Non-Slip Fuel Tank Bracket

• US 20150096977A1
• Filed: 10/04/2013
• Published: 04/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc.
• Inventors: Sirosh, Neel, Olischefski, Derrin Lynn
• Granted Patent: US 9,909,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/4.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/07 of gas tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0638 the fuel tank is arranged in the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0221 Fuel storage reservoirs, e.g. cryogenic tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/029 Arrangement on engines or vehicle bodies; Conversion to gaseous fuel supply systems
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0296 Manufacturing or assembly; Materials, e.g. coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/08 using bands
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A fuel holding device is secured to a vehicle by means of straps and brackets, which sits on a system of gaskets to prevent longitudinal sliding and rotation. A gasket system for preventing longitudinal sliding is disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and a circumferential bracket system that includes a U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket. The gasket system comprises a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion. A system for preventing rotation of a fuel-holding device has a circumferential wedge gasket segment, or a corrugated segment, positioned at a gap between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket.

Claims

1. A fuel-holding device comprising:

a tank body; and

a circumferential bracket system having a removable U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket that are secured at a joint; and

a gasket system disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and the circumferential bracket system, the gasket system comprising a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the slider portion has an upper groove which receives and guides the U-shaped strap.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the slider portion further comprises ridges that protrude radially outwardly and channeling the circumferential bracket system.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the gasket system is formed of a metallic or non-metallic material, and secured to the tank body with the aid of an adhesive or fabric impregnated in epoxy or polyurethane or other resin.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped strap is maintained under tension during expansion and contraction of the tank body by a spring in compression, the spring disposed at the joint between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the tank body contains a gaseous fuel therein.

7. A system for preventing rotation of a fuel-holding device, comprising:

a U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket disposed around the circumference of the fuel holding device; and

a circumferential wedge gasket segment positioned at a gap between the strap and the bracket.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the gasket segment is shaped as a truncated triangle with a curved base side.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the gasket segment is shaped as a regular triangle with a curved base side

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the gasket system is formed of a metallic or non-metallic material, and secured to the tank body with the aid of an adhesive or fabric impregnated in epoxy or polyurethane or other resin.

11. The system of claim 7, further including a tank body that contains a gaseous fuel therein.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the U-shaped strap is maintained under tension during expansion and contraction of the tank body by a spring in compression, the spring disposed at the joint between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket.

13. The system of claim 7, further including a gasket system disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and the circumferential bracket system, the gasket system comprising a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion.

14. A system for preventing rotation of a fuel-holding device, comprising:

a U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket disposed around the circumference of the fuel holding device; and

a corrugated segment secured to the fuel-holding device and positioned at a gap between the strap and the bracket,

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the corrugated segment includes projections, and wherein the U-shaped bracket includes radially inward protrusions that interlock with projections of the corrugated segment.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the gasket system is formed of a metallic or non-metallic material, and secured to the tank body with the aid of an adhesive or fabric impregnated in epoxy or polyurethane or other resin.

17. The system of claim 14, further including a tank body that contains a gaseous fuel therein.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the U-shaped strap is maintained under tension during expansion and contraction of the tank body by a spring in compression, the spring disposed at the joint between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket.

19. The system of claim 14, further including a gasket system disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and the circumferential bracket system, the gasket system comprising a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion