Abstract:
Fuel delivery vessels and vehicles are described. Some embodiments include nozzles for access by an operator. Some embodiments include optimized size and material characteristics. Some embodiments include various dispensing systems.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Delivery vehicles for transporting and delivering fluid commodities (e.g., fuels such as propane) generally include various fluid connections for exchange of fluid (e.g., vapor and/or liquid) to and from a cargo tank or vessel of the vehicle. These fluid connections may be accessed frequently by an operator when making deliveries or performing refilling or maintenance operations. The ease and efficiency of use of these fluid connections are thus a limiting factor in the overall effectiveness of the vehicle for a given operation. The effectiveness of the vehicle may also be limited by the size of the cargo tank and the selection of appropriate cargo tank sizes may be limited by economic factors affecting the operation. 
         [0002]    Thus there is a need in the art for a fuel transportation and delivery apparatus having improved efficiency and effectiveness. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a vessel. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the vessel of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is an expanded rear elevation view of the vessel of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the vessel of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a vapor equalizing connection assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a liquid fill connection assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a fuel delivery vehicle. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is an expanded side elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of  FIG. 7  with certain components not shown for clarity. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a rear elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  is an expanded rear elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of another embodiment of a fuel delivery vehicle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is an expanded side elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  is a partial rear elevation view of another embodiment of a fuel delivery vehicle having an embodiment of an autogas delivery system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of the autogas delivery system of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the autogas delivery system of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of an autogas delivery nozzle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  is a partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a fuel delivery vehicle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  is a partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a fuel delivery vehicle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 20  is a partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a fuel delivery vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an embodiment of a vessel  100  (e.g., a cargo tank for containing a fluid commodity such as propane or other fuel in liquid and/or vapor phase). 
         [0024]    The vessel  100  optionally includes a cylindrical shell  170  mounted (e.g., by welding at a first annular seam  119 ) to a rear head  110  and mounted (e.g., by welding at a second annular seam  129 ) to a forward head  120 . The heads  110 ,  120  optionally comprise a plurality of plates (such as plates  112   a  through  112   e ) which may be formed (e.g., pressed) prior to being joined (e.g., e.g., by welding) to form a generally head-shaped (e.g., dome-shaped) structure; in other embodiments the heads may comprise unitary structures. The shell  170  and heads  110  are optionally made of metal such as steel (e.g., a high-strength steel such as ASME 517E or ASME 516-70, or in other embodiments a mild steel such as ASME 612). After the shell  170  and heads  110 ,  120  are joined and certain additional components have been mounted thereto as described herein, in some embodiments (optionally including those made from high-strength steel) the vessel  100  may be heat treated (e.g., quenched and tempered) prior to completion of the vessel and mounting the vessel to the vehicle as described herein. 
         [0025]    The vessel  100  is optionally mounted to rails  177 - 1 ,  177 - 2  for mounting to a vehicle chassis. The rails  177 - 1 ,  177 - 2  are optionally generally parallel and mounted to a lower portion of the shell  170 . A lateral spacing of the rails  177 - 1 ,  177 - 2  optionally corresponds to a lateral width of the vehicle chassis. In embodiments in which the vessel  100  is heat treated, the rails  177 - 1 ,  177 - 2  are optionally mounted (e.g., welded) to rail mounting pads  179 - 1 ,  179 - 2  respectively which are optionally welded to the shell  170  prior to heat treating. 
         [0026]    The vessel  100  is optionally provided with fluid connections (e.g., inlets, outlets) for placing the interior volume of the vessel in fluid communication (and/or mechanical contact) with atmosphere or with other components as described herein. The fluid connections optionally include a bypass connection  132  for connecting the vessel  100  to a differential bypass valve (not shown), which may be configured to permit a fluid commodity (e.g., a fuel such as propane) to flow back into the vessel  100  when a pump pressure exceeds a threshold associated with the bypass valve. The fluid connections optionally include an indicator connection  138 . The indicator connection  138  optionally includes openings and/or other features for obtaining temperature, pressure and fill level measurements from the interior of the vessel  100 . Temperature measurements may be displayed to the operator by a temperature gauge optionally mounted at the indicator connection  138  and optionally in communication with a temperature probe (not shown) disposed in the interior volume of the vessel  100 . Pressure measurements may be displayed to the operator by a pressure gauge optionally in communication with a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed in the interior volume of the vessel  100 . Fill level indication may be presented to the user by opening a selectively openable valve (not shown) which permits fluid to evacuate the vessel when the fill height meets or exceeds the height of an outlet tube  139  optionally in fluid communication with the indicator connection  138 . Fill level indication may also be presented to the user by a fill level gauge (not shown) in communication with a fill level opening  135 ; the fill level gauge is optionally operably connected to a float (not shown) which is optionally buoyantly retained at or above the fill level of the vessel  100 . The fill level gauge reading optionally increases with increasing height of the float. 
         [0027]    The fluid connections optionally include a pump outlet  176  which is optionally in fluid communication with a pump (e.g., pump  276  illustrated in  FIG. 9  described herein) which pumps the fluid commodity (e.g., fuel) through a meter to a delivery nozzle. The pump outlet  176  is optionally disposed on the shell  170  and near the bottom of the vessel  100 . 
         [0028]    The fluid connections optionally include a drain outlet  178  disposed at or near the bottom of the vessel  100  (e.g., at the bottom of the shell  170  as illustrated) in order to permit fluid to drain from the tank by gravity when the outlet  178  is opened. 
         [0029]    The fluid connections optionally include a vapor outlet  136  (e.g., provided in the rear head  110 ) and a liquid outlet  122  (e.g., provided in the forward head  120 ). The vapor outlet  136  may be operably connected to a selectively actuatable nozzle  137  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0030]    The fluid connections optionally include a relief outlet  174  (e.g., provided on an upper portion of the shell  170 ) which is optionally in fluid communication with a relief valve (not shown) configured to release vapor from the vapor space in the upper portion of the vessel  100  when the vessel pressure exceeds a threshold pressure associated with the relief valve. 
         [0031]    Some or all of the fluid connections described herein optionally comprise flanges such as annular flanges. The flanges are optionally mounted (e.g., by a welding process such as flush welding) to openings provided in the vessel  100 , optionally prior to any application of heat treating (e.g., quenching and tempering) to the vessel. The flanges optionally define an axis normal (or approximately normal or generally normal) to a plane defined by the openings in which the flanges are mounted; for example, an opening in the flange may define a central axis normal to the opening, or an annular surface of the flange may define a central axis normal to the opening. In other embodiments, one or more fluid connections may comprise a coupling mounted in the opening at a non-normal angle to a plane defined by the opening in which the coupling is mounted, e.g., by fillet welding. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the fluid connections optionally include a vapor equalizing connection assembly  500 . The assembly  500  optionally includes a flange  510  (e.g., an annular flange) having an opening  520  (e.g., circular opening) therethrough. The flange  510  is optionally mounted in an opening provided in the pressure vessel, e.g., in the plate  112   e  of head  110  as illustrated. The flange  510  (e.g., the opening  520  thereof and/or the outer circumference thereof) optionally defines an axis A- 5  which is optionally normal to the opening in which the flange  510  is mounted (e.g., normal to a plane defined by the opening). A portion of the flange  510  (e.g., a central, widened portion as illustrated) is optionally flush with the surface of the pressure vessel. The opening  520  is optionally in fluid communication with a tube  530  which optionally extends to an upper portion of the pressure vessel  100 . An upper portion of the tube  530  is optionally supported by a bracket  532  mounted (e.g., by welding, optionally prior to heat treatment) to an interior surface of the vessel  100 . In some embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which the vessel is heat treated, such as by quenching and tempering, prior to installation of the tube  530 ) the bracket  532  is optionally mounted (e.g., by welding) to a reinforcement pad  533  which is in turn mounted (e.g., by welding) to an interior surface of the vessel  100 . 
         [0033]    In installation of the flange  510 , an inner weld (e.g., flush weld) is optionally applied within a circumferential groove Ci- 5  (e.g., a v-shaped groove) on the interior surface of the vessel and disposed radially between the outer surface of the flange and the opening in the vessel  100 . The groove Ci- 5  may be formed by the angle of the outer surface of the flange relative to the inner surface of the opening in the vessel  100 , which may be determined by the shape of the outer surface of the flange and/or by the shape of the inner surface of the opening, which may be modified by a shaping step (e.g., grinding, boring) performed after the opening is formed in the vessel  100 . An outer weld (e.g., U-groove weld) is optionally applied around the outer circumference Co- 5  of the flange  510  on the outside of the vessel  100 . 
         [0034]    During filling operations, vapor optionally enters and/or escapes the vessel  100  via the vapor equalizing connection assembly  500  depending on the pressure in a vapor space formed in an upper portion of the vessel  100 . Exchange of vapor between a bulk fill tank (not shown) and the vessel  100  via the assembly  500  may equalize a vapor pressure of the bulk fill tank relative to that of the vessel  100 . 
         [0035]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the fluid connections optionally include a liquid fill connection assembly  600  (e.g., spray fill connection assembly). The assembly  600  optionally includes a flange  610  (e.g., an annular flange) having an opening  620  (e.g., circular opening) therethrough. The flange  610  is optionally mounted in an opening provided in the pressure vessel, e.g., in the plate  112 d of head  110  as illustrated. The flange  610  (e.g., the opening  620  thereof and/or the outer circumference thereof) optionally defines an axis A- 6  which is optionally normal to the opening in which the flange  610  is mounted (e.g., normal to a plane defined by the opening). A portion of the flange  610  (e.g., a central, widened portion as illustrated) is optionally flush with the surface of the pressure vessel. The opening  620  is optionally in fluid communication with a tube  630  which extends to an upper portion of the pressure vessel  100 . An upper portion of the tube  630  is optionally supported by a bracket  632  mounted (e.g., by welding, optionally prior to heat treatment) to an interior surface of the vessel  100 . In some embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which the vessel is heat treated, such as by quenching and tempering, prior to installation of the tube  630 ) the bracket  632  is optionally mounted to a reinforcement pad  633  which is in turn mounted (e.g., by welding) to an interior surface of the vessel  100 . 
         [0036]    In installation of the flange  610 , an inner weld (e.g., flush weld) is optionally applied within a circumferential groove Ci- 6  (e.g., a v-shaped groove) on the interior surface of the vessel and disposed radially between the outer surface of the flange and the opening in the vessel  100 . The groove Ci- 6  may be formed by the angle of the outer surface of the flange relative to the inner surface of the opening in the vessel  100 , which may be determined by the shape of the outer surface of the flange and/or by the shape of the inner surface of the opening, which may be modified by a shaping step (e.g., grinding, boring) performed after the opening is formed in the vessel  100 . An outer weld (e.g., U-groove weld) is optionally applied around the outer circumference Co- 6  of the flange  610  on the outside of the vessel  100 . 
         [0037]    During filling operations, a fluid commodity (e.g., a fuel such as propane) optionally enters the vessel  100  via the liquid fill connection assembly  600 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, (e.g., those in which the vessel  100  is heat treated such as by quenching and tempering) reinforcement pads may be used to mount additional components to the vessel indirectly. Baffle mounting pads  172  (e.g., mounted in a circumferential array about the interior surface of the shell  170  as illustrated) may be used to mount baffles (not shown) extending diametrically across the interior volume of the vessel  100  on order to disrupt the movement of fluid within the vessel. Light bar mounting pads  193  may be used to mount light bars  192   a ,  192   b , which optionally support light fixtures. Line support mounting pads  194  (e.g., mounted in a generally aligned array to the rear head  110  as illustrated) may also be used to mount line supports for supporting electrical harnesses and other lines to be routed across the outer surface of the vessel  100 . 
         [0039]    The vessel  100  optionally includes a manway  190  which is optionally removably mounted (e.g., bolted) to the vessel, such as on the rear head  110  as illustrated, and optionally sized to allow a maintenance operator to enter and exit the vessel. 
         [0040]    In an exemplary embodiment of the vessel  100 , the vessel is sized to contain  3700  gallons of fluid commodity (e.g., fuel). In such an embodiment, the shell  170  optionally has a radius Ro of 42 inches, shown in FIG. 1  with respect to a central horizontal plane Pch of the vessel  100 . In the same exemplary embodiment, a shell length Lh of the shell  170  is optionally 102.5 inches and the overall length Lv of the vessel  100  is optionally 186.5 inches. 
         [0041]    The shell  170  and heads  110 ,  120  have wall thicknesses Ts, Th, respectively, which are optionally selected in accordance with the specified design pressure, diameter and material properties of the vessel  100 . As an example, a 3700-gallon embodiment may be made of high-strength steel (e.g., ASME 517E), and the head thickness Th is optionally less than a quarter inch (e.g., 0.22 inches or 0.2 inches) and the thickness Ts is optionally less than a half inch (e.g., 0.37 inches or 0.375 inches). It should be appreciated that the use of high-strength steel may effectively decrease the lower end of a suitable range of material thicknesses, thus reducing the total weight of the tank and permitting a larger payload (e.g., 3700 gallons) on a smaller vehicle (e.g., a truck having a single rear axle such as the 223-inch wheelbase exemplary vehicle described herein). In the various embodiments described herein, the wall thickness Th is optionally greater than or equal to the wall thicknesses Ts. The wall thicknesses Th of heads  110 ,  120  are optionally equal or approximately equal. 
         [0042]    Turning now to  FIGS. 7-10 , the vessel  100  is shown mounted to a chassis  220  of a vehicle  200  (e.g., a fuel delivery truck such as a propane bobtail). The chassis  220  optionally includes one or more longitudinally extending truck frame rails  222 . The vehicle  200  may be a single-axle vehicle having a front axle  210   a  and a single rear axle  210   b  as illustrated. In other embodiments, the vehicle  200  may be a double-axle vehicle having two rear axles. In various embodiments, the chassis  220  may be rigidly coupled to the vehicle or may be articulated to pivot about a vertical axis relative to the vehicle cab. The vehicle  200  may comprise a fluid delivery control system having features and functionality in common with the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,975,162 and 5,823,235, and 6,216,719, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
         [0043]    In an exemplary vehicle embodiment (e.g., an embodiment configured to support the exemplary 3700-gallon vessel described above), a wheelbase Lb of the vehicle (e.g., the distance between the front axle  210   a  and a single rear axle  210   b ) may be 223 inches and a chassis length Lc of the vehicle may be  209  and 5/16 inches. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the rearward first annular seam  119  may be disposed forward of the rear axle  210   b  along the direction of travel of the vehicle. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a rearward portion  900  of the vehicle optionally includes a deck  901  optionally comprising a left deck portion  910 - 1  and right deck portion  910 - 2 , which portions may be laterally spaced apart as illustrated. The rearward portion  900  of the vehicle also optionally includes a bumper  902  optionally comprising a left bumper portion  920 - 1  and a right bumper portion  920 - 2 , which portions may be laterally spaced apart as illustrated. The bumper  902  also optionally comprises a central bumper portion  930 , which is optionally disposed beneath and mounted to lower surfaces of the left and right bumper portions  920 - 1 ,  920 - 2 ; in other embodiments, the central bumper portion  930  is generally parallel with the left and right bumper portions  920 - 1 ,  920 - 2 , and in such embodiments the bumper  902  may comprise a unitary structure. 
         [0045]    The deck  901  optionally supports various apparatus for use by the operator in controlling and monitoring fluid flow to and from the vessel  100 . In various embodiments, such apparatus may be in fluid communication with the vessel  100 . As illustrated, the deck  901  may support a meter assembly  240  in fluid communication with the vessel  100  and optionally configured to measure and display an amount of fluid dispensed from the vessel. The deck  901  may also support a vapor discharge assembly  230  for supporting a hose and nozzle configured to discharge vapor from the vessel  100 . The deck  901  may also support a liquid discharge assembly  250  for supporting a hose and nozzle configured to discharge liquid from the vessel  100 , e.g., via the meter assembly  240 . 
         [0046]    Conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  (e.g., piping assemblies) optionally extend generally rearward (and optionally generally downward) from the vessel  100  and are optionally in fluid communication with the interior volume of the vessel via the vapor equalizing connection assembly  500  and liquid fill connection assembly  600 , respectively. 
         [0047]    The liquid fill conduit assembly  820  optionally comprises a conduit  827  (e.g., pipe) mounted to the liquid fill connection assembly  600  (e.g., by threading in the threaded opening  620  thereof). The conduit  827  is optionally downwardly angled (e.g., at an angle greater than  45  degrees below horizontal such as  50  or  60  degrees below horizontal). The conduit  827  optionally has a rearward, distal end positioned below an upper surface  909  of deck  901 . The conduit  827  is optionally connected to (e.g., threaded or welded to or formed as a unitary part with) a conduit  826  (e.g., pipe), which optionally extends rearwardly of the conduit  827  and optionally extends beneath the upper surface  909  of deck  901 . The conduit assembly  820  optionally extends through an opening formed in a laterally extending wall  915  of the deck  901 . The opening in the wall  915  may comprise a hole sized to receive a conduit of the conduit assembly therethrough or a notch having an open upper end sized to receive a conduit of the conduit assembly downward into the notch; in some embodiments, the wall  915  may be omitted altogether. In the illustrated embodiment, a conduit  824  (e.g., pipe) extends rearwardly through the wall  915  and is optionally connected to the conduit  826  by a fitting  825  (e.g., a threaded fitting) which is optionally disposed forward of forward wall  915 ; in other embodiments, the conduit  826  may instead extend directly through the forward wall  915 . The conduit  824  (or conduit  826  in some embodiments) is optionally connected at a rearward, distal end to a valve  823  (e.g., on-off valve) optionally configured to selectively close the conduit assembly  810  to fluid flow by actuation of a controller  822  (e.g., knob, lever, solenoid). As shown in  FIG. 10 , a removable (e.g., threaded) cap  821  optionally selectively closes a nozzle  829  optionally positioned at a rearward distal end of the valve  823 . In operation, the cap  821  may be removed for connection of the nozzle  829  to a fill hose and the valve  823  opened using controller  822  to commence filling operations. One or more of the controller  822 , valve  823 , nozzle  829  and cap  821  are optionally disposed rearward (and optionally upstream) of the wall  915 ; in some embodiments. One or more of the controller  822 , valve  823 , nozzle  829  and cap  821  are optionally disposed at least partially within an open volume Vo. In some embodiments, the open volume Vo comprises an open space disposed within a bounding volume (e.g., minimum bounding volume, bounding box, minimum bounding box, etc.) of the deck  901 . Other components such as a brake interlock assembly (not shown) may also be associated with the conduit assembly  820  and optionally disposed rearward of the wall  915  and optionally at least partially within the open volume Vo. 
         [0048]    The vapor equalizer conduit assembly  810  optionally comprises a series of conduits such as pipes (not illustrated) similar to those of the liquid fill conduit assembly  820  and mounted to the vapor equalizing connection assembly  500  (e.g., by threading in the threaded opening  520  thereof). The conduit assembly optionally extends optionally beneath the upper surface  909  of deck  901  through the wall  915  and optionally includes a valve  813  and associated controller  812  disposed rearward of the wall  915 , as well as a rearward, distal nozzle  819  optionally sealed by a cap  811 , also optionally disposed rearward of the wall  915 . 
         [0049]    In various embodiments, one or both of the conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  may comprise a conduit made of a single pipe or a plurality of pipes which may be welded or joined together by one or more fittings. In various embodiments, one or both of the nozzles  819 ,  829  may be disposed at or approximately at the height of chassis  220  (e.g., one or more truck frame rails  222  thereof). In various embodiments, one or both of the nozzles  819 ,  829  may be disposed approximately at a waist height of an operator standing generally behind the deck  901 . In various embodiments, the open volume Vo is at least partially at or approximately at the height of the chassis (e.g., one or more truck frame rails thereof). 
         [0050]    It should be appreciated that the positions and orientations of the vapor equalizer opening  520  and the liquid fill opening  620  are conducive to the routing of the associated conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  below the upper surface  909  of deck  901  and through the wall  915 . In order to position the openings  520 ,  620  adjacent to the forward end of deck  901  and optionally adjacent to the upper surface  909  thereof, the openings are optionally positioned at an angle A (e.g., greater than 45 degrees such as 50 or 60 degrees) below horizontal, and the axes A- 5  and A- 6  are optionally also aligned with a plane Po disposed at angle A below horizontal (see  FIG. 1 ). It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the openings  520 ,  620  may not be at equal lateral offsets or vertical positions. The openings  520 ,  620  are also optionally disposed relatively low on the vessel  100 , e.g., at heights H- 5 , H- 6  measured below the central horizontal axis Pch of the vessel, respectively (see  FIG. 3 ). Heights H- 5 , H- 6  are optionally each greater than three-quarters (e.g., 80 percent, 85 percent, 86 percent, 86.6 percent, 87 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent) of the radius Ro of the vessel. The openings  520 ,  620  are optionally disposed below the other fluid connections on the rear head  110  of the vessel  100 . The openings  520 ,  620  are optionally disposed at a height just above (or lateral to) the upper ends of the rails  177 - 1 ,  177 - 2 . A single horizontal plane optionally intersects both the rail mounting pads  179  and the flanges  510 ,  610 . The relatively low position of openings  520 ,  620  relative to other vessel features and geometry is particularly conducive to conduit routing in relatively tall vessel embodiments such as the  3700 -gallon exemplary embodiment described herein. 
         [0051]    In order to position the openings  520 ,  620  along vertical planes intersecting the wall  915  (which as described herein is a recessed central portion of the deck  901 ), the openings  520 ,  620  are optionally disposed relatively close to a central vertical plane Pcv of the vessel, e.g., at distances D- 5 , D- 6  therefrom (see  FIG. 3 ) which are optionally less than about 3/20 (e.g., 12 percent, about ten percent, between 5 and 10 percent) of the radius Ro of the vessel  100 . In some embodiments, openings  520 ,  620  are positioned such that the portions of conduit assemblies extending rearwardly therefrom (e.g., the conduit  827  of conduit assembly  820 ) are positioned inboard of other conduits in the vehicle  200  such as conduit  242 , which may place the meter assembly  240  (and/or the liquid discharge assembly  250 ) in fluid communication with the interior volume of the vessel  100 . 
         [0052]    As may be illustrated by comparing  FIG. 7  (showing right sidewall  914 - 2  of right deck portion  910 - 2 ) and  FIG. 8  (in which the sidewall  914 - 2  and other parts of the deck  901  are not shown), the right deck portion  910 - 2  and right sidewall  914 - 2  at least partially conceal and protect rearward, distal portions of the conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  (e.g., the valves and nozzles thereof) from the right side. Similarly, the left deck portion  910 - 1  and a left sidewall (not shown) thereof at least partially conceal and protect the rearward, distal portions of the conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  from the left side. 
         [0053]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , the rearward, distal portions of the conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  (e.g., those portions of the assemblies disposed rearward of wall  915 , optionally including the valve, controller, nozzle and/or cap of each conduit assembly) are optionally disposed at least partially within an open volume Vo. The open volume Vo may be at least partially defined at lateral sides thereof by inboard sidewalls  912 - 1 ,  912 - 2  of the left and right deck portions  910 - 1 ,  910 - 2 , respectively. The open volume may be at least partially defined at lateral sides thereof by inboard sidewalls of the left and right bumper portions  920 - 1 ,  920 - 2 , respectively. The open volume Vo may be at least partially defined at a lower portion thereof by a floor  917  (which optionally extends rearwardly along a direction below horizontal and is optionally welded at a forward end thereof to the wall  915 ), which optionally extends from the wall  915  downward toward an upper surface  932  of the central bumper portion  930 . The open volume Vo may be at least partially defined by the upper surface  932  of the central bumper portion  930 . The open volume Vo may be open at a rearward side thereof, permitting an operator to access the conduit assemblies  810 ,  820 . The open volume Vo may be open at an upper side thereof, and the controllers  812  may extend through the open upper side as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the open volume Vo may be selectively enclosed, e.g., by a hinged or sliding housing (not shown) which may be mounted to the deck  901 . In some embodiments, the transverse width of the open volume Vo may optionally correspond to the space between the truck frame rails (e.g., the rails supporting the deck). 
         [0054]    It should be appreciated that the open volume Vo and the rearward, distal portions of the conduit assemblies  810 ,  820  are optionally disposed at least partially within a recessed portion of the deck  901 , which is optionally recessed forwardly (e.g., to the wall  915 ) and optionally recessed downwardly (e.g., to the floor  917 ). It should be appreciated that the open volume Vo is optionally disposed at least partially within a recessed portion of the bumper  902 , which is optionally recessed downwardly (e.g., to the upper surface  932  of the central bumper portion  930 ). 
         [0055]    Turning now to  FIG. 11  through  FIG. 13 , a vessel  1100  is shown mounted to a vehicle  1200 . The vessel  1100  optionally includes generally similar features to the vessel  100  described herein. The vehicle  1200  optionally includes generally similar features to the vehicle  200  described herein, optionally including a rearward portion  1300  comprising a bumper  1302  and a deck  1301  for supporting various components which are not illustrated in  FIG. 12  but may be generally similar to the assemblies supported on the deck of the vehicle  200  described herein. 
         [0056]    The deck  1301  may comprise left and right deck portions  1310 - 1 ,  1310 - 2 , respectively. The deck  1301  optionally includes an upper surface  1309  which is optionally extends along the lateral length of the deck. The bumper  1302  optionally comprises left and right bumper portions  1320 - 1 ,  1320 - 2 , respectively. In some embodiments, the bumper  1302  further comprises a central bumper portion  1330  which may be recessed downwardly from (e.g., mounted to undersides of) the left and right bumper portions; in other embodiments, the bumper  1302  comprises a single unitary part which may include a similarly recessed (e.g., downwardly recessed, forwardly recessed) bumper portion or may have a generally planar upper surface. A wall  1315  of the deck  1301  is optionally recessed forwardly relative to the rearward surfaces of the left and right deck portions  1310 - 1 ,  1310 - 2 , respectively. 
         [0057]    An open volume Vo′ is optionally defined at lateral sides thereof by inboard surfaces of the left and right deck portions  1310 - 1 ,  1310 - 2 , respectively and/or by inboard surfaces of the left and right bumper portions  1320 - 1 ,  1320 - 2 , respectively. The open volume Vo′ is optionally defined at a lower side thereof by the bumper  1302 , e.g., by an upper surface of the central bumper portion  1330 . The open volume Vo′ is optionally open at rearward and upper sides thereof, but may be closed by the operator using structure such a gate or door (not shown) which in some embodiments may be pivotally or slidingly mounted to the deck and/or bumper to selectively cover the open volume Vo′. The open volume Vo′ is optionally defined at a forward end thereof by wall  1315 , which may be oriented vertically as illustrated or angled with respect to vertical (e.g., at between 0 and 90 degrees, between 0 and 45 degrees, at 10 degrees, at 20 degrees, at 30 degrees, at 45 degrees, or at 60 degrees). 
         [0058]    A vapor equalizing connection coupling  510 ′ is optionally in fluid communication with a conduit assembly  1410  (e.g., piping assembly) including a conduit  1416 , which optionally extends rearwardly and downwardly from the vessel  1100  to a distal, rearward end which is optionally disposed at least partially lower than the deck  1301 , e.g., lower than the upper surface  1309  of the deck. The conduit assembly  1410  optionally extends through the wall  1315  and optionally extends at least partially into the open volume Vo′, e.g., with a nozzle thereof positioned at least partially within the open volume Vo′. The vapor equalizing connection coupling and assembly are optionally generally similar to the liquid fill coupling and assembly described in more detail below. 
         [0059]    A liquid fill coupling  610 ′ is optionally in fluid (e.g., vapor) communication with a conduit assembly  1420  including a conduit (e.g., pipe)  1426 , which optionally extends rearwardly and downwardly from the vessel  1100  to a distal, rearward end which is optionally disposed at least partially lower than the deck  1301 , e.g., lower than the upper surface  1309  of the deck. The conduit assembly  1420  optionally extends through the wall  1315  and optionally extends at least partially into the open volume Vo′, e.g., with a nozzle thereof positioned at least partially within the open volume Vo′. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the liquid fill conduit assembly  1420  is illustrated in dotted lines due to concealment and protection from the right side by the right deck portion  1310 - 2  (e.g., by an outboard surface  1314 - 2  thereof). During filling operations, as fluid (e.g., fuel) enters the spray conduit assembly  1420 , it optionally passes through a nozzle  1429  coupled (e.g., threaded) to a fill hose (not shown) and selectively secured by a cap  1421  (e.g., a threaded cap). The fluid then optionally passes through a valve  1423  (e.g., on-off valve) which is optionally selectively closed by a controller  1422  (e.g., a handle as illustrated). The fluid then optionally passes through a conduit section  1424  (e.g., pipe section) which optionally passes through an opening (e.g., hole or notch) in the wall  1315 . The conduit section  1424  is optionally disposed lower than (e.g., below) the upper surface  1309  of the deck  1301 . The fluid then optionally passes through a joint (e.g., an elbow joint such as a  45  degree elbow joint or  60  degree elbow joint) optionally mounted to a forward portion the conduit section  1424 . The joint  1425  is optionally disposed forward of the wall  1315  and is optionally disposed lower than (e.g., below) the deck. The fluid then optionally passes through a conduit  1426  which optionally extends forwardly and upwardly from a distal end (which is optionally disposed lower than the upper surface  1309  of the deck) to a proximate end (which is optionally disposed higher than and forward of the upper surface  1309  of the deck). The fluid then optionally passes through a fitting  1427  (e.g., threaded fitting) which optionally joins the conduit  1426  to the liquid fill coupling  610 ′. The fluid then optionally enters the vessel  1100  via the liquid fill coupling  610 ′. 
         [0061]    The liquid fill coupling  610 ′ may be joined (e.g., welded such as by fillet welding) to an opening provided in the vessel  1100 . The liquid fill coupling  610 ′ optionally defines a central axis Ao (e.g., the central axis of an opening provided therethrough or the central axis of an outer circumference thereof) which may be disposed at an obtuse angle relative to a plane Pn defined by the circumference of the opening in to which the coupling  610 ′ is joined. The axis Ao may also be normal to the plane Pn in some embodiments. 
         [0062]    Some or all of the cap  1421 , nozzle  1429 , valve  1423  and controller  1422  are optionally disposed at least partially within the open volume Vo′ and are optionally disposed rearward of the wall  1315 . Corresponding features of the vapor equalizing conduit assembly  1410  are optionally also housed within the open volume Vo′ and are optionally disposed rearward of the wall  1315 . It should be appreciated that the operator may access the conduit assemblies and nozzles thereof more easily than if the nozzles were located above and/or rearward of the deck  1301 , e.g., generally adjacent to the couplings  510 ′,  610 ′. 
         [0063]    In some exemplary embodiments, the vessel  1100  may be sized to contain a smaller volume (e.g., 3200 gallons) than the vessel  100  and may have a smaller radius (e.g., 40 inches) and/or longer overall length (e.g., 177.25 inches) than the vessel  100 . In such embodiments, the vessel  1100  may be formed from a mild steel such as ASME 612 and the shell thereof may have a thickness greater than that of the vessel  100  (e.g., 0.5 inches). In such embodiments, the vehicle  1200  may have a longer wheelbase than that of the vehicle  200  and the rearward annular seam of the vessel  1100  may be disposed forward of the rear axle of the vehicle  1200 . 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 18-20 , various alternative embodiments are illustrated. In each embodiment of  FIGS. 18-20 , a fluid connection  1810  (e.g., a liquid fill connection such as a conventional propane truck spray fill connection and/or a vapor connection such as a conventional propane truck vapor connection) of a vessel  1800  (e.g., a conventional vessel of a propane delivery vehicle such as a propane bobtail) is fluidly coupled to a nozzle  1830  which is accessible by an operator for connection to an external tank, vehicle or other apparatus. 
         [0065]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 18 , a conduit  1820 A (e.g., pipe assembly such as a rigid or flexible pipe assembly) fluidly couples the connection  1810  to the nozzle  1830 . The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed above and/or adjacent to an upper surface of a deck  1900 A. The conduit  1820 A optionally extends downward to a point above and/or adjacent to the upper surface of deck  1900 A. The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed forward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end of the deck  1900 A. The conduit  1820 A optionally extends rearwardly to a point slightly forward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end of the deck  1900 A. 
         [0066]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 19 , a conduit  1820 B (e.g., pipe assembly such as a rigid or flexible pipe assembly) fluidly couples the connection  1810  to the nozzle  1830 . The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed at least partially below an upper surface of a deck  1900 B. The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed at least partially within an open volume  1910 B of the deck  1900 B. The open volume  1910 B optionally extends transversely across part or all of the width of the deck  1900 B. The open volume  1910 B is optionally disposed within a bounding volume Vb (e.g., bounding box, minimum bounding box, minimum bounding volume) of the deck  1900 B; for example, a minimum bounding box of the deck may comprise the smallest theoretical rectangular prism that would include the entire deck. The conduit  1820 B optionally extends below the upper surface of the deck  1900 B (e.g., through an opening  1902 B in the deck  1900 B as illustrated, or in other embodiments at a point forward of the upper surface of deck  1900 B). The conduit  1820 B optionally extends through a rear wall  1912 B of the deck  1900 B; the rear wall  1912 B optionally comprises a forward wall of the open volume  1910 B. The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed forward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end of the deck  1900 A. 
         [0067]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , a conduit  1820 C (e.g., pipe assembly such as a rigid or flexible pipe assembly) fluidly couples the connection  1810  to the nozzle  1830 . The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed at least partially below an upper surface of a deck  1900 C. The conduit  1820 C optionally extends into an open volume  1910 C of a deck  1900 C. The open volume  1910 C optionally extends transversely across part or all of the width of the deck  1900 C. The conduit  1820 C optionally extends into the open volume  1910 C forward of a rear wall  1912 C of the deck  1900 C. The rear wall  1912 C optionally comprises a forward wall of the open volume  1910 C. The nozzle  1830  is optionally disposed forward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end of the deck  1900 A. 
         [0068]    It should be appreciated that certain ergonomic and other benefits which may be provided by some or all of the various conduit assemblies described herein are not necessarily dependent on the vessel sizing, material selection, material processing, material thickness, and fluid connection installations also described herein. It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments the conduit assemblies (e.g., vapor equalizing and liquid fill) may be modified to include unitary conduits and/or flexible conduits such as rubber hoses. Although certain advantageous positioning and installation features are recited with regard to inlet assemblies (e.g., vapor equalizing and liquid fill) herein, the same features may be applied to outlets or other fluid connections on the vessel. It should be appreciated that although certain vessels and vehicles are described as fuel cargo tanks and fuel delivery vehicles herein, the vessels and vehicles described could be used to transport and deliver other fluids in the liquid and/or gas phase. It should also be appreciated that the vessels described herein could be stationary or mounted to a portable frame (e.g., skid) rather than being mounted to a vehicle. 
       Autogas Delivery System Embodiments 
       [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , a fluid delivery vehicle  1600  is illustrated having a fuel vessel  1610  (e.g., propane vessel). The fuel vessel  1610  is optionally in fluid communication with an autogas (e.g., liquefied petroleum gas vehicle fuel) delivery system  1700  which is described in more detail according to various embodiments below. The fuel vessel  1610  is optionally in fluid (e.g., vapor) communication with a vapor nozzle  1614  and liquid fill nozzle  1616 , which may be conventional nozzles or may have some or all common features with one or more of the liquid fill and vapor nozzle embodiments described elsewhere herein. An outlet  1612  of the vessel  1610  is optionally in fluid communication with an offload nozzle  1624  (e.g., a hose nozzle) via offload piping  1620 . The offload piping  1620  optionally comprises conventional propane delivery vehicle piping. A pump  1622  is optionally in fluid communication with the offload piping  1620  for pumping fuel from the vessel  1610  through the offload piping  1620 . 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , the autogas delivery system  1700  is optionally housed in a cabinet  1701 , the rearward side of which is not shown in  FIG. 14  for clarity and the top of which is not shown in  FIG. 16  for clarity. The autogas delivery system  1700  optionally includes a meter  1710  in fluid communication with the vessel  1610 . The meter  1710  is optionally in fluid communication with a hose  1742  (e.g., via an intermediate conduit  1712  such a flexible hose). The hose  1742  may be ¾ inch in diameter or other suitable diameter. The hose  1742  is optionally supported on a hose reel  1740 . A terminal end of hose  1742  is optionally provided with a nozzle  1750  (e.g., an autogas nozzle). The nozzle  1750  is optionally selectively supported on a holster  1758 . The meter  1710  optionally calculates and/or displays the amount of fuel delivered via the nozzle  1750 . 
         [0071]    The autogas delivery system  1700  optionally includes a pump discharge line  1720  which places the meter  1710  and/or the nozzle  1750  in fluid communication with the offload piping  1620  for delivering fuel to the nozzle  1750 . The pump discharge line  1720  optionally includes a valve  1723  (e.g., a ball valve or other shut-off valve). The pump discharge line  1720  optionally includes a pipe  1724  or other conduit extending through an opening in a wall  1702  of the cabinet  1701 . The pipe  1724  is optionally in fluid communication with a pipe  1726  which extends generally forwardly in some embodiments. The pipe  1726  is optionally removably coupled to the pipe  1724  by a removable coupling  1725  such as a swivel coupling. The pump discharge line  1720  is optionally fluidly coupled to the offload piping  1620  at a flange  1727  or other coupling. In operation, fuel such as autogas is pumped moves from the vessel  1610  through the offload piping and to autogas delivery system  1700  via the pump discharge line  1720 . The pump discharge line  1720  optionally has a smaller pipe diameter than a pipe connecting the vessel  1610  to the offload nozzle  1624 . The autogas delivery system  1700  optionally operates at a lower flow rate (and/or optionally at a higher pressure) than the offload nozzle  1624 . In some embodiments, an additional bypass system (not shown) which may incorporate a bypass valve (not shown) is employed to maintain a given pressure or pressure range in the autogas delivery system  1700 . 
         [0072]    The autogas delivery system  1700  optionally includes a vapor line  1730  which places the meter  1710  in fluid (e.g., vapor) communication with a vapor connection  1630  of the vessel  1610 . The vapor connection  1630  is optionally selectively closable, e.g. by a valve. The vapor line  1730  optionally includes a conduit  1732  such as a hose or other flexible conduit or a pipe. The conduit  1732  is optionally coupled at a first end to a fluid coupling  1733  (e.g., a bulkhead). The coupling  1733  is optionally supported by and/or optionally extends through the wall  1702  of the cabinet  1701 . The meter  1710  is optionally in fluid communication with a conduit  1734  such as a flexible conduit (e.g., via the conduit  1732  and/or coupling  1733 ). In operation, vapor is optionally exchanged between the autogas delivery system  1700  and the vessel  1610  via the vapor line  1730 . 
         [0073]    Turning to  FIG. 17 , in some embodiments the nozzle  1750  comprises an autogas nozzle. The nozzle  1750  is optionally configured to deliver fuel (e.g., propane-based fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, autogas, etc.) to a vehicle fuel tank. The nozzle  1750  optionally comprises an inlet  1751  in selective fluid communication with an outlet  1755 . The nozzle  1750  optionally comprises a handle  1752  configured to be held by an operator. The nozzle  1750  optionally includes a lever  1753  or other user interface selectively movable between an “open” position in which the inlet  1751  is in fluid communication with outlet  1755  and a “closed” position in which the inlet  1751  is not in fluid communication with outlet  1755 . For example, the lever  1753  optionally actuates a valve (not shown) when moved between the “open” and “closed” positions. The lever  1753  is optionally disposed to be actuated by an operator using the same hand used to hold the handle  1752 . The outlet  1755  optionally includes a coupling (e.g., threaded coupling, claw coupling, etc.) for coupling the nozzle  1750  to a vehicle tank inlet (not shown). The outlet optionally has a “coupled” configuration and an “uncoupled” configuration. The nozzle  1750  is optionally configured to disallow fluid flow therethrough when the outlet  1755  is not in a “coupled” configuration. In some embodiments, the nozzle  1750  comprises a ZVG 2 autogas nozzle (ACME, DISH or EURO style) available from ELAFLEX HIBY Tanktechnik in Hamburg, Germany. In other embodiments, the nozzle  1750  comprises a GPV14 LPG nozzle available from Staubli in Pfaffikon, Switzerland. 
         [0074]    As used herein, references to forward and rearward are generally used in reference to the direction of travel T of the vehicle (e.g., to the right on the view of  FIG. 2 ) unless otherwise indicated by the context of the disclosure. 
         [0075]    Dimensions and other values recited herein are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. Ranges recited herein are likewise illustrative and non-limiting, and are intended to inclusively recite all values within the range provided in addition to the maximum and minimum range values. Headings used herein are simply for convenience of the reader and are not intended to be understood as limiting or used for any other purpose. 
         [0076]    Although various embodiments have been described above, the details and features of the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, any feature described for one embodiment may be used in any other embodiment.