Refuse Vehicle Fuel Pod Layout for Stable Natural Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel systems for natural gas powered refuse vehicles suffer from inconsistent natural gas flow due to mechanical regulators, and the positioning of natural gas tanks along the chassis requires a longer vehicle wheelbase, complicating the isolation of these tanks.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle design featuring a chassis with a prime mover, a body assembly, and an impact mitigation system to protect an energy storage device, along with a fuel system that includes a fuel tank, a shutoff valve, a proximity sensor, and a controller to manage fuel flow based on environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If natural gas tanks are positioned along the chassis, then fuel storage capacity is achieved, but vehicle wheelbase becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the natural gas tanks from the traditional chassis location to the vehicle roof, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of extending the horizontal wheelbase. This dimensional transition allows adequate fuel storage capacity while maintaining a compact vehicle footprint and shorter wheelbase.
2Quantity of substance
If natural gas tanks are positioned along the chassis, then fuel storage is enabled, but isolation of tanks becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple natural gas tanks into a single integrated fuel pod assembly located on the vehicle roof. This merging of separate tank units into one modular assembly simplifies the isolation system, requiring only a single shutoff valve to isolate the entire fuel storage system rather than multiple individual valves for each tank.
3Stress or pressure
If mechanical regulators are used for natural gas flow, then pressure reduction is achieved, but flow consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure regulators with an electronic control system that uses an electrically actuated shutoff valve and controller. This substitution of mechanical components with an electronically controlled system provides more precise and consistent natural gas flow regulation, eliminating the flow variability inherent in mechanical regulators.
4Reliability
If operator manually isolates natural gas tanks, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated fuel isolation system where the controller automatically activates the shutoff valve in response to detected fuel leaks or abnormal conditions, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. This self-service automation maintains safety while preserving vehicle operational efficiency by immediately responding to hazards without requiring the driver to stop or manually isolate the fuel system.
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis including a wheel and an electric motor configured to receive electrical energy and provide power to the wheel to move the refuse vehicle, a body assembly coupled to the chassis and configured to store refuse, a tailgate movably coupled to the body assembly, and an energy storage device coupled to the tailgate and moveable therewith. The electric motor is configured to be powered by the energy storage device.