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US 12,459,351 B2Granted
Tailgate with structurally integrated CNG system
AssigneeThe Heil Co.
InventorBobby Ray McKinney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims30
A refuse vehicle tailgate fuel tank assembly comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- a pair of first and second side beams;
- a plurality of cross beams, each of the plurality of cross beams extending across a space between the first and second side beams and structurally connecting the first side beam to the second side beam;
- a first plurality of tank-support blocks coupled to and distributed along a length of the first side beam to define a first curved path;
- and
- a second plurality of tank-support blocks coupled to and distributed along a length of the second side beam to define a second curved path that is parallel to the first curved path;
- and
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks coupled to and supported by the frame, each of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks extending across the space between the first and second side beams and connected to a respective one of the first plurality of tank-support blocks and a respective one of the second plurality of tank-support blocks, such that the compressed natural gas tanks are arranged one-after-another and side-by-side along the first and second curved paths from a leading tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks to a trailing tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks.
5 more elements
A refuse vehicle tailgate fuel tank assembly comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- a plurality of side beams,
- a plurality of cross beams, each of the cross beams fastened to at least one of the plurality of side beams, and
- a plurality of tank-support blocks, each of the tank-support blocks fastened to at least one of the plurality of side beams;
- and
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks, each of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks oriented parallel to the plurality of cross beams and connected to at least one of the tank-support blocks, such that all of the compressed natural gas tanks coupled to and supported by the frame are arranged one-after-another and side-by-side along a curved path from a leading tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks to a trailing tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks.
3 more elements
A fuel tank assembly for a refuse vehicle tailgate comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- a pair of first and second longitudinally elongated and arcuate side beams, each of the first and second side beams comprising an arcuate section and a non-arcuate section;
- a plurality of cross beams, each of the plurality of cross beams extending across a space between the first and second arcuate side beams and structurally connecting the first arcuate side beam to the second arcuate side beam;
- and
- a first plurality of tank-support blocks coupled to and distributed along a length of the first arcuate side beam;
- and
- a second plurality of tank-support blocks coupled to and distributed along a length of the second arcuate side beam;
- and
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks coupled to and supported by the frame, each of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks extending across the space between the side beams and connected at least one of the first plurality of tank-support blocks and at least one of the second plurality of tank-support blocks, such that the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks follows the first and second arcuate side beams along an arcuate path from a leading tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks to a trailing tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks,
- wherein a total number of tanks in the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks is greater than a total number of cross beams in the plurality of cross beams, and wherein the plurality of cross beams resides longitudinally between the leading tank and the trailing tank.
7 more elements
A refuse vehicle tailgate fuel tank assembly, comprising:
- frame means configured to couple with a tailgate of a refuse vehicle;
- and
- a plurality of compressed natural gas tanks coupled to the frame means such that all of the compressed natural gas tanks supported by the frame means are arranged one-after-another and side-by-side along a curved path from a leading tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks to a trailing tank of the plurality of compressed natural gas tanks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.