FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of l970)
&
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
An arrangement for mounting fuel cylinders in a vehicle
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
Priyadarshi Singh CHNV Durga Prasad
Both Indian nationals
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
An Indian company having its registered office
At Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for supporting/holding fuel cylinders. More particularly related to a mounting arrangement for compressed gaseous fuel cylinder located below the floor of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally the fuel cylinders are placed inside the boot compartment supported by the frame and is fixed on the floor. This eats the boot/luggage space and is also hazardous in case of any leakage for the fuel tank. Referring US Patent 5518272. the invention has proposed a bomb mounting structure for supporting gaseous fuel in an automobile. Here the proposed bomb mounting structure is fixed on the floor which eats into the boot/luggage compartment and also a hazard in case of leakage of the gaseous fuel. Such an arrangement (i.e. above the floor) also result in elevation of the vehicle CG which is not desirable for Vehicle stability point. Such elevated CG may result in toppling of the vehicle while negotiation sharp turns at high vehicle speed. Referring to US Patents 6042071, proposes a fuel cylinder attaching structure in a motor car application which can take care of large expansion deformation of the fuel cylinders Further, the inventor has used a frame members which is fixed on a car body. Though the invention has taken care the expansion/ contraction of the cylinder but again the proposed mounting structure is meant for on the floor application.
Moreover, since the inventor has used a frame member same as in the earlier mentioned patent (US Patent 5518272) which has a lower torsional stiffness and since the cylinder are placed across the length of the vehicle torsional moments are more pronouns. So, a tubular arrangement which has a high torsional stiffness, as used in this invention can provide better rigidity to the gaseous fuel system and the vehicle body as well
Referring to US patents 5924734 the cylinder has attached on to the chassis frame which is directly connected to the suspension and not supported by the suspension spring. The spare wheel has pivoted to the rear of the chassis frame. But by using

such an arrangement the weight of the cylinder as well as spare wheel is coming on the suspension directly, increasing the unsprung mass. In a ground vehicle with a suspension, the unsprung is the mass of the suspension, wheels or tracks (as applicable), and other components directly connected to them, rather than supported by the suspension of the vehicle. Such an significant increase in the unsprung mass shall result in bad ride quantity and low road grip. It is always desirable to reduce the unsprung mass.
Referring US patent 7063355 B2 dated 20.06.2006. The cylinder has been mounted underbody. However, a supporting frame to the cylinder is running below the cylinder. Such arrangement is ought to decrease the effective ground clearance of the cylinders. This could be very critical for Indian/bad road conditions.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a cylinder mounting assembly which utilizes the space optimally and package maximum capacity fuel cylinder without jeopardy the boot or occupant space or ground clearance.
Another objective of the invention is to allow an additional fuel cylinder to be mounted /packaged using the main cradle and strap arrangement.
Yet another objective of present invention is to ensure maximum occupant safety by placing The fuel cylinder in a place from where in case of any leakage the gas goes directly to the open atmosphere.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a light weight fuel cylinder cradle/mounting arrangement.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a natural gas cylinder mounting assembly which is relatively simple to install.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a mounting/supporting arrangement which doesn't allow generation of undue stressed on the fuel gas
cylinders.
Yet another objective of the invention is to ensure proper and easy access to the mounting bolt to fasten/mount the cradle to the floor.
SUMARRY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides an arrangement for mounting fuel cylinders in a vehicle comprising a cradle assembly attached to the underbody of said vehicle for supporting a main cylinder (1); and at least one additional cylinder (2) fasten to said cradle by a fastening assembly.
The cradle assembly for supporting main cylinder (1) further comprising an upper
(11) and lower (12) tubular frame members connected each other. The first
tubular frame (11) is a rectangular frame with one side having open ends welded
to second tube (12) and said first rectangular frame (11) is connected to second
tubular frame (12) on a side opposite to said open end side by suitably deforming
said second frame member.
Plurality of tubes (14a, 14b) connecting said tubular frames (11, 12) and at least one tube (15) to connect the two end arms of said tube (12). At least two mounting plates (20a) and (20b) connected to the ends of said arms of tube frame
(12) and at least two tubes (13) with mounting plates (19a) (19b) connected other
side of tube frame (11) for mounting the cradle to the underbody of the vehicle.
The fastening assembly having at least two mounting structures (21a) and (21b) attached to said cradle for accommodating and mounting additional cylinder (2) and at least two straps (22a) and (22b) for fastening said additional cylinder (2) to the cradle.

The straps (22a, 22b) for fastening said additional cylinder (2) to the cradle with one end engaged in a guide (23) on the cylinder support structure (21a) and (21b) and other end is connected to a pressed strut (24) which passed through the holes
(25) on the cylinder support structure (21a) and (21b) for fastening to said
cylinder support structure (21a) and (2lb).
The compressible spring (26) is inserted on the strut (24) between the support structure (21) and end fastening bolt arrangement on the strut comprising spring washer (28), nut (29), lock nut (30) and plane washer (27) for proper seating of the spring (26), to facilitate tension in the strap and also to accommodate the expansion of the cylinder (2).
The rubber pads (31) and (32) are placed between the cylinder (2) and the strap (22) on one side and cylinder support structure (21) on other side respectively to provide cushioning effect and avoid friction.
The rubber pads (43) are placed on the tubular cradle to provide cushioning effect and avoid friction of cylinder (1) with the cradle (3). The strap (33) comprises of a guide (41) on the strap to ensure fool proof location of said strap (33) across the cylinder (1) and cradle (3).
The strap arrangements (33) comprising strap ends (36) and (42) are inserted with two pins (34) adapted to be held therein by cir-clips (39); said pins (34) have a through hole (44) at centre to lock the strap ends by insertion of stud (35) and nut (38) assembly; and a spring inserted on the stud at fastened end to facilitate tension in the strap and also to accommodate the expansion of the cylinder (1).
The locking arrangements of said straps (22) and (33) are provided with springs
(26) and (37) respectively such that in case of expansion of the cylinders (1)
and/or (2) said springs (26) and/or (37) gets compressed allowing the straps to
expand and in normal condition to maintain the predefine tension in the straps and
to prevent undue stress generation in the cylinders.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Accordingly to the present invention provides an arrangement for mounting fuel cylinders in a vehicle comprising a cradle assembly attached to the underbody of said vehicle for supporting a main cylinder (i); and at least one additional cylinder (2) fasten to said cradle by a fastening assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cylinder mounting arrangement with the rear
floor
Fig. 2a & 2b describes the tubular cradle construction
Fig. 3 depicts the complete cylinder and cradle assembly along with the strap
arrangement.
Fig. 4 shows the perspective view of the cradle and strap arrangement.
Fig. 5 shows the exploded view of the additional cylinder support structure along
with the strap arrangement.
Fig. 6 shows the strap arrangement for the main cylinder.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure 1, a compressed fuel cylinder mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Mounting assembly is attached to the underside of a vehicle below the rear seat 6 (not shown in the fig.) for supporting a fuel cylinder /tank thereto.
For the purpose of explaining and illustrating the present invention, mounting assembly will be described (as being in hatchback) along with rear floor, spare wheel/ spare wheel depression.
The mountings assembly supports the fuel cylinders 1 & 2 via a tubular cradle 3 and strap arrangement 4. The Cylinder assembly has been mounted below the rear seat depression 6 between the cross members 5 and 7 forward and rearward to fuel cylinders respectively and further, forward to the sphere wheel depression 9.

The cylinder 1 is attached to the cradle 3 and cylinder 2 is attached to the cradle 3 via a strap arrangement 4. The two cylinder assembly is attached to the underbody by suitable fastenings 10a & 10b.
Referring to Figure 2 a & b, the cradle assembly is made up of two main tube members namely 11 and 12. The tube 11 which lies to the top of the tube 12 takes a shape of rectangle with one side open. The two open ends of the said rectangle formed by tube 11 are welded to tube 12 at 18a & 18 b. On the other side i.e. 17, the tubes 11 and 12 are again welded to each other. To support the tube 11 at the center tube 14a and 14 b has been welded at the center. Tube 15 is further welded two join the two end arms of tube 12. Two mounting plates (20a, 20b) are welded to these arms ends. On the other side tube 13 with mounting plates 19a and 19b at one end is welded to tube 11.
Referring to the figure 3, 4 and 5, the main cylinder 1 is supported in the cradle 3 and fastened by strap arrangements 33. Two support structures (21a, 21b) for additional cylinder 2 are welded to cradle tube 11 and 12. The additional cylinder is fastened to the cradle by straps (22a, 22b), which are wrapped around the cylinder (2). The strap's (22a, 22b) one end is engages in a guide 23 on the cylinder support structure (21a, 21b) and other end is having a pressed strut 24 which passed through the hole 25 on the cylinder support structure (21a, 21b) and fastened to the cylinder support structure (21a, 21b). (Ref fig 5)A compressible spring 26 is inserted between the end fastening bolt arrangement (28 to 30) to facilitate tension in the strap and also to adjust during expansion of the cylinder. A plane washer 27 disposed therein to have proper seating of the spring 26. The fastening arrangement includes a spring washer 28 nut 29 and lock nut 30, this ensures that unlocking of nut could not take place. Further, rubber pads 31 and 32 are placed between the cylinder 2 and the strap 22 on one side and cylinder support structure 21 on other side respectively to ensure no rubbing of cylinder takes place.

Similarly, pads 43 (ref fig 4) are placed on the tubular cradle to avoid rubbing of cylinder 1 with the cradle.
Referring to Figure 6, another strap 33 is fastens the cylinder 1 with the tubular cradle 3. A guide (41) on the strap ensure that every time the strap (33) Is placed across the cylinder (1) and cradle (3) and the strap (33) ends (36,42)comes at the same location relative to the cradle 3. The strap ends (36, 42) formed as a envelope which split into two parts and carrying two pins 34 therein. Pins 34 are inserted through the strap end (36, 42) and hold therein by cir-clips 39. The pins 34 having a thorough hole 44 at centre and a stud 35 is inserted through the hole and fastened by a nut 38 at other end to lock the strap ends. A spring is inserted on the stud at fastened end which help in adjusting the strap incase of cylinder expansion.,
The cylinders usually expands against the straps while refilling due to an increase in temperature and this may cause generation of undesired stresses in the cylinder and even loosening of the straps with time.
To take care of this the straps 22 and 33 are tightened with spring 26 and 37 respectively so that the as the cylinder 1 and 2 expands while refilling and inturn the spring 26 and 37 gets compressed allowing the straps to expand. This shall not only maintain the predefine tension in the straps but also prevent undue stress generation in the cylinders.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

We claim:
1. An arrangement for mounting fuel cylinders in a vehicle comprising
a cradle assembly attached to the underbody of said vehicle for supporting a main cylinder (1); and at least one additional cylinder (2) fasten to said cradle by a fastening assembly.
2. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cradle assembly for supporting main cylinder (1) further comprising an upper (11) and lower (12) tubular frame members connected each other.
3. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein first tubular frame (11) is a rectangular frame with one side having open ends welded to second tube (12) and said first rectangular frame (11) is connected to second tubular frame (12)on a side opposite to said open end side by suitably deforming said second frame member.
4. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein plurality of tubes (14a, 14b) connecting said tubular frames(l1,12) and at least one tube (15) to connect the two end arms of said tube (12).
5. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims at
least two mounting plates (20a) and (20b) connected to the ends of said arms
of tube frame (12) and at least two tubes (13) with mounting plates (19a) (19b)
connected other side of tube frame (11) for mounting the cradle to the
underbody of the vehicle.
6. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fastening
assembly having at least two mounting structures (21a) and (21b) attached to
said cradle for accommodating and mounting additional cylinder (2) and at
least two straps (22a) and (22b) for fastening said additional cylinder (2) to the
cradle.

7. The mounting arrangement as claimed any one of the preceding claims wherein said straps (22a, 22b) for fastening said additional cylinder (2) to the cradle with one end engaged in a guide (23) on the cylinder support structure (21a) and (21b) and other end is connected to a pressed strut (24) which passed through the holes (25) on the cylinder support structure (21a) and (21b) for fastening to said cylinder support structure (21a) and (2lb).
8. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one compressible spring (26) is inserted on the strut (24) between the support structure (21) and end fastening bolt arrangement on the strut comprising spring washer (28), nut (29), lock nut (30) and plane washer (27) for proper seating of the spring (26), to facilitate tension in the strap and also to accommodate the expansion of the cylinder (2).
9. The mounting arrangement as claimed any one of the preceding claims wherein rubber pads (31) and (32) are placed between the cylinder (2) and the strap (22) on one side and cylinder support structure (21) on other side respectively to provide cushioning effect and avoid friction.
10. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein rubber pads (43) are placed on the tubular cradle to provide cushioning effect and avoid friction of cylinder (1) with the cradle (3).
11. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said strap (33) comprises of a guide (41) on the strap to ensure fool proof location of said strap (33) across the cylinder (1) and cradle (3).
12. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said strap arrangements (33) comprising strap ends (36) and (42) are inserted with two pins (34) adapted to be held therein by cir-clips (39); said pins (34) have a through hole (44) at centre to lock the strap ends by insertion of stud (35) and nut (38) assembly; and a spring inserted on the stud at

fastened end to facilitate tension in the strap and also to accommodate the expansion of the cylinder (1).
13. The mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said locking arrangements of said straps (22) and (33) are provided with springs (26) and (37) respectively such that in case of expansion of the cylinders (I) and/or (2) said springs (26) and/or (37) gets compressed allowing the straps to expand and in normal condition to maintain the predefine tension in the straps and to prevent undue stress generation in the cylinders.
14. The arrangement for mounting fuel cylinders in a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.