Arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas from a liquefied gas fuel system of a vehicle

Abstract

Arrangement (A) for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas from a liquefied gas fuel system (I) of a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) has a tiltable cabin (2) and a vehicle chassis (3), and the cabin (2) connected to the vehicle chassis (3) is movable into a non-tilted position of the cabin (2), the fuel system (I) has a liquefied gas fuel tank (10) attached to the chassis (3) for supplying fuel to the engine of the vehicle (1), wherein vaporized gas is removed from the tank (10) via a vapor pipe (20) at a specific tank pressure, the vapor pipe (20) is attached to the rear of the cabin (2), and wherein the arrangement (A) is configured to allow vaporized gas from the tank (10) to be removed through the vapor pipe (20) in the non-tilted position of the cabin (2),wherein the arrangement (A) has a downwardly open conical configuration (30) as a lower end connection of the exhaust steam pipe (20) and a tank pipe component (40) which is attached to the tank (10) for conveying vaporized gas from the tank (10), wherein the conical configuration (30) and the tank pipe component (40) are designed such that when the cabin (2) moves from the tilted to the non-tilted position, a section (42) of the tank pipe component (40) is inserted into the conical configuration (30) and further into the exhaust steam pipe (20) above the conical configuration (30) such that gas vaporized from the tank (10) is guided via the tank pipe component (40) into the exhaust steam pipe (20) and removed therethrough.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied petroleum gas from a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system of a vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Non-conventional fuels, such as natural gas and so-called biogas, are increasingly being introduced into vehicles, especially heavy-duty vehicles. For this purpose, fuel systems are being developed for compressed natural gas (CNG) and compressed biogas (CBG), as well as fuel systems for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied biogas (LBG).

[0003] Systems for liquefied gas, i.e., LNG (liquefied gas) and LBG (liquefied biogas), require supply at relatively low temperatures, e.g., -130 degrees Celsius at 10 bar for LNG, which in turn requires special pipelines for transporting the liquefied natural gas and a special tank for supplying the fuel. When the vehicle is stationary and the engine is not running, the pressure in the tank rises due to the temperature increase. Therefore, the liquefied gas system is equipped with a pressure relief valve, which, according to one embodiment, opens at 16 bar to remove (discharge) vaporized gas.

[0004] The fuel tank(s) for liquefied petroleum gas fuel systems are typically mounted on and connected to the vehicle frame. The vaporized gas is removed via a so-called vapor pipe, which is connected to the fuel tank. The gas must be vented at a certain height. The vapor pipe must also not protrude sideways or upwards from the vehicle.

[0005] In trucks, the exhaust pipe is therefore usually located behind the driver's cab (hereinafter simply "cab"). For trucks with a tilting cab, i.e., with cabs that can be tilted forward, the exhaust pipe is designed, for example, to be attached to a vertical component connected to the rear of the cab and positioned at a distance from it to prevent interference caused by tipping.

[0006] However, such a solution requires space behind the cabin, which could otherwise be used for an overhang or a semi-trailer to optimize the length of the load-bearing parts of the vehicle.

[0007] Therefore, the aim should be to mount the exhaust pipe at the rear of the cabin. Such a mounting of the exhaust pipe at the rear of a tilting cabin must take into account, in an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized LPG from the LPG fuel system, that the exhaust pipe moves relative to the tank when the cabin is tilted.

[0008] Arrangements for facilitating automatic connection between a cab-mounted exhaust steam pipe and a chassis-mounted tank upon movement of the cab from the tilted to the non-tilted position are known.

[0009] However, there is a need for an arrangement to promote the removal of vaporized LPG from a vehicle LPG fuel system having a tiltable cabin.

[0010] In this context, US 2019 / 0 257 453 A1 describes a gas vent pipe for a vehicle with a forward-tilting cab, the gas vent pipe comprising: a first pipe section that can be mounted on a chassis of the vehicle; a second pipe section that can be mounted on a rear wall of the forward-tilting cab of the vehicle; and a flexible magnetic connection that is designed to releasably connect the first and second pipe sections to one another.

[0011] WO 2018 / 117 927 A1 describes an arrangement for attaching an exhaust vapor line of a liquid gas fuel system to a vehicle with a tiltable cab and a chassis, wherein the cab is movably connected to the vehicle chassis in a non-tilted position of the cab. The exhaust vapor line is attached to the rear of the cab via a connection arrangement of the arrangement. The connection arrangement comprises a coupling configuration for connecting the tank to the exhaust vapor line in the non-tilted position of the cab and for disconnecting the tank from the exhaust vapor line in connection with tilting the cab. The coupling arrangement comprises a first coupling element connected to the exhaust vapor line and a second coupling element for receiving the first coupling element in the non-tilted position.

[0012] DE 28 52 225 A1 describes a transition and separating element running diagonally to the vertical with a bellows made of rubber-like material in connection with a flat shaft for the air supply of an internal combustion engine of a commercial vehicle, the suspended driver's cab of which can be tilted forwards transversely to the direction of travel, along the rear wall of which the flat shaft runs in the narrow space between this rear wall and the load-bearing structure. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized LPG from a vehicle LPG fuel system.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with such an arrangement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] These and other objects, which will become apparent from the following description, are achieved by an arrangement and a vehicle according to the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the arrangement are described in the appended dependent claims.

[0016] In particular, an object of the invention is achieved by an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied petroleum gas from a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system of a vehicle. The vehicle has a tiltable cab and a vehicle frame, the cab being movably connected to the vehicle frame, in particular in a non-tilted position of the cab. The fuel system has a liquefied petroleum gas fuel tank mounted on the chassis for supplying fuel to the vehicle's engine, and a vent pipe. Vaporized gas can be removed (vented) via the vent pipe at a certain tank pressure. The vent pipe is attached to the rear of the cab. The arrangement is such that vaporized gas can be vented from the tank via the vent pipe in the non-tilted position of the cab.The assembly has a downwardly open conical configuration as the lower end connection of the exhaust steam pipe and a tank pipe attached to the tank for transferring vaporized gas from the tank. The conical configuration and the tank pipe component are designed such that when the cabin moves from the tilted to the non-tilted position, a portion of the tank pipe component is inserted into the conical shape and then further into the exhaust steam pipe above the conical shape, such that gas vaporized from the tank is transferred via the tank pipe component into the exhaust steam pipe and removed from it.

[0017] This allows the cabin to be easily and automatically moved into a position where vaporized gas from the tank is released through the exhaust pipe when the cabin is moved from a tilted to a non-tilted position. The solution with the downwardly open conical configuration as the lower end connection of the exhaust pipe for receiving a tank pipe component enables a simple design with regard to the dimensions of the bottom opening of the conical configuration, which is sufficiently large for the insertion of the tank pipe component into the lower opening of the conical configuration, regardless of possible movements of the cabin and thus of the conical configuration relative to the chassis and thus of the tank pipe component, as well as possible movements of the insertion section of the tank pipe component relative to the conical configuration.By using this downwardly open conical configuration as the lower end connection of the exhaust vapor pipe to receive the tank pipe component and to align the tank pipe component such that it is then inserted further into the exhaust vapor pipe above the conical configuration, an injection effect is created that reduces the risk of gas vaporized from the tank and flowing out of the tank pipe component flowing backward into the space between the tank pipe component and the exhaust vapor pipe towards the opening of the conical configuration. This solution therefore functions like a diffuser. A relatively simple and cost-effective design is achieved for promoting the removal of vaporized LPG from a vehicle's LPG fuel system from a chassis-mounted LPG fuel tank through a cab-mounted exhaust pipe.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the arrangement, the conical configuration and the tank pipe component are designed such that, in the non-tilted position, during movement of the cabin, and thus the conical configuration, the latter moves relative to the portion of the tank pipe component that is pushed into the exhaust pipe above the conical configuration. This reduces the risk of wear and tear associated with cabin movements in the non-tilted position of the cabin.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the arrangement, the exhaust steam pipe and the section of the tank pipe component in the exhaust steam pipe are dimensioned to support the ejection effect to promote the removal of gas via the exhaust steam pipe. This also reduces the risk of gas evaporated from the tank, which is removed via the section of the tank pipe component, flowing backward into the space between the section of the tank pipe component and the exhaust steam pipe toward the opening of the conical configuration.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the arrangement, the lower end section of the exhaust steam pipe has a recess above the conical configuration and below the upper end of the end section of the tank pipe component inserted into the exhaust steam pipe to promote an ejection effect and thus promote the removal of gas through the exhaust steam pipe. This also reduces the risk of gas evaporated from the tank and removed via the section of the tank pipe component flowing backward into the space between the section of the tank pipe component and the exhaust steam pipe toward the conical configuration.

[0021] In particular, an object of the invention is also achieved by a vehicle with an arrangement of the type described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0022] For a further understanding of the present description, reference is made to the following explanation of details in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts: Fig. Figure 1a schematically shows a side view of a vehicle with a tiltable cab in a non-tilted position; the vehicle has an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied petroleum gas from a vehicle's liquefied petroleum gas fuel system according to an embodiment of the present description; Fig. 1b shows schematically a side view of the vehicle according to Fig. 1a with the cabin in tilted position; Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an exhaust vapor pipe and a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system and the arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied petroleum gas of the liquefied petroleum gas fuel system for a non-tilted position according to an embodiment of the present description; Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas from a liquefied gas fuel system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present description; and Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of an arrangement for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied petroleum gas from a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present description. DESCRIPTION OF DETAILS

[0023] In the following, the term “liquefied petroleum gas” refers to liquefied natural gas, LNG, or liquefied biogas, LBG.

[0024] In the following, the term “liquefied natural gas fuel system” refers to a fuel system for liquefied natural gas, LNG, or a fuel system for liquefied biogas, LBG.

[0025] Hereinafter, the term “flexible hose” refers to a hose designed to convey a fluid for a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system, wherein the hose is bendable to a certain degree and has a certain flexibility in order to accommodate relative movements of a driver’s cab with respect to a liquefied petroleum gas fuel tank.

[0026] Hereinafter, the term "exhaust steam pipe" refers to a pipe, preferably a solid pipe, designed to remove vaporized gas from a liquefied petroleum gas fuel tank of a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system. According to one embodiment, the pipe is made of stainless steel. Alternatively, the exhaust steam pipe could also be flexible, such as a flexible hose. The exhaust steam pipe can have any suitable cross-section, such as a circular cross-section, or a polygonal cross-section, such as a rectangular cross-section.

[0027] Hereinafter, the term "tank pipe component" refers to any suitable pipe or hose, or a combination thereof. The tank pipe component may have any suitable cross-section, including a circular cross-section or a polygonal cross-section, such as a rectangular cross-section.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1a shows schematically a side view of a vehicle 1 with a tiltable cabin 2 in a non-tilted position; and Fig. 1b shows schematically a side view of the vehicle 1 according to Fig. 1a, with cabin 2 tilted.

[0029] The vehicle has an arrangement A for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas from a liquefied gas fuel system I of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present description.

[0030] The vehicle 1 has a vehicle frame 3. The cabin 2 is tiltable relative to the vehicle frame 3. In a non-tilted position of the cabin 2, the cabin 2 is movably connected to the vehicle frame 3.

[0031] The exemplary vehicle 1 is a heavy-duty vehicle in the form of a truck. The vehicle 1 is supplied with fuel via the liquefied petroleum gas fuel system 1 to operate the engine of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 can be any suitable truck equipped with a load-bearing part behind the cabin 2. Such a vehicle 1 can be a tractor unit equipped to support an overhang behind the cabin 2, or it can also be a semi-trailer with a tractor unit and a semi-trailer coupled to the tractor unit behind the cabin 2 via a fifth wheel.

[0032] Cabin 2 is tiltable between a non-tilted position according to Fig. 1a, in which the cabin 2 is upright and the vehicle 1 can be guided, and a tilted position, as shown Fig. 1b shows. In the non-tilted position, the cabin 2 is locked by means of a cabin locking arrangement with cabin locking components, which are not shown. A locking arrangement is thus provided with cabin locking components of the cabin 2 and chassis locking components with respect to the chassis 3 for locking the cabin to the chassis 3 in the non-tilted position of the cabin 2. The cabin locking components are connected to the cabin housing via a spring arrangement that allows movement of the cabin 2 with respect to the cabin locking components, which are not shown here.

[0033] The cabin 2 may be tiltable in any suitable manner by any suitable means. According to one embodiment, the cabin 2 is tiltable by means of a cabin tilting assembly 50 according to Fig. 1a. The cabin tilting arrangement 50 has a pump unit 52 and at least one hydraulic piston unit 54 for tilting the cabin 2, which is hydraulically connected to the pump unit 52 via a hydraulic line.

[0034] The vehicle has a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system I. The liquefied petroleum gas fuel system I has a liquefied petroleum gas fuel tank 10 mounted on the chassis to supply the engine of the vehicle 1 with fuel.

[0035] The liquefied petroleum gas fuel system I has a vapor pipe 20 through which vaporized gas can be removed from the tank 10 at a specific tank pressure. The vapor pipe 20 is designed to be connected to the fuel tank 10. The liquefied petroleum gas fuel system I for liquefied petroleum gas is provided with a pressure relief valve (not shown) that opens at a specific pressure so that vaporized gas can be removed from the tank 10 via the vapor pipe 20. The pressure can be set to a suitable value. In one embodiment, the pressure is approximately 16 bar. The pressure may depend on the size of the tank.

[0036] Vehicle 1 according to the Fig. 1a-b is a simplified representation. Typically, the chassis 3 of the vehicle 1 has a vehicle frame with a left longitudinal vehicle support and a right longitudinal vehicle support, not shown here. The liquefied gas fuel tank 10 is arranged in connection with the vehicle frame. According to one embodiment, the liquefied gas fuel tank 10 can have a left liquefied gas fuel tank section in connection with the left longitudinal vehicle support and a right liquefied gas fuel tank section in connection with the right longitudinal support of the chassis of the vehicle 1.

[0037] The exhaust steam pipe 20 is attached to the rear side 2a of the cabin 2. The exhaust steam pipe 20 is designed to be fixedly attached to the rear side of the cabin 2 by means of suitable fastening means, e.g. any suitable connecting elements, such as with one or more screw connections, see Fig. 2. The exhaust steam pipe 20 is thus configured to be tilted together with the cabin 2 when the cabin 2 is tilted into the tilted position.

[0038] The exhaust steam pipe 20 has an upper side 20a with an opening through which vaporized gas can be removed and an opposite lower side for receiving vaporized gas from the tank 10.

[0039] The vehicle 1 has an arrangement A for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas from the liquefied gas fuel system I of the vehicle 1. The exhaust vapor pipe 20 is arranged to be attached to the rear of the cabin 2.

[0040] The arrangement A is arranged to allow vaporized gas from the tank 10 to be removed via the exhaust steam pipe 20 in the non-tilted position of the cabin 2 of the vehicle 1.

[0041] The arrangement A has a downwardly open conical configuration 30, i.e. a downwardly widening shape, as the lower end and connecting section of the exhaust steam pipe 20. According to one embodiment of the arrangement, the conical configuration has a tapered body 34 which tapers (becomes smaller in cross-section) from the lower opening 32 towards a lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0042] The conical configuration 30, together with the exhaust steam pipe 20, is thus configured to be tilted together with the cabin 2 when the latter is brought into the tilted position. The downwardly open conical configuration 30 forms a lower end connecting section of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and is thus configured to be moved along with any movement of the cabin 2, including a movement between the tilted and the non-tilted position of the cabin 2, as well as movements of the cabin 2 relative to the chassis 3 in the non-tilted position of the cabin 2.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the conical configuration 30 is attached to an end portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20. The end portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 forms the lower end portion of the exhaust steam pipe 20 when the exhaust steam pipe 20 is attached to the rear of the cabin 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the conical configuration 30 forms a separate component, which is configured to be attached to the lower end portion of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0044] According to one embodiment, a pipe section forming an end section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe and the conical configuration 30 form an integral component configured to be attached to the lower end of the exhaust steam pipe 20. In this embodiment, the conical configuration 30 and the pipe section 22 formed integrally with the conical configuration 30 are attached to the exhaust steam pipe 20 via the pipe section 22, such that the pipe section 20 is integrated into the conical configuration 30 when attached to the exhaust steam pipe 20, thus forming part of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the conical configuration 30 forms an integrated portion of the exhaust steam pipe 20. Thus, in this embodiment, the conical configuration 30 forms the lower end portion of the exhaust steam pipe 20 when the exhaust steam pipe 20 is mounted at the rear of the cabin 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the conical configuration 30 merges into the lower pipe portion 22.

[0046] The arrangement A further comprises a tank pipe component 40, which is attached to the tank 10 for discharging vaporized gas from the tank 10. The tank pipe component 40 can be attached to the tank 10 in any suitable manner. The tank pipe component 40 can be any suitable pipe or hose, or a combination thereof. The tank pipe component 40 can be connected to the chassis 3 of the vehicle 1, see Fig. 2. At least a portion of the tank pipe component 40 with the section 42 has sufficient strength so that movement of the section 42 is prevented or at least reduced / minimized. Thus, the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 has a certain rigidity. According to one embodiment of the description, this rigidity of the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is achieved by inserting a rigid pipe into the section 42.

[0047] The conical configuration 30 and the tank pipe component 40 are designed so that when the cabin 2 is tilted from the tilted position according to Fig. 1b into the non-tilted position according to Fig. 1a, a section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is inserted into the conical configuration 30 and further guided into the exhaust steam pipe 20 above the conical configuration 30, so that gas vaporized from the tank 10 enters the exhaust steam pipe 20 via the tank pipe component 40 and is removed (discharged) via the exhaust steam pipe 20. The section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is thus inserted into the conical configuration 30 and further into the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the arrangement A comprising the conical configuration 30 and the tank pipe component 40, these are designed such that in the non-tilted position when the cabin 2 and thus the conical configuration 30 move, the latter can move freely relative to the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 which is inserted into the exhaust steam pipe 20 above the conical configuration 30.

[0049] Thus, in the non-tilted position, upon movement of the cabin 2 and thus of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the conical configuration 30, the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 can move relative to the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40, the latter being inserted into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 above the conical configuration 30.

[0050] The conical configuration 30 can thus move relatively freely with respect to the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in the conical configuration 30 in the direction of the exhaust steam pipe 20, ie normally in the vertical direction.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the arrangement A, the exhaust steam pipe 20, ie the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20, and the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in the exhaust steam pipe 20 are dimensioned such that an ejector effect is obtained to promote the removal of gas through the exhaust steam pipe 20, see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0052] Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an exhaust vapor pipe 20 and a tank pipe component 40 of the liquefied petroleum gas fuel system and the assembly A for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied petroleum gas of the liquefied petroleum gas fuel system I for a non-tilted position according to an embodiment of the present description.

[0053] As the Fig. 1a-b show, the exhaust steam pipe 20 is designed such that it can be attached to the rear of the cabin 2 of the vehicle 1, not shown here. The exhaust steam pipe 20 is designed such that it can be firmly attached to the rear of the cabin 2 by means of suitable fastening means. According to this exemplary embodiment, these fastening means comprise an upper fastening arrangement F1, an intermediate fastening arrangement F2, and a lower fastening arrangement F3. The upper fastening arrangement F1 is configured to form a fastening of the exhaust steam pipe 20 to the rear of the cabin 2 in conjunction with the upper section of the exhaust steam pipe 20. The intermediate fastening arrangement F2 forms a fastening of the exhaust steam pipe 20 to the rear of the cabin 2 in conjunction with a middle section of the exhaust steam pipe 20.The lower fastening arrangement F3 forms a fastening of the exhaust steam pipe 20 at the rear of the cabin in connection with a lower section of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0054] The exhaust pipe 20 has an upper side (an upper end) 20a with an opening through which the vaporized gas can be discharged, and an opposite lower side (a lower end) for receiving vaporized gas from the tank 10 via the tank pipe component 40.

[0055] The tank pipe component 40, i.e., the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 inserted into the conical configuration 30 and further into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust vapor pipe 20, has an upper end 40a through which the vaporized gas enters the exhaust vapor pipe 20 for discharge through the exhaust vapor pipe 20. The tank pipe component 40 has an opposite end 40b configured for connection to the liquid fuel tank 10.

[0056] As in Fig. 2, the tank pipe component 40 is designed such that it can be attached to the vehicle chassis 3 (not shown here). The tank pipe component 40 can be firmly attached to the vehicle chassis 3, either directly or via a suitable component attached to the vehicle chassis 3, using suitable fastening means. In this embodiment, a fastening means for this purpose has a fastening arrangement F4. The fastening arrangement F4 for the tank pipe component 40 is configured to attach the tank pipe component 40 close to the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in order to minimize movements of the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40. This also keeps the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 straight and aligned so that it is securely inserted into the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30 and further into the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 when the cabin 2 is moved from the tilted position to the non-tilted position.

[0057] As mentioned above, at least a portion of the tank pipe component 40 with the portion 42 has a certain strength so that movement of the portion 42 is at least reduced / minimized such that the portion 42 of the tank component 40 is safely moved into the lower portion 32 of the conical configuration 30 and further into the exhaust steam pipe 20 when the cabin 2 is moved from the tilted to the non-tilted position.

[0058] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the portion 44 of the tank pipe component 40 extending from the tank pipe component mounting arrangement F4 to the upper end 40a is flexible to allow cabin movements, thus allowing movements of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the conical configuration 30 relative to the vehicle chassis 3 when the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is inserted into the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the tank pipe component mounting arrangement F4 is arranged in conjunction with the vehicle chassis 3 to allow cabin movements and thus movements of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the conical configuration 30 relative to the vehicle chassis 3, with the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 inserted into the exhaust steam pipe 20. The portion 44 of the tank pipe component 40 extending from the tank pipe component mounting arrangement F4 to the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 can be substantially fixed. The mounting arrangement F4 for the tank pipe component 40 can comprise any suitable spring arrangement that allows relative movement of the tank pipe component 40 and the chassis 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0060] Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of the arrangement A for promoting the emptying of vaporized liquid gas of a liquid gas fuel system I of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present description.

[0061] In particular, Fig. 3 a side view of arrangement A according to Fig. 1a with the conical configuration 30, the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40, which is inserted into the conical configuration 30 and into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 according to an embodiment of the present description.

[0062] The section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is thus inserted into the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30.

[0063] In this embodiment, the conical configuration 30 has a tapered body 34 configured to taper from the lower opening 32 toward the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam tube 20 to facilitate insertion of the portion 42 of the tank tube component 40 into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam tube 20.

[0064] The lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30 has a diameter D1. The diameter D1 is the inner diameter of the opening 32 of the conical configuration 30. The lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 has an inner diameter D2 that is smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30.

[0065] The tank pipe component 40, i.e., the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 configured for insertion into the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30, has a diameter D3. The diameter D3 of the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is the outer diameter.

[0066] The outer diameter D3 of the section 42 is substantially smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the lower opening 32, so that the opening 32 of the conical configuration 30 is sufficiently large to allow the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 to be inserted into the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30, independently of certain movements of the cabin 2 and thus of the conical configuration 30 relative to the chassis 3 and thus of the tank pipe component 40, and also with respect to movements of the insertion section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 relative to the conical configuration 30.

[0067] The outer diameter D3 of section 42 is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20, thus allowing movement of the exhaust steam pipe 20 in the vertical direction relative to the section 42 inserted into the exhaust steam pipe 20. The section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is designed to be sufficiently insertable into the exhaust steam pipe 20 such that the end section 40a of section 42 remains in the exhaust steam pipe 20, regardless of movements of the cabin 2 and thus movements of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0068] In this embodiment of arrangement A, the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 within the exhaust steam pipe 20 are dimensioned to promote a blow-out effect to assist in the removal of gas through the exhaust steam pipe 20. The inner diameter D2 of the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the outer diameter D3 of the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 are dimensioned to leave a space between the outer surface of the pipe section 42 and the inner surface of the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 to allow air to pass through. Thus, the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 within the exhaust steam pipe 20 are dimensioned to leave an air gap between these components to enhance the blow-out effect.

[0069] Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the arrangement A for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas of a liquefied gas fuel system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present description.

[0070] In particular, Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the arrangement A according to Fig. 1a with the conical configuration 30, a lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and a portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40, which is inserted into the conical configuration 30 and the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 according to an embodiment of the present description.

[0071] In this embodiment, the conical configuration 30 has a tapered body 34 that tapers from the lower opening 32 toward the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 so as to facilitate insertion of the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0072] The embodiment according to Fig. 4 differs from the embodiment according to Fig. 3 in that the lower end portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 has a recess 22A above the conical configuration 30 and below the upper end 40a of the end portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 which is inserted into the exhaust steam pipe 20 to promote an ejection effect to assist the removal of gas through the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0073] Thus, according to this embodiment, the lower end section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 has a recess 22A with an inner diameter D2a at its narrowest point and a cylindrical section 22B extending from the recess 22A to the upper side of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and having an inner diameter D2b. The inner diameter D2a of the recess 22A is smaller than the inner diameter D2b of the cylindrical section 22B in the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0074] The lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30 has an inner diameter D1. The inner diameter D2a of the recess 22A and thus the inner diameter D2b of the cylindrical portion 22B are smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30.

[0075] The portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 adapted to be inserted into the lower opening 32 of the conical configuration 30 has an outer diameter D3.

[0076] The inner diameter D2a of the recess 22A and thus the inner diameter D2b of the cylindrical section 22B are larger than the outer diameter D3 of section 42 of the tank pipe component 40, thus enabling vertical movement of the exhaust steam pipe 20 relative to section 42, the latter being inserted into the exhaust steam pipe 20. The section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 is designed such that it can be inserted sufficiently into the exhaust steam pipe 20 so that the end section 40a of section 42 remains in the exhaust steam pipe 20, regardless of movements of the cabin 2 and thus movements of the exhaust steam pipe 20.

[0077] In this embodiment of arrangement A, the recess 22A of the lower portion 22 of the exhaust pipe 20 and the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in the exhaust pipe 20 are sized to enhance an ejection effect to promote the removal of gas through the exhaust pipe 20. The inner diameter D2a of the recess 22A in the lower portion 22 of the exhaust pipe 20 and the outer diameter D3 of the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 are sized to leave a space between the outer surface of the pipe portion 42 and the inner surface of the recess 22A in the lower portion 22 of the exhaust pipe 20 to allow air to pass through. Thus, the recess 22A in the lower section 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in the exhaust steam pipe 20 are dimensioned such that an air gap is created between these parts to promote the ejection effect.

[0078] Section 42 of the tank pipe component 40 has an inner diameter D4. The thickness of section 42, i.e., the difference between the diameter D3 and the inner diameter D4, is optimized for the ejection effect.

[0079] In the cases referred to above with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig.4, the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40, which is inserted into the conical configuration 30 and further into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20, each have circular cross-sections so as to allow the insertion of the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 and relative movements between the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in their longitudinal extents. The lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 inserted into the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 may have any suitable cross-section that allows the insertion of the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 and also allows relative movements between the lower portion 22 of the exhaust steam pipe 20 and the portion 42 of the tank pipe component 40 in their longitudinal directions.

[0080] The above presentation of preferred embodiments of the present specification is provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments described. Changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in detail in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, and to enable others skilled in the art to appreciate the invention and its various embodiments, with their various modifications as appropriate for their intended use.

Claims

[1] Arrangement (A) for promoting the removal of vaporized liquefied gas from a liquefied gas fuel system (I) of a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) has a tiltable cabin (2) and a vehicle chassis (3), and the cabin (2) connected to the vehicle chassis (3) is movable into a non-tilted position of the cabin (2), the fuel system (I) has a liquefied gas fuel tank (10) attached to the chassis (3) for supplying fuel to the engine of the vehicle (1), wherein vaporized gas is removed from the tank (10) via a vapor pipe (20) at a certain tank pressure, the vapor pipe (20) is attached to the rear of the cabin (2), and wherein the arrangement (A) is arranged to allow vaporized gas from the tank (10) to be removed through the vapor pipe (20) in the non-tilted position of the cabin (2),wherein the arrangement (A) has a downwardly open conical configuration (30) as a lower end connection of the exhaust steam pipe (20) and a tank pipe component (40) which is attached to the tank (10) for conveying vaporized gas from the tank (10), wherein the conical configuration (30) and the tank pipe component (40) are designed such that when the cabin (2) moves from the tilted to the non-tilted position, a section (42) of the tank pipe component (40) is inserted into the conical configuration (30) and further into the exhaust steam pipe (20) above the conical configuration (30) such that gas vaporized from the tank (10) is guided via the tank pipe component (40) into the exhaust steam pipe (20) and removed therethrough. [2] Arrangement (A) according to claim 1, wherein the conical configuration (30) and the tank pipe component (40) are designed such that in the non-tilted position upon movement of the cabin (2) and thus of the conical configuration (30), the conical configuration (30) can move relative to the portion (42) of the tank pipe component (40) which is inserted into the exhaust steam pipe (20) above the conical configuration (30). [3] The assembly (A) of claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe (20) and the portion (42) of the tank pipe member (40) in the exhaust pipe (20) are sized to enhance a ejection effect to promote the removal of the gas through the exhaust pipe (20). [4] Arrangement (A) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lower end portion (22) of the exhaust steam pipe (20) above the conical configuration (30) and below the upper end (40a) of the end portion (42) of the tank pipe component (40) inserted into the exhaust steam pipe (20) has a recess (22A) for enhancing an ejection effect for promoting the removal of the gas through the exhaust steam pipe (20). [5] Vehicle (1) with an arrangement (A) according to one of claims 1-4.

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