Modular fuel tank assembly, vehicle mounting arrangement and method for installation

A method for installing a battery box assembly on a mobile vehicle with a frame rail, comprising the steps of:

• (a) attaching two rail brackets to the frame rail of the vehicle, each of the rail brackets having a first alignment notch on a top side of the rail bracket and a second alignment notch on an approximately outward facing vertical surface;
• (b) raising the battery box assembly to a position adjacent to the rail brackets the battery box assembly having a first alignment pin jutting out horizontally from an outer surface on each side of the battery box assembly adjacent an inboard side of the battery box assembly, a center of gravity of the battery box assembly being disposed between the first alignment pins and an outboard side of the battery box assembly, the first alignment pin sized to fit within the first alignment notch, the battery box assembly having a second alignment pin jutting out horizontally from each side of the battery box assembly at a lower vertical location from said first alignment pin, the second alignment pin sized to fit within the second alignment notch;
• (c) tilting the battery box to a slightly upturned angle with the side area containing first alignment pins and the second alignment pins are lower than the remainder of the battery box assembly;
• (d) raising and moving the battery box while maintaining the tilted angle until the first alignment pins are above the first alignment notches;
• (e) lowering the battery box while maintaining the titled angle until the first alignment pins rest within the first alignment notches;
• (f) lowering the raised portion of the battery box assembly rotate to a generally horizontal position with the second alignment pins engaging within the second alignment notches;
• and
• (g) attaching each side of the battery box assembly to one of said rail brackets via a permanent attachment means.

A battery box assembly for installation on a mobile vehicle with a frame rail, comprising:

• (a) a battery box with a forward side and a rear side;
• (b) two rail brackets for attachment to the frame rail of the vehicle;
• (c) an initial alignment means comprised of two sets of mating components, a first mating component of each of said sets of mating components installed on each of said forward side and rear side and a second mating component of each of said sets of mating components installed on each of said rail brackets;
• (d) said forward side and rear side of said battery box for attachment to one of said rail brackets via an attachment between said first mating components and said second mating components;
• (e) each of said first mating components is comprised of a first alignment pin jutting out horizontally from an outer surface said forward side and rear side of said battery box;
• (f) each of said rail brackets has at least two sides in a top view, each of said rail brackets having a top side;
• (g) each of said second mating components is comprised of a first alignment notch on said top side of said rail bracket, said first alignment notches sized to receive said first alignment pins of said forward side and rear side of said battery box;
• (h) a permanent attachment means between each of said forward side and rear side of said battery box and one of said rail brackets;
• (i) said first mating surface components further comprised of a second alignment pin jutting out horizontally from each said forward side and rear side of said battery box at a lower vertical location from said first alignment pin;
• (j) said second mating components further comprised of a second alignment notch on an approximately outward facing vertical surface of each of said rail brackets;
• (k) said second alignment notches sized to receive said second alignment pins of said forward side and rear side of said battery box;
• and
• (l) each of said first alignment pins is disposed adjacent an inboard end of said battery box assembly and a center of gravity of said battery box assembly is disposed between said first alignment pins and an outboard end of said battery box assembly such that, when said first alignment pins are disposed within said first alignment notches, gravitational forces acting on said battery box assembly urge said first alignment pins vertically downwardly into said first alignment notches and also cause a moment about said first alignment pins that causes said second alignment pins to be urged horizontally into said second alignment notches.