TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively,
the present disclosure relates to re-fuelling of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present
5 disclosure relate to a mechanism for accessing a flexible hose for re-fuelling a fuel tank of the
vehicle, more particularly and earth mover.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
10 Generally, earth moving plays an important role in industries such as construction, mining,
agriculture, forestry and the like. Typically, excavators and other types of earth moving vehicles
are employed to carry out the required operations. The excavators and other earth moving vehicles
are generally employed in areas where the terrain is uneven or rough. As the excavators are to be
operated over uneven or rough terrain, the excavators are manufactured to have large structural
15 dimensions and have working components positioned high off the ground to prevent damage
during maneuvering and excavating operations. One such working component of the excavator is
the fuel tank which is adapted to store and supply fuel to an engine of the excavator/earth mover.
The fuel tank in the excavator is generally positioned on a body of the excavator at a predefined
height which makes the fuel tank inaccessible to an operator standing on ground level or it is a
20 challenge for refuelling the excavator by using normal fuel lines provided in refuelling stations.
Conventionally, in order to refuel the excavator, the operator has to physically carry a fuel
dispensing gun and climb onto the body of the excavator, which is cumbersome, challenging in
view of the uneven or rough terrain on which the excavator may be positioned and is time
consuming. Additionally, this process of refuelling the excavator results in a hazardous
25 environment for the operator where the safety of the operator is at risk. For example, the operator
while climbing up/down and during refuelling the excavator may be at risk of falling down.
Moreover, this type of refuelling process increases the probability of fuel contamination due to
exposure to the atmosphere and the working atmosphere, which is undesired.
Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other
30 limitations associated with the known arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
3
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism as claimed and additional
advantages are provided through the mechanism as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional
features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other
5 embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part
of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism for accessing a flexible
hose for re-fuelling a fuel tank of a vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism includes a frame
10 connected to a body of the vehicle proximal to the fuel tank and configured to receive the flexible
hose. Further, the mechanism includes an arm which is pivotally connected to an end of the frame
and to one end of the flexible hose. The arm is configured to pivotally displace between a retracted
condition and an operated condition. Additionally, the mechanism includes at least one actuator
which is connected to the arm and is configured to selectively operate the arm between the retracted
15 condition and the operated condition for accessing the flexible hose. Furthermore, a control unit
communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator. The control unit is configured to receive
input signals and selectively actuate the arm between the retracted condition and the operated
condition for accessing the flexible hose and re-fuelling the fuel tank. The configuration of the
mechanism enables the flexible hose to be selectively located at a suitable height above the ground
20 level upon requirement of re-fuelling the fuel tank, thereby facilitating easy and safe re-fuelling of
the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the arm is defined with a proximal end pivotally connected to the frame and a
distal end configured to extend out of the frame in the operated condition.
25
In an embodiment, the flexible hose is defined with an opening positioned at the distal end of the
arm. Further, the flexible hose includes a nozzle that is fixed at the opening and is configured to
receive fuel.
30 In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a one way valve that is disposed in the flexible hose
which is downstream of the opening. The one way valve may be configured to restrict reverse flow
of fuel out of the flexible hose.
4
In an embodiment, the at least one actuator is at least one of a hydraulic actuator and a pneumatic
actuator.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes at least one pump fluidly connected to the at least one
5 actuator. The at least one pump is configured to selectively actuate the at least one actuator to
operate the arm between the retracted condition and the operated condition.
In an embodiment, the at least one pump is positioned in a fluid reservoir and configured to
channelize a fluid into the at least one actuator.
10
In an embodiment, the at least one actuator is defined with a first port and a second port to
selectively receive and dispense fluid being channelized from the at least one pump.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a first valve fluidly connected between the at least one
15 actuator and the at least one pump. The first valve is configured to selectively direct fluid from the
at least one pump to one of the first port and the second port.
In an embodiment, the at least one pump is configured to channelize the fluid to the first port for
operating the arm from the retracted condition to the operated condition.
20
In an embodiment, the at least one pump is configured to channelize the fluid to the second port
for operating the arm from the operated condition to the retracted condition.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a second valve that is fluidly connected between the
25 fluid reservoir and the at least one actuator. The second valve is configured to selectively control
flow rate of fluid from one of the first port and the second port to the fluid reservoir.
In an embodiment, the control unit is communicatively coupled to the first valve and the second
valve to selectively operate the arm.
30
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In
addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments and features described above, further aspects,
embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following
detailed description.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The
disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages
5 thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative
embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments
are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein
like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
10 Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanism for accessing a flexible hose for re-fuelling a
fuel tank of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a magnified view of a section ‘A’ of the Fig. 1.
15 Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the mechanism with an arm in a retracted condition, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of the mechanism with the arm in an operated condition, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
20
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in
the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the
device illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure
described herein.
25
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure
in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood.
30 Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the
subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the
conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying
other apparatus, devices, systems, assemblies, methods and processes for carrying out the same
6
purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such
equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended
claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its
apparatus or system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from
5 the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to
be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of
illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present
disclosure.
10 The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusions, such that a system or apparatus or a device that comprises a list of
components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other
components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such system or setup. In other words, one
or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints,
15 preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the apparatus or system.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same
or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1-4.
20
Figs. 1 and 2 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure which illustrates a mechanism
(100) for accessing a flexible hose (5) for re-fuelling a fuel tank (1) of a vehicle. In an embodiment,
the vehicle may be including but not limited to a commercial vehicle which may be for example,
an excavator, a crane, a truck, an earth mover and the like. The fuel tank (1) of the vehicle may be
25 positioned on a body of the vehicle at a predefined height which is cumbersome to access for an
operator standing on ground level. The mechanism (100) may include the flexible hose (5) which
may be fluidly connected to a top wall of the fuel tank (1) and may extend from the fuel tank (1).
The flexible hose (5) may be configured to receive fluid [ i.e. fuel] from an external source, such
as a fuel dispensing gun, to fill the fuel tank (1). In an embodiment, the flexible hose (5) may be
30 fluidly connected to the fuel tank (1) through a rigid hose. The rigid hose may be adapted to provide
a rigid structure proximal to the top surface of the fuel tank (1) for effective filling of fuel and
prevents blockage of flow which may be caused due to bends in the flow path.
7
The mechanism (100) may include a frame (2) which may be connected to the body of the vehicle
at a location which may be proximal to the fuel tank (1). Further, the frame (2) may be configured
to receive the flexible hose (5). In an embodiment, the frame (2) may be defined with an elongated
body. The elongated body of the frame (2) may be defined with at least one of a U-shaped, C5 shaped profile or may be defined with a flat profile. Additionally, the mechanism (100) may
include an arm (3) which may be defined with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end
of the arm (3) may be pivotally connected to an end of the frame (2). In an embodiment, the arm
(3) may be connected to the end of the frame (2) which may be positioned away from the fuel tank
(1). Furthermore, the arm (3) may be connected to an end of the flexible hose (5) and may be
10 configured to support the flexible hose (5) in the frame (2). The arm (3) may be configured to
pivotally displace between a retracted condition (RC) [as seen in Fig. 3] where the distal end of
the arm (3) is positioned adjacent to the surface of the frame (2) and an operated condition (OC)
[as seen in Figs. 1 and 4] where the distal end of the arm (3) extends out of the frame (2). In an
embodiment, the arm (3) in the retracted condition (RC) may be positioned within the frame (2)
15 or may be positioned parallel to the surface of the frame (2). Further, the arm (3) in the operated
condition (OC) may be pivotally displaced from the retracted condition (RC) such that the arm (3)
displaces out of the frame (2) and away from the body of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the arm
(3) in the operated condition (OC) may be angled towards the ground and the distal end of the arm
(3) may extend away from the frame (2) and may be positioned at a height which is accessible to
20 the operator.
Further, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the flexible hose (5) extending from the fuel tank (1) may be
connected to the distal end of the arm (3) and may be routed along the length of the arm (3). The
flexible hose (5) may be defined with an opening that may be positioned at the distal end of the
25 arm (3). The opening of the flexible hose (5) may be adapted to receive fuel for filling or re-fuelling
the fuel tank (1). In an embodiment, the flexible hose (5) may include a nozzle (6) which may be
fixed at the opening and may aid in receiving the fuel. Furthermore, the mechanism (100) may
include a one way valve which may be disposed in the flexible hose (5) downstream of the opening
or the nozzle (6). The one way valve may be configured to restrict reverse flow of fuel out of the
30 flexible hose (5).
8
Referring now to Fig. 2, the mechanism (100) may include at least one actuator (4). The at least
one actuator (4) may be connected to the arm (3) and may be configured to selectively operate the
arm (3) between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC) for accessing the
flexible hose (5). In an embodiment, the at least one actuator (4) may be at least one of a hydraulic
5 actuator and a pneumatic actuator. For example, the at least one actuator (4) may be a hydraulic
linear actuator or a hydraulic rotary actuator. For illustrative purposes, the at least one actuator (4)
may be considered as a hydraulic piston cylinder arrangement, however, this should not be
considered as a limitation as the at least on actuator (4) may be any other type of linear or rotary
actuator (4). Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the mechanism (100) includes one actuator (4),
10 however, this should not be considered as a limitation as the mechanism (100) may include more
than one actuator (4) which may be connected to the arm (3) for operating the arm (3) between the
retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC). Further, the at least one actuator (4)
may be defined with a first port (4a) and a second port (4b) to selectively receive and dispense
fluid for actuation and to operate the arm (3).
15
Furthermore, the mechanism (100) may include at least one pump [not shown in Figs] which may
be fluidly connected to the at least one actuator (4). The at least one pump may be configured to
selectively actuate the at least one actuator (4) to operate the arm (3) between the retracted
condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC). The at least one pump is positioned in a fluid
20 reservoir (7) and configured to channelize a fluid into the at least one actuator (4). The fluid
reservoir (7) may be positioned adjacent to the frame (2) for storing the fluid to actuate the at least
one actuator (4). In an embodiment, the fluid which may be used for actuating the at least one
actuator (4) may also be a common fluid which may be used by the vehicle for general operations,
such as hydraulic or pneumatic fluid used in the vehicle for operating components such as brakes
25 and other hydraulic or pneumatic components. The first port (4a) and the second port (4b) defined
in the at least one actuator (4) may be adapted to receive and dispense fluid that may be channelized
from the at least one pump. In an embodiment, the at least one pump, the fluid reservoir (7), the
first port (4a) and the second port (4b) may be fluidly connected through tubes which aid in
channelizing fluid. The fluid dispensed out of either one of the first port (4a) and the second port
30 (4b) may be channelized back into the fluid reservoir (7).
9
Additionally, the mechanism (100) may include a first valve [not shown in Figs] which may be
fluidly connected between the at least one actuator (4) and the at least one pump. The first valve
may be configured to selectively direct fluid from the at least one pump to one of the first port (4a)
and the second port (4b). In an embodiment, upon the first valve channelizing the fluid from the
5 at least one pump to the first port (4a), the at least one actuator (4) may operate the arm (3) from
the retracted condition (RC) to the operated condition (OC). Further, upon the first valve
channelizing the fluid from the at least one pump to the second port (4b), the at least one actuator
(4) may operate the arm (3) from the operated condition (OC) to the retracted condition (RC).
However, this configuration of the first port (4a) and the second port (4b) should not be considered
10 as a limitation as the functions of the first port (4a) and the second port (4b) may be interchanged
based on requirement. In an embodiment, the first valve may be a directional valve which may be
configured to selectively change the direction of fluid flowing from the fluid reservoir (7) to the at
least one actuator (4). Furthermore, the mechanism (100) may include a second valve which may
be connected between the fluid reservoir (7) and the at least one actuator (4). That is, the second
15 valve which may be connected between the fluid reservoir (7) and at least one of the first port (4a)
and the second port (4b). The second valve may be configured to selectively control flow rate of
fluid from the one of the first port (4a) and the second port (4b) to the fluid reservoir (7). In an
embodiment, the second valve may be flow control valve which may be configured to control the
flow rate of fluid flowing through the valve based on requirement. The second valve may be
20 configured to control fluid being fed into or channelized out of the at least one actuator (4) thereby
controlling the speed at which the arm (3) may pivotally displace between the retracted condition
(RC) and the operated condition (OC).
Referring back to Fig. 1, the mechanism (100) may include a control unit (CU). The control unit
25 (CU) may be communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator (4). The control unit (CU) may
be configured to receive input signals and selectively actuate the at least one actuator (4) to operate
the arm (3) between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC) for accessing
the flexible hose (5) and re-fuelling the fuel tank (1). Further, the control unit (CU) may be
communicatively coupled to the first valve and the second valve to selectively operate the arm (3)
30 between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC). In an embodiment, the
control unit (CU) may be communicatively coupled to a switching device [not shown in Figs]
10
which may be configured to be operated by the operator in order to operate the arm (3) between
the retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC). Further, the switching device may
be wired or a wireless device capable of receiving inputs from the user to operate the arm (3). In
an embodiment, the switching device may be part of the common switch gear inside the vehicle or
5 may be a dedicated switching device only for operating the mechanism (100). The switching
device may be configured to operate the arm (3) from the retracted condition (RC) to the operated
condition (OC) or vice versa and also may be configured to operate the arm (3) to an intermediate
condition which may be at any position between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated
condition (OC) based on requirement.
10
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the control unit (CU) may be a centralized control unit, or a
dedicated control unit for the mechanism (100). The control unit (CU) may also be associated with
other control units including, but not limited to, a body control module (BCM), a central control
module (CCM), a general electronic module (GEM), and the like. The control unit (CU) may be
15 implemented by any computing systems that is utilized to implement the features of the present
disclosure. In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may include a receiving module which may
be configured to receive the signals. Further, the control unit (CU) may include a processing
module which may include at least one data processor for executing program components for
executing user or system generated requests. The processing module may be a specialized
20 processing module such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units,
floating point units, graphics processing modules, digital signal processing modules, etc. The
processing module may include a microprocessor, and may be configured to receive data or signals
from the receiving module. Furthermore, the control unit (CU) may include an activation module
which may be configured to receive data or signals from the processing module and transmit the
25 received signals to actuate or operate the components.
In some embodiments, the control unit (CU) may be disposed in communication with one or more
memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect
to memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, and the
30 like. The memory device may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive,
optical drive, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solidstate drives, etc.
11
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include a locking unit [not shown on Figs] which
may be configured to lock the arm (3) at required positions. That is, the locking unit may be
configured to lock movement of the arm (3) at the operated condition (OC) such that fuel may be
5 safely re-filled with out spilling. Further, the locking unit may also be configured to lock the arm
(3) at the retracted condition (RC) or any other intermediate condition based on requirement, such
that the arm (3) does not displace due to movement and vibrations of the vehicle. In an
embodiment, the locking unit may be manually operated by the operator or may be electronically
operated by the control unit (CU).
10
In an embodiment, the configuration of the mechanism (100) enables the flexible hose (5) to be
selectively located at a suitable height above the ground level upon requirement of re-fuelling the
fuel tank (1), thereby facilitating easy and safe re-fuelling of the vehicle. The mechanism (100)
enables re-fuelling the fuel tank (1) of the vehicle without the requirement of the operator to climb
15 on the vehicle to reach the fuel tank (1), thereby enhancing safety of the operator. Further, as the
nozzle (6) of the flexible hose (5) may be positioned proximal to the ground the operator may refuel the vehicle with normal fuel dispensing guns which are located at ground level. Furthermore,
as the fuel dispensing guns are not carried on top of the vehicle, the chances of fuel contamination
is mitigated.
20
In an operational embodiment, the during operation of the vehicle, the arm (3) may be positioned
at the retracted condition (RC) [as seen in Fig. 3]. Upon wanting to re-fuel the fuel tank (1) of the
vehicle, the operator may operate the switching device. Upon operation of the switching device,
the control unit (CU) may receive input signals. Based on the input signals, the control unit (CU)
25 may operate the at least one pump, the first valve and the second valve to channelize fluid from
the fluid reservoir (7) to the at least one actuator (4). The fluid upon being received in the at least
one actuator (4), may actuate the at least one actuator (4) to operate the arm (3) from the retracted
condition (RC) [as seen in Fig. 3] to the operated condition (OC) [as seen in Fig. 4]. In the operated
condition (OC), the operator may introduce fuel into the flexible hose (5) for re-fuelling the fuel
30 tank (1). Upon re-fuelling the fuel tank (1), the operator may operate the switching device such
that the control unit (CU) may receive input signals to retract the arm (3). The control unit (CU)
upon receiving the input signals, may again operate the at least one pump, the first valve and the
12
second valve to de-actuate the at least one actuator (4) thereby operating the arm (3) from the
operated condition (OC) to the retracted condition (RC).
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) is simple in construction and easy to operate.
5 Additionally, the mechanism (100) may be retrofitted to existing vehicles for aiding in re-fuelling
the fuel tank (1) of the vehicle.
It should be imperative that the construction and configuration of the and any other elements or
components described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation
10 with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such structural configuration of the elements or
components should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill
15 in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is
appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be
expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in
the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms
20 (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term
“having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as
“includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly
recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,
25 as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory
phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory
30 phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or
“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true
13
for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize
that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the
bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two
5 recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention
analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended
in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at
least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,
C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
10 In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in
general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand
the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited
to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art
15 that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether
in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of
including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B”
will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups,
20 those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any
individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments
disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true
25 scope being indicated by the following claims.
14
Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Mechanism
1 Fuel tank
2 Frame
3 Arm
4 Actuator
4a First port
4b Second port
5 Flexible hose
6 Nozzle
7 Fluid reservoir
CU Control unit
RC Retracted condition
OC Operated condition
15
We Claim:
1. A mechanism (100) for accessing a flexible hose (5) for re-fuelling a fuel tank (1) of a
vehicle, comprising:
5 a frame (2) connected to a body of the vehicle proximal to the fuel tank (1) and
configured to receive the flexible hose (5);
an arm (3) pivotally connected to an end of the frame (2) and to one end of the
flexible hose (5), wherein the arm (3) is configured to pivotally displace between a retracted
condition (RC) and an operated condition (OC);
10 at least one actuator (4) connected to the arm (3) and configured to selectively
operate the arm (3) between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC)
for accessing the flexible hose (5); and
a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator (4), the
control unit (CU) is configured to receive input signals and selectively actuate the arm (3)
15 between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated condition (OC) for accessing the
flexible hose (5) and re-fuelling the fuel tank (1).
2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm (3) is defined with a proximal
end pivotally connected to the frame (2) and a distal end configured to extend out of the
20 frame (2) in the operated condition (OC).
3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible hose (5) is defined with
an opening positioned at the distal end of the arm (3).
25 4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible hose (5) comprises a
nozzle (6) fixed at the opening and is configured to receive fuel.
5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a one way valve disposed in the
flexible hose (5) downstream of the opening.
30
6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator (4) is at least
one of a hydraulic actuator and a pneumatic actuator.
16
7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one pump fluidly connected
to the at least one actuator (4), the at least one pump is configured to selectively actuate the
at least one actuator (4) to operate the arm (3) between the retracted condition (RC) and
the operated condition (OC).
5
8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pump is positioned in
a fluid reservoir (7) and configured to channelize a fluid into the at least one actuator (4).
9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator (4) is defined
10 with a first port (4a) and a second port (4b) to selectively receive and dispense fluid being
channelized from the at least one pump.
10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a first valve fluidly connected
between the at least one actuator (4) and the at least one pump, wherein the first valve is
15 configured to selectively direct fluid from the at least one pump to one of the first port (4a)
and the second port (4b).
11. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one pump is configured
to channelize the fluid to the first port (4a) for operating the arm (3) from the retracted
20 condition (RC) to the operated condition (OC).
12. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one pump is configured
to channelize the fluid to the second port (4b) for operating the arm (3) from the operated
condition (OC) to the retracted condition (RC).
25
13. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a second valve fluidly connected
between the fluid reservoir (7) and the at least one actuator (4), wherein the second valve
is configured to selectively control flow rate of fluid from the one of the first port (4a) and
the second port (4b) to the fluid reservoir (7).
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14. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (CU) is
communicatively coupled to the first valve and the second valve and is configured to
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selectively operate the arm (3) between the retracted condition (RC) and the operated
condition (OC).