Gaseous fuel storage system for working machine

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a material handling machine comprising: a body mounted on a ground engaging structure; a lift arm pivotally mounted to the body; a gas engine configured to provide power to the ground engaging structure; an operator cab mounted to the body adjacent to the lift arm; and at least one storage tank for supplying gaseous fuel to the gas engine wherein the storage tank is located beneath the operator's cab.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to work machines and in particular, but not exclusively, to material handling machines having a pivoting, telescopic work arm. Background Art

[0002] Off-highway vehicles / work machines generally refer to those used in the construction industry (e.g., backhoe loaders, swing excavators, telescopic handling machines, forklifts, skid steer loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers, motor graders), the agricultural industry (e.g., tractors, combines, wheel loader shovels, telescopic handling machines, self-propelled harvesters and sprayers), quarrying (e.g., excavators, wheel loader shovels, aggregate crushing equipment), and forestry (e.g., timber harvesters, feller bunchers). Many work machines have a primary function of moving material using a lift arm (e.g., a pivoting boom) or a work arm (e.g., an excavator arm) and may be referred to as material handling machines.

[0003] Telehandlers are generally known and comprise a vehicle with a pivoting, telescopically extendable working arm that allows objects to be transported relatively easily and flexibly between different locations at different heights. Telehandlers are typically used in fields such as agriculture, construction or logistics.

[0004] Traditionally, these types of work machines have been powered by diesel internal combustion engines. However, the general need to reduce vehicle emissions in the face of global warming has led work machine OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to consider alternative prime movers. Proposed alternatives include batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen internal combustion engines, and various hybrid options.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a storage solution for gaseous fuel of a working machine comprising a gas engine. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a material handling machine in accordance with the accompanying claims.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a material handling machine comprising: a body mounted on a ground-engaging structure; a telescopic lift arm pivotally mounted to the body; an operator cab mounted to the body adjacent the telescopic lift arm; and at least one storage tank for receiving a gaseous fuel. The storage tank may be located below the operator cab. The material handling machine may include a gas engine configured to power the ground-engaging structure and / or the hydraulic pump. The gas engine may be fueled solely by hydrogen.

[0008] Locating the tank below the operator's cab provides a convenient location for storing gaseous fuel. The tank can be located completely below the operator's cab, providing natural protection. The tank can be located entirely within the footprint of the operator's cab.

[0009] The tank may comprise a cylinder having a central axis, a first end and a second end.The tank may be torpedo-shaped such that the first and second ends are provided by circular (eg hemispherical) caps on the ends of the cylindrical body.

[0010] The tank's primary central axis (e.g., longitudinal axis) can be arranged transversely (optionally perpendicularly) to the machine's primary longitudinal axis. The central axis can be arranged transversely to the forward-facing direction of the operator's cab. In other words, the tank can extend across a portion of the machine and / or across the underside of the operator's cab. It should be understood that the central axis can be the tank's longitudinal axis.

[0011] The body of the material handling machine may include a front side, a rear side, a lift arm side proximate the lift arm, and an operator cab side corresponding to the front, rear, and respective sides of the machine. The first end of the storage tank may be disposed adjacent to the cab side of the material handling machine.

[0012] A material handling machine may include a tank assembly. The tank assembly may include one or more storage tanks and a bulkhead (dividing wall) from which the storage tank(s) are suspended. The tank assembly may further include one or more selected from the group consisting of: one or more tank valves, a gas line (e.g., a pipe / conduit), a fill nozzle inlet, an outlet regulator, and a housing (or portion thereof) in which the storage tank is located.

[0013] The storage tank may include one or more valves located at a first end of the tank such that the one or more valves or associated pipework are positioned adjacent to the cab side of the machine to allow for convenient maintenance and inspection.

[0014] The storage tanks may include a plurality of storage tanks distributed laterally and positioned side by side. The plurality of storage tanks may be arranged parallel to one another. The plurality of storage tanks may each include a first end and a second end and be positioned in a common orientation such that the first ends are juxtaposed. The tanks may be similar to one another, having the same size and / or the same storage capacity.

[0015] The storage tank may be located within the housing. The housing may include a bulkhead located between the storage tank and the operator's cab. The housing may include at least one sidewall extending downwardly from the bulkhead.

[0016] The bulkhead and at least one sidewall may be sealingly connected to each other to prevent uncontrolled escape of gaseous fuel from the tank toward the operator's cab. The bulkhead and at least one sidewall may be joined via a flexible seal. The flexible seal may be a peripheral seal disposed around an edge of the bulkhead. The peripheral seal may be a bubble seal and may be compressed in situ by the sidewall.

[0017] The flexible seal may be adapted to allow relative movement of the seal between the bulkhead and the sidewall in use.The sidewall may be mounted to the chassis of the machine independently of the bulkhead.

[0018] The partition may include one or more raised portions to provide a pocket into which escaping gas can flow and be directed to a safety vent. The raised portion may be provided at a central area of ​​the partition. In this way, the raised portion may be flanked by one or more lower portions. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the raised portion may be aligned with the central axis of the storage tank. The raised portion may extend only partially across the width of the storage tank. In the presence of multiple storage tanks, the raised portion may extend only above one of the storage tanks. The raised portion may be configured to receive a portion of one of the storage tanks.

[0019] The housing can provide a substantially sealed space so that escaping gaseous fuel does not inadvertently enter the operator's cab. To ventilate the housing, the raised portion can include a ventilation outlet. The housing ventilation outlet can be configured to ventilate the interior of the housing to the atmosphere away from the operator's cab. The housing ventilation outlet can be a passive vent comprising an aperture in the wall of the housing that can be sealingly connected to a corresponding ventilation duct. The ventilation duct can terminate at a ventilation duct outlet located in a suitable location away from the operator's cab.

[0020] The housing vent outlet can be located on the inside of the machine. The housing vent outlet can be located on the front surface of the tank housing and / or on the inside of the bulkhead so as to be proximate to the chassis sidewall. In some embodiments, the chassis sidewall can form a wall of the housing and can simply include an aperture positioned toward or at the upper edge of the housing to provide the vent outlet. The chassis sidewall can include an aperture in fluid communication with the raised portion of the bulkhead.

[0021] The housing ventilation outlet may comprise a ventilation duct. The ventilation duct may extend between the raised portion and an aperture in the side wall of the chassis.

[0022] The plurality of storage tanks may comprise a tank array, wherein at least one central tank is positioned in an elevated position relative to adjacent tanks. Providing a central tank with a vertical offset in this manner allows the tanks to be positioned closer together laterally in a side-by-side relationship. This, in turn, provides a method for maximizing the volume of gas stored on a work machine, as the tanks require space to expand and minimum clearances may need to be maintained between each tank and between the tank and the vehicle body panels. The central tank may be positioned within the elevated portion.

[0023] The storage tanks may be suspended from the bulkhead. Thus, the bulkhead may be a structural member having sufficient strength and rigidity to support the weight of the tanks positioned beneath the operator's cab. The bulkhead suspension may include one or more shock absorbing elements to help isolate the storage system from movement (e.g., vibration) of the machine.

[0024] The tank can be attached to the bulkhead using one or more suitable fasteners, such as straps extending circumferentially around the tank. The or each tank can include a pair of straps arranged along the length of the tank. The or each tank can be received in a suitable saddle corresponding to the external shape of the or each tank. In some embodiments, the or each tank can be mounted via a neck portion. The neck portion can be adjacent to the tank valve.

[0025] The body of the machine may include a chassis. The chassis may provide the primary structural elements of the machine. The chassis may be supported by ground engaging structures (e.g., axles and / or wheels) and may, for example, provide support for a prime mover, a vehicle body, a drive train, a lift arm, and an operator cab. The chassis may include a lift arm housing in which the lift arm is partially housed when in a non-operating position and / or a lift arm housing providing a pivotal mounting for the lift arm. The sidewalls of the lift arm housing may be adjacent to and proximate to the operator cab. The chassis may include a cab support structure on which the cab is mounted.

[0026] The bulkhead can be attached to the cab support structure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cab support structure can include a pair of cantilever arms extending from the main portion of the chassis. The cantilever arms can include a fixed end attached to the chassis and a free end positioned toward the cab side of the machine. The cantilever arms can be attached to the chassis sidewalls. In some embodiments, the bulkhead can be attached directly to or form part of the operator cab floor.

[0027] The cantilever can include a horizontal base and a pair of side walls extending upward from the base. The side walls can be inclined away from the vertical and can be inclined outward from the center of the base. The inclination of the side walls can provide the cantilever with a trough-like profile with angled sides. The cantilever can also include one or more gusset plates to which the operator cab is secured. In some embodiments, the cantilever can include a box section having an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the side walls extend between the upper wall and the lower wall to enclose an internal volume. The box section can include angled side walls. The box section can include a trapezoidal shape.

[0028] Providing a boom with sloped sidewalls provides a synergistic benefit in that the depth of the boom can be reduced while providing an appropriate level of support for the operator cab and tank assembly.

[0029] The booms can be positioned forward and rearward relative to the operator cab and can be spaced apart from each other. Portions of one or more storage tanks can be located between the booms. A raised portion of the bulkhead can be located between the booms, thereby utilizing the space between the operator cab supports and the space below the operator cab. This is particularly advantageous when the raised portion accommodates a portion of one of the storage tanks.

[0030] The housing vent tube may comprise a square cross section and / or have a diameter of at least 0.0015 m 2 The flow area of ​​the ventilation tube can be increased by providing a square cross section (e.g., rectangular or square) to allow the size of the ventilation tube to be increased. For example, the ventilation tube can include a tube having a width of between 100 mm and 200 mm by a cross section of 40 mm and a depth of 200 mm, or any combination of sizes or diameters within these ranges. In some embodiments, the ventilation tube can include a round cross section, such as a circle.

[0031] The machine may include one or more gas sensors for detecting the presence of escaping gaseous fuel in the housing. The gas sensors may be configured to sense or detect the concentration of the escaping gas. The gas sensors may be disposed on or within the housing. In some embodiments, the gas sensors are located within the housing, optionally on or within a raised portion.

[0032] The machine may include a controller configured to receive an input signal from a gas sensor. The input signal may indicate a concentration of escaping gaseous fuel within the housing. The controller may be configured to provide an operator with a warning when the concentration of escaping gaseous fuel exceeds a first threshold. The first threshold may indicate a potential leak.

[0033] In some embodiments, a second threshold value may be provided to the controller. The second threshold value may be higher than the first threshold value and indicate a concentration of escaping gas that requires action from the operator. The action may be a preventative engine shutdown or scheduled maintenance. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to automatically initiate a housing purge, isolate the tank, or shut down the machine if the first threshold value, the second threshold value, or another threshold value is reached. The first threshold value may correspond to a gaseous fuel concentration of 1% or greater. The second threshold value may correspond to between 2% and 3% and may result in a housing purge. The third threshold value may correspond to a concentration greater than 3%, greater than 3.5%, or 4%, and may result in a shutdown of the engine and / or gas tank or associated systems.

[0034] The operator warning may include one or more of a visual, audible, or tactile output within the operator cab. For example, the operator warning may include the illumination of one or more LEDs located in a prominent location within the operator cab or on a display screen, etc. An audible operator warning may include a speaker or buzzer that sounds within the operator cab.

[0035] The tank housing may include an air inlet for receiving air via a blower unit, the blower unit being configured to provide an external air flow through the housing to purge any escaping gaseous fuel. Thus, in the event of a gaseous fuel leak within the housing, air drawn in from outside the housing can be used to perform an air purge. The vent and air inlet may be positioned to facilitate a natural upward flow of escaping gaseous fuel. Thus, the air inlet may be positioned below the vent. The air inlet may be positioned toward the lowest point in the housing, for example, in or toward the base. The vent may be positioned at the very top.

[0036] Blowing or sucking in outside air to provide a positive pressure within the housing is preferred for drawing out the air and gaseous fuel because it reduces the risk of the blower unit igniting. In addition, it allows the blower unit to be positioned towards the bottom of the housing where escaping gases (e.g. hydrogen) are less likely to collect due to their low density.

[0037] The housing may include a bottom wall. The blower unit may be located in or adjacent to the bottom wall. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing may include an angled or chamfered wall portion extending at an angle between the bottom wall and a rear side wall that may accommodate the blower unit inlet. Placing the blower unit in the chamfered wall portion allows the inlet to be placed at the lowest position in the housing and simultaneously facing rearward to avoid fluid and / or debris from the ground. In some embodiments, the chamfered wall portion may be referred to as a portion of the bottom wall. In some embodiments, an inlet duct (not shown) may be provided upstream of the air inlet and / or the blower unit. The inlet duct may be arranged to provide isolation between the outside of the housing and the blower unit or to prevent direct line of sight between the outside of the housing and the blower unit. The inlet duct may include an inlet provided at a first side of the housing, wherein the housing inlet and / or the blower unit are provided at opposite sides. The inlet duct may be arranged along the bottom wall of the housing or combined with the bottom wall of the housing.

[0038] The controller may be further configured to activate the blower unit when the sensed escaping gaseous fuel is above a first emptying threshold.The controller may be configured to isolate the storage tank and / or shut down the machine when the concentration is above the first emptying threshold.

[0039] In a second aspect, the present disclosure may provide a material handling machine comprising: a body mounted on a ground engaging structure; a telescopic lift arm pivotally mounted to the body; an operator cab mounted to the body adjacent the telescopic lift arm; and a plurality of steps below an entrance to the operator cab for easy access; and a plurality of tanks for receiving gaseous fuel, wherein the tanks are positioned below the operator cab and distributed laterally side by side below the floor of the operator cab, wherein the plurality of tanks are positioned behind the plurality of steps.

[0040] The material handling machine may include a gas engine configured to power the ground engaging structure and / or the hydraulic pump.The gas engine may be fueled solely by hydrogen.

[0041] The material handling machine may further comprise a housing in which the storage tank is located. The housing may comprise an outer wall, wherein a plurality of steps are disposed within a pocket within the outer wall. The pockets may be closed wall pockets, each having a pedal for receiving an operator's foot therein. The closed wall pockets may comprise a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an upper wall, and a bottom wall. The walls of the step pockets may be connected so that a recess for receiving the operator's foot is sealed from the interior of the housing. Depending on the arrangement of the step pockets relative to the housing, one or more step pockets may not include one or more of the various walls. For example, where the step pocket is disposed at the very bottom of the housing, a bottom wall may not be required, with the base of the step pocket being provided instead by a pedal.

[0042] The plurality of steps may include a first step pocket and a second step pocket. The first step pocket and the second step pocket may be laterally separated. The first step pocket may be arranged toward the front of the operator's cab relative to the second step pocket. The space between the first step pocket and the second step pocket may include an outer wall of the shell. The spacing between the first step pocket and the second step pocket may be greater than the width of either the first step pocket or the second step pocket. The spacing between the first step pocket or the second step pocket may be between 100 mm and 500 mm. When the first step pocket and the second step pocket are arranged at different heights, the lateral spacing may be less than 500 mm.

[0043] The laterally separated step pockets may be arranged at different heights. Thus, the first step pocket may be a lower step and the second step pocket may be an upper step. In other embodiments, the first step pocket and the second step pocket may be arranged at a common height, with additional step pockets arranged above or below the first step pocket and the second step pocket. Thus, there may be a single lower step and two upper steps that are laterally separated, or vice versa. In some embodiments, there may be a single lower step and a single upper step. Where the laterally separated steps are arranged at different heights, they may be laterally separated relative to the centerline of each step. Where the laterally separated steps are at a common height, they may be laterally separated relative to the opposing lateral edges of the steps so that the steps are horizontally separated by a gap.

[0044] The first step pocket and the second step pocket can be arranged at a common height. Thus, the pedal of each of the first step and the second step can be located at the same vertical spacing from the nominal ground and / or the floor of the cab. Thus, the first step pocket and the second step pocket comprise an upper step, wherein either or both of the first step pocket and the second step pocket can be used individually by the operator. The first step pocket and the second step pocket can comprise a width between 150 mm and 300 mm, optionally between 150 mm and 250 mm, and a depth (into the housing) between 100 mm and 200 mm and optionally between 140 mm and 150 mm. The first step pocket and the second step pocket can have similar dimensions. The height of the step pocket can be between 150 mm and 225 mm, optionally between 160 mm and 190 mm.

[0045] The lower step may include a single step pocket. Thus, the step may include a pair of upper steps and a single lower step. The lower step may extend laterally beyond the inner edges of the first and second step pockets. In other words, the lower step may be wider than the spacing between the upper steps and may be centered about a midline between the upper steps. The first and second steps may be arranged symmetrically about a vertical midline.

[0046] Where a single step pocket is provided at a given height, such as a single lower step, the step may have a width between 300 mm and 500 mm, and optionally between 400 mm and 450 mm. The depth of the single step pocket may be between 100 mm and 200 mm, and optionally between 140 mm and 150 mm. The height of the single step pocket may be the same as the first and second step pockets. The height of the single step pocket may be between 150 mm and 225 mm, and optionally between 160 mm and 190 mm.

[0047] The step pocket may protrude into the housing. The lateral separation of the first step pocket and the second step pocket may define an internal recess therebetween within the housing. A portion of at least one of the plurality of storage tanks may be located within the internal recess. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a tank valve of at least one of the plurality of storage tanks may be located between the first step pocket and the second step pocket.

[0048] Splitting a step at a given height into laterally separated steps provides a space in which a portion of a storage tank (e.g., a valve and / or end of the tank) can be received, thereby allowing the tank to be more advantageously packaged under the operator's cab. Additionally or alternatively, the separation of the steps can provide a location in which a gas line or other piping or conduit of the storage system can be located.

[0049] The plurality of tanks can include at least two tanks or at least three tanks. One of the tanks (e.g., a center tank in the plurality of tanks) can be located within the interior recess. The center tank can be positioned vertically higher than one or more adjacent side tanks in the plurality of tanks. The lower step pocket can be disposed below the center tank. The vertically higher position of the center tank can allow the lower step pocket to be more advantageously positioned relative to the operator cab and / or upper steps.

[0050] The step pockets or treads thereof may be evenly spaced vertically.The lowest step of the plurality of steps may be between 400mm and 600mm from a nominal ground surface, the nominal ground surface being defined by a plane extending between the front and rear wheels.

[0051] The housing may include a bulkhead positioned above the plurality of storage tanks. The bulkhead may include a raised portion, with the central tank at least partially positioned in the raised portion.

[0052] The housing may have outer cab side walls having a width (as viewed from the side of the machine) of between 0.8 and 1.8 m, optionally between 1 and 1.5 m, optionally between 1.2 and 1.3 m. The outer cab side walls may comprise a height of between 400 and 1000 mm, optionally between 450 and 700 mm, optionally between 500 and 600 mm.

[0053] The footprint of the housing may correspond to or be greater than the footprint of the cab.

[0054] At least one of the first step pocket or the second step pocket can be positioned between adjacent tanks. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage tanks can include rounded (e.g., hemispherical) ends, and the step pocket can protrude into the housing and be positioned adjacent to the hemispherical end caps of two adjacent storage tanks. The corresponding tank valves of the adjacent storage tanks can be close to the sidewalls of the step pocket. The lateral spacing between adjacent tank valves can be greater than the lateral spacing between the sidewalls of the first step pocket or the second step pocket.

[0055] Where there are three cans, the lateral spacing between the two outer can valves may be greater than the lateral spacing of the side walls of the lower step pocket.

[0056] The material handling machine may also include a chassis. The chassis may include an operator cab support structure on which the operator cab is mounted. The plurality of steps may include a subassembly that is attached to and supported by the cab support structure and / or the operator cab. The subassembly may include a first lateral support member and a second lateral support member. Each lateral support member may be attached to a side wall of at least one step pocket. The subassembly may also include at least one center member. The center member may extend between opposing walls of adjacent step pockets. The lateral support members and / or the center support member may be attached to the cab support structure. The lateral support members and / or the center support member may be attached to a cantilever of the cab support structure. Conventional means (such as a nut and bolt arrangement or welding) may be used to achieve attachment between the step pocket and the lateral support members or the center member.

[0057] The material handling machine may further include three or more step pockets arranged in a triangular configuration, each step pocket including an outer pocket wall on an outer side of the triangular configuration. Lateral support members may extend between the outer pocket walls of adjacent step pockets. Each step pocket may include at least one inner pocket wall on an inner side of the triangular configuration. A central member may extend between the inner pocket walls of adjacent step pockets. The inner pocket wall may be a side wall, base, or upper wall of the step pocket.

[0058] The center member may extend between opposing side walls of the first and second step pockets and an upper wall of the lower step pocket.

[0059] The housing can be attached to the operator cab support structure separately from the step subassembly. The housing can also or alternatively be attached to the chassis sidewall. The housing and step subassembly can abut each other via a sealing member. The sealing member can include a compressible sealing member.

[0060] The housing sidewall may include an upper portion positioned immediately below the operator cab and above the bulkhead. The upper wall may include one or more vents to allow escaping gases to vent to the atmosphere. The vents may be in fluid communication with a space between the operator cab and the bulkhead.

[0061] The side walls of the housing including the plurality of steps can be oriented vertically so that the steps are not easily visible from the operator's cab. Thus, the operator may not be able to see the steps when leaving the cab and may not be able to see where to place their feet. The upward-facing wall portion of the housing can be arranged immediately above at least one of the plurality of steps. The upward-facing wall portion can be located directly above one of the step pockets and can be provided with one or more markings to indicate the position of the step pocket. The one or more markings can include vents such that the position of the one or more vents indicates the position of the steps. Because the markings and / or vents are provided on the upward-facing portion of the housing, they can be seen by the operator leaving the cab, thereby facilitating foot positioning. In some embodiments, the markings can include grit-strips, decals, or lighting.

[0062] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, an off-highway machine is provided, comprising: a body mounted on a ground engaging structure; and an array of tanks for receiving gaseous fuel within the body. Each tank may include a cylinder having a central axis, a first end, and a second end, and is oriented such that the first end of each tank is disposed on the same side of the array. Each first end of the tank may be provided with a tank valve for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel into and out of the corresponding cylinder. The tank valves of the corresponding tanks may be connected in series in fluid communication such that a first tank of the plurality of tanks includes a first tank valve inlet in fluid communication with a fill nozzle inlet. The first tank valve outlet is connected to a second tank valve inlet of an adjacent tank in the tank array.

[0063] The material handling machine may include a gas engine configured to power the ground engaging structure and / or the hydraulic pump.The gas engine may be fueled solely by hydrogen.

[0064] The machine may further include a plurality of ports. A first port of the plurality of ports and a second port of the plurality of ports may each be attached to an inlet conduit or an outlet conduit for receiving gaseous fuel from a storage tank and delivering gaseous fuel to the storage tank, respectively. The first portion may be disposed in a first port position, and the second port may be disposed in a second port position. The first port position and the second port position may correspond across a plurality of tank valves.

[0065] The first and second ports may be configured as inlet ports or outlet ports such that the positions of the inlet and outlet conduits may be selected.

[0066] In some embodiments, the tank valves are identical on each tank in that they have corresponding port locations. Each valve can be oriented in a similar manner such that the first port and the second port of each valve are disposed in the same location. In some embodiments, the first port and the second port can be configured differently between different valves. Thus, the first port can be an inlet port on a first tank valve and an outlet port on a second tank valve.

[0067] For a first tank in a tank array, the first port may be an inlet port and the second port may be an outlet port. For a second tank in the tank array that is in fluid communication adjacent to the first tank, the first port may be an outlet port and the second port may be an inlet port. By alternating the inlet and outlet positions in adjacent tanks, interconnecting conduits in a series connection are allowed to be simplified because the connection points remain on the same side of the tank valve. Direct connection ports for adjacent tanks may be provided on corresponding sides of the tank valve so that, for example, the interconnecting ports are provided above or below the tank valve to allow them to be more easily connected to other lines with minimal length and minimal crossing. That is, the ports may be aligned so that the gas lines enter from the same direction to simplify assembly.

[0068] The storage tank system may include a fill nozzle inlet. The fill nozzle inlet may be configured to receive a refueling nozzle from a suitable gaseous fuel source. The fill nozzle inlet may be located in an outer wall of the storage tank housing. The fill nozzle inlet may be positioned adjacent to or proximate to the first tank. The first tank may be defined by a tank connected to the fill nozzle inlet. The close positioning of the first tank and the fill nozzle inlet may be relative to the other storage tanks.

[0069] The filling nozzle inlet may be located behind a hinged door disposed in the tank housing. The housing may include a nozzle support structure for receiving and supporting the nozzle of the refueling device during refueling. The nozzle support structure may include a shelf, saddle, or collar to which the filling nozzle may engage for support during the refueling process. The door covering the filling nozzle inlet may include the nozzle support structure.

[0070] The machine may also include an outlet regulator connected to the outlet of the last tank in the series of tanks. The outlet regulator may be configured to receive gaseous fuel from the storage tank and regulate the pressure before delivering it to the prime mover. The outlet regulator may be adjacent to the last tank in the series of tanks.

[0071] Each tank can include an angular location feature configured to ensure that the tank and tank valve are installed in the correct angular orientation relative to each other. In doing so, similar tank valves can be installed to the tanks before attaching the tanks to the bulkhead and the tanks can be easily oriented so that the valves are oriented in the desired position with the ports positioned in a position that facilitates connection of the interconnecting conduits. The location features can additionally or alternatively provide axial alignment for each tank.

[0072] Each tank may comprise a temperature dependent pressure relief device TPRD. The TRPD may be located anywhere on the tank, but may advantageously be arranged on the tank valve.

[0073] A TPRD can be configured to function as a temperature responsive valve that fully opens to drain the contents of the tank in the event of a fire. A TRPD can be thought of as acting like a fuse that blows when a fire is present to prevent pressure buildup in the tank.

[0074] In addition to the TRPD, the tank valve may also include a pressure relief valve that is pressure responsive and configured to open when the internal pressure of the tank reaches a predetermined threshold so that the gaseous fuel can be safely vented to the atmosphere.

[0075] The TRPDs can be connected to a tank vent conduit. The tank vent conduit can extend from each respective TRPD to a tank vent outlet remote from the plurality of storage tanks. Each storage tank valve can be connected to a common tank vent conduit that terminates in a tank vent outlet remote from the storage tanks. The TRPDs can be connected in series, either fluidically or radially, with the respective vent lines connected to the common tank vent conduit.

[0076] TRPD can be arranged on the same position on each tank.When doing so, can simplify the connection and wiring (routing) of tank ventilation conduit.

[0077] The outlet regulator may include a pressure relief valve connected to the common tank vent conduit.The outlet regulator vent conduit may be connected in series with the tank vent conduit.

[0078] The tank vent outlet can be located above the body of the working machine so that it can be ventilated to the outside air without obstruction. The tank vent outlet can be located above the operator's cab and / or at the highest point on the machine. The tank vent outlet can be located at an inner portion of the machine, and in some embodiments, is located towards the center. Locating the tank vent outlet towards the center of the machine helps reduce the risk of ignition from an ignition source external to the machine. Where the working machine includes a working arm (e.g., a lifting arm or a digging arm), the tank vent outlet can be located on the inner side of the arm. In addition, the inner positioning of the tank vent outlet can help prevent collisions with foreign objects (such as tree branches or other overhanging hazards that may be present).

[0079] The center position can be on the longitudinal center line of the machine or adjacent to the longitudinal center line of the machine.The center position can be within an area of ​​30%, optionally 25%, optionally 20%, optionally 10% of the machine width from the longitudinal center line.

[0080] The center position may be between the first and second axles. The center position may be between the front and rear ends of the operator cab. The center position may be within an area of ​​30%, optionally 25%, optionally 20% of the machine length from the transverse centerline.

[0081] In some embodiments, the tank vent outlet can be located on the inside of the cab. The tank vent duct can extend upwardly along a front or rear support member of the operator cab (e.g., a corner post supporting the roof). Thus, the tank vent duct can extend upwardly along an inside front or rear pillar.

[0082] The tank ventilation duct may include one or more flexible portions and one or more rigid portions. The rigid portion may extend upwardly from the operator's cab and / or along the vehicle body and / or chassis. The flexible portion(s) may extend between the tank or its housing and the vehicle body and / or operator's cab and / or chassis to allow differential movement of the multiple tanks relative to the vehicle body and / or operator's cab and / or chassis.

[0083] The or each tank valve may include one or more of the following: a shutoff valve, a pressure transducer, a temperature sensor and a temperature pressure relief device, a first port, and a second port. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first port may be an inlet port and the second port may be an outlet port. In some embodiments, the first port and the second port may be configured as an inlet port, with the other being an outlet port. Thus, the first port and the second port may be one-way ports, such that they can either receive or deliver gaseous fuel.

[0084] The present disclosure may provide a gas engine storage device for storing a certain amount of fuel gas for use by a gas engine. The storage device may include at least one ventilation line that terminates at a ventilation outlet and is configured to transport escaping gas from one or more storage tanks to the ventilation outlet. The ventilation outlet may include a cover. The cover may be configured to be removed from the ventilation outlet, for example, by being blown off, with a predetermined airflow. In some embodiments, the cover may be configured to move axially outward to allow gas to escape while remaining within the ventilation outlet. Therefore, the cover may include a retention feature that prevents the cover from being removed during exhaust.

[0085] The cover may include a hole in which a portion of the vent outlet is received. The portion of the vent outlet may be loosely received so that a leakage flow can pass through the cover in situ.

[0086] The cover may comprise a body, and the hole may be provided in an underside of the body.The hole may be a blind hole.

[0087] The vent outlet may comprise a terminal end of a vent line.

[0088] The cover may include a tether to couple the cover to a vent outlet, vent line, or adjacent structure if the cover is removed.

[0089] The cover may be configured to be highly visible. The cover may include highly visible markings or colors.

[0090] The cover may be applied to vent lines typically used with gas storage assemblies, and not necessarily to those provided on work machines.

[0091] The storage device may be used with a work machine or a generator set (genset). A generator set may include a gas engine and at least one generator.

[0092] The present disclosure includes a method of inspecting a material handling machine having a vent line outlet including a removable cover. The method may include inspecting the vent line outlet to determine whether the removable cover has been removed, and if so, determining that a leak has occurred.

[0093] The material handling machine can be any work machine configured to utilize a work arm to handle a load, such as a wheel loader, a backhoe loader, an excavator, a skid steer, an industrial forklift, or a rotary excavator (roto). In a preferred embodiment, the material handling machine is a telehandler.

[0094] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless mutually exclusive, features described for any one of the aspects, embodiments, or examples described herein may be applied to any other aspects, embodiments, or examples with appropriate modifications. Furthermore, unless mutually exclusive, any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and / or combined with any other feature described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0095] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0096] 1a to 1e illustrate a work machine according to the present disclosure. Thus, a front perspective view of the lift arm side ( FIG. 1a ), a rear perspective view of the lift arm side ( FIG. 1b ), a side view of the cab side ( FIG. 1c ), a side view of the lift arm ( FIG. 1d ), a front perspective view of the cab side ( FIG. 1d ), and a rear perspective view of the cab side are shown.

[0097] 2a and 2b illustrate a rear perspective view and a top-down side view of a step device according to the present disclosure;

[0098] 3a and 3b show rear and front perspective views of the step device of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b with the housing removed;

[0099] Figure 4 shows a plurality of storage tanks located beneath an operator cab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0100] Figures 5a and 5b show Figure 4 storage tanks;

[0101] Figure 6 A cap for closing the tank vent outlet is shown;

[0102] Figure 7 shows the storage location of a battery according to the present disclosure;

[0103] Figure 8 An alternative storage location for a battery according to the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0104] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments and inventive concepts. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details or with known equivalents thereof; that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments; and that the present invention can be practiced in various alternative embodiments. It should also be appreciated that well-known methods, processes, components, and systems may not be described in detail.

[0105] 1a to 1e, there is shown a work machine 10. The work machine 10 of the depicted embodiment is a material handling machine 10 in the form of a telehandler. However, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure may be applicable to other work machines including prime movers operable using gaseous fuel.

[0106] Material handling machine 10 comprises a body 12, an operator cab 13, a lift arm 14 pivotally mounted to body 12 at a first end for pivotal movement about a first, generally horizontal axis A, and an engine housing 15 in which a prime mover 15' (shown only schematically in Figure 1b) is located. Body 12 rests on ground engaging structure 17 in the form of axle-mounted front and rear wheels 17-1, 17-2. Machine 10 is generally elongate, having a primary longitudinal axis 11. Operator cab 13 is aligned with longitudinal axis 11 and defines a primary forward-facing direction of travel for work machine 10.

[0107] The lift arm 14 is configured to carry a load handling implement (not shown) at a second end and may include a tool carrier 16 configured to attach the work implement to the machine 10. The tool carrier 16 is configured to pivot relative to the lift arm 14 about a second, generally horizontal axis so that the load can be maintained at a constant level or other desired orientation as the lift arm 14 pivots up and down, as is known in the art.

[0108] The material handling machine 10 may include a prime mover 15' in the form of a gas engine configured to operate on gaseous fuel. The prime mover may be configured to provide power to a ground engaging structure and / or at least one hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump may be used to drive hydraulic actuators required for operation of a lift arm or some other hydraulic service.

[0109] The gaseous fuel may be any suitable fuel, such as compressed natural gas, hydrogen, landfill gas, or biomass, all of which are known in the art. The gas engine may be an internal combustion engine. In a preferred embodiment, the engine will be an internal combustion engine of the port fuel injection or direct hydrogen injection type, as known in the art. In other embodiments, the powertrain of the work vehicle may include a hydrogen fuel cell or some other form of gas-powered energy conversion device. In some embodiments, the prime mover may be dual fuel, and the machine 10 may be a hybrid machine powered by both electric and gaseous fuel energy sources. The gas engine may be powered solely by hydrogen.

[0110] like Figure 4As best shown in FIG, the material handling machine 10 may include one or more tanks 18a-c in which gaseous fuel may be received and stored for use by the gas engine. The tanks 18a-c may be positioned at any suitable location within the machine 10, but preferably, the tanks 18a-c are disposed beneath the operator cab 13. Figure 4 Three tanks 18a-c are shown, but there may be more or fewer tanks in other embodiments.

[0111] Each tank 18a-c is generally torpedo-shaped, having a cylindrical central body with a first hemispherical end and a second hemispherical end. The tanks 18a-c are elongated with their longitudinal axes 20 lying horizontally and transverse to the longitudinal axis 11 of the machine 10 and the operator's cab 13. In other words, the tanks 18a-c span the width of the machine 10 and are perpendicular to the length of the machine 10.

[0112] The storage tanks 18a-c are disposed in a housing 22 (which may be referred to as an outer shell) below the operator cab 13. The outer shell 22 may include a partition 24 and at least one outer sidewall 26 extending downwardly from the partition 24. The partition 24 may be configured to bear the weight of the storage tanks 18a-c and, in combination with the sidewall 26, provide a sealed enclosure so that escaping gaseous fuel can be discharged into the atmosphere at a safe location. In this way, the partition 24 is connected to the sidewall 26 to provide a substantially sealed space, eliminating one or more vents. In some embodiments, the partition may be integrally formed as part of the cab 13. Thus, the floor of the cab 13 may form part of the outer shell of the storage tanks 18a-c.

[0113] The connection between the sidewall 26 and the bulkhead 24 can be any suitable connection that provides a suitable seal. Thus, the bulkhead 24 and a portion of the sidewall 26 can comprise a single component formed or joined to prevent gas from escaping therebetween. Thus, the bulkhead 24 can be connected to the intermediate sealing member by welding or bolting.

[0114] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, a sealing member 28 is disposed therebetween so that the bulkhead 24 and sidewall 26 can be installed separately. The sealing member 28 may be an elastically deformable, compressible, or flexible sealing member 38 disposed about the peripheral edge of the bulkhead 24 and positioned so that the sealing member is compressed by the sidewall 26 when the two are assembled together. It will be appreciated that the use of an elastically deformable, compressible, or flexible sealing member 28 between the bulkhead 24 and sidewall 26 may be advantageous for ease of assembly and for allowing differential movement between the two components during use. In this manner, the bulkhead 24 and the tanks 18a-18c and associated piping may be provided as a subassembly and installed prior to installing the housing sidewall 26.

[0115] In the embodiment described, the sealing member 28 comprises a bubble seal as is known in the art, however, other forms of compressible or flexible strip seals or members will also be possible. It will be appreciated that the specific geometry and material of the sealing member will be application specific as is known in the art and will not be further described herein.

[0116] The partition 24 can include a plate-like member having one or more raised portions 24-1 to provide a gas funnel for directing escaping gas toward an opening, thereby allowing it to be discharged into the atmosphere at a selected safe location. The raised portion 24-1 of this embodiment can be seen in Figure 5a and includes a single raised portion located at the center of the partition 24. Thus, a partition 24 is provided having a central raised portion 24-1 set at a first height and adjacent side areas 24-2 set at a lower second height. The raised portion 24-1 can extend longitudinally along the central axis of the central tank 18b and extend laterally across the width of the tank. As shown in the figure, when viewed from the side, the raised portion 24-1 can extend along the entire length of the tank and span the center third of the width of the tanks 18a-c. Therefore, the raised portion 24-1 extends in a direction common to the tanks and can have a size and geometry suitable for receiving a portion of one of the tanks 18a-c. As described further below, the raised portion 24 - 1 may be received between cantilever members (which may be referred to as arms) 32 - 1 and 32 - 2 that support the cab 13 .

[0117] In the described embodiment, a plurality of tanks 18a-c are arranged in a laterally distributed array so as to be positioned side by side and extend in a common lateral direction relative to the length of the machine 10. One of the tanks (the center tank 18b in the described embodiment) is elevated relative to the other tanks 18a, 18c so that its centerline is arranged vertically higher. This allows the side tanks 18a, 18c to move laterally inward while maintaining appropriate separation between the tanks 18a-c. In this way, for a given size of tank 18a-c, the tanks 18a-c can occupy a smaller footprint, thereby maximizing storage under the cab 13 while maintaining ground clearance. In other embodiments, the tanks can be aligned longitudinally in the fore-aft direction. The advantage of longitudinal alignment with the direction of travel is that it reduces stress on the circumferential retention straps during vehicle acceleration and braking.

[0118] In work machine 10, tanks 18a-c are advantageously located completely below floor 13-1 of operator cab 13 and between front and rear wheels 17-1, 17-2. Thus, tanks 18a-18c are provided with a degree of top and side impact protection.

[0119] It can be seen that the central tank 18b is partially located within the raised portion 24-1, thereby allowing the width of the tank assembly to be reduced. Thus, providing the raised portion 24-1 in the central region not only facilitates directing escaping gases to the vent, but also facilitates receiving a portion of the central tank 18b and allowing for a more compact tank assembly.

[0120] In addition to providing the above advantages, the partition 24 can be used to provide a structural member from which the storage tanks 18a-c are suspended. In doing so, a storage tank assembly comprising the storage tanks 18a-c and associated valves and / or piping systems and the partition 24 can be provided. The storage tank assembly can form a subassembly that is mounted to the chassis 30 as a single unit. The advantage of providing a storage tank assembly is that it allows the storage tanks 18a-c and associated piping systems and valves / regulators to be assembled and tested before being installed in the operating machine. This can provide convenience in assembly and testing and can also prevent excessive rework in the event of a fault being detected later. In an embodiment, the storage tank assembly includes a support member (e.g., a partition) on which a plurality of tanks are mounted, a tank valve associated with each tank, an outlet regulator, and a filling inlet nozzle. The storage tank assembly can additionally include an outer shell.

[0121] In the example shown, the bulkhead 24 is attached to the chassis 30 via a cab support structure 32. The cab support structure 32 is configured to provide structural support to the operator cab 13 and can take any suitable form. In the depicted embodiment, the cab support structure 32 includes a pair of cantilever members 32-1, 32-2 extending from a chassis sidewall 30-1. The chassis sidewall 30-1 can be a sidewall of a lift arm housing, as further described below.

[0122] The use of cantilever members 32-1, 32-2 is particularly advantageous because it allows the raised portion 24-1 to be located therebetween. Thus, the space below the cab floor 13-1 can be used to accommodate a portion of the tank 18b located within the raised portion 24-1, which in turn allows the tanks 18a-c to be packed more tightly together.

[0123] The elongated cantilever members 32-1, 32-2 extend from a first end fixed to the chassis side wall 30-1 to a terminal free end. The cantilever members 32-1, 32-2 together provide a platform on which the operator cab 13 is located and attached. The attachment between the operator cab 13 and the cab support structure 32 can be of any suitable type. In this embodiment, the operator cab 13 can be mounted using a plurality of flexible mounting pads (e.g., four) that allow the cab to move relative to each other during use, thereby improving the ride quality and experience for the operator. However, the use of such pads can be omitted.

[0124] The cantilever members 32-1 and 32-2 of this embodiment comprise an open-top box beam with a C-beam profile, within which is disposed a base 32-3 having two sidewalls 32-4 extending upward therefrom. The cantilever members 32-1 and 32-2 may include flared sidewalls 32-4 that slope outwardly from the centerline of the base 32-3 to provide a flat-bottomed V-shaped profile. The slope of the sidewalls 32-4 can be between 35 and 75 degrees, advantageously allowing the depth of the cab support structure 32 to be reduced when compared to conventional C-beam sections with vertical sidewalls. Consequently, the space beneath the cab support structure 32 can be maximized, allowing for larger tanks and / or tanks suspended higher above the ground level of the ground-engaging structure 17. In some embodiments, the use of sloped sidewalls 32-4 allows the machine to maintain ground clearance consistent with conventional machines of the same type while allowing for larger tanks.

[0125] It can be seen that the base 32-3 of the cantilever member 32 can include a gusset 32-5 that extends along its length between the side walls 32-4 to provide a platform for mounting the operator cab 13 and a cavity below in which fasteners for the cab mount and bulkhead 24 can be received. The use of the gusset is optional and can be provided to aid in the installation of the operator cab.

[0126] In some embodiments, the cantilever can be provided in the form of a box section rather than a C-beam.The box section can be conventional, with four walls arranged at 90 degrees to each other, or it can be trapezoidal, with side walls sloping outwards, as described above.

[0127] As mentioned above, in addition to providing structural support for the operator cab 13, the cab support structure 32 can also provide a structural member from which the bulkhead 24 can be suspended. As best shown in Figures 2a, 2b, and 5, the bulkhead 24 is attached to the cab support structure 32 via a plurality of attachment points distributed on its upper surface. The specific number and location of the attachment points can vary depending on the embodiment, but in the example shown in Figure 3b, the cab support structure 32 is provided with a plurality of small cantilever brackets extending from its underside to provide attachment points. Conventional studs and nuts (or bolts) can be used to achieve attachment, but other methods are also possible.

[0128] To help protect the gas storage system and / or isolate the gas storage system from unwanted vibrations generated during use of the machine 10, the bulkhead 24 may be attached via suitable anti-vibration mounts 24-3. Anti-vibration mounts are generally known in the art and are used to mechanically isolate the bulkhead 24 and the tanks 18a-c from the main chassis to avoid unwanted vibrations and mechanical shocks.

[0129] In the example shown, the partition 24 is provided with four attachments, two on the underside region 24-2 and two on the raised portion 24-1. However, in some embodiments more or fewer attachments may be used, and the locations may vary.

[0130] As described above, the bulkhead 24 can be suspended from the cab support structure 32 and include seals to allow relative movement between the bulkhead and the sidewalls of the housing 22. As shown in FIG2a, the housing sidewalls 26 include an outer shell 26-1 and a chassis sidewall 30-1. Oriented relative to the machine, the outer shell 26-1 can include a front wall 26-2, a rear wall 26-3, and outer cab sidewalls 26-4, as well as bottom walls 27 and 27-1. The front wall 22-2, rear wall 22-3, and bottom wall 27 can be attached to the chassis sidewall 30 at multiple fixing points using conventional means, such as threaded studs or nuts and bolts. In some embodiments, the housing 22 can extend below the chassis sidewall 30-1, in which case there can be additional inner sidewalls (not shown) extending upward from the bottom wall 27 to the chassis sidewall 30-1. In some embodiments, the inner sidewalls can be used to locate one or more air inlets or blower units 36, described further below.

[0131] The interface between the outer shell 26 - 1 and the chassis sidewall 30 - 1 may be provided with suitable seals to facilitate proper drainage of any escaping gaseous fuel.

[0132] The bulkhead 24 may comprise a single continuous sheet of material (e.g., steel), or may be made of multiple components that are appropriately joined together to provide the necessary seal. The outer shell 26-1 may comprise a sheet of material that is folded and / or joined to provide the outer shell. The outer shell 26-1 is substantially sealed, except that the outer cab sidewall 26-4 may include a plurality of holes to provide access to the cab access step 40, described in further detail later, and the inlet 36-1 for the purge air.

[0133] As best shown in Figures 2b and 5, the raised portion 24-1 of the bulkhead 24 may include a vent 34 for allowing gaseous fuel to vent to the atmosphere in a safe location. The vent 34 is depicted as being positioned toward the inside of the raised bulkhead portion 24-1 and includes a vent line 34-1 that extends from a vent hole in the bulkhead 24 and upward toward and through the chassis sidewall 30-1. In other embodiments, the vent line 34-1 may be directed forward or rearward from the operator cab 13 to a suitable outlet. The chassis sidewall 30-1 of the depicted embodiment defines a lift arm housing, in which the lift arm 14 resides when in the non-operating position or when lowered, and / or provides a pivotal mounting for the lift arm 14 defined by axis A. The lift arm housing may include a pair of parallel sidewalls and may be sized to adequately receive the lift arm 14 with sufficient clearance to allow any exhaust gas, such as hydrogen, which has a density significantly less than that of air, to quickly rise and be diluted to avoid accidental ignition. Furthermore, the lift arm housing may be free of any electrical devices that could provide an ignition source.

[0134] Another advantage of having the bulkhead 24 vent into the lift arm housing is that the bulkhead is located inside, approximately centrally, the machine 10, thereby helping to separate it from potential ignition sources on the exterior of the machine 10. Furthermore, the outlet 34-2 is also located inside the operator cab 13, which can help shield the vent 34-2 from view and further separate the escaping gases from any ignition sources that may be in the operator cab 13. Furthermore, the lift arm 14 can help shield the vent outlet from water ingress from above.

[0135] The vent 34 can be passive in that it merely provides fluid communication between the interior of the tank housing 22 and the exterior of the machine 10, such that the gaseous fuel, which has a significantly lower density than air, can passively rise out of the vent 34 to be exhausted to the exterior. Thus, the vent 34 can be positioned in the highest position of the housing 22, with the duct outlet 34-2 located at a higher position than the inlet and providing a continuous upward trajectory.

[0136] In different embodiments, the location of the vent 34 in the bulkhead 24, the cross-sectional area of ​​the duct 34-1, and the outlet 34-2 can vary. In the illustrated embodiment, as indicated, the vent 34 is positioned toward the chassis sidewall 30-1 defining the lift arm housing. The duct 34-1 is rectangular in cross-section, thereby increasing the cross-sectional flow area (compared to a circular duct of comparable diameter, although a circular or round shape may be used in other embodiments). Despite the advantages described above, in some embodiments, the vent outlet 34-2 may be advantageously located elsewhere, such as at the front or rear of the operator cab 13, or within a step pocket, where appropriate.

[0137] Although the vents 34 are passive and do not include any air shifting components, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide forced ventilation to help purge any escaping gaseous fuel from the housing 22. Accordingly, the housing 22 may include a blower unit 36 ​​(an example of which is shown in the embodiment of FIG2 a), such as an electric fan, that is configured to provide positive pressure in the housing 22 to generate a purge flow via the vents 34. In some embodiments, the blower unit 36 ​​may be configured to draw air into the housing 22. In this case, the blower unit 36 ​​may be an intrinsically safe electric fan that does not cause a spark with sufficient energy to ignite any escaping gas. For example, such a fan may include a brushless fan motor.

[0138] The blower unit 36 ​​may be provided in any suitable location. Generally, it will be preferred to provide the blower unit on the opposite side of the housing relative to the vent 34 to provide a more efficient purge flow through the housing 22. Additionally, if the vent 34 is located in the uppermost surface, the blower unit 36, which may provide a potential ignition source, is provided at the opposite end of the housing 22, providing some natural separation.

[0139] The housing 22 may include a bottom wall 27 on the underside of the tanks 18a-c to provide some protection from, for example, foreign matter entering the housing 22 and the gas storage system. The bottom wall 27 may include a hole that provides an inlet for a purge air flow, with the blower unit 36 ​​located internally or externally.

[0140] As best shown in FIG. 2 a , the rear lowermost corner 22 - 1 of the housing 22 may be provided with an inclined wall portion 27 - 1 extending between the lowermost portion of the bottom wall 27 and the side walls 26 .

[0141] The blower unit 36 ​​may be a conventional intrinsically safe electric fan unit having a rotating impeller driven by an electric motor to provide suitable airflow, as known in the art. It should be understood that the size and flow rate of the blower unit 36 ​​will be application specific and may vary between embodiments.

[0142] The blower unit 36 ​​can be configured to provide only positive airflow into the housing 22, such that air and any associated gases accumulated within the housing 22 are forced upward and out of the vents 34 rather than through the blower unit 36. In doing so, airflow through the fan and any potential contact with an associated ignition source can be minimized.

[0143] Blower unit 36 ​​may be permanently on when machine 10 is powered on and / or the engine is running (as scheduled to operate at predetermined times or operating conditions), or the blower unit may be activated in the event that gas buildup exceeds an acceptable level. Accordingly, machine 10 may include a controller 37 (see FIG. 1 d ) that is communicatively coupled to blower unit 36 ​​and configured to control the operation of blower unit 36.

[0144] In the event of gas accumulation, housing 22 may be provided with a gas sensor 38 that can detect the amount or concentration of gas within housing 22. Gas sensor 38 may be communicatively coupled to controller 37 and may provide an input signal to controller 37 indicating gas accumulation within housing 22.

[0145] One or more predetermined thresholds may be used to make the decision to activate the blower unit 38 and evacuate the housing 22. Thus, the controller 37 may be configured to receive an input signal from the sensor 38 indicating the concentration of gas within the tank housing 22, compare the input signal to a predetermined threshold, and if the signal is above the threshold, activate the blower unit 38. The blower unit 38 may then be energized until the gas concentration drops below a first threshold or another threshold, or may be energized for a predetermined amount of time.

[0146] In some cases, the controller 37 can be configured to provide a warning to the operator when gas is sensed within the housing 22. Thus, the operator cab 13 can be provided with one or more warning devices, such as visual, auditory, or tactile output devices, configured to provide appropriate indications or warnings to the operator when a gas leak is detected. The visual, auditory, and / or tactile output devices can be any suitable devices known in the art and can include, for example, one or more of an illuminated display device, a speaker, a sounder, or a vibration device. The illuminated display device can include one or more LEDs, and / or a display screen configured to provide one or more of an image, text, or a warning light. In some embodiments, the output of the sensor 38 and / or the warning device can be remotely monitored via a suitable communication link. For example, remote monitoring can be performed for maintenance or performance reasons.

[0147] The controller 37 can be configured to provide a warning to the operator and / or activate the fan at one or more threshold levels. Thus, there may be a first threshold at which a warning is provided to the operator, a second threshold at which the fan is activated, and a third threshold at which the engine is shut down and / or the tank is isolated via the tank valve. It should be understood that one or more of the thresholds can trigger multiple events. For example, a first threshold may result in a warning being provided to the operator and the fan being activated, while a second threshold may result in the tank being isolated or drained in a controlled manner, the engine being shut down, or an alternative warning being provided to the operator.

[0148] The one or more thresholds described above may be determined based on acceptable gas concentration levels. In some embodiments, the threshold may be associated with, for example, a gas concentration of 1%, which may indicate a clear leak or may be harmful to the operator by causing dizziness or impairing cognitive function. In other embodiments, the one or more thresholds may be associated with a 2.3%-2.9% threshold, which corresponds to a potentially dangerous rise in gas accumulation, which approaches a flammable concentration, which for hydrogen is 4%. Other ranges and values ​​of thresholds are possible.

[0149] Controller 37 may be a conventional controller 37 as is known in the art and may include one or more conventional electronic control units (ECUs) for operating machine 10. The ECUs may include one or more of an engine management ECU, a display ECU, a general machine ECU, or a dedicated gas control ECU. As will be appreciated, controller 37 may include one or more processors and a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform the control methods described herein.

[0150] As best seen in FIG1d , access to the operator cab 13 can be provided through an opening in the cab sidewall 13-2. In the illustrated embodiment, a door 13-3 is shown that is pivotable about a plurality of hinges 13-4 disposed on the rear cab pillars, and a handle 13-5 is provided toward the front for latching and optionally locking the door 13-3 in a closed position. It should be understood that the presence and arrangement of the door 13-3 may vary widely in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0151] Directly below the cab entrance are a plurality of cab access steps 40 configured to receive the operator's feet when entering or exiting cab 13. In prior art machines, steps 40 typically comprise a vertical array of two or three steps, depending on the size of the machine, or a single step. The steps are typically positioned flush with and extend below the outer wall of cab 13. A problem with this type of prior art step arrangement for machines having storage tanks below cab 13 is that the steps necessarily reduce the volume available for storing tanks 18a-c.

[0152] To eliminate this, the present disclosure provides a material handling machine 10 comprising a body 12 mounted on a ground engaging structure 17; a telescopic lift arm 14 pivotally mounted to the body 12; an operator cab 13 mounted to the body 12 adjacent the telescopic arm 14; and a plurality of steps 40 positioned below an entrance to the operator cab 13 for ease of entry and exit; and a plurality of tanks 18a-c for receiving gaseous fuel, wherein the tanks 18a-c are positioned below the operator cab 13 and distributed laterally to be located side by side below the floor of the operator cab 13, behind the plurality of steps 18a-c.

[0153] Steps 40 can be positioned around one or more of the tanks 18a-c such that, when viewed along the length of the tanks 18a-c, a portion of one of the tanks 18a-c (such as the end and / or tank valve 42 and / or associated piping) is located horizontally or vertically between two of the steps 40. The portion of the tank 18a-c can protrude between two of the tanks 18a-c, extending axially beyond the rearmost portion of the steps 40. In other words, a portion of one or more of the tanks 18a-c can protrude beyond the vertical plane defined by the rearmost portion of the step tread 40-5 or the rear wall of the step pocket 40-4. In some embodiments, the separation of the steps 40 can simply provide the desired separation between the housing / step and the portion of the tank 18a-c, and the portion of the tank may not extend forward of the rear plane of the steps 40. When viewed head-on, the steps 40 can radially overlap two or more of the tanks 18a-c.

[0154] Arranging the steps 40 about the tanks 18a - c such that the steps 40 extend axially between the tanks 18a - c (and vice versa) allows for maximization of the storage area beneath the operator cab 13 for the tanks 18a - c.

[0155] To maximize the size of the storage tanks 18a-c, the present disclosure provides laterally separated steps 40-1, 40-2 located at a common height. Thus, the upper step (which, in some embodiments, may be a lower step) may include multiple individual steps 40-1, 40-2 with a portion of the tank 18b located therebetween. In some embodiments, a portion of one of the storage tanks 18a-c may additionally or alternatively be located between steps disposed at different heights. Thus, as further described below, the tank valve 42 or other portion of the tank may be located above the lower step 40-3 and between the upper steps 40-1, 40-2.

[0156] Furthermore, as previously described, the tanks 18a-c and / or tank valves 42 can be positioned at different heights, such that the central tank valve 42-b is positioned above the lower step 40-3 and between the two upper steps 40-1, 40-2, and the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 are positioned above one or more side tank valves 40-a, 40-b. In the illustrated embodiment, the relative heights of the tank valve 42, when viewed from left to right, are low, high, low, and the relative heights of the steps 40 are high, low, high, thereby allowing the steps 40 and tanks 18a-c, positioned at a common lateral location, to be vertically separated, thereby allowing them to overlap axially.

[0157] More specifically, referring to Figures 3a and 3b, stepped pockets 40-4 are provided in the outer cab sidewall 26-3 of the housing 22. The pockets 40-4 may include a closed wall structure that maintains the sealed integrity of the housing 22, with each pocket including a pedal 40-5 for receiving the operator's foot. Each pocket 40-4 may include sidewalls on either side of the pedal 40-5, a bottom wall below the pedal 40-5, an inner rear wall, and an upper wall. However, it should be understood that one or more of the pocket walls may be omitted when not necessary for the integrity of the housing 22. This can be seen in the lower step 40-3, which includes a rear wall, side walls, and an upper wall, but lacks a bottom wall. The bottom wall is omitted, resulting in the lower edge of the pocket 40-4 being defined solely by the pedal 40-5. In other pockets, the pedal 40-5 may be spaced above the bottom wall to allow debris and fluid to drain. It can be seen that the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 and the lower step 40-3 are each formed by a different pocket 40-4 with a portion of the outer wall extending therebetween. The lateral separation and inward extension of the pockets 40-4 create an internal recess therebetween in which a portion of the can 40 can be received.

[0158] The upper steps 40-1, 40-2 can be equally spaced on either side of the central axis 44 of the central tank 18b. The width of each upper step 40-1, 40-2 can be less than the spacing between the central tank 18b and the adjacent tank 18a or 18c, so that the pockets 40-4 of the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 can be received between the corresponding tank valves 42.

[0159] The lower step 40-3 can be provided as a single step that can be centrally located between the two upper steps 40-1, 40-2. The lower step 40-3 is centered between the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 and extends laterally beyond their respective inner edges so that, when viewed from the cab side of the machine 10, a portion (approximately one-quarter to one-third) of the steps 40-1, 40-3 and 40-2, 40-3 overlap in vertical alignment. The width of the lower step 40-3 is less than the spacing between the tank valves 42 on the two side tanks 18a, 18b, allowing it to be accommodated therebetween.

[0160] The dimensions of the upper step pockets 40-1, 40-2 may include a height between 150 mm and 225 mm (optionally between 160 mm and 190 mm), a depth between 100 mm and 200 mm (optionally between 140 mm and 150 mm), and a width between 150 mm and 300 mm (optionally between 150 mm and 250 mm). The dimensions of the lower step 40-3 may include a height between 150 mm and 225 mm (optionally between 160 mm and 190 mm), a depth between 100 mm and 200 mm (optionally between 140 mm and 150 mm), and a width between 300 mm and 500 mm (optionally between 400 mm and 450 mm). It will be appreciated that other dimensions are possible.

[0161] It should be understood that the exact arrangement of the upper steps 40-1, 40-2, and lower steps 40-3 will depend on the size, spacing, and shape of the tanks 18a-c and may vary from the example shown here. In some embodiments, for example, both the upper and lower steps, or only the lower step, may include laterally separated pockets. Thus, there may be a single upper step and multiple lower steps arranged at a common height. Furthermore, there may be more than two levels of steps, each level of steps comprising a single step or multiple laterally separated steps to accommodate the tanks and increase the available storage area under the cab. In some embodiments, the upper and lower steps may be single steps that are horizontally offset relative to each other so that they are not vertically aligned. In doing so, the upper and lower steps can be laterally shifted relative to each other to accommodate the tank valve and / or tank and / or gas line as needed. Providing two steps at a given height is particularly advantageous because it allows for easy access with either foot.

[0162] As described above, one or more storage tanks 18a-c can be positioned higher than one or more of the other tanks. In the embodiment shown, the higher position of the center tank 18b allows it to be located above the lower step 40-3 and flanked by upper steps 40-1, 40-2, which in turn are located above the height of the lower side tanks. This means that a single lower step 40-3 and two upper steps 40-1, 40-2 are particularly advantageous. The center height of the side tanks 18a, 18c can be lower than the upper steps 40-1, 40-2, allowing the upper steps to be positioned further outward and / or wider.

[0163] Thus, in some embodiments (not shown), the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 may extend above the tank valves 42 or other portions of the side tanks 18a, 18c and reside on either side of or flush with the tank valve 42 or a portion of the center step 18b.

[0164] In addition to providing advantageous packaging, the single lower step 40-3 and two upper steps 40-1, 40-2 work well because it allows a user to place either foot on the lower step 40-3 while being able to naturally place the other foot (whether left or right) in one of the right or left step pockets 40-1, 40-2 without having to change body position. That is, the arrangement of the steps 40 is equally suitable for left-foot dominant or right-foot dominant people.

[0165] The step 40 may be formed as an integral part of the outer shell 26-1 or may be separately attached to the base pan 30 and / or bulkhead 24 to provide additional rigidity. Separately attaching the step 40 to the base pan 30 and / or bulkhead 24 may reduce the strength required of the shell 22, thereby saving weight and cost, and may also help reduce movement in the step 40 during use, thereby helping to maintain the sealing integrity of the shell 22.

[0166] In some embodiments, it may be preferable to construct the step 40 as a subassembly before attaching it to the chassis 30 and / or bulkhead 24 and / or outer shell 26-1. Thus, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the step 40 can be formed as a subassembly 46 that includes a separate step pocket 40-4 connected to one or more structural members 46-1, 46-2, and 46-3. The subassembly 46 can be attached to the chassis 30 or bulkhead 24 as needed before receiving the outer shell 26-1. Providing a subassembly of the step helps limit the amount of time and assembly work required on the machine in and around the tank and reduces the risk of damage.

[0167] In the embodiment shown, the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 each include an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall (relative to the subassembly), and the lower step 40-3 includes two outer sidewalls. The subassembly 46 includes a first lateral support member 46-1 and a second lateral support member 46-2 that extend between the respective outer edges of the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 and the lower step 40-3 on either side of the device. The upper end of each lateral support member 46-1, 46-2 includes an attachment point 46-4 to the cab support structure 32, which provides the necessary structural rigidity to support the step 40 during use. More specifically, referring to Figures 3b and Figure 4 Each cab support boom 32-1, 32-2 is provided with an attachment plate that projects outwardly toward the outer cab side of the machine 10. Each lateral support member 46-1, 46-2 includes a corresponding plate so that the two can be abutted and secured together (e.g., using a plurality of bolts (as shown)).

[0168] The lateral support members 46-1, 46-2 can take any suitable form that provides the necessary support. In the depicted embodiment, the lateral support members 46-1, 46-2 comprise flat plates that are attached to the vertical outer sidewalls of the step pocket 40-4 using one or more conventional means, such as nuts and bolts. The plates can be provided with a lateral offset in the form of a dogleg that accounts for differences in the vertical alignment of the outer edges of the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 and the lower step 40-3.

[0169] The inner walls of the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 and the lower step 40-3 are connected by a central member 46-3. The central member 46-3 is attached to the opposing inner pocket side walls of the upper steps 40-1, 40-2 and the upper pocket wall of the lower step 40-3. The central member 46-3 can be floating, as it may not be directly attached to the chassis 30 or the cab support structure 32. As can be seen, the central member 46-3 can take the form of a T-shaped or Y-shaped piece, with each end connected to the step pocket wall.

[0170] The central member 46-3 may include one or more holes or cutouts to allow inspection and access to the tank valve 42 and the piping associated with the storage tanks 18a-c. However, it should be understood that due to the attachment point 46-4 provided at the free end of the cab support structure 32, the subassembly 46 may be removed for maintenance purposes.

[0171] To expose the step pocket 44, the outer cab sidewall of the housing 22 includes an aperture corresponding to the size of the step pocket 44. It should be understood that the interface between the outer housing 26-1 and the step pocket 44 may be provided with a sealing member (not shown) to maintain the integrity of the housing 22. Additionally, if desired, a sealing member may be provided between the bulkhead 24 and the rear side of the upper step pocket.

[0172] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the step pocket may be formed as an integral part of the sidewall of the housing, rather than a separately mounted subassembly.

[0173] As can be seen in Figures 1e and 2a, the housing 22 can extend above the bulkhead 24 to meet the underside of the cab floor 13-1 and / or door 13-3. In doing so, the upper portion of the outer shell 26-1 can shield the cab support structure 32 and close the gap extending between the upper surface of the bulkhead 24 and the underside of the floor 13-1.

[0174] In the unlikely event that escaping gases would be able to collect in this void, the upper portion of the sidewall 26 may include one or more ventilation openings 26-5. In various embodiments, the ventilation openings 26-5 may be provided in the upper portion of the outer shell 26-1 or in the chassis sidewall 30-1.

[0175] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2b, vent 26-5 is arranged on the inclined upper edge of outer shell 26-1, is positioned at upper first step 40-1 and second step 40-2 just above.As shown in the figure, vent 26-5 can be aligned with step 40-1, 40-2, so that the edge of step and the edge of vent are arranged at the common lateral position on each side, however, this is not a restriction.The positioning of vent 26-5 in this position can provide the indication of step position to the operator leaving operator cab 13.When there is no vent 26-5, due to the vertical orientation of shell wall, the position of step 40 will be blocked, so that it can not be easily seen from cab 13.Using vent 26-5 as the indication of the position of step 40 can provide a convenient way for knowing the position of step 40.In other embodiments, sand strips, decals or paint etc. can be used to indicate step, which may be preferred for preventing water from entering.

[0176] The multiple storage tanks 18a-c of the present disclosure can be arranged in an array. The array can include a lateral distribution of the storage tanks 18a-c so that they are located side by side below the cab 13. As will be appreciated, the storage tanks 18a-c will require one or more gas lines 54 for filling and draining the gaseous fuel. In addition, the gas storage device requires one or more valves 42 to control the flow of gas into and out of the tanks 18a-c. The gas lines 54 can be referred to as conduits or piping and can generally include an outer cylindrical wall that defines passages to provide fluid communication for pressurized gas between various portions of the storage tanks 18a-c and other portions of the machine 10.

[0177] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the tanks 18a-c is provided with a tank valve 42. The tank valve 42 (which may be referred to as a tank valve 42) may be mounted to a first end of the tank 18a-c inside the housing 22. Thus, the present disclosure provides an off-highway machine comprising: a body 12 mounted on a ground-engaging structure 17; an array of tanks 18a-c for receiving gaseous fuel within the body 12, each tank 18a-c comprising a cylinder having a central axis 44, a first end 48-1, and a second end 48-2, and oriented such that the first end of each tank 18a-c is disposed on the same side of the array, wherein each first end 48-1 of the tanks 18a-c is provided with a tank valve 42 for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel into and out of the corresponding tank 18a-c.

[0178] Thus, an array of storage tanks 18a-c is provided, each having a corresponding tank valve 42 positioned adjacent to one another, typically on the outside ends of the tanks to provide convenient access for maintenance, etc. Placing the tank valves 42 on the outside and adjacent to one another facilitates easier installation and maintenance, and also facilitates maximizing storage. However, in other embodiments, it may be preferable to mount the tanks with the valves located inside to provide improved impact protection.

[0179] The tank valves 42 of each storage tank 18a-c can be connected in series in a fluid-connected manner, so that the first storage tank 18a of the multiple storage tanks includes an outlet 42-2 that is fluidly connected to the inlet 42-1 of the tank valve 42 of the second storage tank 18b, and the second tank valve 42 can include an outlet 42-2 that is fluidly connected to the inlet 42-1 of the tank valve 42 of the third storage tank 18c, and so on.

[0180] The first tank 18a in the series may include a fill inlet valve 42-3 in fluid communication with a fill nozzle inlet 50 so that tanks 18a-c may be filled via the series connection. The final tank 18c in the series of tanks may be connected to an outlet regulator 52 or other point of use.

[0181] To provide connections between the tanks 18a-c, each valve 42 may include a plurality of ports. The plurality of ports may include a first port and a second port, each port providing an inlet 42-1 or an outlet 42-2 attached to a corresponding inlet conduit or outlet conduit for receiving gaseous fuel from and delivering gaseous fuel to the storage tanks 18a-c, respectively.

[0182] The first port and the second port can be configured so that they can be used as an inlet port 42-1 for receiving gas flow from an upstream tank, or as an outlet port 42-2 for discharging gas flow to a downstream tank. In the present disclosure, a bidirectional flow channel can be included between the first port and the second port so that gas can flow in either direction. Thus, if the first port is connected to the outlet of the upstream tank, it will be configured as the inlet 42-1, and the second port will be used as the outlet 42-2 to deliver gas to the downstream tank (or other endpoint).

[0183] Another advantage of providing a series connection of tanks in this manner is that the pressure of the common line connecting all the tanks can help identify faults in individual tanks. That is, the pressure of the common line connecting each tank valve in series can be measured, for example, at the outlet regulator 52, and compared to the pressure of each individual tank, for example, as measured by the tank valves. If the difference between the common line pressure and the individual tank pressure is too great, a sensor error can be inferred in the tank valve / sensor.

[0184] The physical locations of the ports can be selected to simplify interconnection of the various gas lines 54. Thus, for example, each tank valve 42 can correspond to another tank valve 42 in the plurality of tanks 18a-c, thereby including a central body 42-4 attached to the corresponding tank and ports extending radially from the central body perpendicular to the tank axis 44. The angular positions of the first and second ports can be the same for each valve 42, such that when installed in a common orientation, for example, the first ports all point upward and the second ports all point downward.

[0185] Because the ports can be configured, for example, to be bidirectional, the interconnecting gas lines 54 can be disposed on the same side of the tank valves. Thus, as best shown in Figures 5a and 5b, a first interconnecting gas line 54a extending between the first tank 18a and the second tank 18b is disposed on the bottom side of the first tank valve 42 and the second tank valve 42, and a second interconnecting gas line 54b extending between the second tank 18b and the third tank 18c can be disposed on the top side of the tank valve 42.

[0186] This arrangement in which the direction of flow through the valves 42 is interchanged between adjacent valves 42 allows the length of the interconnecting lines 54 to be reduced and the wiring to be simplified. Consequently, the space required for the gas storage assembly can be reduced and the size of the tank can be increased.

[0187] In some embodiments not shown, the first and second ports of adjacent tank valves 52 may face each other horizontally, allowing the length of the interconnecting gas lines 54 to be further reduced, subject to including any necessary slack to account for expansion or movement in use.

[0188] As noted, the first tank 18a in the flow series is connected to a fill nozzle inlet 50. The fill nozzle inlet 50 can be positioned near the first tank 18a so that the length of the gas line 54 extending therebetween can be kept to a minimum. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the fill nozzle inlet 50 is positioned toward the top of the housing 22 to make filling easier for the operator and also to allow the fill nozzle inlet 50 to be securely attached to the cab support structure 32 and / or bulkhead 24. Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the outlet regulator 52 can be attached to the storage tank subassembly adjacent the third tank 18c via suitable brackets and / or fasteners, for example, to the bulkhead 24. The outlet regulator 52 can be sized and positioned to be located behind the final tank 18c, in the recess provided by the hemispherical end cap of that tank.

[0189] The filling nozzle inlet 52 can be configured to receive a corresponding nozzle of a refueling device (not shown) as is known in the art. To protect the filling nozzle from the elements and the general environment, the filling nozzle inlet 52 can be disposed behind a door 56 disposed in an outer wall of the tank housing 22. The door 56 can be hinged, as is known in the art.

[0190] The present disclosure also provides a nozzle support 56a configured to receive and support the weight of the nozzle during the filling operation. The nozzle support 56a can be positioned on the inside of the door 56 so that when the door 56 is opened to expose the filling nozzle inlet 52, the nozzle support 56a deploys. The nozzle support 56a can take any suitable form and will depend on the fueling nozzle being used. In some embodiments, the nozzle support 56a can include a shelf, saddle, or collar that cantilevers from the interior of the filling inlet nozzle door 56.

[0191] In order to simplify the assembly of the gas storage tanks 18a-c, it may be preferred to attach a tank valve 42 to each tank 18a-c before attaching the tank to the bulkhead 24 to provide a tank assembly for mounting to the machine. When doing so, the tank valve 42 and each of the tanks 18a-c need to be correctly oriented so that the ports are set in the correct and corresponding positions. To achieve this, each tank 18a-c can be provided with an angular positioning feature, such as the protrusion 58 shown in Figure 5a, or a notched flange that can receive or abut a corresponding feature on the bulkhead. Thus, for example, each tank can be loosely coupled to the bulkhead 24 using a strap. The loose coupling allows the tank 18a-c to be rotated to allow the angular rotation feature to engage with the bracket on which it is located.

[0192] Each tank 18a-c may include a pressure relief valve 59, such as a thermal pressure relief valve, configured to open when the internal temperature of the tank exceeds a predetermined temperature. Thermal pressure relief devices (TPRDs) are well known in the art. As shown, for convenience, the pressure relief valve 59 may be disposed within the tank valve 42.

[0193] The pressure relief valve from each tank 18a-c can be connected to a tank vent line 60 that extends to a tank vent outlet 62 located remotely from the storage tanks 18a-c. The connection between the multiple tanks 18a-c and the tank outlet 62 can be achieved using a radial configuration in which the vent line 60 extends from each tank valve 42 to one or more connection nodes. A common vent line 64 extends from one of the connection nodes to the outlet 62.

[0194] As shown in the arrangement of Figures 5a and 5b, there is a vent line 60 from the outlet regulator 52 and each tank valve 42. The vent line 60 is connected to a common vent line 64 through two separate nodes, and the common vent line extends from one of the nodes to Figure 4 As with the first and second ports, the pressure relief valve 59 and associated ports are provided in the same position on each tank valve 42 to simplify connections and minimize routing of different lines.

[0195] Pressure relief valve 59 is configured to open in the event of an increase in pressure (e.g., due to the increased temperature of a fire). Once triggered, the pressurized contents of tanks 18a-c are rapidly discharged along vent lines 60, 64 and out outlet 62. Furthermore, it is likely that if one pressure relief valve 59 opens, the other pressure relief valves will also open (given that they are subject to the same environmental conditions). As a result, tank vent outlet 62 may experience a large discharge of airflow within a short window of time.

[0196] Thus, the vent outlet 62 of the described embodiment can be positioned above the main body, optionally above the operator cab 13, and optionally at the highest point on the machine 10, allowing exhaust gases to be discharged unimpeded into the atmosphere. The specific location of the outlet 62 will be application-specific and can vary. The tank vent outlet 64 can be positioned in an inner portion of the machine, and in some embodiments, toward the center. Positioning the tank vent outlet 64 toward the center of the machine 10 helps reduce the risk of ignition from ignition sources external to the machine 10. If the work machine includes a working arm (e.g., a lift arm or a digging arm), the tank vent outlet 62 can be located inside the arm. The vent outlet 62 can be located in the center of the machine 10. The center location can be on or adjacent to the longitudinal centerline of the machine 10. The center location can be within an area of ​​30%, optionally 25%, or optionally 20% of the machine width from the longitudinal centerline. The center location can be between the first and second swing axes. The center location can be between the front and rear ends of the operator cab. The center position may be within an area of ​​30%, optionally 25%, optionally 20% of the machine length from the transverse centerline.

[0197] In some embodiments, with the operator cab 13 centrally positioned, the tank vent outlet 62 may be provided on the inside of the cab 13. The tank vent duct may extend upwardly along a front or rear support member of the operator cab (e.g., a corner post supporting the roof).

[0198] Figure 4 5b shows an embodiment in which the vent line 60 from each tank 18a-c is connected to a common vent line 64 at a node located between the two tanks 18a, 18b. The common vent line 64 extends inboard toward the lower rear corner of the operator cab 13 adjacent the inner wall of the chassis. The common vent line 64 extends upward along the rear corner of the cab 13 to the top rear corner, with the outlet 62 located at or adjacent the uppermost surface of the cab roof 13-6.

[0199] The tank vent line 60 may extend from the plurality of storage tanks 18a-c to the body and / or operator cab 13 and include a portion of a flexible conduit 66 to allow differential movement of the plurality of storage tanks relative to the body and / or operator cab 13. The flexible conduit may extend from one or more of the valves 42 or nodes and may terminate in a rigid section of conduit. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the flexible conduit 66 extends upwardly along the rear side of the cab 13 and transitions into a rigid conduit at or just below the rear window and is located within a protective cover 68 (see FIG. 1 e ) that forms part of the body 12. Thus, the only exposed conduit is rigid, providing greater resilience against damage.

[0200] The conduits used to form the ventilation line 60, the common ventilation line 64, the flexible portion, and the rigid portion can be made of one or more of the following: stainless steel (e.g., 316L), nylon, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), polyamide, steel braid, etc. In some embodiments, the flexible portion can include a laminated polymer hose including one or more braids.

[0201] The tank valve 42 may be a multifunctional unit including various ports, valves, and sensors. Each tank valve may include one or more of the following: a shutoff valve, a pressure transducer, a temperature sensor, and a pressure relief valve, a first port, and a second port.

[0202] The vent line 64 may terminate in an outlet 62. The outlet 62 may include an open end of the vent line 64 and / or may include a cap 68. Figure 6 An example of a cap 68 is provided in FIG. The cap 68 can be configured to be removable if a predetermined flow of gas escapes from the pressure relief valve 59. In other words, the cap 68 can be attached to the vent line via a pressure-responsive attachment that is configured to detach at a predetermined pressure threshold or flow threshold to provide a high flow configuration.

[0203] In some embodiments, the cover 68 may include a body 68-1 having a hole in its lower surface into which the end of the vent line 64 can be loosely received. The loose fit of the cover 68 on the end of the vent line 64 allows the cover 68 to be easily blown off when the pressure (or flow rate) exceeds a threshold, thereby providing a pressure-responsive attachment. Once removed, flow is blocked only by the inner diameter of the common vent line 64.

[0204] Providing a loose fitting cap 68 is also advantageous in that it provides a small leak path for any low level gas leaks to escape. In some embodiments, the low flow leak path may be provided by a dedicated flow channel. Figure 6 The cover 68 shown in FIG. 1 includes a flow channel 70 that allows a flow of gas to be exhausted when the cover 68 is in place and tightly received around the outer diameter of the line 64. The flow channel 70 extends from an internal aperture that receives the vent line 64 to an outlet provided in the lower surface of the cover 68. The lower surface faces downward in use, thereby preventing the ingress of rainwater or other debris.

[0205] The cover 68 may include a tether 72 for attaching the cover 68 to the vent line 64 or elsewhere. The tether 72 is flexible and includes a loop for receiving the vent line 64. In the event of a large amount of gas escaping, the cover 68 may be removed from the end of the vent line 64 and hung by the tether 72, thereby providing an indication to the operator that gas has escaped, for example, if the operator returns to the machine 10 after being away for a period of time.

[0206] The cover 68 may comprise a bright color so that its presence or removal can be easily observed.

[0207] The body 12 is carried by a ground engaging structure 18 which includes a propulsion device driven by a power train. The power train includes a prime mover and a drive train. In this example, the prime mover is an internal combustion engine 20 (best seen in FIG. 2 ), and the drive train includes a power shift transmission 22 (see FIG. 2 ) as is known in the art. Figure 4 ), but other prime movers and drive train types (such as hydrostatic transmissions and combinations thereof) are also possible.

[0208] The body 12 and the ground-engaging structure 18 are arranged in a fixed relationship such that there is no relative movement between them during normal use. That is, the body 12 is configured so as not to rotate about a vertical axis, i.e., swivel, relative to the ground-engaging structure 18. Furthermore, the body 12 comprises a rigid or fixed frame and is not articulated as in a wheel loader shovel or other machine.

[0209] The body 12 may include a chassis 30 that provides primary structural support for the material handling machine 10. The chassis 24 may provide structural support for the ground engaging structure 18, prime mover 20, drive train, operator cab 13, lift arms 14 and associated actuators, and any auxiliary equipment, components, systems, or bodies that may be required for the operation of the machine.

[0210] The exemplary ground-engaging structure 18 shown includes a pair of front wheels 18F and a pair of rear wheels 18R, as is known in the art. Wheels 18F and 18R can be configured to provide two-wheel or four-wheel steering, as is known in the art. Thus, either or both of the front and rear wheels can be configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body under the influence of a steering mechanism disposed within the operator cab 13. For example, the steering mechanism can include a steering wheel 26, a lever, or a joystick.

[0211] Either or both of the front wheels 18F and the rear wheels 18R can be drivably attached to corresponding axles that form part of the transmission / drive train of the material handling machine 10. One or both of the axles can be coupled to a prime mover or drive train that is configured to drive movement of one or two pairs of wheels 18F, 18R. Thus, the wheels can contact the ground and rotation of the wheels 18F, 18R can cause movement of the machine relative to the ground. In other embodiments, the ground engaging propulsion structure includes tracks. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second axles is coupled to the machine body 12 by a pivot joint (not shown) located substantially at the center of the axle so that the axle can swing about the longitudinal axis of the machine 10, thereby improving stability when moving over uneven ground.

[0212] An operator cab 13 is mounted to the chassis 24 of the body 12 and includes an operator seat and suitable controls for operating the machine 10. Thus, there may be one or more of the following: a steering device, such as a steering wheel 13-7, e.g., a stick or joystick; an input device, such as, for example, a stick or joystick 13-8, for operating the lift arm 14; a speed control device, such as one or more foot controls (e.g., accelerator, brake), stick, or joystick, for controlling movement of the machine over the ground; a throttle control; one or more output devices for providing information to the operator regarding the operating status of the machine, which information may be visual (e.g., a display screen, warning lights) or audible (e.g., a buzzer, speaker, or other alarm); and one or more input devices (e.g., switches, levers, touch screen displays, joysticks, touch buttons) for configuring or operating various aspects of the machine.

[0213] The operator cab 13 may be conventional and constructed from a glass frame 13 comprising a plurality of structural members having panels or glass extending therebetween. The operator cab 13 extends from one side (the proximal side) of the machine 10 toward the other lift arm 14.

[0214] The lift arm 14 can be provided by an elongated box-shaped section having a length, lateral width, and vertical depth extending fore and aft across the machine 10. The lift arm 14 can include a telescopic boom having multiple nested sections configured to telescopically expand to adjust its length as needed. Thus, a first section 14-1 connected to the pivot mount 32 and a second section 14-2 telescopically mounted within the first section 14-1 are shown. The second section 14-2 of the lift arm 14 is capable of longitudinal movement relative to the first section 14-1, allowing the lift arm 14 to extend and retract as commanded by controls in the operator's cab 13. The lift arm 14 shown in the figures includes four telescopic sections, but more or fewer telescopic sections may be used in other embodiments. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the lift arm may not be telescopic.

[0215] The lift arm 14 extends from a pivot mount 32 located generally above the rear wheels 18R and behind the cab 13 to the front of the machine 10. When no lifting implement is attached, the implement carrier 16 is the forward-most portion of the machine. A first section 14-1 comprises a straight segment that slopes slightly downward from the pivot mount 32 for transport and extends to the front of the cab 13, terminating above the front wheels 18F when not in use. A second section 14-2 extends from within the first section, colinear with a drop section 14-3 that is angled downward to bring the carrier 16 closer to the ground. Extension and retraction movement of the second section 14-2 of the lift arm 14 relative to the first section 14-1 can be achieved using an extension actuator 14-4. Extension actuator 14-4 can be any actuator known in the art, such as a double-acting hydraulic linear actuator. In some embodiments, extension can be achieved using an electric linear actuator, a telescoping extension ram, multiple extension rams, and / or a chain and pulley system.

[0216] The material handling machine 10 may include a battery 74. The battery provides electrical power for powering various electrical functions on the material handling machine, as is known in the art. For example, the battery may provide power to a starter motor or one or more ECUs or other electrical devices of the machine.

[0217] The battery 74 may be located in an area of ​​the machine 10 that is removed from the tanks 18a-c and the gas engine. The battery 74 may be located in a housing that is located toward the front, rear, upstream, or downstream of the lift arm housing and located externally of the lift arm housing to be appropriately removed from the vent line and storage assembly. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the battery 74 is located in the front housing of the chassis between conventional stabilizer legs 76, which can be deployed to increase the stability of the machine during certain lifting operations. The front housing can include first and second chassis walls extending forward from the lift arm housing, a base wall, front and rear walls, and an upper surface that can include a removable access panel. The location of the front housing places the battery below the lift arms and is easily accessible for maintenance purposes. Figure 8 In another embodiment shown, the battery may be located on an outer surface of the chassis in an additional housing 74'. The housing may be attached to an outer surface of the body 12, such as a lift arm housing or chassis side panel, using a plurality of fasteners. Figure 8 The exact location of the battery 74 in the can vary, but it can be located at the rear of the prime mover and local to the boom pivot.

[0218] The foregoing description of one or more embodiments is by way of example only, and it should be understood that various modifications may be made to various aspects and features. For example, although primarily directed to material handling machines (such as telehandlers), the present disclosure may be applied to other types of work machines. Such variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection provided by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A telescopic forklift, comprising: a body mounted on the ground engaging structure; a lift arm pivotally mounted to the body, the lift arm including an elongated box section having a length, a lateral width, and a vertical depth, the length extending in a fore-aft direction on the machine; a gas engine configured to provide power to the ground engaging structure; an operator cab mounted to the body adjacent the lift arm; wherein the body includes a front side, a rear side, a lift arm side, and an operator cab side corresponding to the front side, rear side, and respective sides of the machine; and, At least one tank is provided for supplying gaseous fuel to the gas engine, wherein the tank is located beneath the floor of the operator cab and between the front and rear wheels of the ground engaging structure.

2. The material handling machine of claim 1, wherein: The tank comprises a cylinder having a central axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the central axis is arranged transversely to a main longitudinal axis of the machine.

3. The material handling machine of claim 2, wherein: The body includes a front side, a rear side, a lift arm side, and an operator cab side, wherein the first end of the storage tank is disposed adjacent to the operator cab side.

4. A material handling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The storage tank includes a plurality of storage tanks distributed side by side.

5. A material handling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The tank is positioned within a housing including a bulkhead between the tank and the operator cab, and at least one sidewall extending downwardly from the bulkhead.

6. The material handling machine of claim 5, wherein: The bulkhead and the at least one sidewall are sealingly connectable to one another to prevent uncontrolled escape of gaseous fuel from the tank toward the operator cab.

7. The material handling machine of claim 6, wherein: The partition and the at least one side wall are joined via a compressible or flexible seal.

8. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein The baffle includes an elevated portion, optionally located in a central region thereof.

9. The material handling machine of claim 8, wherein: The raised portion includes a housing vent outlet configured to ventilate an interior of the housing to air at a location remote from the operator cab.

10. A material handling machine as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 when appended to claim 4, wherein One of the plurality of storage tanks is at least partially located within the elevated portion.

11. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein The tank is optionally suspended from the bulkhead via straps extending circumferentially around the tank.

12. A material handling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The body includes a chassis, the chassis includes a cab support structure, and the cab is mounted on the cab support structure.

13. A material handling machine according to claim 12 when appended to claim 5, wherein The bulkhead is attached to the cab support structure.

14. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein The cab support structure includes a pair of cantilever members extending from chassis side walls, optionally adjacent the lift arms.

15. The material handling machine of claim 14, wherein: The cantilever member includes a horizontal plate and a pair of side walls extending from the horizontal plate, wherein the side walls are inclined outwardly from a center of the plate and away from vertical.

16. A material handling machine as claimed in claim 15 when appended to claim 8, wherein The raised portion is located between the cantilever members.

17. The material handling machine of any one of claims 9 to 16, further comprising a vent duct having a first end connected to the housing vent outlet and a second end located distal to the bulkhead.

18. The material handling machine of claim 17, further comprising a chassis sidewall defining a housing in which the lift arm resides when in the non-operating position, wherein The second end vents into the lift arm housing.

19. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein The shell ventilation pipe includes at least 0.001m 2 , optionally at least 0.0017m 2 cross-sectional area and / or have a cross-sectional area of ​​at least 0.001m 2 , optionally at least 0.0017m 2 flow area.

20. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 5 to 19, further comprising a gas sensor for sensing the presence of escaping gaseous fuel in the housing.

21. The material processing machine of claim 20, further comprising a controller for receiving an input signal from the gas sensor, wherein: The input signal is indicative of a concentration of escaping gaseous fuel within the housing.

22. The material handling machine of claim 21, wherein: The controller is configured to provide a warning to the operator when the concentration of escaping gaseous fuel is above a first threshold, wherein, optionally, the warning includes one or more of a visual, audible, or tactile output within the operator cab.

23. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 5 to 22, wherein: The housing includes an air inlet for receiving air via a blower unit configured to provide a flow of external air through the housing to purge any escaping gaseous fuel.

24. The material handling machine of claim 23, wherein: The housing comprises a bottom wall, wherein the air inlet is arranged in or local to the bottom wall.

25. A material handling machine according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein The controller is further configured to activate the blower unit when the sensed escaping gaseous fuel is above a first emptying threshold, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to isolate the storage tank and / or shut down the machine when the concentration is above the first emptying threshold or above a second emptying threshold, the second emptying threshold being higher than the first emptying threshold.

26. A material handling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The gas engine is fueled solely by hydrogen.

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