Integrated Fuel Tank Rack Superstructure for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vertical racks for mounting gaseous fuel cylinders in motor vehicles are heavy, complex, and costly, failing to meet safety standards while optimizing weight, size, and footprint effectively.
Innovation Solution
A novel tank and rack system comprising modular, cylindrical composite fuel tanks that function as both storage units and structural elements, using sub-rack cradles, tensioner assemblies, and straps to form a superstructure that reduces weight and complexity, while securing tanks with a cooperating structure that can withstand static forces equivalent to eight times the weight of a fully pressurized container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional heavy steel racks with trusses are used to support fuel tanks, then safety standards are met and structural strength is sufficient, but rack weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rack structure with the fuel tank supports into an integrated assembly. The rack legs directly support the fuel tanks without requiring separate heavy trusses or bracing structures, merging the functions of structural support and tank mounting into a single lightweight system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes traditional heavy steel trusses and complex bracing structures from the rack design. By extracting these unnecessary structural elements and relying on the inherent strength of the fuel tanks themselves, the rack weight is dramatically reduced while maintaining safety standards.
2Reliability
If traditional heavy steel racks are used to mount fuel tanks, then safety compliance is achieved, but vehicle tare weight increases reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure is merged with the fuel tank mounting system, creating an integrated assembly where the rack legs directly support the tanks. This eliminates the need for separate heavy structural components while maintaining safety compliance through proper engineering of the integrated system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional complex rack structures are used, then structural stability is ensured, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes complex trusses, bracing, and additional structural elements from the rack design. The simplified rack structure relies on the inherent stability of the fuel tanks themselves and basic rack legs, dramatically reducing structural complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex rack structure to support the tanks, the patent inverts the approach by having the tanks serve as primary structural elements. The rack is designed to work with the tanks' inherent strength rather than providing all structural support, simplifying the overall system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooperating rack structure comprising at least two modules affixed to legs and a method of reduced weight vertical storage of fuel tanks for use in motor vehicles wherein the fuel tanks form a cooperating portion of the rack superstructure.