WO1982003825A1

WO1982003825A1 - Fuel tank assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1982003825A1
Application number: PCT/US1981/000616
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tractor Co Caterpillar
Original assignee: Stepe Visvaldis A; Wilson Eugene M
Priority date: 1981-05-04
Filing date: 1981-05-04
Publication date: 1982-11-11
Also published as: FR2504865A1; GB2108445A; JPS58500608A; ZA82821B

Abstract

A fuel tank assembly (10) for a vehicle (16), such as an earthmoving vehicle (16), is pivotally and removably mounted on the rear frame portion (12) of the vehicle (16). The mountings (36, 42) include a strong two point (40, 42) trunnion type mounting assembly (36) on one end of the tank (10) and a one point (44) stiff resilient type mounting assembly (42) on the opposite end of the tank assembly (10). Torsional and compressive loads experienced by the vehicle (16) are essentially isolated from the tank assembly (10) by a sturdy cross-bar assembly (84) forming a portion of the trunnion mounting and by the stiff resilient mounting assembly (42). The two point (38, 40) trunnion mount and the one point (44) stiff resilient mount form a triangle (56).

Description

Fuel Tank Assembly

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a fuel tank assembly for an earthworking vehicle and more particularly to a tank assembly releaseably mounted on a frame portion of the vehicle by a pair of mounting assemblies which essentially isolate the tank from forces imposed on the vehicle.

Background Art

Earthmoving vehicles, such as tractor-scrapers have one or more fuel tanks to supply fuel to the engine which powers the vehicle. In the past, a single fuel tank has often been located on the tractor portion of the tractor-scraper. However, because of weight distribution and space limitation, it has been found desirable to locate the fuel tank on the scraper portion of the vehicle.

Locating the fuel tank on the scraper portion presented problems which were heretofore not encountered, or- magnified prior problems to an unacceptable level. One such problem is the severe loading experienced by the scraper portion of the vehicle, such loads being transferred into the fuel tank when it is connected to the frame of the scraper. These loads, including shock loads, torsional loads, compressive loads, and vibrational loads, are produced during a typical work cycle of the vehicle. A tractor-scraper vehicle is designed to operate in rough and rocky terrain and is therefore subjected to severe impacts. Although the tractor portion of the vehicle is generally isolated from most of the loads imposed on the vehicle, the scraper portion is not normally cushioned. Therefore, the components of the scraper must be capable of withstanding the severe working loads. If the fuel tank is mounted on the scraper by conventional means, such as by bolted or welded joints, loads imposed on the scraper are transferred into the tank with resultant damage to the tank. In order to withstand such loads, the tank would need to be extremely bulky and heavy. Such a heavy tank undesirably reduces the pay load of the vehicle and produces an inefficient work operation.

If the fuel tank is connected to the scraper by bolted joints, a plurality of joints are needed to hold the tank securely. A number of bolted joints leads to alignment problems, since some joints will sometimes be overly tight and some not sufficiently tight. Bolted joints are also subject to loosening during severe vibrations of the vehicle. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Disclosure of the Invention In one aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank assembly is connectable to a vehicle by first and second assemblies. The first assembly connects the tank to the vehicle at first and second spaced apart locations and the second assembly connects another portion of the tank to the vehicle at a third location. The three connecting locations provide a three point mounting of the tank on the vehicle and, if joined by straight lines, form a generally isosceles triangle. Fuel tanks mounted on earthmoving vehicles, such as scrapers, are subjected to severe loads of various kinds. These loads can damage the tank, the mountings, fuel lines, and other associated components, which causes down-time of the vehicle for repairs and replacements and represents a waste of material and time. The subject invention provides a solution to these problems by connecting a tank assembly to a vehicle with a pair of connecting assemblies which substantially isolate the tank from severe loads. Such a tank assembly prolongs the useful life of the tank and avoids costly down-time of the vehicle and other waste.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in connection with an earthmoving vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the subject invention on an enlarged scale over Fig.

1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, with the fuel tank pivoted upward and rearward; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view taken generally along lines IV-IV of Fig. 2.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to Fig. 1, a fuel tank assembly 10 is mounted on a frame portion 12 of, for example, a scraper 14. The scraper 14 is the rear or trailing portion of a tractor-scraper vehicle 16, which includes a forward or tractor portion 18. The fuel tank assembly 10 includes a tank 20 which provides fuel to - A -

an engine 22 on the tractor 18. The lines carrying the fuel from the tank 20 to the engine 22 are not shown since they form no part of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the fuel tank 20 has top and bottom walls 24,26, first and second side walls 28,30, and first and second opposed end portions 32,34. As preferably situated on the scraper 14, the first end portion 32 is a rear portion and the second end portion 34 is a front portion. A first, or rear mounting assembly 36 connects the first rear end portion 32 of the tank 20 to the frame 12 of the scraper 14 at first and second spaced apart locations 38,40. The mounting assembly 36 is connected to the tank 20 through the first rear end portion 32. A second, or front, mounting assembly 42 connects the second, or front, end portion 34 of the tank 20 to frame 12 at a third location 44, which is spaced from the first and second locations 38,40 about the length of the tank 20. The tank 20 has a median or longitudinal centerline 46 and the mounting assembly 42 is preferably connected to the second end portion 34 of the tank 20 at a generally median position 48, which is essentially on the longitudinal centerline 46. The median position 48 and the third mounting location 44 are located within a common vertical plane. If the first, second, and third mounting locations 38,40,44 were connected by straight lines 50,52,54, such lines would form a generally isosceles triangle 56. The three mounting locations 50,52,54 provide a three point mounting for the tank 20.

The front mounting assembly 42 includes a ^'support assembly 58, a plate member 60 extending from the top wall 24, and a resilient portion 62. The resilient portion 62 has a pair of resilient biscuits 64,66, with biscuit 64 clamped between the plate 60 and a plate 68 of the support assembly 58, and biscuit 66 clamped between the plate 68 and a washer 70. A fastener assembly 71, includes a bolt 72 and a nut 74, with the bolt 72 extending through the plate 60, the 5 biscuits 64,66, and the washer 70 and secured by the nut 74. A pair of spacer sleeves 76,78 are located within the biscuits 64,66 with the bolt 72 extending through the sleeves 76,78. The sleeves 76,78 are of a predetermined length so that a preselected compressive 10 load is applied to the biscuits as the bolt 72 and nut 74 are threaded together. This provides a resilient mounting with limited or controlled resiliency.

The rear mounting assembly 36 includes first and second brackets 80,82, a cylindrical cross-bar 15 assembly 84, and first and second clamp members 86,88. The brackets 80,82 are welded along lower edges 90,92 to the frame 12 of the scraper 14. Each of the brackets 80,82 has a semi-circular cutout 94 and a plurality of drilled and tapped holes 96 for receiving 20 threaded fasteners 98. The cross-bar assembly 84 has a central portion 100 extending through the tank 20, first and second end portions 102,104, which are welded to the first and second sidewalls 28,30 respectively, and first and second clamping portions 106,108. The 25 clamping portions 106 and 108 fit into the semi-circular cutouts 94 of the brackets 80,82, and are pivotally clamped to the brackets 80,82 by the clamp members 86,88 and the threaded fasteners 98. The clamping portions 106,108, the brac.kets 80,82, and the 30 clamp members 86,88 provide a trunnion-type mounting of the fuel tank 20 on the scraper portion 14 of the vehicle 16. !

In order to maintain the weight of the fuel tank 20 at a minimum, the top and bottom walls 24,26 35 and the sidewalls 28,30 are constructed of relatively - o -

thin material, such as, for example, 10 gage steel. However, to maintain the structural integrity of the tank, at least one longitudinal internal reinforcing member 110 is provided, in addition, a plurality of reinforcing members 112,114,116,118 are located within the tank 20. The reinforcing members 110,112,114,116,118 strengthen the tank and also provide baffling for the fuel. Adαitionally the tank includes a plurality of internal and external transverse plate members 120 which further strengthen the tank.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 , the top surface 122 of the frame portion 12 is at an angle to the longitudinal or horizontal axis of the vehicle 16. Since the fuel tank 20 is mounted on the surface 122 of the frame 12, the tank is situated at an angle, with the second end portion 34 at a higher elevational position than the first end portion 32. This provides a water collection area 124 within the tank 20 which is elevationally lower than the remainder of the tank.

Since water is heavier than the fuel, any water in the fuel will collect in the collection area 124. A drain assembly 126 provides draining of the water from the tank. Fuel is introduced into the tank 20 through a filler assembly 128 located in the top wall 24. Fuel for supplying the engine 22 is removed from the tank 20 through a supply line fitting 130. The supply line fitting 130 is located in the bottom wall 26 and is spaced forwardly of and elevationally above the drain assembly 126 and the water collection area 124. With the supply line fitting 130 at this location, no water would normally be introduced into the fuel supply.

In order to gain access to the top of the fuel tank 20, for refueling, or for other servicing and maintenance checks of the scraper 14, a plurality of f

- 7-

grab iron members 132,134 are connected to the tank 20. There are also vehicle components located within the scraper frame 12, beneath the fuel tank 20, which need servicing and checking periodically. Access to this area is gained by disconnecting the tank at the front mounting assembly 34 and pivoting the tank upwardly and rearwardly on the rear mounting assembly 36.

Industrial Applicability

The subject fuel tank assembly 10 is particularly useful for storing and providing fuel for an engine 22 of a vehicle, such as a tractor scraper 16. The tank assembly 10 is essentially isolated from loads experienced by the vehicle 16, owing to the mounting assemblies 36 and 42. The cylindrical cross-bar assembly of the rear mounting assembly 36 limits the amount of flexing of the tank due to compressive and torsional loads. The front mounting assembly 42 is a stiff resilient mounting which is essentially inflexible under most conditions, but provides limited and controlled resiliency if severe loads are applied to the tank assembly 10. The resilient biscuits 64,66 are normally under compression owing to the construction of the mounting assembly 42, and the weight of the fuel tank 20 and its contents. With the fuel tank assembly 10 connected to the scraper frame 12, the tank 20 covers an access opening in the top surface 122 of the frame 12. In order to gain access to this area, the front mounting assembly 42 is disconnected by removing the bolt 72 and the nut 74, and the tank 20 is pivoted upward and rearward on the trunnion type mounting brackets 80,82. The tank 20 is re-positioned by pivoting the tank downward and forward and reconnecting the front mounting assembly using the bolt 72 and nut 74. The trunnion type rear mounting 36 and the single point resilient type front mounting 42 provide simple installation and removal of the tank 20, as well as providing access to the area below the tank 20. The three point connections 38,40, and 44 of the tank 20 to the frame 12 ensure easy alignment during installation.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings,

the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a fuel tank assembly (10) for a vehicle (16) including a tank (20) having top and bottom walls (24,26), first and second sidewalls (28,30), and first and second opposed end portions (32,34) , the improvement comprising: a first assembly (36) connectable to said vehicle (16) at first and second spaced apart locations (38,40) adjacent said first end portion (32) and connectable to said tank first end portion (32) ; and a second assembly (42) having a resilient portion (62) of controlled resiliency and being connectable to said vehicle (16) at a third location (44) spaced from said first and second locations

(38,40), said second assembly (42) being connectable to said tank (20) at generally a median position (48) on said second end portion (34) with said first, second, and third (38,40,44) connection locations on said vehicle (16) being a triangle (56) .

2. The improvement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said -first assembly (36) includes first and second brackets (80,82) connected to said vehicle, a cylindrical cross-bar assembly (84) connected to said tank (20), and first and second clamp members (86,88) releasably clamping said cross-bar assembly (84) to said brackets (80,82).

3. The improvement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second assembly (42) includes a support assembly (58) connected to said vehicle (16) , a plate (68) connected to said top wall (24) , and a fastener assembly (71) for compressably fastening said resilient portion (62) between said support assembly (58) and said plate (68) .

4. The improvement, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cross-bar assembly (84) includes a central portion (100) extending through said tank (20) , first and second end portions (102,104) connected to said first and second sidewalls (28,30) respectively, and first and second clamping portions (106,108) releasably clamped within said first and second brackets (80,82) respectively.

5. The improvement, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second clamping portions (106,108), said first and second brackets (80,82), and said first and second clamp members (86,88) form a pivotal trunnion mounting for said tank (20) on said vehicle (16) .

6. The improvement, as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality of structural reinforcing members (110,112,114,116,118) within said tank, said reinforcing members (110,112,114,116,118) defining baffling members.

7. The improvement, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second end portion (34) is at a higher elevational position than said first end portion (32) in the installed position of said tank (20) on said vehicle (16), said first and second sidewalls (28,30), and said top and bottom walls (24,26) forming a water collection area (124) within said tank (20) positioned elevationally below all other areas within said tank (20). .1-

8. The improvement, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said tank assembly (10) includes a plurality of grab iron members (132,134) connected to said first and second sidewalls (28,30).

9. The improvement, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said vehicle (16) is a scraper (16) having a push frame (12) and said fuel tank assembly (10) is removably connected to said push frame (12) .

10

10. A fuel tank assembly (10) of an earthmoving vehicle (16) having a rear frame portion (12) with said tank assembly (10) removably connected to said frame portion (12) , comprising: 15 a fuel tank (20) having top and bottom walls

(24,26), first and second sidewalls (28,30), front and rear portions (34,32), and a longitudinal centerline (46); a front mounting assembly (42) having a 20 support assembly (58) , a resilient portion (62) , and a fastening assembly (71) . said support assembly (58) being connected to said frame portion (12) , and said fastening assembly (71) releasably connecting said resilient portion (62) between said support assembly 25 (58) and said tank front portion (34) , said front mounting assembly (42) being located substantially on said longitudinal centerline (46) ; and a rear mounting assembly (36) having first and second spaced apart brackets (80,82), a cylindrical 30 cross-bar assembly (84) , and first and second clamp members (86,88) , said cylindrical cross-bar assembly (84) extending through said tank rear portion (32) and being connected to said first and second side walls (28,30), and said clamp members (86,88) releasably 35 clamping said cross-bar assembly (84) to said first and second brackets (80,82).