FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
&
The Patents Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SECTION 10 & rule 13)
TITLE
MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR GASEOUS FUEL CYLINDER ON THREE WHEELED PASSENGER VEHICLE
APPLICANT
We, Bajaj Auto Limited, an Indian Company, having its principal place of business at Akurdi, Pune - 411 035, State of Maharashtra, India, an Indian Company.

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The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

This invention relates to mounting arrangement of gaseous fuel cylinder in a three wheel passenger vehicle with a rear mounted engine.
Background:
Three wheel passenger vehicle is an important mode of commuting in Indian scenario. Such a vehicle is provided with either a two stroke or a four stroke engine working on a liquid fuel (such as petrol or diesel) and the engine is typically mounted either at the rear of the vehicle or at the front below the driver's seat. A driver cabin is located at the front side of the vehicle, which houses the steering arrangement, instrument console and the driver's seat. The driver cabin is usually open, that is without any door. The rear of the vehicle has a passenger compartment, fabricated
out of sheet metal and usually with a three seat arrangement that is commonly used on Indian roads. Such a vehicle is also manufactured in a six seat version, where the passenger compartment has adequate space for seating of six passengers. The engine is mounted at the rear of the vehicle, at a suitable location below the passenger compartment. The engine is usually accessed for maintenance through a lockable door provided at the rear of the vehicle.
As environmental laws become more stringent, emissions from such vehicles are required to reduce. One way of achieving lower emissions is to use a gaseous fuel such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). Further, use of such gaseous fuels provides economic benefit since they are currently of lower cost than liquid fuels such as petrol.
It may be desirable for such a gas fuelled vehicle to include a "back up" fuel supply system to avoid a situation where the gaseous fuel may become exhausted at a location where there is no refueling station in the near vicinity, yet there may be relatively ready availability of liquid fuels, especially petrol. Petrol is therefore conveniently used as the back-up fuel supply.
The gaseous fuel is stored in a refillable cylinder mounted on a suitable structure on the chassis. The re-filling of the cylinder takes place at filling stations. There is a suitable filling nozzle provided on the vehicle through which the gaseous fuel is filled
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into the cylinder at such filling stations. The gas cylinder is also provided with a shut off valve for use in case of emergency.
Cylinders used for on-board storage of gaseous fuel is bulky and heavy as compared
to loaded or unloaded vehicle weight. A typical cylinder for such an application weighs 40kg to 60 kg. These weights are typically 8% to 12% of unloaded vehicle weight and 4% to 6% of loaded vehicle weight. In general, it is always preferred to maintain weight distribution of three wheeled passenger vehicle substantially equal on all three wheels. The choice of location of mounting arrangement for gaseous fuel cylinder, therefore, provides a challenge to the vehicle designers.
Some of the presently available arrangements have the gaseous fuel cylinder being mounted below the driver's seat. In this arrangement, filling nozzle may be provided at a convenient location such as below the driver's seat. However, this position of the cylinder requires an arrangement of high pressure piping for carrying the gaseous fuel to the engine, which is a substantial distance away. This increases length of the high pressure piping making it vulnerable to potential damage and consequent leakage of gaseous fuel, besides increasing the number of parts adversely affecting the assembly time and cost.
Also, if the gas cylinder is mounted at below the driver's seat, suitable mounting structure for securely fixing the cylinder in this position reduces the useful storage space below the driver's seat. Further, the cylinder along with its multi valve arrangement is open for any pilferage or tampering. This is particularly so in the case of a typical three wheeler design which does not have body work covering the area either side of the drives seat. Additional covers or body work would be required to provide coverage to this area, and thus would increase the cost and complexity of the vehicle.
Objectives of the invention:
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a mounting arrangement of a gaseous fuel cylinder in a three wheel vehicle that is secure and not amenable to
tampering.
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Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a convenient and easy access to the shut off valve despite the enclosed nature of mounting arrangement of the gaseous cylinder.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a mounting arrangement of a
gaseous fuel cylinder with a simple and easy access for refilling of the cylinder without the need for high pressure piping.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a mounting arrangement of a gaseous fuel cylinder that does not reduce useful storage space.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a mounting arrangement of a gaseous fuel cylinder without compromising on safety of the vehicle.
Statement of invention:
With above objects in view, applicants have provided a mounting arrangement for a gaseous fuel cylinder (CNG in this example) in a three wheel passenger vehicle wherein the cylinder is mounted on chassis frame at the rear of the vehicle proximate to the engine and below the passenger compartment, with the long axis of the cylinder lying across the vehicle axis. Conveniently, re-filling of the cylinder is achieved from right hand side of the vehicle through usual equipment.
Preferably the vehicle includes a back-up supply of liquid fuel wherein the re-filling point of the gas cylinder is co-located with the re-filling point for the liquid fuel supply thus providing additional convenience to the operator during re-filling operations.
Preferably the gas cylinder is provided with a safety shut-off valve, said shut-off valve being directly mounted to the gas cylinder.
Preferably the shut-off valve is positioned in the vicinity of the gas re-filling point for easy access by the operator.
Preferably, the location of the gaseous cylinder is lockable.
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Conveniently the location of the gaseous cylinder may be located in a region such that the ends of the cylinder are covered by integral body work of the vehicle. This reduces the visibility of the cylinder from outside the vehicle and thus reduces the risk of tampering and also, on a subjective basis, improves the aesthetics of the vehicle as compared to the prior art.
Preferably, the mounting arrangement for the gaseous fuel cylinder comprises
a pair of cross members, the said cross members arranged parallel to each other,
transverse to the axis of the vehicle;
a pair of brackets each having a first and a second end, the first and the second ends
supported on the first and the second cross members respectively;
a pair of fastening arrangements, one each positioned at each extreme ends of second
of the cross members;
a pair of clamps, the first end of each clamp fixedly hinged at the extreme ends of the
brackets proximal to the first cross member and having the second end free;
a pair of fastening means comprising a threaded clamp and a nut at the extreme ends
of the brackets proximal to the second cross member to hold the said clamps.
The inner upper surfaces of the brackets having a first set of packing material pad
contoured to hold the gaseous fuel cylinder;
The lower bottom surface of the clamps having a second set of packing material pad
contoured to contact the fuel cylinder when placed on the brackets;
The invention may be more fully understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment made with reference to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a three wheel passenger vehicle indicating the position of a CNG cylinder according to prior art.
Figure 2 illustrates a typical three wheel passenger vehicle highlighting mounting structure of a CNG cylinder according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates details of the mounting structure for CNG cylinder in a three wheel passenger vehicle according to the invention.
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Referring to figure l, V is typical three wheeled passenger vehicle in which driver's cabin 1 attached to chassis 3 at the front of the vehicle. The driver cabin is open from both sides to enable the driver to enter and exit from the cabin. The driver cabin is
further provided with a driver's seat 10. The CNG cylinder 8 is mounted on a structure at the location indicated which is substantially at the front side of the vehicle and below the driver's seat 10 and away from the engine 6. The cylinder is provided with a multi valve 11. A filing unit 13 for gaseous fuel is located at a convenient location inside the driver's cabin. A high pressure piping 16 carries the gaseous fuel from the cylinder 8 to the engine 6. This position of the cylinder exposes itself to tampering of the valve settings and to pilferage. The vehicle has a front wheel 4 and two wheels 5 at the rear. On or near the axis of rear wheels 5, an engine 6 is mounted on chassis 3. The engine is provided with a lockable access door 15. The vehicle has a passenger compartment 9 with the passenger seat 7.
Referring to figures 2 and 3, the CNG cylinder 110 is provided on a mounting structure, which is attached to the chassis 103. To facilitate this, first cross member 112 and second cross member 113 are fixed rigidly to said chassis 103. The cross members 112 and 113 are placed substantially near passenger compartment 109 and below passenger seat 107. Two resting/holding brackets 118 and 119 are fixed longitudinally to the cross members 112 and 113 at a suitable distance from each other to firmly support the cylinder 110. These two brackets 118 and 119 are substantially of the shape matching with the outer profile of periphery of CNG cylinder 110 and extend on lower side creating space to accommodate the CNG cylinder. A shut off valve 123 is mounted on CNG cylinder 110. The vertical wall 126 of lower portion of passenger seat is provided with an opening/window 122 and an openable cover 127 to provide access to said shut off valve 123 in case of emergency. Thus, despite the enclosed arrangement of the gaseous fuel cylinder, a convenient location for access of the shut off valve is provided which is another aspect of the invention.
Besides, the integral bodywork of the vehicle covers the ends of the gaseous cylinder 110, more specifically, the bodywork astride the passenger seat at the rear of the
vehicle envelopes the gaseous fuel cylinder thereby preventing any tampering or pilferage of the controls of the cylinder.
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Each of the resting/holding brackets 118 and 119 is provided with known fastening arrangements 116,117 and 120,121 respectively at their distal ends. The fixing clamps 114, 115 having threaded portion at their distal ends are wrapped around the CNG
cylinder no and are tightened with fastening arrangement 116, 117 and 120, 121 respectively. The CNG cylinder is properly tightened with adjustment of nut provided
in fastening arrangement 116,117 and 120,121.
A rubber packing may be inserted between lower outer surface of CNG cylinder & inner surface of brackets 118, 119, similarly between upper outer surface of CNG cylinder and fixing clamps 114, 115 to provide dampening of vibrations of vehicle passing to CNG cylinder.
As illustrated in figure 2, the CNG cylinder is provided with a known filling arrangement 111 and a known regulator arrangement 124. The short piping 125 is provided between CNG cylinder 110 and engine 106 for carrying the gaseous fuel.
Thus, with reference to above description and figures, the mounting arrangement of
gaseous fuel cylinder according to the invention provides a secure location for mounting the gaseous fuel cylinder, which is not amenable to tampering. Besides,
this mounting arrangement provides an easy access for refilling of the cylinder and does not need high pressure piping for refilling. Also, this arrangement provides better utilization of storage space below driver's seat and ease of access to shut off valve.
Modifications and variations to mounting structure of gaseous fuel cylinder on three wheeled goods vehicles according to the present invention may be apparent to the skilled reader. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present invention.
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WE CLAIM:
1. A device for mounting a cylindrical object (110), said device comprising:
a. a first cross member 112;
b. a second cross member 113 generally parallel to cross member 112 and spaced
away from cross member 112;
c. a pair of brackets 118, 119 each having a first end and a second end, the first
end supported on cross member 112 and second end supported on cross
member 113, one bracket each at two extreme ends of the cross members;
d. a pair of fastening arrangements 116, 117 and 120, 121 one each positioned at
each of the extreme ends of the cross member 113;
e. a pair of clamps 114, 115 the first end of each clamp fixedly hinged at the
extreme ends of the brackets 118, 119 proximal to the cross member 112 and
having a second free end; and
f. a pair of fastening means 116, 117 and 120, 121 comprising a threaded clamp
and a nut at the extreme ends of the brackets 118, 119 proximal to cross
member 113, to hold the said clamps.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, where the said device is enclosed comprising, an enclosure with a body having an access end with an opening, an interior accessible through the opening of the access and a cavity extending through the interior.
3. A device for mounting a cylindrical object 110, as claimed in claim 1 and 2 said device comprising:
a. a frame means comprising a first member 112 and a second member 113
mounted in mutually close proximity along a transverse axis;
b. a holder means comprising a first bracket 118, 119 and a second bracket 118,
119 mounted in mutually close proximity and to said frame along a
longitudinal axis for receiving the cylindrical object no and
c. a restraining means comprising a first clamp 114 and a second clamp 115
fitted in mutually close proximity and to said holder means for actuating a
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locking position of the cylindrical object no when placed on the holder means.
4. An enclosed device for mounting a cylindrical object 110, as claimed in claims 1,2 and 3 said device comprising:

a. a frame means comprising a first member 112 and a second member 113
mounted in mutually close proximity along a transverse axis;
b. a holder means comprising a first bracket 118, 119 and a second bracket 118,
119 mounted in mutually close proximity and to said frame along a
longitudinal axis for receiving the cylindrical object 110,
c. a restraining means comprising a first clamp 114 and a second clamp 115
fitted in mutually close proximity and to said holder means for actuating a
locking position of the cylindrical object no when placed on the holder
means, and
d. an enclosure within which the frame means, the holder means and the
restraining means are mounted, said enclosure means comprising an
openable cutout for access to the cylindrical object 110 mounted on the holder
means.
5. A device for mounting cylindrical object as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner upper surface of the brackets 118, 119 have a first set of packing material base pad positioned to contact the cylindrical object when placed on bracket and wherein the first packing material base pad is further contoured to sit between the brackets 118,119 and the bottom side of the cylindrical object.
6. A device for mounting cylindrical object as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower bottom facing surface of the clamp 114, 115 have a second set of packing material base pad positioned to contact the cylindrical object when placed on bracket, and wherein the second packing material base pad is further contoured to sit between the clamps 114,115 and the top side of the cylindrical object.
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7. A device for mounting cylindrical object as claimed in claims l to 4, wherein the second end of the clamp is releasably attached to the fastening arrangement 116, 117 & 120, 121 of the said device, and wherein the clamps 114, 115 hold the cylindrical object in position when the clamp is in restricting orientation.
8. A device for mounting cylindrical object as claimed in claims 2 and 4, wherein the enclosure has an operable window 122 there through on the vertical wall 126 to provide for a ready access to the cavity of the device and to valves mounted on the cylindrical object.
9. A device for mounting cylindrical object as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is mounted underneath the passenger seat in passenger compartment 109 of a conventional three wheeled passenger vehicle, and the said cross members 112 and 113 rigidly fixed to the chassis 103 of the said vehicle.
10. A device for mounting cylindrical object as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the cylindrical object is a conventional gaseous fuel cylinder and the engagement surface is radially positioned within the interior of the enclosure and wherein further the two brackets 118, 119 forming a generally partial semicircular top open cavity between the two open ends, the said cavity adapted to receive the cylindrical object, the cavity having an axis generally corresponding to the shape and axis of the cylindrical object and the said cavity having a diameter generally corresponding to the diameter of the cylindrical object.
11. A three wheeler vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, having a gaseous fuel system comprising a gaseous cylinder for supplying gaseous fuel to the engine, the vehicle having a drivers seat and a least one set of passenger seats disposed behind the drivers seat, said gaseous fuel cylinder mounted beneath the passenger seats with a long axis of the cylinder being across the vehicle;
12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein the gaseous cylinder is located between integral bodywork of the vehicle and is not visible for the side of the vehicle.
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13- The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle includes a liquid fuel system in addition to the gaseous fuel system and wherein the filling points for the gaseous fuel system and the liquid fuel system are co-located.
Dated this the 17th day of August, 2006.
For Bajaj Auto Limited, By its Attorney,

(ARUNACHALAM APPAJI MOHAN)

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