Tank support assembly for hydrogen storage system and fuel cell electric vehicle including same

A tank support assembly for a hydrogen storage system of a fuel cell electric vehicle, comprising:

• a support stand configured to receive and support at least one hydrogen gas storage tank;
• a base connected to the support stand and configured to receive and support the hydrogen gas storage tank;
• a bearing plate connected to the support stand and opposing the base, the bearing plate is configured to be connected to the hydrogen gas storage tank;
• a flexible strap having a first end and a second end, the flexible strap is configured to constrain the hydrogen gas storage tanks against the support stand;
• a first spring assembly connected between the support stand and the first end of the flexible strap, the first spring assembly is configured to bias the flexible strap against the hydrogen gas storage tank, the first spring assembly has a spring constant;
• and
• a second spring assembly connected to the bearing plate and configured to bias the bearing plate against the hydrogen gas storage tank and permit displacement of the bearing plate as the hydrogen gas storage tank undergoes axial expansion and contraction.

A tank support assembly for a hydrogen storage system of a fuel cell electric vehicle, comprising:

• a support stand configured to receive and support a plurality of hydrogen gas storage tanks;
• a base connected to the support stand and configured to receive and support the hydrogen gas storage tanks;
• a bearing plate connected to the support stand and opposing the base, the bearing plate is configured to be connected to the hydrogen gas storage tanks;
• a flexible strap having a first end and a second end, the first strap is configured to constrain one of the hydrogen gas storage tanks against the support stand;
• a first spring assembly connected between the support stand and the first end of the flexible strap, the first spring assembly is configured to bias the flexible strap against the one of the hydrogen gas storage tanks, the first spring has a spring constant;
• a second spring assembly connected between the support stand and the second end of the flexible strap, the second spring assembly has a spring constant that is greater than the spring constant of the first spring assembly;
• and
• a third spring assembly connected to the bearing plate and configured to bias the bearing plate against the one of the hydrogen gas storage tanks and permit displacement of the bearing plate as the one of the hydrogen gas tank undergoes axial expansion and contraction.