Modular fuel storage system for a vehicle
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorUwe Süess
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gaseous fuel storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The fuel storage system can be installed as a modular unit in the vehicle. The fuel storage system is pivotable relative to the vehicle to allow easy accessibility to the storage tanks without requiring the storage tanks to be unmounted from the vehicle. The fuel storage system also provides protection for the storage tanks through the use of shielding and energy absorbing material.
Claims32
A modular fuel storage assembly for a vehicle, the modular fuel storage assembly comprising:
- at least one gas storage tank operable to store a gaseous fuel and to supply a stored gaseous fuel;
- a frame operable to support said storage tank;
- and
- wherein said storage tank is attached to said frame, said frame and said attached storage tank are adapted to be installed in the vehicle as a modular unit, said frame is pivotally connected to the vehicle and operable to pivot between a first operative position and a second serviceable position, and said storage tank pivots with said frame between said first and second positions.
A fuel storage assembly for a vehicle, the fuel storage assembly comprising:
- a frame operable between a first operable position and a second serviceable position relative to a vehicle, said frame being coupled to said vehicle in both said first and second positions;
- and
- at least one storage tank operable to store a fuel and to supply a stored fuel, said storage tank being mounted to said frame and moving with movement of said frame between said first and second positions,
- wherein said first position does not allow access to said storage tank and said second position allows access to opposing ends of said storage tank.
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a body having an undercarriage;
- and
- a fuel storage system, said fuel storage system comprising:
- a cradle operable between first and second positions relative to said undercarriage;
- at least one storage tank operable to store a fuel and to supply a stored fuel, said storage tank being mounted to said cradle and moving with movement of said cradle between said first and second positions,
- wherein said cradle remains coupled to said body in said first and second positions, said first position is an operable position with said cradle and said storage tank adjacent said undercarriage and said second position is a serviceable position with said cradle and said storage tank suspended from said body and spaced apart from said undercarriage thereby allowing access to said storage tank.
A method of installing a modular fuel storage system onto a vehicle wherein the modular fuel storage system includes a cradle operable between first and second positions and at least one storage tank coupled to the cradle, the method comprising:
- (a) preassembling the at least one storage tank to the cradle at a first station removed from the vehicle;
- and
- (b) assembling the modular fuel storage system onto the vehicle at a second station by pivotally coupling the cradle to the vehicle such that the cradle and the storage tank can pivot between first and second positions relative to the vehicle.
A method of servicing a fuel storage system on a vehicle wherein the fuel storage system has a frame operable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle and at least one storage tank connected to the frame and moving with movement of the frame between the first and second positions, the method comprising:
- (a) moving the frame from the first position to the second position, said frame remaining coupled to the vehicle in both said first and second positions;
- (b) servicing the fuel storage system with said frame coupled to the vehicle;
- and
- (c) moving the frame from the second position to the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.