Replaceable fuel system module and method
AssigneeDynetek Industries Ltd.
InventorsSorin Joitescu, Ulrich Imhof
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims29
A unitary modular fuel system, for use with alternative fuels, adapted to be secured within an envelope in a vehicle, the module comprising:
- one or more pressurized fuel cylinders, each fuel cylinder having a longitudinal axis and opposing neck ends;
- a frame to which the opposing neck ends of each of the two or more fuel cylinders are neck-mounted for forming a module;
- and
- means for releasably securing the frame within the vehicular envelope and operable between a first secured position and a second released position.
A unitary modular fuel system, for use with alternative fuels, adapted to be secured within an envelope in a vehicle, the module comprising:
- one or more pressurized fuel cylinders;
- a frame to which each of the one or more fuel cylinders are mounted for forming a module;
- and
- means for releasably securing the module within the vehicular envelope and operable between a first secured position and a second released position.
A method of removal and replacement of a used vehicular fuel system module comprising the steps of:
- providing at least two modules, a used module and a replacement module, each module having one or more fuel cylinders mounted to a frame, the frame having a latching mechanism;
- disconnecting the pressurized fuel cylinders from the vehicle;
- and
- actuating the latching mechanism for securing the mounting frame to a vehicular envelope from a first secured position to a second released position;
- then sequentially;
- removing the used module from the vehicle's envelope;
- inserting a replacement module into the vehicle's envelope;
- and then
- actuating the latching mechanism for securing the mounting frame to the vehicle from a second released position to a first secured position, and
- reconnecting the pressurized fuel cylinders to the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.