the car body. A correspondingly designed rear frame structure makes it possible to selectively equip the motor vehicle for drives with an internal combustion or purely electric drives or hybrid drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stanislaw Klimek, Martin Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20120280481
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a receiving area in a refuse collection device. The receiving area includes a body cradle to receive at least one CNG tank. At least one CNG tank is positioned in the body cradle. At least one door covers the receiving area. The at least one door is pivotally secured on the refuse collection device to enable access to the at least one CNG tank without use of external lift device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: David C. Gentry
  • Patent number: 8302997
    Abstract: A system for integrating and embedding a fuel storage tank in the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The automotive vehicle may include a roof assembly having inner roof panels and outer roof panels. The roof panels may define a cavity that protrudes into the passenger compartment below the roof line of the automotive vehicle. A pressurized fuel tank may be disposed within the cavity of the roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jon Veenstra
  • Patent number: 8297655
    Abstract: A fuel tank mounting mechanism which enhances backward visibility of an operator and performs the loading/unloading work of a fuel tank by a single motion to improve replacement workability. In the mechanism for mounting a fuel tank (30) on a counterweight (8) provided in the rear of an industrial vehicle, the front upper surface of the counterweight (8) is dented to form a recess (9) for receiving the fuel tank (30) in the width direction of the body. The recess (9) is provided with an arm (14) having a member (15) for fixing the fuel tank (30), and the arm (14) is supported rotatably for the body fixing portion through an arm rotating shaft (13) and arranged to rotate about the shaft (13) as the center of rotation to the right or left side in a vertical plane. The arm (14) hangs down from the body side when it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyomitsu Ogawa, Nobutaka Umezawa