# US 2014/0196972 A1 · Integrated vehicle structure and power-plant exhaust > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196972 A1 - Document ID: US20140196972A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/741,415 - Filed: 2013-01-15 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Balbir S. Sangha; Mario Turco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196972A1 ## CPC - B60K 13/06: using structural parts of the vehicle as ducts, e.g. frame parts - B62D 21/17: forming fluid or electrical conduit means or having other means to accommodate the transmission of a force or signal - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B60K 5/02: with the engine main axis, e.g. crankshaft axis, substantially in or parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle - B60K 13/04: concerning exhaust - B60K 15/07: of gas tanks - B60K 2001/0411: {Arrangement in the front part of the vehicle} - B60K 2015/03315: {for hydrogen} - B60K 2015/0636: {the fuel tank being part of the chassis or frame} - B60K 2015/0638: {the fuel tank is arranged in the rear of the vehicle} - 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 - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A frame is disclosed for a vehicle having a vehicle body, a vehicle suspension, and a power-plant configured to generate torque and an exhaust gas stream. The frame includes a tubular frame rail in fluid communication with the power-plant, wherein the rail is defined by a fully-closed cross-section that provides a fluid passage. The frame rail is configured to support the vehicle body and the vehicle suspension. The fluid passage is configured to channel the exhaust gas stream through the frame rail and away from the vehicle body. A vehicle employing such a frame is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A frame for a vehicle having a vehicle body, a vehicle suspension, and a power-plant configured to generate torque and an exhaust gas stream, the frame comprising: a tubular frame rail in fluid communication with the power-plant, wherein the frame rail is defined by a fully-closed cross-section that provides a fluid passage; wherein: the frame rail is configured to support the vehicle body and the vehicle suspension; and the fluid passage is configured to channel the exhaust gas through the frame rail and away from the vehicle body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the frame rail includes two substantially parallel rails spaced apart by a distance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage includes an inside surface in direct contact with the exhaust gas stream and the inside surface includes a coating applied thereto and configured to minimize corrosion of the frame rail. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The frame of claim 3, wherein the coating is generated via a galvanization process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The frame of claim 3, wherein the coating is generated via a process of galvannealing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the frame rail is formed from an aluminized stainless steel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the frame rail cross-section forms a substantially parallelogram “boxed” shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the frame rail cross-section forms a substantially round shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the frame rail is formed by a process of extrusion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The frame of claim 1, wherein the vehicle power-plant is a hydrogen fuel-cell in fluid communication with a hydrogen fuel tank, and wherein the frame is additionally configured to support the hydrogen fuel tank. ### Claim 11 A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a vehicle suspension; a power-plant configured to generate torque and an exhaust gas stream; and a frame configured to support the body and the suspension, the frame having a tubular frame rail in fluid communication with the power-plant, wherein the frame rail is defined by a fully-closed cross-section that provides a fluid passage; the fluid passage is configured to channel the exhaust gas through the frame rail and away from the vehicle body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the frame rail includes two substantially parallel rails spaced apart by a distance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the fluid passage includes an inside surface in direct contact with the exhaust gas stream and the inside surface includes a coating applied thereto and configured to minimize corrosion of the frame rail. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the coating is generated via a galvanization process. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the coating is generated via a process of galvannealing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the frame rail is formed from an aluminized stainless steel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the frame rail cross-section forms a substantially parallelogram “boxed” shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the frame rail cross-section forms a substantially round shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the frame rail is formed by a process of extrusion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the power-plant is a hydrogen fuel-cell, the vehicle further comprises a hydrogen fuel tank in fluid communication with the fuel-cell, and the frame is additionally configured to support the hydrogen fuel tank.