[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to US provisional application serial no. 61/738940 filed on December 18, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention is vehicles, more specifically, truck platforms for refueling and re-lubricating other equipment.

Background

[0003] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] Refueling vehicles are frequently used in many industries and advantageously provide a mobile source of fuel and/or lubricants for servicing equipment. Examples of such industries include the aircraft industry, shipping industry, mining industry, and construction industry, among others. It should be noted that the present application is not intended to be limited to any particular industry unless otherwise specified in the claims.

[0005] While refueling vehicles are generally known (see for example, fuel and lube trucks sold by Ground Force™ at http://gfmfg.com/product off-highway-fuel-lube-trucks/), there is a constant need for improved methods, systems, and technologies that decrease fueling time and increase ease-of-use. There is also a great need for refueling vehicles that can service different categories of equipment having different fuel and/or lube requirements.

[0006] All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0007] Thus, there is still a need for improved refueling vehicles. Summary of The Invention

[0008] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a refueling vehicle includes a fuel delivery system and a lubricant delivery system. The fuel delivery system is configured to provide fuel to equipment, preferably at least about 300 gallons per minute or more. The lubricant delivery system includes a filling filter that has a 70 gallons per minute and 800 pounds per square inch filling capacity, with a 1.0 beta element for 7.5 microns, and with a silica vent with 2 microns capacity.

[0009] Both the fuel and the lubricant delivery system have a tank for storing the fuel and/or lubricant, and a sensor for measuring the amount full. The sensor provides a signal to a control system that monitors and controls the fill level of the tanks. The control system includes a centralized control panel that is located on the refueling vehicle such that it is operable by a user of average adult height from ground level. In preferred embodiments, the control panel is no more than 6 feet above ground.

[0010] The inventive subject matter also provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a fuel and/or lubricant tank on a piece of equipment (e.g. , a work vehicle) has a sensor for sensing a presence of the fuel and/or lubricant. When the tank is partly or mostly empty, the sensor sends a signal to an outlet (e.g. , air vent) of the tank that maintains the tank in an open position. During refueling, the opened outlet allows for the tank to maintain atmospheric pressure. Once the tank is substantially full, the sensor sends a signal to the outlet that closes the outlet to prevent spill.

[0011] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of The Drawin2S

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refueling vehicle for servicing work vehicles. [0013] Fig. 2 is a left side view of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1. [0014] Fig. 3 is a right side view of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1. [0015] Fig. 4 is a front view of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1. [0016] Fig. 5 is a close-up perspective view of a tank of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a back view of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0018] Fig. 7 is a close-up view of the back control panel of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0019] Fig. 8 is a close-up view of the left side control panel of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0020] Fig. 9 is a close-up view of the right side control panel of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0021] Figs. 10a and 10b are top, side, perspective views of the micro filters for the oil delivery system of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0022] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the refueling vehicle of Fig. 1 next to a work vehicle.

[0023] Fig. 12 is a side view of the work vehicle of Figure 11.

[0024] Fig. 13a is a cross-sectional view of the tank of the work vehicle of Figure 11, illustrating the tank in an empty state.

[0025] Fig. 13b is a cross-sectional view of the tank of the work vehicle of Figure 11, illustrating the tank in a full state.

[0026] Fig. 14 is a close-up view of the exterior installation of the jet sensor of the fuel tank for the work vehicle of Figure 11.

[0027] Fig. 15 is a close-up view of the fuel connector for refueling the fuel tank of the work vehicle in Figure 11.

[0028] Fig. 16 is a side view of the work vehicle of Figure 11 , showing the refueling flow pathway.

[0029] Fig. 17 is a close-up view of the first bend of the refueling flow pathway of Figure 16.

[0030] Fig. 18 is a close-up view of the second bend of the refueling flow pathway of Figure 16. [0031] Fig. 19 is a close-up view of the third bend of the refueling flow pathway of Figure 16.

Detailed Description

[0032] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a refueling vehicle 100 (also known as a fuel truck or a truck platform). Vehicle 100 has a fuel and lubricant delivery system for servicing equipment that consumes fuel (e.g. , gasoline, etc.) and lubricants (e.g. , oil, grease, etc.). Vehicle 100 is specifically designed for servicing mining equipment such as work vehicles and mining machinery. However, the inventive principles illustrated by vehicle 100 could be adapted for, and applied to, other industries as well, such as the aircraft industry, the shipping industry, and the construction industry, to name a few.

[0034] Vehicle 100 has a tank 110 for storing fuel and a tank 120 for storing additional fuel, a lubricant, or any other fluid for servicing a piece of equipment such as a work vehicle. Vehicle 100 also has a cockpit 130 where a user controls at least some of the operational features of vehicle 100.

[0035] Figure 2 is a left side view of vehicle 100, showing the location of the left side control panel 142. Figure 2 shows the left side control panel with its door in a closed position whereas Figure 1 shows the left side control panel 142 with its door opened. Figure 3 is a left right view of vehicle 100, showing the location of the right side control panel 144. The function and operation of the left and right side control panels will be discussed in further detail later on.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a front view of vehicle 100, including tanks 110 and 120. Figure 5 shows a close-up view of tank 110. Tank 1 10 has a spill containment base for capturing and containing any fuel that is leaked during refueling and operation. In some embodiments, tanks 1 10 and 120 are made of a double wall and have a storage capacity of 7.500 m ³ . Tanks 110 and 120 may also have a tunks surface treatment and tunks certification and calibration. Tanks 110 and 120 can be functionally independent, each having their own bottom valves for operation. Tanks 110 and 120 preferably have level sensors for measuring, monitoring, and indicating fuel level, and for restricting the storage levels.

[0037] In other aspects of some embodiments, tank 1 10 and 120 are preferably coupled with a geared motor pump assembly that has an electric motor of at least 30 horsepower, and is capable of delivering fuel at least at 300 GPM. Tank 1 10 and 120 and the motor pump assembly comprise a fuel delivery system. In some embodiments, tank 1 10 and 120 are coupled with the motor pump assembly via one or more flexible hose. The hose(s) can couple directly with the bottom valves of tanks 110 and 120 and with a valve on the motor pump assembly. In some embodiments, the hose is at least 10 feet long. The fuel delivery system can further include a filter 188 that has a 70 GPM and 800 psi filling capacity (see Figures 10a and 10b). Filter 188 can also have a 1.0 beta element for 7.5 microns. In addition, filter 188 can have a silica vent with 2 microns capacity for dust retention. In yet other aspects, filter 188 can include one Kidney unit (e.g. , Kidney Loop Compac™) for permanent filtration, with a 1.000 beta element for 2 microns, which also allows installation of a moisture remover. In addition, each of tank 110 and 120 can further include a micro filter connected directly at the entrance to a retractable reel. The model of this filter is preferably the same as filter 188 for homologous replacement of all filter components.

[0038] Vehicle 100 also preferably has a lubricant delivery system for delivering lubricants to equipment and work vehicles. The lubricant delivery system can include a lubricant tank, located either externally on vehicle 100 (e.g. , it could be tank 120) or internally on vehicle 100 (not shown). The lubricant delivery system can also include a filling filter (e.g. , filter 188) that has a 70 GPM and 800 PSI filling capacity, with a 1.0 beta element for 7.5 microns, and with a silica vent with 2 microns capacity. In some embodiments, the fuel and lubricant system may be one integrated system and the fuel and lubricant may be stored in the same tank and delivered to the equipment together.

[0039] In yet another aspect of some embodiments, vehicle 100 can have an energy source for providing operational power to the fuel delivery system, oil delivery system, and other systems (e.g. , external lighting system, etc.). The energy source preferably includes an air compressor that provides at least 50 cubic feet per minute (120 pounds per square inch, or 827.3 KPa) of air flow. In some embodiments, the energy source is an electric power generator (e.g. , Olympian caterpillar GEP 50-5, 45 KVA - 36 KW - 49 HP) that can operate at 1500 RPM, 50 Hz, 230/400 Volts, with a three-phase power factor 0.8. The power generator is preferably capable of supplying each geared motor pump assembly with hydraulic power at 10 HP, 1000 PSI, and 12 GPM.

[0040] Vehicle 100 also has various control panels (e.g. , back centralized control panel 140, left side control panel 142, right side control panel 144, etc.) for operating the fuel and lubrication delivery systems. Figure 6 shows a back view of vehicle 100. At the back of vehicle 100 is a back centralized control panel 140. Figure 7 shows a close-up view of panel 140. Panel 140 includes various flexible hoses that can be connected to a piece of equipment (e.g. , a mining work vehicle, aircraft, machinery, etc.) in order to deliver a servicing fluid to the equipment. Panel 140 also includes various circuitry and electrical equipment for displaying sensor data and for allowing a user to monitor and control the delivery of servicing fluids. Figures 8 and 9 show close-up views of left and right side control panels 142 and 144, respectively. Panels 142 and 144 have similar features as panel 140, including hoses and/or electrical controls for monitoring the delivery of fuels and lubrications.

[0041] Panels 140, 142, and 144 are located close to ground level and are accessible from ground level by an adult of average height. In some embodiments, the panels are less than 6 feet from the ground, more preferably less than 5 feet, most preferably, less than 4 feet (e.g. , see distance 141). The design of vehicle 100 provides increases delivery efficiency over state of the art refueling vehicles due to the central location of all delivery hoses (which reduces the time to connect vehicle 100 with equipment) and due to the high gallon-per- minute delivery capacity.

[0042] Figure 11 shows vehicle 100 next to a work vehicle 150. The hoses of vehicle 100 can be connected with valves, hoses, and/or inlets on vehicle 150 to deliver servicing fluids to work vehicle 150.

[0043] Figure 12 shows a side view of work vehicle 150. Vehicle 150 has a tank 160 for storing fuel. Vehicle 150 also has a connector 162 for refueling tank 160. A close-up view of connector 162 is shown in Figure 15.

[0044] Figure 12 also shows the exterior installation of jet sensor 161 that goes inside of tank 160 for sensing the fuel level. A close-up view of sensor 161 is shown in Figure 14. [0045] Figure 13a shows a side view of tank 160 in an empty state. Figure 13b shows a side view of tank 160 in a full state. Tank 160 has an inlet 180 and an outlet 170 (e.g. , air vent). A hose or conduit can couple inlet 180 with a hose of refueling vehicle 100 so that vehicle 100 can deliver fuel 185 to tank 160. The conduit preferably includes no more than three bends to improve flow rate to tank 160.

[0046] Tank 160 has a jet sensor 171 that senses a presence of the fuel. Once tank 160 is substantially full, sensor 171 causes outlet 170 to switch from an open state to a closed state. In this manner, outlet 170 remains open during refueling to maintain the pressure inside tank 160 at atmospheric pressure. However, once tank 160 is full, outlet 170 closes to prevent spilling.

[0047] In addition to work vehicle 150, refueling vehicle 100 could service other vehicles and/or equipment. Panel 140 includes hoses, fixtures, and fasteners of different sizes and types for servicing a broad range of work vehicles. Vehicle 100 can be equipped with additional tanks for storing different fuels and lubricants that meet the specifications of different types of work vehicles.

[0048] Figure 16 shows a side view of vehicle 150, with the refueling pathway from connector 162 to tank 160 in red. The pathway consists of three bends: a first bend 152, a second bend 153, and a third bend 154. A close-up view of bends 152, 153, and 154 are shown in Figures 17, 18, and 19, respectively. By limiting the refueling pathway to only three bends, refueling can occur at higher flow rates than more tortuous refueling pathways. In alternative embodiments, the refueling pathway may consist of only two bends, more preferably one bend, or most preferably zero bends. The refueling pathway will depend on various design parameters that are affected by the specifications of vehicle 100, and the equipment serviced by vehicle 100.

[0049] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.

[0050] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0051] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0052] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0053] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.