Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-10
2001-08-28
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Vehicle
C137S351000, C137S266000, C137S255000, C280S300000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279612
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an auxiliary fuel system for vehicles such as fork lift trucks and the like.
Fork lift trucks typically use pressurized tanks filled with propane gas (or natural gas) as a fuel source to operate the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The use of propane gas or natural gas for such vehicles is desirable in order to reduce or control emissions of combustion products in their useful environment such as warehouses and the like. Typically, a pressurized, propane gas tank is mounted on a lift truck, for example, and attached to a fuel line that, in turn, is connected to the internal combustion engine of the lift truck. The pressurized fuel tank is typically removable and replaceable and includes enough pressurized fuel to operate the truck for a full shift or an eight hour day. However, the operator of the lift truck cannot always predict when and where the fuel in the tank will be consumed and exhausted. Thus, it may be necessary to tow the lift truck back to a refueling center where the empty propane fuel tank is removed and replaced by a full tank. Alternatively, the empty propane fuel tank from the fork lift truck may be removed and carried to a filling station for refilling and return.
In review, on standard fork lift trucks in most warehouses in the United States, the usual fuel utilized by the truck is propane gas and/or natural gas. The gas is provided from a refillable portable tank which is supported or mounted on the truck and which is replaced from time to time as the tank becomes empty. For maximum utilization, a lift truck is operated until its tank becomes empty. At that time, the operator typically removes the empty tank and physically carries it to a storage area where it is exchanged for a full tank and carried back to the lift truck, mounted on the truck, and attached to the proper fuel line. Alternatively, the lift truck can be towed to the fuel tank storage area.
In any event, fuel tank replacement is a time consuming job and may take upwards of thirty minutes in order to complete. Consequently, a system devised to reduce the time for exchanging fillable portable fuel tanks for lift trucks and for other vehicles is desirable. Thus, there has developed a need for an improved fueling system for fork lift trucks and other vehicles such as prime movers, automobiles, trucks and buses, and vehicles of the type which use propane gas or natural gas provided from a pressurized portable or replaceable fuel tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises an auxiliary fuel tank which is maintained permanently on board a vehicle such as a lift truck. The tank is connected through a fill line to the fuel feed line that normally provides fuel to the engine from a portable, replaceable, main, fuel tank. The connection to the fuel feed line is through a tee connection, or tee. A check valve permits fuel in the fuel feed line from the portable fuel tank to flow unidirectionally into the auxiliary fuel tank when the portable tank is initially attached or mounted on the vehicle. Once the fuel pressure in the auxiliary tank and the portable tank are equalized (indicating that the auxiliary tank has been substantially filled with propane or natural gas) a valve mechanism is operated to isolate the auxiliary fuel tank from the fuel feed system to the engine. The valve mechanism remains in the “off” position until the portable, main fuel tank supply is exhausted. Thereafter, the valve mechanism is opened and a fuel line from the auxiliary tank feeds fuel into the engine directly through a separate line or through the main fuel feed line. This enables the truck operator to continue operation of the lift truck for a short time period and also permits the operator to move the truck to a refueling station where the portable fuel tank may be replaced. The capacity of the auxiliary fuel tank is typically at least 2% of the capacity of the portable fuel tank, but less than 10%. This enables the vehicle or truck to have an auxiliary fuel supply for at least 10-15 minutes of operation thus permitting an operator in a warehouse adequate time to move the vehicle expeditiously to a refueling center.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an auxiliary fuel tank system for fork lift truck and other vehicles.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an auxiliary fuel tank system which is permanently mounted on a vehicle, such as a fork lift truck, and which provides an isolated supply of auxiliary fuel available upon the exhaustion of fuel from a replaceable, portable, main fuel tank that is mounted on the vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary fuel tank which is automatically filled upon placement of a portable fuel tank on the vehicle with the opening of a manual valve interconnecting the portable tank and the auxiliary fuel tank.
Yet, another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary fuel tank which is isolated by means of a manually operated valve mechanism subsequent to being filled from a portable fuel tank through interconnecting lines that connect to the auxiliary tank as well as the engine of the vehicle.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary fuel tank system which is economical, easy to manufacture and incorporate in existing vehicles, easy to operate and which enables an operator to easily inject auxiliary fuel into an internal combustion engine system of a vehicle upon exhaustion of fuel from a portable, main fuel tank.
These and other objects, advantages and feature of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 777632 (1904-12-01), Henry
patent: 2311828 (1943-02-01), Hansen et al.
patent: 2357174 (1944-08-01), Curtis
patent: 2519968 (1950-08-01), Jordan
patent: 2840147 (1958-06-01), Almestad
patent: 2931381 (1960-05-01), Davis
patent: 3016956 (1962-01-01), Olandt
patent: 3035601 (1962-05-01), Moseley
patent: 3677284 (1972-07-01), Mendez
patent: 4074687 (1978-02-01), Joyce
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Chambers A. Michael
McShane Thomas L
Spare Tank Co., Inc.
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