GB2482958A

GB2482958A - Fuel tank arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2482958A
Application number: GB201113949A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julian Angus Fowles Watson
Original assignee: WVA HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: WVA HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-17
Filing date: 2011-08-15
Publication date: 2012-02-22
Also published as: GB201113949D0; GB201013772D0

Abstract

A fuel tank arrangement 100 comprising a fuel tank 10 for receiving fuel. A fuel inlet on the fuel tank allows fuel to be supplied to the fuel tank. A fuel outlet on the fuel tank allows fuel to flow from the fuel tank 10. The fuel tank is configured so that the fuel tank can be received in a cavity 116 defined by a wheel arch of a vehicle 1. The fuel tank arrangement may be in the form of an auxiliary fuel tank arrangement for the vehicle, whereby when the auxiliary fuel tank arrangement is installed in the vehicle, the fuel outlet is arranged in fluid communication with a principal fuel tank 124 of the vehicle.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB1 113949.0 RTM Date:6 December 2011 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Land Rover Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Fuel Tank Arranement This invention relates to fuel tank arrangements. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to fuel tank arrangements for road vehicles, such as cars. An embodiment of the invention relates to fuel tank arrangements for road vehicles sold under the trade mark Land Rover, such as "Land Rover Defender 90".

It can be the case that off-road vehicles, such as Land Rovers, are used in places where the distance between fuel stations is greater than the distance that will be io possible with a full tank of fuel. In such cases, additional fuel tanks can be bought and fitted. However, this is not the case for all vehicles.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a fuel tank arrangement comprising a fuel tank for receiving fuel, a fuel inlet on the fuel tank to allow fuel to is be supplied to the fuel tank, and a fuel outlet on the fuel tank to allow fuel to flow from the fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank is configured so that the fuel tank can be received in a cavity defined by a wheel arch of a vehicle.

The fuel tank arrangement may be an auxiliary fuel tank arrangement for the vehicle.

In one embodiment, when the auxiliary fuel tank arrangement is installed in the vehicle, the fuel outlet may be arranged in fluid communication with a principal fuel tank of the vehicle.

The fuel tank may be configured so that the fuel tank can be received in the aforesaid cavity of a road vehicle, particularly a road vehicle sold under the trade mark Land Rover, for example, a "Land Rover Defender 90". The wheel arch may be a rear wheel arch of the vehicle, and may be on the right hand side of the vehicle.

The fuel tank may comprise a main portion and an elongate portion extending from the main portion. The elongate portion may extend forwardly from the main portion.

The elongate portion may extend from an upper region of the main portion. The main portion and the elongate portion may have respective upper walls. The upper wall of the main portion and the upper wall of the elongate portion may be coplanar, and may constitute an upper wall of the fuel tank. 3S

The elongate portion may have a generally rectangular side profile. The elongate portion may be arranged on the main portion to accommodate a suspension arrangement of the vehicle. The suspension arrangement may include a support member, and the elongate portion may be arranged on the support member, in use.

Fluid connection members may be provided on the elongate portion to allow fluid flow from the fuel tank to an adjacent article, which may be an extension tank for holding further fuel. The fluid connection members may comprise an upper fluid connection member and a lower fluid connection member. The lower fluid connection member may allow the flow of fuel between the fuel tank and the extension tank, and the upper fluid connection member may allow the flow of air between the fuel tank and the extension tank.

The fuel tank may include a side extending portion on the main portion. The fuel is inlet may be provided on the side extending portion. Preferably, the side extending portion is provided on the right hand side of the main portion.

The side extending portion may have a curved wall to accommodate a wheel of the vehicle. The curved wall may be front wall of the side extending portion, and may be concave. The curved wall may be configured to accommodate vertical movement of a rear wheel of the vehicle.

The side extending portion may include a tapered side wall, which may taper outwardly from an upper region of the side extending portion to a lower region thereof.

The position of the tapered side wall on the side extending portion may be to accommodate a filler neck panel on the vehicle. When the fuel tank arrangement is installed on the vehicle, the tapered side wall may extend generally parallel to the filler neck panel, and may be substantially directly beneath the filler neck panel.

The inlet may be provided on the tapered side wall. The tapered side wall may define a fuel inlet aperture. The inlet may comprise a tubular fill member on the tapered side wall at the inlet aperture. The tubular fill member may be in fluid 3S communication with the inside of the fuel tank via the fuel inlet aperture. The tubular fill member may comprise a filler neck. The tubular fill member may have an upper end and a lower end. The lower end may be attached to the fuel tank.

The upper wall of the main portion may be on the same level with, or below, the upper end of the tubular fill member.

The main portion may have a lower region, and may have a rear end region. The rear end region of the main portion may have a rear chamfered wall at the lower region thereof. The chamfered wall is so configured to accommodate movement of the vehicle's anti-roll bar when the fuel tank arrangement is installed in the vehicle.

The main portion may have a front end region. The front end region may have a front chamfered wall at the lower region thereof. The front chamfered wall is so configured to accommodate movement of the wheel axle, when the fuel tank is arrangement is installed in the vehicle.

The fuel tank may define an elongate recess, which may extend substantially vertically on the fuel tank. The recess may be configured to receive a breather pipe for the fluid tank.

The fuel outlet may be provided on a side wall of the fuel tank, which may be a side wall of the main portion. An outlet aperture may be defined in the side wall. The said side wall may be opposite the side extending portion.

The fuel outlet may comprise a tubular outlet member on the side wall at the outlet aperture. The tubular outlet member may be in fluid communication with the inside of the fuel tank via the fuel inlet aperture. The tubular outlet member may be arranged in fluid communication with the principal fuel tank of the vehicle. Thus, fuel can flow from the fuel tank to the principal fuel tank of the vehicle.

The fuel tank may include a second outlet adjacent a lower wall of the fuel tank. The second outlet may be connectable to a pipe to allow fuel in the fuel tank to drain to the principal fuel tank of the vehicle.

The main portion may have a shoulder portion extending outwardly from the aforesaid side wall. The shoulder portion may be arranged adjacent the fuel outlet.

The shoulder portion may be arranged forwardly of the rear chamfered wall.

s The shoulder portion may have a lower forward chamfered wall that may be coplanar with the front chamfered wall of the main portion. The lower forward chamfered wall of the shoulder portion and the front chamfered wall of the main portion may together constitute at least part of a lower wall of the fuel tank.

The main portion may comprise an angled wall region adjacent the rear end of the main portion. The angled wall region may be provided on the side wall. The angled wall region may be provided to accommodate a mounting means in the vehicle, which may be for mounting a seatbelt or a roll cage.

is The upper wall of the main portion may define a breather aperture to allow air in the fuel tank to escape when the fuel is supplied thereto. The aperture may include a formation to allow the aforesaid breather pipe to be connected thereto.

The fuel tank arrangement may comprise fastening means to fasten the fuel tank to the vehicle. The fastening means may comprise a bracket system, which may comprise a bracket arrangement which can be mounted on the elongate portion The bracket arrangement may comprise first and second brackets, which may be connected to each other around the elongate portion. Each of the first and second brackets may be generally U shaped, having opposite arms.

Each of the first and second brackets may comprise securing portions, extending outwardly from the arms. The securing portions of the first bracket may engage the securing portions of the second bracket, and securing members may be inserted through holes in the securing portions to secure the first bracket to the second bracket.

One of the first and second brackets may have a fixing member thereon to fix the bracket arrangement to the vehicle. The fixing member may extend from the U shaped member and may define a hole to receive a securing member therethough, to be secured to the vehicle.

The fastening means may comprise a cradle member in which the main portion can be held. The cradle member may comprise a receiving portion having sloping base members to engage the front and rear chamfered walls. The angle of the sloping base members may correspond with the respective angles of the front and rear chamfered walls.

The cradle member may comprise a fixing element on the receiving portion to fix the cradle member to the vehicle. The fixing element may extend from the receiving portion and may define at least one hole to receive a securing member therethough, to be secured to the vehicle.

is The, or each, securing member may be a bolt, or other type of elongate member which can be inserted through the respective holes.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view from a first side of a fuel tank; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view from a second side of the fuel tank shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further perspective view from the first side of the fuel tank shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front perspective view from a first side of a fuel tank arrangement comprising the fuel tank shown in Figures 1 to 3 and fastening means for fastening the fuel tank to a vehicle; Figure 5 is a perspective view from the second side of the fuel tank arrangement shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the fuel tank arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 shows a rear wheel arch of a vehicle, with a fuel tank arrangement installed therein; Figure 8 is a view from below of the wheel arch shown in Figure 7; io Figure 9 is a view from inside the vehicle showing the fuel tank connected to the principal fuel tank of the vehicle; and Figure 10 is a view of the wheel arch shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 showing the connection of the fuel tank arrangement to the fuel filler aperture in the vehicle. is

Figures 1 to 3 show a fuel tank 10, which is part of a fuel tank arrangement 100 shown in Figures 4 to 6. The fuel tank 10 defines an internal space, in which fuel, such as petrol, diesel or other vehicle fuel, can be received.

The fuel tank arrangement 100 is intended to be mounted on a vehicle 1 to increase the volume of fuel that can be held by the vehicle 1. In particular, the fuel tank arrangement 100 is designed to be mounted in the cavity defined by a rear wheel arch 112 of a vehicle sold under the trade mark "Land Rover Defender 90". Such vehicles have a principal fuel tank 124 arranged adjacent the right hand rear wheel arch 112, with a fuel filler aperture 126 arranged above the wheel arch 112. The fuel tank arrangement 100 is designed to be mounted in the cavity defined by the aforesaid wheel arch 112.

The fuel tank 10 comprises a main portion 12 for holding fuel, and an elongate portion 14 for holding further fuel. The main portion 12 has an upper region 16A, and a lower region 16B. The elongate portion 14 extends forwardly from the main portion 12 at the upper region 16A. The elongate portion 14 has a rectangular side profile.

The main portion 12 has an upper wall 18, and the elongate portion 14 has an upper wall 20. The upper wall 18 and the upper wall 20 are continuous and coplanar with each other, and together form an upper wall 21 of the fuel tank 10.

The elongate portion 14 has an end wall 22 in which upper and lower fluid connection members 24, 26 are provided to connect the elongate portion 14 to an extension tank (not shown) to provide additional volume for holding fuel. The extension tank has corresponding fluid connection members, and conduits (not shown) connect the upper and lower fluid connection members 24, 26 to the corresponding fluid connection members on the extension tank. Thus fluid communication is effected between the fuel tank 10 and the extension tank.

In use, the lower fluid connection member 26 allows the flow of fuel between the fuel tank 10 and the extension tank. The upper fluid connection member 24 allows the is flow of air between the fuel tank 10 and the extension tank.

The fuel tank 10 further includes a side extending portion 28 also for holding fuel, the side extending portion 28 being provided on one side of the main portion 12. The side extending portion 28 has an upwardly facing tapered side wall 29, which defines a fuel inlet aperture 30. A fuel inlet in the form of a tubular fill member 32 is provided on the tapered side wall 29 around the fuel inlet aperture 30.

The tubular fill member 32 comprises a 58 mm outer diameter tube, having an inner end secured to the tapered side wall 29, and outer end 33 from which a lip portion 34 extends. As can be seen from Figure 10, and explained in more detail below, the tapered side wall 29 is angled to be arranged in use directly below, and substantially parallel to, a filler neck panel 138 on the vehicle 1, in which the fuel fill aperture 126 is defined. The tubular fill member 32 is connected in fluid communication with the fuel fill aperture 126, as also explained in more detail below.

The upper wall 21 of the fuel tank 10 is on the same level as the lowest part of the outer end 33 of the tubular fill member 32. This allows the fuel tank 10 to be filled with the maximum amount of fuel.

The side extending portion 28 also has a concave curved front wall 36, which is arranged to accommodate vertical movement of a rear wheel 114 of the vehicle 1.

The lower region 16B of the main portion 12 has a rear chamfered lower wall 38 and a front chamfered lower wall 40. The purpose of the chamfer of the rear chamfered wall 38 is to allow full movement of the wheel, and not interfere with movement of the anti-roll bar. The purpose of the chamfer of the front chamfered wall 40 is to allow vertical movement of the wheel axle 118.

io The main portion 12 may have a side wall 42 opposite the side extending portion 28, and a main bottom wall 45. An elongate vertically extending groove 44 is defined in the side wall 42 to receive a breather pipe (not shown). The upper wall 18 of the main portion 12 defines a breather aperture 46 through which air can escape when the fuel tank 10 is filled with fuel. The breather pipe received in the groove 44 can is be connected to the breather aperture 46.

A fuel outlet in the form of a tubular outlet member 48 is provided on the aforesaid side wall 42 of the main portion 12. An outlet aperture 50 is defined in the side wall 42, and the tubular outlet member 48 is provided on the side wall 42 around the outlet aperture 50. The tubular outlet member 48 is connected in fluid communication with the inlet of the principal fuel tank 124 of the vehicle 1 by a connecting hose portion 128, as explained below. Thus, fuel can flow from the fuel tank lOto the 124 fuel tank of the vehicle 1.

In one embodiment, the tubular outlet member 48 and the outlet aperture 50 have a diameter of substantially 50 mm. In another embodiment, the tubular outlet member 48 and the outlet aperture 50 have a diameter of substantially 60 mm.

The main portion 12 has a shoulder portion 56 extending outwardly from the aforesaid side wall 42. The shoulder portion 56 is arranged adjacent the fuel outlet aperture 52, forward of the rear chamfered wall 38.

The fuel tank 10 includes a second outlet aperture 52 adjacent a subsidiary bottom wall 54 of the shoulder portion 56. The main bottom wall 54 and the subsidiary 3S bottom wall 54 are coplanar with each other.

The second outlet aperture 52 is connectable to a pipe 132 (shown in broken lines in Figure 8) to allow fuel in the fuel tank 10 to drain to the principal fuel tank 124 of the vehicle 1.The shoulder portion 56 may have a lower forward chamfered wall 58 that is coplanar and continuous with the front chamfered wall 40 of the main portion 12.

The main portion 12 has an angled wall region 60 adjacent the rear end 62 of the main portion 12. The angled wall region may be provided on the side wall 42. The angled wall region may be provided to accommodate a mounting means for io mounting a reinforcing bracket in the vehicle 1.

The rear end 62 has an indented region 63 provided by a shoulder 65. The indented region 63 is provided to accommodate a seatbelt or a roll cage mount in the vehicle 1. is

The fuel tank arrangement 100 further includes fastening means to fasten the fuel tank to the vehicle 1. The fastening means comprises a bracket arrangement 64, which comprises first and second brackets 66, 68 connected to each other around the front end region elongate portion 14. Each of the first and second brackets 66, 68 is generally U shaped, having opposite arms 70.

Each of the first and second brackets 66, 68 has securing portions 72, extending outwardly from each arm 70. Each securing portion 72 defines a hole through which a bolt can be inserted so that the securing portions 72 of the first bracket 66 can be secured to the securing portions 72 of the second bracket 68, thereby securing the first and second brackets 66, 68 to each other around the elongate portion 14.

When the first and second brackets 66, 68 are secured to one another, they are a tight fit around the elongate portion 14, and are thereby secured to the elongate portion 14.

As shown in Figure 4 to 6, the second bracket 66 has a fixing member 74 thereon to fix the bracket arrangement 64 to the vehicle 1. The fixing member 74 extends from the U shaped member and defines a hole to receive a bolt therethough, to be secured to the vehicle 1, thereby securing the elongate portion 14 to the vehicle 1. 3S

The fastening means further includes a cradle member 76 in which the lower region 16B of the main portion 12 can be held. The cradle member 76 comprises a receiving portion 78 having sloping base members 80, 82 to engage the front and rear chamfered walls 38, 40 respectively. The angle of the sloping base members 80, 82 corresponds with the respective angles of the front and rear chamfered walls 38, 40.

The cradle member 76 includes a fixing element 84 on the receiving portion 78 to fix the cradle member 76 to the vehicle 1. The fixing element 84 extends from the receiving portion 78 and defines three holes 86 to receive a bolt therethough, to secure the cradle member 76 to the vehicle 1. The three holes 86 correspond to the positions of further holes in the vehicle 1.

The cradle member 76 includes a further fixing element 88 on the base member 80.

is The further fixing element defines a further hole to receive another bolt therethrough to secure the further fixing element to the vehicle 1.

Reference is now made to Figures 7 to 10, which show the fuel tank arrangement mounted on a vehicle 1, in the form of a vehicle sold under the trade mark "Land Rover Defender 90".

In Figures 7 to 10 the right hand rear wheel arch 112 is shown, which houses a rear wheel 114 in a cavity 116. The wheel 114 is shown only in Figure 10. In Figures 7 to 9, the wheel 114 is omitted for reasons of clarity.

Referring to Figure 7, the rear wheel axle 118 is shown, which is suspended from a suspension spring 120. The spring 120 is held by a spring hanger 122. The fuel tank arrangement 100 is installed in the cavity 116 such that the main portion 12 and the elongate portion 14 are mounted behind the wheel, with the elongate portion 14 extending across the top of the spring hanger 122.

The side extending portion 28 is mounted adjacent the wheel 114, such that the curved front wall 36 extends around the rim of the wheel 114.

3S The principal fuel tank 124 is shown in Figure 7, as well as the fuel fill aperture 126 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a first tubular hose portion 128 extends from the tubular outlet member 48 on the fuel tank 10 to the inlet 130 (see Figure 9) tubular member. The tubular hose portion 128 may be a portion of the original fuel fill hose s fitted between the fuel fill aperture 126 and the principal fuel tank 124 during manufacture of the vehicle 1.

The second outlet 52 on the fuel tank 10 is connected by a pipe 132 (shown in broken lines in Figure 8) to the principal fuel tank 124. The pipe 132 allows fuel in the fuel tank 10 below the outlet aperture 50 to be drained to the principal fuel tank 124.

Figure 10 shows a second tubular hose portion 134, which extends from the vehicle fill aperture 126 to the tubular fill member 32. The vehicle 1 has a recess 136 in is which a filler neck panel 138 is provided. The filler neck panel 138 defines the fill aperture 126.

A filler neck 140 extends downwardly from the filler neck panel 138 into the cavity 116. One end of the second tubular hose portion 134 is attached to the filler neck 140, and the opposite end of the second tubular hose portion 134 is attached to the tubular fill member 32, thus allowing fuel to be supplied to the fuel tank 10 and the principal fuel tank 124 via the fill aperture 126.

There is thus described an embodiment of a fuel tank 10 for a vehicle 1, particularly a vehicle sold under the trade mark "Land Rover Defender 90". The fuel tank 10 can be installed in the vehicle 1 to supplement the principal fuel tank 124 of the vehicle 1, to increase the amount of fuel carried by the vehicle 1 and thereby increase the distance it can travel between fuel replenishment stops Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A fuel tank arrangement comprising a fuel tank for receiving fuel, a fuel inlet on the fuel tank to allow fuel to be supplied to the fuel tank, and a fuel outlet on the fuel tank to allow fuel to flow from the fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank is configured so that the fuel tank can be received in a cavity defined by a wheel arch of a vehicle.
2. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 1, in the form of an auxiliary fuel tank arrangement for the vehicle, whereby when the auxiliary fuel tank arrangement is installed in the vehicle, the fuel outlet is arranged in fluid communication with a principal fuel tank of the vehicle.
3. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the fuel tank comprises a main portion and an elongate portion extending forwardly from an upper region of the main portion, the main portion and the elongate portion having respective upper walls, wherein the upper wall of the main portion and the upper wall of the elongate portion are coplanar, and constitute an upper wall of the fuel tank.
4. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the elongate portion has a generally rectangular side profile, and the elongate portion is arranged on the main portion to accommodate a suspension arrangement of the vehicle.
5. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 4, wherein the suspension arrangement of the vehicle includes a support member, and the elongate portion is configured to be arranged on the support member, in use.
6. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4, including fluid connection members on the elongate portion to allow fluid flow from the fuel tank to an adjacent extension tank for holding further fuel, the fluid connection members comprising an upper fluid connection member and a lower fluid connection member.
7. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the lower fluid connection member allows the flow of fuel between the fuel tank and the extension tank, and the upper fluid connection member allows the flow of air between the fuel tank and the extension tank.
8. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the fuel tank includes a side extending portion on the main portion, the fuel inlet being provided on the side extending portion.
9. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 8, wherein the side extending portion has a curved wall to accommodate a wheel of the vehicle, the curved wall being a concave front wall of the side extending portion.
10. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein the curved wall is configured to accommodate vertical movement of a rear wheel of the vehicle.
11. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the side extending portion includes a tapered side wall, which tapers outwardly from an upper region of the side extending portion to a lower region thereof.
12. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 11, wherein the tapered side wall on the side extending portion is arranged to accommodate a filler neck panel on the vehicle, whereby when the fuel tank arrangement is installed on the vehicle, the tapered side wall extends generally parallel to the filler neck panel, and is substantially directly beneath the filler neck panel.
13. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the tapered side wall defines a fuel inlet aperture, and the inlet is provided on the tapered side wall, and wherein the inlet comprises a tubular fill member on the tapered side wall at the inlet aperture.
14. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 13, wherein the tubular fill member is in fluid communication with the inside of the fuel tank via the fuel inlet aperture, and the tubular fill member comprises a filler neck.
15. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the upper wall of the main portion may be on the same level with, or below, the upper end of the tubular fill member.
16. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 7 to 15, wherein the fuel outlet is provided on a side wall of the main portion of the fuel tank, an outlet aperture being defined in the side wall to provide the fluid outlet, the said side wall being opposite the side extending portion.
17. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 16, wherein the fuel outlet comprises a tubular outlet member on the side wall at the outlet aperture, the tubular outlet member being in fluid communication with the inside of the fuel tank via the fuel outlet aperture.
18. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 17, wherein the tubular outlet member can be arranged in fluid communication with the principal fuel tank of the vehicle.
19. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the fuel tank includes a second outlet adjacent a lower wall of the fuel tank, the second outlet being connectable to a pipe to allow fuel in the fuel tank to drain to the principal fuel tank of the vehicle.
20. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 16 to 19, wherein the main portion has a shoulder portion extending outwardly from the aforesaid side wall, the shoulder portion being arranged adjacent the fuel outlet forwardly of the rear chamfered wall.
21. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 20, wherein the shoulder portion has a lower forward chamfered wall coplanar with the front chamfered wall of the main portion, the lower forward chamfered wall of the shoulder portion and the front chamfered wall of the main portion together constituting at least part of a lower wall of the fuel tank.
22. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the main portion comprises an angled wall region adjacent the rear end of the main portion, the angled wall region being provided on the side wall.
23. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 22, wherein the angled wall region is provided to accommodate a mounting means in the vehicle, such as a seatbelt or a roll cage.
24. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 23, wherein the main portion has a lower region and a rear end region, the rear end region of the main portion having a rear chamfered wall at the lower region thereof, the chamfered wall being so configured to accommodate movement of the vehicle's anti-roll bar when the fuel tank arrangement is installed in the vehicle.
25. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 24, wherein the main portion has a front end region. the front end region having a front chamfered wall at the lower region thereof, wherein the front chamfered wall is so configured to accommodate movement of the wheel axle, when the fuel tank arrangement is installed in the vehicle.
26. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 25, wherein the fuel tank defines an elongate recess, which extends substantially vertically on the fuel tank, the recess being configured to receive a breather pipe for the fluid tank.
27. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 26, wherein the upper wall of the main portion defines a breather aperture to allow air in the fuel tank to escape when the fuel is supplied thereto, the upper wall of the main portion including a formation in the to allow the aforesaid breather pipe to be connected thereto.
28. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 27, wherein the fuel tank arrangement may comprise fastening means to fasten the fuel tank to the vehicle, the fastening means comprising a bracket arrangement which can be mounted on the elongate portion.
29. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 28, wherein the bracket arrangement comprises first and second brackets, which are connected to each other around the elongate portion, each of the first and second brackets being generally U shaped, having opposite arms.
30. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 29, wherein each of the first and second brackets comprises securing portions, extending outwardly from the arms, the securing portions of the first bracket being configured to engage the securing portions of the second bracket, wherein securing members can be inserted through holes in the securing portions to secure the first bracket to the second bracket.
31. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 29 or 30, wherein ne of the first and second brackets has a fixing member thereon to fix the bracket arrangement to the vehicle, the fixing member extending from the U shaped member and defining a hole to receive a securing member therethough, to allow the fixing member to be secured to the vehicle.
32. A fuel tank arrangement according to any of Claims 28 to 31, wherein the fastening means comprises a cradle member in which the main portion can be held, the cradle member comprising a receiving portion having sloping base members to engage the front and rear chamfered walls, the angle of the sloping base members corresponding with the respective angles of the front and rear chamfered walls.
33. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 32, wherein the cradle member comprises a fixing element on the receiving portion to fix the cradle member to the vehicle, the fixing element extending from the receiving portion and defining at least one hole to receive a securing member therethough, to allow the fixing element to be secured to the vehicle.
34. A fuel tank arrangement according to Claim 33, wherein the, or each, securing member comprises a bolt, or other type of elongate member which can be inserted through the respective holes.
35. A fuel tank arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.