Service Tank Patents (Class 280/834)
  • Patent number: 6886861
    Abstract: A trunk mounted fuel tank assembly including a cradle, a fuel tank, and at least one retention strap is disclosed. The cradle includes a back portion and bottom portion with a fuel feed passage that is placed over a surface of a trunk. The fuel tank includes a fuel line that is placed about the back portion and bottom portion of the cradle. The fuel line extends through the fuel feed passage and a passage in the surface of the trunk. The at least one retention strap includes a first leg and a second leg that is placed over a top portion of the fuel tank for retaining the fuel tank to the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Gregory E. Rich
  • Publication number: 20040256853
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle with improved stability is provided. The all-terrain vehicle includes a frame that is substantially centered on a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, an engine, a plurality of wheels that are attached to a front axle and a rear axle, a handle bar that is operatively connected to at least two of the wheels, and a straddle seat. A fuel tank is fluidly connected to the engine, and is disposed forward of the rear axle, substantially above a rear suspension pivot point, and below the seat, and is substantially centered on the longitudinal centerline, thereby improving the stability of the all-terrain vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Mercier, Vincent Morin, Frank Dube, Simon Carbonneau, Martin Talbot
  • Patent number: 6827371
    Abstract: A passenger car includes an engine that is mounted in the front end, from which a drive shaft leads to the rear wheels of the vehicle, and a fuel tank that is mounted between the vehicle seats and that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the drive shaft running basically alongside the fuel tank from front to rear. An exhaust system of the engine, which is designed as an internal combustion engine, preferably runs from front to rear on the side of the fuel tank that is opposite the drive shaft. The fuel tank may be configured more narrowly in its top section than in its geodetically lower section and, in particular, have an approximately pear-shaped cross section and be designed to hold liquefied gas, especially liquid hydrogen. Preferably, the drive shaft of the vehicle engine runs in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a gear reduction manual transmission that is provided between the engine and the drive shaft for the rear wheels is mounted on the side of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jurgen Greil
  • Publication number: 20040239095
    Abstract: A suspension system for carrying a compressed gas fuels in vehicle. The suspensions arms and springs are configured to maximize the space between the wheels while providing a high degree of suspension stiffness to maintain proper wheel alignment during cornering, braking and in rough terrain. The suspension arms have two broadly-spaced attachment points to the chassis that provides structural rigidity to the rear suspension subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: John J. Wozniak, Richard J Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 6824168
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes a rectangular support frame carrying thereon a cylindrical fuel tank and attached to left and right rear frames from below via left and right front brackets and left and right rear brackets so as to define therebetween a pair of laterally spaced openings generally corresponding in position to the axis of the fuel tank and receiving therein a pipe system of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawazu, Hiroshi Osato, Toshiaki Shimizu, Yoshitaka Sekiguchi, Tohru Ono, Masaru Shibasawa
  • Patent number: 6782914
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel discharge structure is used in a vehicle including an airtight cover disposed within a trunk thereof. The airtight cover covers a gaseous fuel containing tank. The structure includes an air introducing pipe and a gas discharging pipe both connected to the cover. If gaseous fuel leaks from within the tank, the structure is operated to discharge the gaseous fuel out of the vehicle. The air introducing pipe is provided with a fan. The air introducing pipe has an air intake flap while the gas discharging pipe has a discharge flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yozo Kami, Tohru Ono, Yoshihiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20040160052
    Abstract: A trunk mounted fuel tank assembly comprising a cradle, a fuel tank, and at least one retention strap is disclosed. The cradle includes a back portion and bottom portion with a fuel feed passage that is placed over a surface of a trunk. The fuel tank includes a fuel line that is placed about the back portion and bottom portion of the cradle. The fuel line extends through the fuel feed passage and a passage in the surface of the trunk. The at least one retention strap includes a first leg and a second leg that is placed over a top portion of the fuel tank for retaining the fuel tank to the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Gregory E. Rich
  • Patent number: 6758497
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile is described. The fuel tank includes a fuel tank main body, side wings, and an upper steering post mount. The side wings provide support for mounting components of a vehicle thereto. The side wings extend outward from the fuel tank main body and are in fluid communication with the fuel tank reservoir of the main body. Additionally, the side wings extend downward creating a fuel pick-up recess area and a reserve. The fuel pick-up recess area and reserve independently create a toe hold or a footrest on an outer surface of the side wings. A snowmobile including a fuel tank having side wings is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Bergman
  • Patent number: 6752448
    Abstract: A fuel door assembly includes an annular support seat, a torsion spring, and a pivot cover. Thus, the fuel door assembly that, when being opened, can be positioned rigidly without collapse, thereby facilitating the fuel filling operation. In addition, when the pivot cover is pivoted relative to the support seat to move to the opened position, the operation section of the torsion spring is urged on the comer of the press block of the pivot base of the pivot cover by the restoring force of the torsion spring, so that the pivot cover is positioned on the support seat rigidly and stably without collapse and detachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Mei-Chin Hsu
  • Patent number: 6736229
    Abstract: An energy storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Amori, Josephine S. Lee, Frank Louis Stellon, Harold Diuguid Wiard
  • Publication number: 20040075269
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a canister for collecting fuel vapors generated in a fuel tank is provided. The canister is disposed within the space between a front end and a rear end of a subframe for supporting rear suspensions. The subframe is mounted to a rear portion of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Chou, Shoichiro Kumagai
  • Patent number: 6725151
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle comprises a fuel cell system (50), a fuel tank (12) which stores fuel supplied to the fuel cell system (50), and a sensor (22) which detects a remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank (12). A controller (23) of the fuel cell system (50) predicts a possible running distance of the vehicle based on an energy amount obtained by subtracting the energy required to start the fuel cell system (50) from the energy amount corresponding to the detected remaining fuel amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Itou
  • Publication number: 20040056472
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel fill assembly and a method of forming the same. The assembly typically includes a first component (e.g., an outer body panel) and a second component (e.g., a wheelhouse) of an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle. The assembly also typically include an annular member at least partially between the first and second components and a pair of seal for sealing between the annular member and the first and second components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: L&L Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Jeffrey Schneider
  • Patent number: 6676163
    Abstract: A unitary fuel system module comprising one or more fuel cylinders mounted to a frame as a module, preferably through neck-mounts, and having fueling lines for connecting the fuel cylinders to the vehicle. The frame is fitted with a latching mechanism that is readily actuated for alternately securing the frame to the fuel supply envelope in the vehicle or releasing the frame for removal of the fuel module as a unitary structure. Preferably, the frame is fitted with wheels or slides to enable sliding the module in and out of the envelope. In operation, as required return a vehicle to operation, a faulty module can be replaced with a replacement module, which is slid into the envelope where it is secured and the fueling lines are re-connected to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dynetek Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Sorin Joitescu, Ulrich Imhof
  • Patent number: 6672620
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes left and right rear frames extending longitudinally of the vehicle body, a plurality of parallel spaced cylindrical fuel tanks disposed horizontally between the left and right rear frames with the axes of the fuel tanks extending normal to the left and right rear frames and disposed below the center of a height of the rear frames, and a cross member disposed between two adjacent ones of the fuel tanks and extending between the left and right rear frames. The cross member reinforces the rear frames to such an extent that fuel tanks of larger capacity can be carried on the vehicle body rear part structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawazu, Hiroshi Osato, Yoshihiro Shimizu, Tohru Ono, Masanobu Yamashiro, Masaru Shibasawa
  • Patent number: 6641169
    Abstract: When a fuel tank is supported rotatably, one end side of the fuel tank must be fixed by a lock mechanism. Although the background art engaging structure is simple and convenient, when the lock mechanism cannot be provided due to space limitations, a rotating support structure cannot be employed. An engaging member is provided on the front portion of the fuel tank and is inserted from the rear side to be engaged with a retaining member and to be pulled rearwardly for disengagement. A fuel tank is provided at a rear end thereof with a hinge. A bolt relatively moving in a guide groove formed in a side plate of the hinge is supported on a collar fixed to a seat rail. The hinge is slideable and rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Fukunaga, Noriyoshi Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20030201637
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile is described. The fuel tank includes a fuel tank main body, side wings, and an upper steering post mount. The side wings provide support for mounting components of a vehicle thereto. The side wings extend outward from the fuel tank main body and are in fluid communication with the fuel tank reservoir of the main body. Additionally, the side wings extend downward creating a fuel pick-up recess area and a reserve. The fuel pick-up recess area and reserve independently create a toe hold or a footrest on an outer surface of the side wings. A snowmobile including a fuel tank having side wings is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Bergman
  • Patent number: 6637706
    Abstract: A fuel tank cradle device for forklift trucks is swingable to the lateral side and then foldable into a substantially vertical position, thereby assuring easy and safe change of a used fuel tank with a new one. The cradle device includes a counterweight, a cradle provided with a first body and a second body, the first body pivotally mounted to the counterweight for rotation between a home position above the counterweight and a rotated position outside of the counterweight, the second body capable of replaceably supporting a fuel tank and foldably connected to the first body so that the second body can be moved between an unfolded position and a downwardly folded position with respect to first body, and a locking arrangement for locking the cradle to the counterweight while the first body of the cradle is at the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Ho Kim, Sang Heon Lee, Hong Sub Shim, Jin Hong Park
  • Publication number: 20030189334
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises a front floor under which a fuel cell stack case accommodating a fuel cell stack is disposed, and side sills and floor frames which extend along the sides of the vehicle, and on which a sub-frame having a fuel tank is installed. The front face of the sub-frame and the rear face of the fuel cell stack case are formed to be flat and oppose each other. According to the vehicle body structure, safety of the fuel tank against collision is greatly improved without a great increase in vehicle weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawasaki, Hiroshi Ito, Yoshitaka Sekiguchi, Tohru Ono, Masaru Shibasawa
  • Patent number: 6616187
    Abstract: A fuel tank unit of a motorcycle, in which an air cleaner and a fuel tank unit are disposed above an engine, comprises a fuel tank body having a front half portion having a recess to receive the air cleaner therein and a rear half portion serving as a substantial capacity section of the fuel tank body, a fuel pump disposed inside the substantial capacity section, and a fuel level gauge device mounted on a top portion of the fuel pump to detect a fuel level in the fuel tank body. The fuel level gauge includes a gauge body and an arm member pivoted on a gauge body, and the arm member having a free end swingable above the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munenori Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 6604598
    Abstract: A fuel tank for motor vehicles which is connected to a supplementary tank containing a flame-coloring additive, where a data recorder causes, in the event of a fault signal, the flame-coloring additive to be added to the fuel tank from the supplementary tank, and a process for adding a flame-coloring additive to the fuel in a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignees: Basell Polyolefine GmbH, BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rohde, Knut Oppenländer, Markus Hölzle, Eckhard Sausen
  • Patent number: 6557596
    Abstract: A leak fuel gas discharging structure for an automobile includes a hollow reinforcement member extending between a floor panel and a wheel house and interconnecting an underfloor space and an internal space of the wheel house. The wheel house has a portion facing a filler recess and having an opening which through which the filler recess and the internal space of the wheel house are connected together. The filler recess is normally closed by a filler lid with a clearance defined between a peripheral edge of the filler lid and a peripheral edge of the filler recess. By the structure thus arranged, a fuel gas, leaking from a fuel tank disposed in the underfloor space, is discharged outside the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tohru Ono, Yozo Kami
  • Patent number: 6550811
    Abstract: A side mount fuel tank system installed on an earth moving vehicle such as a motor grader. The side mount fuel tank system is designed to allow the installation of an air-to-air aftercooler onto a motor grader without requiring the lengthening of a rear frame of the motor grader. The side mount fuel tank system includes a support apparatus and a fuel tank apparatus. The fuel tank system includes a first fuel tank attached to a first side of an engine compartment, and a second fuel tank attached to a second side of the engine compartment. Each of the fuel tanks includes tank plates positioned to deflect material impinging on the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bennett, Shandy L. Hill, Kevin J. Wilkening
  • Patent number: 6527075
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage pack for storing gas under pressure for providing an onboard supply of the pressurized gas. The pressurized gas may be used as a medicinal gas, e.g. oxygen, on emergency medical vehicles, or the gas may be used as a fuel source for a motorized vehicle having a motor that runs on combustible gas. The gas storage pack includes a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of hollow chambers, which have either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The gas storage pack further includes a gas transfer control system attached to the pressure vessel for controlling gas flow into and out of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Izuchukwu, Stan A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6523634
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle, or all terrain vehicle, has an engine located towards the rear of the vehicle such that a main portion of the engine, or power unit, is disposed beneath the seat. The fuel tank extends generally vertically beneath the steering member. The radiator is located at a rear portion of the vehicle rearwardly of the engine where it is protected from collisions and objects striking the front grille. A front storage compartment is also provided in the front portion of the vehicle. The vehicle also has a pivotally connected and removable seat for easy access to the engine. There is also a gap between the seat and the front wheel well through which the driver can pass his feet or where an optional container or auxiliary fuel tank can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Gagnon, Paul Deutschman, John F. Gale
  • Patent number: 6508501
    Abstract: A fuel filler door assembly is provided for a motor vehicle facilitating rapid and inexpensive installation. Installation is accomplished by passing a tubular sleeve main body portion of a housing of the fuel filler door assembly through an aperture in a lip in an outer panel of the vehicle to pass circumferentially spaced keys on the sleeve through circumferentially spaced keyways provided in the lip, pass an aperture in an inner end wall of the housing over the free end of the filler tube of the vehicle fuel tank to seat the inner wall on a flange carried by the filler tube, and seat a flange provided on an outer end of the housing on the outer panel lip; turning the housing to move the keys under the panel lip and trap the lip between the flange and the keys; and passing a screw fastener through the end wall of the housing for engagement with the filler tube flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Adac Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Meinke
  • Patent number: 6502660
    Abstract: A CNG fuel supply system is provided for a bus. The system includes a plurality of rearward tank cylinders mounted on the top of the bus and a plurality of forward tank cylinders mounted on the top of the bus. A CNG manifold line has a length extending transversally across the bus between the forward and rearward tank cylinders. A plurality of inlet lines connect the manifold line to the tank cylinders. The plurality of inlet lines include a plurality of bendable inlet expansion portions, one of which is associated with each tank cylinder for accommodating longitudinal expansion of the tank cylinder. A plurality of outlet lines connect the tank cylinders to the manifold line, with the plurality of outlet lines including a plurality of bendable outlet expansion portions, one of which is associated with each tank cylinder for accommodating longitudinal expansion of the tank cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Fab Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Scott, George T. Scott, Joshua C. Vedder
  • Publication number: 20020171236
    Abstract: A unitary fuel system module comprising one or more fuel cylinders mounted to a frame as a module, preferably through neck-mounts, and having fueling lines for connecting the fuel cylinders to the vehicle. The frame is fitted with a latching mechanism that is readily actuated for alternately securing the frame to the fuel supply envelope in the vehicle or releasing the frame for removal of the fuel module as a unitary structure. Preferably, the frame is fitted with wheels or slides to enable sliding the module in and out of the envelope. In operation, as required return a vehicle to operation, a faulty module can be replaced with a replacement module, which is slid into the envelope where it is secured and-the fueling lines are re-connected to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Sorin Joitescu, Ulrich Imhof
  • Patent number: 6481751
    Abstract: A compressed natural gas fuel tank for vehicles employing internal combustion engines. A fuel tank of heavy gauge metal is interposed within the vehicle frame as an integral portion thereof. Overlay channel members are welded or otherwise affixed to the tank and then welded or otherwise affixed to the side rails or channel members of the vehicle frame. The tank, of heavy gauge metal and non-circular cross section, is also welded or otherwise appropriately affixed to the vehicle floor. The tank is capable of receiving natural gas at high pressure levels, while also serving structurally as a frame element, providing continuity of the side rail members of the frame, while also serving to further interconnect the vehicle floor with the side rails. Also presented are tank assemblies in which a tank housing receives a plurality of cylindrical pressure tanks of composite material construction. The cylindrical tanks are nested within the tank housing, which also serves as an integral part of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventors: William F. Davis, Jr., James G. Carothers, Jr., William J. Bees
  • Patent number: 6439417
    Abstract: A lower wall partially defining a fuel storing chamber of a fuel tank curves upward in accordance a decrease in an amount of fuel stored in the fuel storing chamber. The volume of a gaseous space in the fuel storing chamber is reduced, in comparison with a fuel tank in which a lower wall does not deform, by an amount corresponding to a reduction of the volume of the fuel storing chamber achieved by the curvature of the lower wall. An amount of fuel not discharged from the fuel storing chamber via a fuel passage but remaining near a peripheral end portion of the lower wall of the fuel storing chamber due to the upward curvature of the lower wall is discharged via a residual fuel discharging pipe, so that the residual fuel amount of the fuel storing chamber is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Horie Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Arase, Takashi Ishikawa, Takuya Ishikawa, Teijiro Goto
  • Publication number: 20020112907
    Abstract: Disclosed is a breather system for a fuel tank reliably performing a function of a breather when a vehicle is inclined to the right or to the left and a straddle-type four wheeled all terrain vehicle comprising the breather system in which the fuel tank is provided below a seat, and a fuel inlet and a tank cap covering the fuel inlet is protruded from a rear fender laterally of the seat. The breather system has two breather openings provided in the fuel tank, breather hoses respectively connected to the breather openings, a T-shape joint integrally connecting the breather hoses, and a check valve connected to an ambient side of the T-shape joint, and the two breather openings are provided on the right and left sides of the fuel tank so as to be spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maeda, Gaku Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6435557
    Abstract: A fluid tank assembly comprises a first tank half having an upper edge flange with an expanded section or ledge extending outwards. A second mating tank half similarly has a lower edge flange and extending ledge. Both ledges have apertures, with lower ledge aperture having a smaller diameter than the upper ledge aperture. The second aperture has a raised edge or lip, so that an annular groove is formed between the lip and the inner edge of the upper aperture when the surfaces of the mating flanges and ledges are in contact and the apertures are coaxial. The two flange and ledge surfaces are normally welded or otherwise secured together. A binding material is added to the annular groove to substantially fill its volume so that a sealing connection is created. This sealing connection near the bolt aperture overcomes the sealing problem that is normally present in this region, and therefore extends the service life of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Sandor Palvoelgyi
  • Patent number: 6435365
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a fuel tank having a tank opening and a component disposed therein includes a seal adapted to be disposed between the component and a tank surface of the fuel tank. The seal assembly also includes an encapsulated studded ring assembly for attachment to the tank surface and adapted to be disposed about the tank opening. The seal assembly further includes a locking ring cooperating with the encapsulated studded ring assembly for engagement with the component to secure the component to the fuel tank and to seal the tank opening via the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahlon Richard Pachciarz, Gary Francis Stack
  • Patent number: 6419273
    Abstract: A predetermined volume for a fuel tank and to make the fuel tank slim and further to provide a more suitable knee-grip. The rear end portion of the fuel tank is formed into an extension extending rearwardly behind the rear end portion of the main frame and is arranged under a seat and between left and right seat rails. The fuel tank is expanded under the seat. Accordingly, even if a predetermined volume is ensured for the fuel tank, the front portion of the fuel tank in front of the seat can be reduced in width, height, and length to make the fuel tank slim as a whole and, in particular, to make a knee-grip narrower to provide a most suitable riding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoshi Iizuka, Yoshiteru Kinoshita, Hiroshi Unuki
  • Patent number: 6412588
    Abstract: A CNG fuel supply system is provided for mounting a plurality of Type 4 tanks on the roof of a bus. A manifold line extends to the roof of the bus and is anchored against movement relative to the length of the bus. A shutoff valve is associated with each tank, the shutoff valve being mounted on an end of its respective tank adjacent the manifold line. The shutoff valve has two ports which communicate with the tank when the shutoff valve is open. An inlet tubing piece connects the manifold line to one of the two ports of each tank and an outlet tubing piece connects the manifold line to the other port of each tank. The tubing pieces are manufactured to be substantially identical to other tubing pieces of the tank system for a given bus, and to other tubing pieces for other buses in the fleet, thus reducing the number of different tubing pieces utilized for construction and maintenance of the fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: FAB Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Scott, George T. Scott, Joshua C. Vedder
  • Patent number: 6402198
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) for heavy vehicles, said fuel tank being adapted for mounting to a vehicle frame (2) by means of at least one supporting bracket (3) which discloses a partly circular contact surface (4) against said fuel tank, wherein the tank (1) comprises two end gable sections (5, 6) and an essentially cylindrical casing section (7) which extends between said end gable sections. The invention is in particular characterized in that the fuel tank (1) comprises a first section (8) which is partly circular and faces towards the vehicle frame (2) and is adapted for bearing against said partly circular contact surface (4) on the supporting bracket (3), and a second section (9) which is essentially rectangular and faces away from the vehicle frame (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Magnus Gollungberg
  • Publication number: 20020053795
    Abstract: A wheel support assembly comprising a leg coupled to a wheel and rotatably coupled within a journal, wherein the end of the leg opposite the wheel is provided with a lateral planar surface, and a base plate is provided over the journal with a collar secured to the base plate and having a substantially flat surface is secured around the inner leg with the substantially flat surface provided over the planar surface. The wheel support assembly is also provided with a spring secured to a spring plate and means for rotating the base plate relative to the spring plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: James A. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6378823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for vehicle fuel tanks, which includes a tank (1) having a rounded rectangular cross section with rounded corners (5-8) and an upper limiting plane (15) which substantially coincides with the upper side (9) of the tank. A lower limiting plane (16) coincides substantially with the bottom side (10) of the tank. Carrying brackets (2) cooperate with a flexible strapping unit (3) for attaching the tank to the vehicle. The carrying brackets (2) are shaped as a substantially vertical cradle, having a web (21) and a support surface (30) facing the inner side (12) of the tank and, at the top, merging into an upper support protrusion (22) and, at the bottom, merging into a lower, laterally pointing support protrusion (23). Both support protrusions have a support surface (31, 32) arranged to bear on respective rounded corner (7, 8) of that tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Anders Edholm
  • Patent number: 6367573
    Abstract: A CNG fuel tank system is provided for mounting on the roof of a bus. The system includes a support frame mounted on the roof of the bus. The support frame includes at least one longitudinal frame wall extending generally parallel to the length of the bus. Each tank cylinder has associated therewith first and second saddles which are attached to one side of one of the frame walls. Each saddle has a base oriented vertically and engaging in the first frame wall. Each saddle includes an arcuate recess spacing sideways from this frame wall. Each tank cylinder is received in the arcuate recesses of the saddles associated therewith. Each saddle has associated therewith first and second strap assemblies which extend around the tank cylinder to secure the tank cylinder to the saddles and thus to the support frame. Preferably, a set of four parallel tanks are mounted in the fashion described on two parallel longitudinal frame walls. There is one tank hung in a cantilever mode off either side of each frame wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fab Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Scott
  • Publication number: 20020030358
    Abstract: A fluid tank assembly comprises a first tank half having an upper edge flange with an expanded section or ledge extending outwards. A second mating tank half similarly has a lower edge flange and extending ledge. Both ledges have apertures, with lower ledge aperture having a smaller diameter than the upper ledge aperture. The second aperture has a raised edge or lip, so that an annular groove is formed between the lip and the inner edge of the upper aperture when the surfaces of the mating flanges and ledges are in contact and the apertures are coaxial. The two flange and ledge surfaces are normally welded or otherwise secured together. A binding material is added to the annular groove to substantially fill its volume so that a sealing connection is created. This sealing connection near the bolt aperture overcomes the sealing problem that is normally present in this region, and therefore extends the service life of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Sandor Palvoelgyi
  • Patent number: 6308987
    Abstract: A canister for the recovery of evaporated fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle is positioned in a central region of a vehicle. The vehicle body frame includes left and right side frames attached with a plurality of cross members. The canister is positioned behind a central cross member at a side opposite of an exhaust pipe running from the vehicle engine toward the rear of the vehicle. By attaching the canister in this location, a vapor pipe connecting the canister with the fuel tank is shortened, resulting in a more adequate recovers of evaporated fuel. Additionally, a canister placed in this location, is made larger, further increasing the adequacy of evaporated fuel recovery. Furthermore, as opposed to conventional canisters being located in the engine compartment, a canister located behind the central cross member is not effected by warming caused by the engine. The result is a canister having excellent performance in the recovery of evaporated fuel from the fuel tank of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Akitoshi Mitake
  • Patent number: 6293590
    Abstract: First, second and third fuel tanks 38a, 38b and 38c each packed with adsorbent 39 can be shaped to any desired forms and are installed within space regions 36a, 36b and 36c that are defined by two longitudinal frame beams 26 and 28 and four transverse frame beams 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e. These arrangements provide a space saving mounting structure of fuel tanks on automobiles fueled with natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ogasa
  • Patent number: 6257360
    Abstract: A compressed gas vehicle fuel storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells supported by shock-absorbing foam positioned within a shape-conforming container. The container is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells whereby a radial air gap surrounds each compressed gas pressure cell. The radial air gap allows pressure-induced expansion of the pressure cells without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells or physical pressure to the container. The pressure cells are interconnected by a gas control assembly including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and means for connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter. The gas control assembly is enclosed by a protective cover attached to the container. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: John J. Wozniak, Dale B. Tiller, Paul D. Wienhold, Richard J. Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 6213515
    Abstract: An aircraft refuelling cart includes a chassis (10) having ground-engaging wheels (11, 12) and a refuelling platform (20) upon which an aircraft refuelling operator can stand. The platform (20) is mounted to the chassis (10) by a scissor-action mechanism (22) which is typically activated by hydraulic means. An extendable hydrant hose (14) has a coupler (15) for connection to an airport fuel hydrant. A fuel conveying boom (24) conveys fuel from the hydrant hose to one or more fuel hoses (26) at the platform (20). The fuel hoses (26) convey fuel to the aircraft. The fuel cart can remain on the apron at a particular aircraft bay and is readily movable from one side of the aircraft to the other and is capable of servicing the full range of aircraft which may use the bay at which it is stationed. This is achieved by way of the variable height adjustability of the platform (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: National Valve & Engineering Company Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruno P La Terra
  • Patent number: 6213514
    Abstract: A fuel tank system of a motor bicycle according to the present invention comprises: a tank main body made of a synthetic resin, which is formed into a reverse U-letter shape in its longitudinal section in a manner of riding on a front head portion of a vehicle-body frame; a fuel supply port which is provided on an upper portion of the tank main body; a receiving pan portion which is provided in the fuel supply port; a relay joint which is arranged in a vicinity of a bottom portion of the tank main body and whose attaching direction is the substantially same as an attaching direction of the receiving pan portion; and a drain pipe which comprises a soft hose, passes through an interior of the tank main body, and connects between the receiving pan portion and the relay joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuji Natsume, Katsuhiko Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 6213239
    Abstract: A V-type two cylinder engine is transversally mounted by being supported between a truss frame and a body frame while the front cylinder is inclined forwards below the truss frame. A radiator is arranged above and in front of the cylinder head of the front cylinder. A fuel tank is mounted over the truss frame. A reserve tank is arranged in a sideways space inside the truss frame on the side opposite to the side to which the front carburetor on the top of the front cylinder is offset. The main body of the reserve tank is formed so as to extend from the front upper side to the rear lower side along the truss frame. The reserve tank has a water supply port projected upwards, so that the upper end of the water supply port, i.e., the water supply opening (cap) is arranged above the truss frame and under the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiro Onishi, Kouji Isoe
  • Patent number: 6167978
    Abstract: A powerplant includes an engine (22) that may be disposed on a vehicle chassis 12 including a cab (14) or may be a stationary engine such as a generator set, and has a fuel delivery system (54) through which combustible fuel is introduced into the engine for combustion to power the engine. A tank (42) is disposed on the chassis below the cab at one side of the chassis. A bulkhead (70) divides the tank into a fuel supply reservoir (50) for holding a supply of fuel for the engine and a second supply reservoir (52), the latter reservoir holding a supply of fluid other than engine fuel. A first supply conduit (56) supplies fuel from the fuel supply reservoir to the engine fuel delivery system, and a second supply conduit (66) supplies fluid from the second supply reservoir to a portion of the powertrain. A return conduit (68) returns fluid from the powertrain to the is second supply reservoir and includes a walled passage (72) passing through the fuel supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp
    Inventor: Richard A. Smietanski
  • Patent number: 6099042
    Abstract: A fuel tank support for supporting and protecting a plastic fuel tank is mounted to the vehicle with the plastic fuel tank supported therein. Integral mounting members are formed in the fuel tank support to provide structural integrity, thereby obviating the need for additional mounting hardware and straps. In addition, apertures formed on the walls of the support provide vent holes for venting stagnant hot air from the space between the fuel tank and the fuel tank support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Cook, Robin Cambell Miller
  • Patent number: 6086103
    Abstract: A structure arranged under a floor panel for mounting a tank to be charged with a pressurized-fuel such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas in a motorcar of front engine --front drive type is provided. The pressurized-fuel tank installation structure in a motorcar includes a chassis frame formed in a frame-shape for surrounding and supporting the pressurized-fuel tank and attached to a lower surface of the car-body from underside of the floor panel, the pressurized-fuel tank being positioned in the frame-shape and fitted to the chassis frame integrally; a rear wheel suspension provided on the chassis frame; and a pipe arranged along a lower surface of the floor panel for connecting the pressurized-fuel tank and an internal combustion engine with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Fukagawa, Masayuki Sano, Shingo Nagamine, Hideya Miyashiro
  • Patent number: 6076858
    Abstract: In an electric vehicle in which a battery container box is disposed under the floor of the vehicle, a fuel tank for a combustion type of heater is easily mounted with a good space efficiency. For that purpose, the fuel tank is formed into a shape of a substantially square column which is elongated in the widthwise direction of the vehicle and which is made of two halves divided along a diagonal plane to connect a bottom line of one of the horizontally opposing planes and an upper line of the other of the horizontally opposing planes. Brackets are attached to side surfaces of the fuel tank, and the fuel tank is mounted under the floor of the vehicle via the brackets behind the battery container box so as to be close thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Funabashi