Methods and systems for compressed natural gas (CNG)

• US 9,855,841 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Worthington Industries Incorporated (Kellogg Company)
• Original Assignee: Worthington Industries Incorporated (Kellogg Company)
• Inventors: Gibb, Gary, Pintz, Michael, Polatas, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): WALTERS, JOHN DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US15/148,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20160243934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 180 694, 180 695, 180314, 280830, 280837, 280831, 280834
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/013 of gas conduits
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03006 Gas tanks B60K15/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/07 of gas tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/077 with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03019 Filling of gas tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03118 Multiple tanks, i.e. two or more separate tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03144 Fluid connections between the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03236 characterised by special filters, the mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03309 Tanks specially adapted for particular fuels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03335 for fast filling of fuel tanks, e.g. specific filler pipes for pressurised fuelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0638 the fuel tank is arranged in the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/08 fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/145 Haulage vehicles, trailing trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/148 Semi-trailers, articulated vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/00 Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge pressurised apparatus for purposes other than storage, see the relevant subclasses such as A62C, B05B; associated with vehicles, see the appropriate subclass of classes B60 - B64; pressure vessels in general F16J12/00 ; autoclaves B01J3/04; tank vehicles B60P3/22; railway tank wagons for carrying fluent materials B61D5/00; accumulators for supplying fluid under pressure F15B1/04; liquefied gas stoves F24C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6855 Vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6881 Automotive

Abstract

Provided is a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system that can include a frame and at least one container. The frame can include a first side and a second side, with each side being configured to partly define a portion of an interior space. The at least one container can be configured to house or contain CNG and can be engaged to and partly encased by the frame. The at least one container can be partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side. The frame assembly can be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle such that the at least one container is located either at least partially underneath a cab of the vehicle or at least partially behind a cab of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A frame assembly for a fuel system intended to fuel a vehicle engine, comprising:

a first side and a second side, each side configured to partly define an interior space;

a connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side;

at least one container supported by and partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side;

the frame assembly configured to be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle at a location on the chassis that is located rearward of a cab of the vehicle; and

a manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the vehicle engine or the at least one container, wherein the manifold includes;

a fast-fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fast-fill port is configured to receive a first rate of flow; and

a fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container and is configured to receive a second rate of flow in which the second rate is less than the first rate.

2. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an additional connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side a distance from the connecting member;

the connecting member and the additional connecting member configured to partly define a second interior space; and

the at least one container supported by and partly located within the second interior space of the connecting member.

3. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

the manifold further includes a fuel transfer port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fuel transfer port is adapted to allow fluid transfer between the at least one container and an additional container; and

the manifold is in fluid communication with a coalescing filter, wherein the coalescing filter is in fluid communication with and in between the at least one container and the vehicle engine.

4. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one conduit for the flow between at least two of:

the manifold, the at least one container, or the vehicle engine.

5. The frame assembly of claim 1, the at least one container is positioned substantially horizontal in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

6. The frame assembly of claim 1, the at least one container is positioned substantially vertical in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

7. A frame assembly for a fuel system intended to fuel a vehicle engine, comprising:

a first side and a second side, each side configured to partly define an interior space;

a connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side;

at least one container supported by and partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side;

the frame assembly configured to be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle at a location on the chassis that is located below a cab of the vehicle; and

a manifold in fluid communication with at least one of the vehicle engine or the at least one container, wherein the manifold includes;

a fast-fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fast-fill port is configured to receive a first rate of flow; and

a fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container and is configured to receive a second rate of flow in which the second rate is less than the first rate.

8. The frame assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

an additional connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side a distance from the connecting member;

the connecting member and the additional connecting member configured to partly define a second interior space; and

the at least one container supported by and partly located within the second interior space of the connecting member.

9. The frame assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

the manifold further includes a fuel transfer port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fuel transfer port is adapted to allow fluid transfer between the at least one container and an additional container; and

the manifold is in fluid communication with a coalescing filter, wherein the coalescing filter is in fluid communication with and in between the at least one container and the vehicle engine.

10. The frame assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least one conduit for the flow between at least two of:

the manifold, the at least one container, or the vehicle engine.

11. The frame assembly of claim 7, the at least one container is positioned substantially horizontal in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

12. The frame assembly of claim 7, the at least one container is positioned substantially vertical in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

13. A frame assembly for a fuel system intended to fuel a vehicle engine, comprising:

a first side and a second side, each side configured to partly define an interior space;

a connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side;

at least one container supported by and partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side;

the frame assembly configured to be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle at a location on the chassis that is located rearward of a cab of the vehicle or below the cab of the vehicle; and

at least one fuel module integrated within the frame assembly or coupled to the frame assembly;

the at least one fuel module includes;

a fast-fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fast-fill port is configured to receive a first rate of flow; and

a fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container and is configured to receive a second rate of flow in which the second rate is less than the first rate.

14. The frame assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

an additional connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side a distance from the connecting member;

the connecting member and the additional connecting member configured to partly define a second interior space; and

the at least one container supported by and partly located within the second interior space of the connecting member.

15. The frame assembly of claim 13, wherein:

the at least one fuel module further includes a fuel transfer port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fuel transfer port is adapted to allow fluid transfer between the at least one container and an additional container; and

the at least one fuel module is in fluid communication with a coalescing filter, wherein the coalescing filter is in fluid communication with and in between the at least one container and the vehicle engine.

16. The frame assembly of claim 15, the at least one fuel module further includes a manifold that includes at least one of the fast-fill port, the fill port, the fuel transfer port, or the coalescing filter.

17. The frame assembly of claim 13, further comprising at least one conduit for the flow between at least two of:

the at least one fuel module, the at least one container, or the vehicle engine.

18. A frame assembly for a fuel system intended to fuel a vehicle engine, comprising:

a first side and a second side, each side configured to partly define an interior space;

a connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side;

at least one container supported by and partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side;

the frame assembly configured to be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle at a location on the chassis that is located rearward of a cab of the vehicle; and

a manifold located on at least one of a driver side of the vehicle or a passenger side of the vehicle, the manifold is in fluid communication with at least one of the vehicle engine or the at least one container;

the manifold further includes the following;

a fast-fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fast-fill port is configured to receive a first rate of flow; and

a fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fill port is configured to receive a second rate of flow in which the second rate is less than the first rate.

19. The frame assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

an additional connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side a distance from the connecting member;

the connecting member and the additional connecting member configured to partly define a second interior space; and

the at least one container supported by and partly located within the second interior space of the connecting member.

20. The frame assembly of claim 18, the manifold further includes at least one of:

a fuel transfer port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fuel transfer port is adapted to allow fluid transfer between the at least one container and an additional container; and

a coalescing filter that in fluid communication between the at least one container and the vehicle engine.

21. The frame assembly of claim 18, further comprising at least one conduit for the flow between at least two of:

the manifold, the at least one container, or the vehicle engine.

22. The frame assembly of claim 18, the at least one container is positioned substantially horizontal in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

23. The frame assembly of claim 18, the at least one container is positioned substantially vertical in comparison to the chassis of the vehicle.

24. A frame assembly for a fuel system intended to fuel a vehicle engine, comprising:

a first side and a second side, each side configured to partly define an interior space;

a connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side;

at least one container supported by and partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side;

the frame assembly configured to be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle at a location on the chassis that is located below a cab of the vehicle; and

a manifold located on at least one of the first side or the second side, the manifold is in fluid communication with at least one of the vehicle engine or the at least one container;

the manifold includes;

a fast-fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fast-fill port is configured to receive a first rate of flow; and

a fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fill port is configured to receive a second rate of flow in which the second rate is less than the first rate.

25. The frame assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

an additional connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side a distance from the connecting member;

the connecting member and the additional connecting member configured to partly define a second interior space; and

the at least one container supported by and partly located within the second interior space of the connecting member.

26. The frame assembly of claim 24, the manifold further includes at least one of:

a fuel transfer port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fuel transfer port is adapted to allow fluid transfer between the at least one container and an additional container; and

a coalescing filter in fluid communication between the at least one container and the vehicle engine.

27. The frame assembly of claim 24, further comprising at least one conduit for the flow between at least two of:

the manifold, the at least one container, or the vehicle engine.

28. The frame assembly of claim 24, the at least one container is positioned substantially horizontal in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

29. The frame assembly of claim 24, the at least one container is positioned substantially vertical in comparison the chassis of the vehicle.

30. A frame assembly for a fuel system intended to fuel a vehicle engine, comprising:

a first side and a second side, each side configured to partly define an interior space;

a connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side;

at least one container supported by and partly located within the interior space of at least one of the first side or the second side;

the frame assembly configured to be engaged to a chassis of a vehicle at a location on the chassis that is located rearward of a cab of the vehicle or below the cab of the vehicle; and

at least one fuel module that is at least one of integrated within the frame assembly or coupled to the frame assembly;

the at least one fuel module includes;

a fast-fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fast-fill port is configured to receive a first rate of flow; and

a fill port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fill port is configured to receive a second rate of flow in which the second rate is less than the first rate.

31. The frame assembly of claim 30, further comprising:

an additional connecting member engaged between the first side and the second side a distance from the connecting member;

the connecting member and the additional connecting member configured to partly define a second interior space; and

the at least one container supported by and partly located within the second interior space of the connecting member.

32. The frame assembly of claim 30, the at least one fuel module further includes a fuel transfer port in fluid communication with the at least one container, wherein the fuel transfer port is adapted to allow fluid transfer between the at least one container and an additional container.

33. The frame assembly of claim 32, the at least one fuel module further includes a manifold that includes at least one of the fast-fill port, the fill port, or the fuel transfer port and the manifold is in fluid communication with a coalescing filter.

34. The frame assembly of claim 30, further comprising at least one conduit for the flow between at least two of:

the at least one fuel module, the at least one container, or the vehicle engine.