FLUID TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY APPARATUS

• US 20200131021A1
• Filed: 12/30/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westmor Industries, LLC (Superior Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Westmor Industries, LLC (Superior Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wruck, Abe, Kellen, Jeremy, Hennen, Mike, Swenson, Milt
• Granted Patent: US 11,878,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2215 Mounting of tanks to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2245 Adaptations for loading or unloading
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/225 Adaptations for pumps or valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2265 Arrangements for hoses, tubes, or reels
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/40 Suspending, reeling or storing devices supports for storing lengths of hoses, in general B65H75/34
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/845 Trolleys or like movable supports

Abstract

Fuel delivery vessels and vehicles are described. Some embodiments include nozzles for access by an operator. Some embodiments include optimized size and material characteristics. Some embodiments include various dispensing systems.

Claims

1. A fuel delivery apparatus for use with a vehicle having a fuel vessel supported by a first rail and a second rail, the first rail and second rail being transversely spaced apart, each of the first rail and second rail having a lower surface disposed at a first height and an upper surface disposed at a second height, the fuel delivery apparatus comprising:

a liquid fill connection having a first opening in fluid communication with an interior volume of the fuel vessel;

a liquid fill nozzle, said liquid fill nozzle being at least partially disposed between the first height and the second height; and

a first conduit, said first conduit fluidly coupling said liquid fill nozzle to said liquid fill connection.

2. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is at least partially disposed at a transverse position between said first rail and said second rail when viewed from a rear side of the vehicle.

3. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear bumper, wherein said nozzle is disposed forward of said rear bumper along the travel direction of the vehicle.

4. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a first sidewall connected to said rear bumper; and

a second sidewall connected to said rear bumper, said liquid fill nozzle being disposed laterally between said first and second sidewalls.

5. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

an angled wall connected to said rear bumper, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is disposed above said angled wall.

6. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a vertical wall connected to said angled wall, said first conduit extending through said vertical wall.

7. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a vertical wall supported transversely between said first and second rails, said conduit extending through said vertical wall.

8. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 7, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is disposed rearward of said vertical wall.

9. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first conduit comprises a rigid pipe.

10. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first conduit comprises a rigid pipe, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is supported by.

11. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a vapor equalizing connection having a second opening in fluid communication with said interior volume of the fuel vessel;

a vapor nozzle, said vapor nozzle being at least partially disposed between the first height and the second height; and

a second conduit, said second conduit fluidly coupled to said vapor nozzle and to said vapor equalizing connection.

12. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 11, wherein said vapor nozzle is disposed transversely between the first rail and the second rail.

13. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 11, wherein said vapor nozzle is oriented in a rearward direction.

14. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is oriented in a rearward direction.

15. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vessel is at least partially made of a high-strength steel, and wherein a shell thickness Ts of said vessel is less than a half-inch.

16. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 1, wherein said liquid fill connection comprises a flange, wherein said flange defines a central axis, wherein said central axis is generally normal to said fuel vessel.

18. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is at least partially disposed at a transverse position between said first rail and said second rail when viewed from a rear side of the vehicle.

19. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear bumper, wherein said nozzle is disposed forward of said rear bumper along the travel direction of the vehicle.

20. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a first sidewall connected to said rear bumper; and

a second sidewall connected to said rear bumper, said liquid fill nozzle being disposed laterally between said first and second sidewalls.

21. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

an angled wall adjacent to said rear bumper, wherein said liquid fill nozzle is disposed above said angled wall.

22. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a vertical wall adjacent to said angled wall, said first conduit extending through said vertical wall.

17. A fuel delivery vehicle, comprising:

a first longitudinally extending rail;

a second longitudinally extending rail;

a fuel vessel supported by said first rail and said second rail, said first rail and second rail being transversely spaced apart, each of said first rail and second rail having a lower surface disposed at a first height and an upper surface disposed at a second height;

a liquid fill connection having a first opening in fluid communication with an interior volume of the fuel vessel;

a liquid fill nozzle, said liquid fill nozzle being at least partially disposed between the first height and the second height; and

a first conduit, said first conduit fluidly coupling said liquid fill nozzle to said liquid fill connection.