STRUCTURE-INTEGRATED FUEL TANK

Abstract

Fuel tank (128), comprising: a body (148), comprising: a cover (134) which includes a cover attachment (162), wherein the cover attachment (162) defines an upper pivot bore (164) which is centered about a pivot axis (P), wherein the upper pivot bore (164) is configured to accommodate a pivot mounting element (224) about which the fuel tank (128) can pivot; an end wall (156) which is arranged under the cover (134) and coupled to it; a base (158) coupled to the end wall (156), the base (158) including a lower attachment (198) extending outwards and away from the end wall (156); a neck (150) arranged on the body (148), the neck (150) being configured to be coupled to an arm (126) of a front frame (104) of a machine (100), wherein the neck (150) and the body (148) together define a chamber (142) configured to store fuel, further wherein the cover (134) is a top of the chamber (142); and at least one foundation (132) attached to the cover (134) and configured to support a rollover protection (ROP) device (138) of an operator compartment (130) of the machine (100).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to fuel tanks for machinery and in particular to fuel tanks for motor graders. State of the art

[0002] Interior space is limited on machines like motor graders. To meet operational requirements, motor graders typically utilize multiple interconnected small individual fuel tanks mounted on the front frame and often an additional auxiliary fuel tank mounted on the rear frame. Hoses connect the multiple fuel tanks on the front frame to each other and to the engine, which is located on the rear frame. Similarly, hoses also connect the auxiliary fuel tank to the engine. As motor graders steer by pivoting around an articulated point located between the front and rear frames, the multiple hoses from the fuel tanks at the front of the machine extend over this articulated point, which is typically exposed to the outside environment.Over time, the hoses and connections between the tanks and between the tanks and the engine can become leaky due to wear and tear and exposure to harsh operating environments.

[0003] US 2020 / 0299927A1, published on September 24, 2020 (the '927 Publication), describes a fuel tank mounted on the upper rotating body of a bucket, a working element provided on the upper surface of the fuel tank, and a roll-over valve provided on the top of the fuel tank in a position distinct from the working element. When the fuel tank is upright, the fuel tank can communicate with the outside air through the open roll-over valve, and when the fuel tank tips over, the roll-over valve closes. While the '927 Publication may be advantageous, a better fuel tank is desirable.

[0004] Furthermore, US 2 535 301 A discloses an auxiliary fuel tank for a tractor-implement combination.

[0005] US 2020 / 0011026A1 discloses a rear frame for a motor grader with a pair of arms arranged at equal intervals from a center plane. The front portion of each arm is pivotally connected to a front frame of the motor grader. The rear frame includes a ripper mounting device, a bumper, and a torque-resistant element.

[0006] DE 10 2010 011 675 A1 shows an excavator with an undercarriage, an upper carriage, an internal combustion engine arranged in or on the upper carriage for driving the excavator, and a fuel tank arranged in and / or on the undercarriage of the excavator.

[0007] The present invention is aimed at overcoming one or more of the problems or disadvantages associated with the prior art. Brief description of the Revelation

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by a fuel tank and by a method for assembling a section of a front frame of a motor grader according to the main claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel tank is disclosed. The fuel tank comprises a body and a neck attached to the body. The neck is configured to be coupled to an arm of a front frame of a machine. The body comprises a cover, an end wall, and a base. The cover includes a cover attachment that defines an upper pivot bore centered about a pivot axis. The upper pivot bore is configured to receive a pivot mounting element about which the fuel tank is pivotable. The end wall is located below and coupled to the cover. The base is coupled to the end wall and includes a lower attachment that extends outward and away from the end wall. The neck and the body together define a chamber configured to store fuel. The cover is a top surface of such a chamber.The fuel tank further comprises at least one foundation attached to the cover and configured to support a rollover protection (ROP) device for an operator compartment of the machine.

[0010] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method for assembling a section of a motor grader's front frame is disclosed. The front frame includes a fuel tank and an arm. The method includes mounting the fuel tank to the arm. The fuel tank includes a body and a neck attached to the body. The body and neck together define a chamber configured to store fuel for the motor grader. The fuel tank includes an attachment attached to the body. The attachment is configured to receive a pivoting fastener that pivotably secures the front frame to a rear frame of the motor grader. The fuel tank and the front frame are pivotable about a pivot axis. The fuel tank is configured to receive external loads through the arm and transfer the external loads to the rear frame.The fuel tank also includes a foundation. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of mounting a ROP device to the foundation of the fuel tank, the foundation being configured to support the ROP device during a rollover or flip-over event. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary machine with a fuel tank according to the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the arm and fuel tank of the exemplary machine from Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the fuel tank body. Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 4 is another perspective view of an embodiment of the fuel tank made of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of the fuel tank made of Fig. 4; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a cross-section of the fuel tank made of Fig. 4, which is taken along the lines of 6 - 6; and Fig. Figure 7 is a top view of the fuel tank with the foundations removed. Detailed description

[0011] Specific embodiments or features will now be discussed in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers are used in the drawings to refer to identical or corresponding parts, unless otherwise indicated. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a machine 100 that includes the features of the present disclosure. The exemplary machine 100 can be a vehicle such as a motor grader 102.

[0012] The motor grader 102 can include a front frame 104 which is pivotably coupled to a rear frame 106 by means of a hitch 108 (see Fig. 2), which is the steering of the front frame 104 (see Fig. 1) lightened relative to the rear frame 106. The motor grader 102 may further include front wheels 110 and a pair of rear wheels 112 in tandem configuration. A rotary drive wheel 114 may be supported by a drawbar 116 connected to the front frame 104. A section of the rotary drive wheel 114 may be configured to extend downwards to pivotally support a scraper plate 118. The scraper plate 118 may be moved or adjusted to provide a range of different positions and angles over the rotary drive wheel 114 and a pair of lift actuators 120 and a tilt actuator 122 mounted on the front frame 104.

[0013] The rear frame 106 of the motor grader 102 can accommodate an engine 124 and other drivetrain components (not shown) for generating and delivering power to operate the motor grader 102. The engine 124 can be any gasoline, diesel, or other engine 124 used with such machines 100. The motor grader 102 can even draw power from other energy sources, such as natural gas, batteries, fuel cells, etc., as well as combinations thereof. Although the transmission (not shown) of the motor grader 102 can typically be a continuously variable transmission (CVT), in at least some embodiments the transmission can be any variety of types commonly used in construction or industrial machinery.For example, in some embodiments the transmission can be automatic, semi-automatic, manual, direct, or any transmission with a variable output or a modulated gear ratio.

[0014] The front frame 104 further includes an arm 126 and a fuel tank 128 as part of the structure of the front frame 104. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the arm 126 is coupled to the fuel tank 128. An operator compartment 130 ( Fig. 1) is mounted on a rear section of the front frame 104. More precisely, the operator compartment 130 is mounted on the fuel tank 128. In one embodiment, the operator compartment 130 is mounted on one or more foundations 132 ( Fig. 2) mounted, which are coupled to a cover 134 and / or side wall 136 of the fuel tank 128. The operator compartment 130 ( Fig. 1) is configured to accommodate control levers, joysticks, pushbuttons, and other types of controls typically known in the prior art for operating the motor grader 102. The operator compartment 130 may include a rollover protection (ROP) device 138 configured to provide protection against crushing forces or the like to an operator in the operator compartment 130 during a rollover or tip-over condition of the machine 100 or the motor grader 102. In one embodiment, the operator compartment 130 may be a cabin 130a. In other embodiments, the operator compartment 130 may not completely enclose the operator (e.g., in a cabin 130a, as described in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1), but may instead be at least partially open to the surroundings, with the ROP device 138 (e.g., a roller cage or the like) visible. The ROP device 138 may include or be a roller cage, rollover bar, frame, or other device known to those skilled in the art to provide space and protection for an operator during a rollover / tip-over of the machine 100. In various countries, the ROP device 138 may be subject to regulations that may include both a strength requirement and an energy absorption requirement, since during a rollover / tip-over condition, large negative forces may act on the ROP device 138 and be transferred to elements coupled to the ROP device 138.

[0015] The rear frame 106 can also be used to mount any additional working equipment 140, such as a ripper assembly, blade, or the like. While the following detailed description and drawings are made with reference to a motor grader 102, the teachings of this disclosure may be applied to other machines 100.

[0016] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the arm 126 and the fuel tank 128 of the front frame 104. In one embodiment, the fuel tank 128 can be configured to be the only fuel tank 128 from which fuel for the engine 124 ( Fig. 1) of the motor grader 102. Such a fuel tank 128 is configured to store all the fuel for use by the engine 124 of the machine 100. In the cross-sectional view of Fig. As can be seen in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, fuel is stored and supplied from a fuel tank 128, which has a single chamber 142 that is integral with the fuel tank 128. In other words, the fuel is not stored and supplied from a container or the like that is placed in or mounted on the structure of the front frame 104, which is identified herein as the fuel tank 128. The chamber 142 is sized to eliminate the need for an auxiliary fuel tank and several interconnected primary / secondary fuel tanks, thereby eliminating the need for transfer hoses running between multiple fuel tanks, and thus reducing the number of inlet ports 144 and outlet ports 146 (see, for example, Figure 6). Fig. 4) at the fuel tank 128 is reduced and the number of hoses (not shown) that supply fuel to the engine 124 is reduced ( Fig. 1).

[0017] With reference to Fig. 3 - 5 the fuel tank 128 comprises a body 148, a neck 150, a partition 152 ( Fig. 4 - 5) and a 154 mm filling tube (preferably in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 to be seen).

[0018] The body 148 ( Fig. 3) can the cover 134, an end wall 156, a first side wall 136a, a second side wall 136b (see Fig. 6) and a base of 158 ( Fig. 3) include. The body 148 may also include an intermediate attachment 160.

[0019] The cover 134 includes a cover attachment 162. The cover attachment 162 defines an upper pivot bore 164. The cover attachment 162 may also include a first upper pivot bore 166a and a second upper pivot bore 166b. The upper pivot bore 164 is located between the first upper pivot bore 166a and the second upper pivot bore 166b. The cover attachment 162 may also define a cover opening 168 configured to receive a pivot locking pin (not shown) located between the upper pivot bore 164 and either the first upper pivot bore 166a or the second upper pivot bore 166b (as shown in Figure 1). Fig. 3) is arranged. Such a joint locking pin can be used to lock the pivot connection between the front and rear frames for operations such as maintenance and transport.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 5. The cover 134 may further comprise a main cover section 170 and a cover transition section 172. The cover transition section 172 may be partially curved or angled and is oriented at an upward inclination (relative to the main cover section 170) towards the neck 150, such that most of the cover transition section 172 is located above the plane containing the main cover section 170. The main cover section 170 extends from the end wall 156 to the cover transition section 172. In one embodiment, the main cover section 170 and the cover transition section 172 may be formed in one piece. In another embodiment, the main cover section 170 and the cover transition section 172 and a top surface 174 of the neck 150 can be made in one piece (free of connections, e.g. welded joints).In another embodiment, the cover attachment 162 and the main cover section 170, and the cover transition section 172 and the upper surface 174 of the neck 150, can be formed in one piece. In a further refinement of any of the foregoing embodiments, the cover 134 can be an integral plate. In some embodiments, the cover 134 can also include one or more sensor connections 226 or the like.

[0021] The intermediate attachment 160 is arranged below the cover attachment 162. The intermediate attachment 160 defines an intermediate pivot bore 176 (best in Fig. 3) and may also include a first intermediate steering bore 178a and a second intermediate steering bore 178b. The intermediate pivot bore 176 is located between the first intermediate steering bore 178a and the second intermediate steering bore 178b. The intermediate hinge 160 may also define an intermediate opening 180 configured to receive a joint-link locking pin (not shown) located between the intermediate pivot bore 176 and either the first intermediate steering bore 178a or the second intermediate steering bore 178b (as shown in Fig. The intermediate attachment 160 and the intermediate pivot bore 176 project from an outer surface 182 of the end wall 156. The intermediate attachment 160 is mounted on the first side wall 136a and on the second side wall 136b.

[0022] The upper pivot bore 164 and the intermediate pivot bore 176 are each centered about the pivot axis P. The first upper steering bore 166a and the first intermediate steering bore 178a are each centered about the first steering axis S1. Each of the second upper steering bores 166b and the second intermediate steering bore 178b is centered about the second steering axis S2. The cover opening 168 and the intermediate opening 180 are each centered about the opening axis A.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 4 - 5 The body 148 may further include one or more buttresses 184, which are arranged below the cover attachment 162 and on the upper side of the intermediate attachment 160. The buttress 184 connects the cover attachment 162 to the intermediate attachment 160. The buttress 184 may be arranged adjacent to the side wall 136.

[0024] The end wall 156 ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 5) is coupled to cover 134 and base 158. As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the end wall 156 is located below the cover 134 and on the top of the base 158. In some embodiments, the end wall 156 can be V-shaped. In one embodiment of the V-shaped end wall 156, the apex 186 of the (V-shaped) end wall 156 can define a line that is located opposite or parallel to an axis of the upper pivot bore 164, the intermediate pivot bore 176, or the lower pivot bore 200. In one embodiment, the end wall 156 can be an integral plate.

[0025] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the side wall 136 is arranged between the cover 134 and the base 158. More precisely, the first side wall 136a extends from the cover 134 to the base 158. The second side wall 136b ( Fig. 6) is arranged opposite the first side wall 136a, and the second side wall 136b, similar to the first side wall 136a, is also arranged between the cover 134 and the base 158. More precisely, the first side wall 136a extends from the cover 134 to the base 158. Each of the first side wall 136a and the second side wall 136b includes a main side wall section 190 and a side wall transition section 192. The side wall transition section 192 slopes upwards towards the neck 150, so that part of the side wall transition section 192 is arranged above the main side wall section 190. A dashed line in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a conceptual demarcation between the main side wall section 190 and the side wall transition section 192 (a physical demarcation such as a weld is optional). The main side wall section 190 extends from the intersection of the side wall 136 and the end wall 156 to the side wall transition section 192. In one embodiment, the fuel tank 128 may include a single outlet opening 146 to which a hose (not shown) is connected to supply fuel to the engine 124. In some embodiments, the outlet opening 146 may be located in the first side wall 136a, the second side wall 136b, the end wall 156, or the cover 134. In the embodiment shown in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the outlet opening 146 is arranged in the first side wall 136a.

[0026] The first side wall 136a also includes a first shoulder 194a (best in Fig. (4 to be seen) adjacent to the side wall transition section 192 (of the first side wall 136a) and is coupled to the neck 150. In one embodiment, the first shoulder 194a can be integral with the side wall transition section 192 of the first side wall 136a. At the intersection of the first shoulder 194a and the neck 150, the first shoulder 194a is oriented transversely to the neck 150 and transversely to the first side wall 136a. In some embodiments, the first shoulder 194a can be perpendicular to a first side 196a of the neck 150. The second side wall 136b ( Fig. 6 - 7) also includes a second shoulder 194b (best in Fig. 7 to be seen), which is adjacent to the side wall transition section 192 (best seen in Fig. (see Figure 6) is arranged on the second side wall 136b and is coupled to the neck 150. In one embodiment, the second shoulder 194b can be integral with the side wall transition section 192 of the second side wall 136b. The second shoulder 194b is oriented transversely to the neck 150. In some embodiments, the second shoulder 194b can be oriented perpendicular to a second side 196b of the neck 150 and transversely to the second side wall 136b. In one embodiment of the first side wall 136a, the main side wall section 190, the side wall transition section 192, and the first shoulder 194a can be integral (free of connections, e.g., welded joints) for the first side wall 136a. In another embodiment, the main side wall section 190, the side wall transition section 192, and the second shoulder 194b can be formed in one piece (free of connections, e.g., welded connections) for the second side wall 136b.In one embodiment, the first side wall 136a and / or the second side wall 136b can each be a one-piece plate.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the base 158 is arranged below the end wall 156 and includes a lower attachment 198 that extends outwards and away from the end wall 156. The lower attachment 198 is arranged below the cover attachment 162. The lower attachment 198 may be arranged below the intermediate attachment 160. The lower attachment 198 defines a lower pivot bore 200 that is centered about the pivot axis P of the upper pivot bore 164.

[0028] The base 158 can further comprise a base main section 202 and a base transition section 204. The base transition section 204 is oriented at an upward inclination (relative to the base main section 202) in the direction of the neck 150, such that the base transition section 204 is arranged above the base main section 202. The base main section 202 extends from the end wall 156 to the base transition section 204. In one embodiment, the base main section 202 and the base transition section 204 can be formed in one piece. In another embodiment, the base main section 202, the base transition section 204, and a base 206 (preferably in Fig. (4 to be seen) of the neck 150 may be a single piece (free of joints, e.g., welded joints), for example, a one-piece plate. In some embodiments, but not all, the lower attachment 198 and the main base section 202 and the base transition section 204 and the bottom 206 of the neck 150 may be a single piece. In a further refinement, the base 158 may be a one-piece plate in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0029] Appendix 108 ( Fig. 3) can include the cover attachment 162, the intermediate attachment 160, and the lower attachment 198. Each of the upper pivot bore 164 of the cover 134, the intermediate pivot bore 176 of the intermediate attachment 160, and the lower pivot bore 200 of the lower attachment 198 are aligned and centered about the pivot axis P. Each is configured to accommodate a pivot fastening element 224 ( Fig. 2), for example a pin, a bolt or the like for pivotally securing the front frame 104 ( Fig. 1) to be mounted on the rear frame 106. Each of the first upper steering bores 166a ( Fig. 3) and the first intermediate steering bore 178a are centered about the first steering axis S1. Each of the first upper steering bore 166a and the first intermediate steering bore 178a is configured to receive a fastening element (not shown) for connection to a hydraulic steering cylinder (not shown) or the like. Each of the second upper steering bore 166b and the second intermediate steering bore 178b is centered about the second steering axis S2. Each of the second upper steering bore 166b and the second intermediate steering bore 178b is configured to receive a fastening element (not shown) for connection to a hydraulic steering cylinder (not shown) or the like, as is known in the prior art.

[0030] The fuel tank 128 is configured to allow the pivot axis P to pivot together with the front frame 104 of the motor grader 102 when the pivot fastening element (e.g., pin or bolt) is inserted in the upper pivot bore 164 and the lower pivot bore 200. The articulated joint about the pivot axis P can be actuated by hydraulic cylinders or the like, as explained above. For example, the motor grader 102 may include a first steering hydraulic cylinder (not shown) or the like, located on a first side of the cover attachment 162, and a second steering hydraulic cylinder (not shown) or the like, located on a second side of the cover attachment 162. A rear end of the first and second steering hydraulic cylinders may be coupled to the front of the rear frame 106 near the fuel tank 128.The front end of the first steering hydraulic cylinder can be coupled to the first upper steering bore 166a and the first intermediate steering bore 178a, and the front end of the second steering hydraulic cylinder can be coupled to the second upper steering bore 166b and the second intermediate steering bore 178b. Such first and second steering hydraulic cylinders can be configured to control the steering and to activate the pivoting of the front frame 104 about the pivot axis P. For example, in one embodiment, the first steering cylinder can be retracted and the second steering cylinder extended to pivot the front frame 104 in a clockwise direction, and the first steering cylinder can be extended and the second steering cylinder retracted to pivot the front frame 104 in a counterclockwise direction, as is known in the prior art.The resulting articulated joint around the pivot axis P facilitates the steering of the motor grader 102.

[0031] The fuel tank 128 can also support one or more foundations 132 ( Fig. 3 - 5), where the ROP facility 138 ( Fig. 1) is mounted, for example, comprising a rear foundation 208 and a front foundation 216. Both the rear foundation 208 and the front foundation 216 are configured to support the ROP device 138 for the operator compartment 130 during a rollover or tip-over condition of the motor grader 102. In one embodiment, the rear foundation 208 ( Fig. 4) comprising a first foot 210 and a second foot 212 and a rear support 214, which is arranged on top of the first foot 210 and the second foot 212 and extends between them. The rear foundation 208 can be attached to the cover 134 between the upper pivot bore 164 ( Fig. 3) and the neck 150. The front foundation 216 can be positioned between the rear foundation 208 and the neck 150. The front foundation 216 can include a first leg 218, a second leg 220, and a front support 222 that is positioned on top of and extends between the first leg 218 and the second leg 220. The front foundation 216 can be mounted on the first side wall 136a via the first leg 218 and on the second side wall 136b via the second leg 220. The first leg 218 and the second leg 220 are each configured to position the front foundation 216 above and over the cover 134 and above the first shoulder 194a and the second shoulder 194b. In the Fig. 3 is the top of the rear foundation 208 essentially at the same level as the top of the front foundation 216.

[0032] The neck 150 is positioned on the body 148 and configured to attach to the arm 126 ( Fig. 1) to be coupled to the front frame 104 of the motor grader 102. The neck 150 ( Fig. 2) can comprise a top 174, a bottom 206, a first side 196a, and a second side 196b. The cover 134 and the top 174 of the neck 150 can be of one piece. The base 158 and the bottom 206 of the neck 150 can be of one piece (e.g., without or free of welds or the like).

[0033] The partition wall 152 ( Fig. 4) is arranged over an end of the neck 150 that is distal to the shoulder 194 and adjacent to the arm 126. More precisely, the partition 152 can extend from a first side 196a to a second side 196b of the neck 150 and is configured to prevent the arm 126 ( Fig. 1) is not exposed to the fuel contained in chamber 142 ( Fig. 6).

[0034] The neck 150 and the body 148 together define a (fuel) chamber 142 configured to store fuel for the engine 124 of the motor grader 102. The cover 134 is the top of the chamber 142, and the base 158 is the bottom of the chamber 142. The first side wall 136a, the second side wall 136b, the end wall 156, and the partition 152 are each walls of the chamber 142. While it is typical for fuel tanks 128 to include internal baffles to limit fuel sloshing and foaming during filling and during the movement of the motor grader 102, the chamber 142 of the fuel tank 128 disclosed herein may, in one embodiment, be free of internal baffles, as shown in Fig. Figure 6 shows that, as used herein, “free of internal baffles” means that chamber 142 contains no internal baffles. Internal baffles are typically used to limit sloshing and foaming of the fuel during filling. As configured, the fuel tank 128 disclosed herein limits sloshing and foaming of the fuel without the need for internal baffles, thus contributing to the rapid filling of the fuel tank 128.

[0035] The filling tube 154 ( Fig. 6) is configured to receive fuel and convey the fuel through an inlet opening 144 arranged in the fuel tank 128 into the chamber 142. In one embodiment, the filler tube 154 can be arranged above an inlet opening 144 located on the body 148 or the neck 150. In the embodiment from Fig. In Figure 6, the filling pipe 154 is arranged on the second side 196b of the neck 150 above the inlet opening 144, which is also located on the second side 196b of the neck 150. In one embodiment, the filling pipe 154 is inclined or tilted upwards towards the arm 126 and away from the side 196b of the neck 150. The filling pipe 154 is located below the operator compartment 130 and on the body 148 or neck 150 of the fuel tank 128 and is configured to provide ground-level refueling of the motor grader 102. In the sense used herein, ground-level refueling means that fuel can be pumped into the fuel tank 128 by an operator positioned on the ground, as opposed to the operator having to climb onto the motor grader 102 to refuel the machine 100. In one embodiment, the filler pipe 154 is arranged at the neck 150 (e.g.,a first side 196a or a second side 196b of the neck 150). The filling tube 154 has a center line C extending along the length of the filling tube 154. The filling tube 154 is configured such that the filling tube size 154, an inclination angle α, and an inclination angle θ reduce back-foaming during refueling. In one embodiment, the inclination angle α of the filling tube 154, measured from the center line C to the vertical axis Y (which intersects the center line C), can be in the range of 50° to 60°, 52° to 58°, or 54° to 56°, as shown in [reference]. Fig.Figure 6 shows. In one embodiment, the angle of inclination θ in front of the centerline C to a plane Z can be in the range of 21° to 31°, 23° to 29°, or 25° to 27°. The plane Z can be defined by the vertical axis Y and an axis Z. The axis Z is perpendicular to the vertical axis Y and parallel to the direction of travel of the front frame 104 of the machine 100 when the machine 100 is in operation. In one embodiment, the configuration of the fuel tank 128 and the filler pipe 154 can, as a non-limiting example, provide a filling rate of up to about thirty (30) gallons per minute of the fuel tank 128. For example, the chamber 142 of the fuel tank 128 can be filled with about 100 gallons of fuel in less than 3.5 minutes.

[0036] In earthmoving machines, the load from the soil-engaging tools (e.g., the scraper blade 118, the working tool 140 (ripper assembly, blade, or the like)) that work the soil is transferred from such soil-engaging tools to the front frame 104 and the rear frame 106. Typically, fuel tanks 128 are separate components mounted on a machine 100 and do not structurally distribute or transfer the external loads received by the front frame 104 from the soil-engaging tools to the rear frame 106 and vice versa. The fuel tank 128 disclosed herein is part of the front frame 104 and, as such, is a primary external load-bearing element of the front frame 104.The fuel tank 128 disclosed herein is configured to absorb external loads from other sections of the front frame 104 and transfer these loads to the rear frame 106 via the (articulated) hitch 108 connection and vice versa. Furthermore, a conventional fuel tank typically does not provide support to the ROP device 138. The fuel tank 128 disclosed herein resists the significant destructive forces that occur during a rollover / tipover event, thereby enhancing the resistance of the ROP device 138 to such forces, while maintaining the integrity of the (fuel) chamber 142 to prevent fuel from escaping from the fuel tank 128 during a rollover / tipover event.In other words, the fuel tank 128 is configured to withstand destructive forces (transmitted to the fuel tank 128 through the front frame 104 and the ROP device 138) on the integrity of the fuel tank 128 during a rollover / tipover condition.

[0037] Also disclosed is a method for mounting a section of a front frame 104 of a motor grader 102, wherein the front frame 104 includes a fuel tank 128 and an arm 126, the method comprising: mounting the fuel tank 128 to the arm 126, the fuel tank 128 comprising a body 148 and a neck 150, the neck 150 being arranged at a first end of the fuel tank 128, the fuel tank 128 and the neck 150 together defining a chamber 142 configured to store fuel for the motor grader 102, the fuel tank 128 comprising an attachment 108 arranged on the body 148, the attachment 108 being configured to receive a pivot mounting element 224 pivotally connecting the front frame 104 to a rear frame 106 of the motor grader 102 attached, wherein the fuel tank 128 and the front frame 104 are pivotable about a pivot axis P,wherein the fuel tank 128 is configured to absorb external loads from the arm 126 and transfer the external loads to the rear frame 106, and is configured to absorb external loads from the rear frame 106 and transfer the external loads to other sections of the front frame 104. The method may further include mounting the ROP device 138 to the foundation(s) 132 of the fuel tank 128, wherein the foundation(s) 132 is / are configured to support the ROP device 138 during a rollover or flip-over condition. Commercial applicability

[0038] In general, the foregoing disclosure is used in machines 100, in particular motor graders 102, which have a limited interior space for the installation of fuel tanks 128, since the fuel tank 128 disclosed herein is both a structural load-bearing element of the front frame 104 and a container of fuel for the engine 124.

[0039] More precisely, the disclosed front frame 104, which incorporates the fuel tank 128, can store all the fuel for the engine 124 in the chamber 142, which is integral with the fuel tank 128. This eliminates the need for auxiliary fuel tanks, multiple interconnected primary / secondary fuel tanks and associated transfer hoses between multiple fuel tanks, and reduces the number of inlet openings 144 and outlet openings 146 on the fuel tank 128 and the number of hoses supplying fuel to the engine 124.

[0040] Furthermore, the fuel tank 128 disclosed herein structurally distributes / transfers the external loads received by the front frame 104 from the ground engagement tools to the rear frame 106 and vice versa. The fuel tank 128 is a primary external load-bearing element of the front frame 104 and is configured to receive external loads from other sections of the front frame 104 and transfer these loads via the (articulated) attachment 108 connection to the rear frame 106 and vice versa.

[0041] Furthermore, the fuel tank 128 resists the significant destructive forces that occur during a rollover / tipover event to support the resistance of the ROP device 138 to such forces, while maintaining the integrity of the (fuel) chamber 142 to prevent fuel from escaping from the fuel tank 128 during a rollover / tipover condition.

Claims

[1] Fuel tank (128) comprising: a body (148) containing: a cover (134) including a cover attachment (162), the cover attachment (162) defining an upper pivot bore (164) centered about a pivot axis (P), the upper pivot bore (164) configured to receive a pivot mounting member (224) about which the fuel tank (128) is pivotable; an end wall (156) disposed below and coupled to the cover (134); a base (158) coupled to the end wall (156), the base (158) including a lower attachment (198) extending outwardly and away from the end wall (156); a neck (150) disposed on the body (148), the neck (150) being configured to be coupled to an arm (126) of a front frame (104) of a machine (100), wherein the neck (150) and the body (148) together define a chamber (142) configured to store fuel, further wherein the cover (134) is a top of the chamber (142); and at least one foundation (132) attached to the cover (134) and configured to support a rollover protection (ROP) device (138) of an operator compartment (130) of the machine (100). [2] The fuel tank (128) of claim 1, wherein the chamber (142) does not contain any internal baffles. [3] The fuel tank (128) of claim 1, wherein the lower attachment (198) defines a lower pivot bore (200) centered on the pivot axis (P). [4] The fuel tank (128) of claim 1, wherein the cover (134) further includes a cover main portion (170) and a cover transition portion (172), the cover main portion (170) being disposed between the cover tab (162) and the cover transition portion (172), the cover transition portion (172) being oriented with an upward slope from the cover main portion (170) toward the neck (150). [5] The fuel tank (128) of claim 1, wherein the body (148) further includes a first shoulder (194) disposed adjacent the neck (150), the first shoulder (194) being oriented transversely to the neck (150). [6] The fuel tank (128) of claim 5, wherein the fuel tank (128) further comprises a partition wall (152) disposed over the neck (150). [7] A fuel tank (128) according to claim 1, wherein the end wall (156) is V-shaped. [8] A method of assembling a portion of a front frame (104) of a motor grader (102), the front frame (104) including a fuel tank (128) and an arm (126), the method comprising: Mounting the fuel tank (128) to the arm (126), wherein the fuel tank (128) includes a body (148) and a neck (150) disposed on the body (148), wherein the body (148) and the neck (150) together define a chamber (142) configured to store fuel for the motor grader (102), wherein the fuel tank (128) includes a hitch (108) disposed on the body (148), wherein the hitch (108) is configured to receive a pivot attachment member (224) pivotally securing the front frame (104) to a rear frame (106) of the motor grader (102), wherein the fuel tank (128) and the front frame (104) are pivotable about a pivot axis (P), and the fuel tank (128) is configured to support external loads by the arm (126) and transfer the external loads to the rear frame (106), and wherein the fuel tank (128) further includes a foundation (132); and Mounting a ROP device (138) to the foundation (132) of the fuel tank (128), the foundation (132) being configured to support the ROP device (138) during a rollover or overturn condition.

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