# US 11,993,144 B2 · Mounting system for machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,144 B2 - Document ID: US11993144B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/657,647 - Filed: 2022-04-01 - Published: 2023-10-05 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-01 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Robert Alan Jackson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993144B2 ## CPC - B60K 15/07: of gas tanks - B60K 2015/03118: {Multiple tanks, i.e. two or more separate tanks} - B60K 2015/03315: {for hydrogen} - B60K 2015/0639: {the fuel tank is arranged near or in the roof} - B60Y 2200/25: Track vehicles - B60Y 2200/41: Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators - B60Y 2200/411: Bulldozers, Graders - E02F 9/0883: {Tanks, e.g. oil tank, urea tank, fuel tank (for vehicles in general B60K15/00)} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A mounting system for a machine includes a tank support structure adapted to mount tanks proximate to an operator cabin of the machine, a first mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the tank support structure, and a second mounting bracket adapted to be removably coupled to the first mounting bracket. The tank support structure defines a hollow space. The tanks are received within the hollow space. The tank support structure includes a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The hollow space is defined between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is configured to be coupled to a portion of the machine for mounting the tank support structure on the machine. The first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are adapted to receive a section of the tanks for retaining the tanks within the tank support structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mounting system for a machine comprising: a tank support structure adapted to mount one or more tanks proximate to an operator cabin of the machine, the tank support structure defining a hollow space, the one or more tanks being received within the hollow space, wherein the tank support structure includes a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, wherein the hollow space is defined between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first surface is configured to be coupled to a portion of the machine for mounting the tank support structure on the machine; at least one first mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the tank support structure; and at least one second mounting bracket adapted to be removably coupled to the at least one first mounting bracket, wherein the at least one first mounting bracket and the at least one second mounting bracket are adapted to receive a valve of the one or more tanks for retaining the one or more tanks between the first mounting bracket and second mounting bracket within the tank support structure; and a sweeps assembly extending over the operator cabin, and being coupled to the operator cabin and a radiator guard of the machine. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the tank support structure further includes: a first tube defining the first surface; a second tube spaced apart from the first tube; a plurality of first bars connected to the second tube, wherein the plurality of first bars and the second tube define the second surface; and a plurality of second bars extending between the first tube and the second tube, wherein the at least one first mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to the first tube and the second tube, the at least one first mounting bracket being disposed between two of the plurality of second bars. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the tank support structure is removably coupled to the sweeps assembly by at least one boss and at least one fastening member, and wherein the first surface of the tank support structure faces the sweeps assembly when the tank support structure is coupled to the sweeps assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The mounting system of claim 3, wherein the sweeps assembly defines an underside surface facing the operator cabin and an upper surface disposed opposite the underside surface, and wherein the tank support structure is coupled to the underside surface or the upper surface of the sweeps assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to a roll over protection structure of the machine. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to a fender of the machine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a cover removably coupled to the tank support structure, wherein the cover encloses the tank support structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mounting system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more tanks is a hydrogen tank. ### Claim 9 A machine comprising: an operator cabin; a sweeps assembly extending over the operator cabin, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to the operator cabin and a radiator guard of the machine; and a tank assembly coupled to the sweeps assembly, the tank assembly including: one or more tanks; and a mounting system adapted to receive the one or more tanks, the mounting system including: a tank support structure adapted to mount the one or more tanks proximate to the operator cabin of the machine, the tank support structure defining a hollow space, the one or more tanks being received within the hollow space, wherein the tank support structure includes a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, wherein the hollow space is defined between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first surface is configured to be coupled to a portion of the machine for mounting the tank support structure on the machine; at least one first mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the tank support structure; and at least one second mounting bracket adapted to be removably coupled to the at least one first mounting bracket, wherein the at least one first mounting bracket and the at least one second mounting bracket are adapted to receive a section of the one or more tanks for retaining the one or more tanks within the tank support structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The machine of claim 9, wherein the tank support structure further includes: a first tube defining the first surface; a second tube spaced apart from the first tube; a plurality of first bars connected to the second tube, wherein the plurality of first bars and the second tube define the second surface; and a plurality of second bars extending between the first tube and the second tube, wherein the at least one first mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to the first tube and the second tube, the at least one first mounting bracket being disposed between two of the plurality of second bars. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The machine of claim 9, wherein the tank support structure is removably coupled to the sweeps assembly by at least one boss and at least one fastening member, and wherein the first surface of the tank support structure faces the sweeps assembly when the tank support structure is coupled to the sweeps assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The machine of claim 9, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to a roll over protection structure of the machine. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The machine of claim 9, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to a fender of the machine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The machine of claim 9, wherein the sweeps assembly defines an underside surface facing the operator cabin, and an upper surface disposed opposite the underside surface, and wherein the tank support structure is coupled to the underside surface or the upper surface of the sweeps assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The machine of claim 9, wherein the mounting system further includes a cover removably coupled to the tank support structure, and wherein the cover encloses the tank support structure. ### Claim 16 A machine comprising: an operator cabin; a sweeps assembly extending over the operator cabin; and a tank assembly coupled to the sweeps assembly, the tank assembly including: a tank support structure adapted to receive one or more tanks; and one or more coupling arrangements adapted to couple the tank support structure with the sweeps assembly, wherein each of the one or more coupling arrangements includes: a boss disposed between the tank support structure and the sweeps assembly, a pin of the boss being coupled to and at least partially received within a tube of the tank support structure, a body of the boss having a load face being in contact with a sweeps tube of the sweeps assembly; and a fastening member adapted to couple with each of the sweeps assembly and the boss for coupling the tank support structure with the sweeps assembly, the fastening member coupled to and at least partially received within each of the sweeps tube of the sweeps assembly and the body of the boss. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The machine of claim 16, wherein the sweeps assembly extends from the operator cabin to a forward frame portion of the machine forward along a direction of travel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The machine of claim 16, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to and a roll over protection structure of the machine. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The machine of claim 16, wherein the sweeps assembly is coupled to a fender of the machine. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The machine of claim 16, wherein the mounting system further includes a cover removably coupled to the tank support structure, and wherein the cover encloses the tank support structure.