Mounting aftertreatment systems from service joints

An apparatus comprises a housing including a housing first portion having a first joint portion configured to overlap a second joint portion of a housing second portion so as to form a housing joint. A primary clamp is positioned at a primary location of the housing joint which abuts at least a portion of the first and the second joint portion. A mounting bracket is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp. A plurality of secondary clamps are positioned at secondary locations, each of which is different than the primary location, of the housing joint. A band is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket by positioning around and contacting each of the plurality of secondary clamps. The band is tightened to urge the mounting bracket and thereby the primary clamp, and the plurality of secondary clamps towards the housing joint to secure the housing joint.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to aftertreatment systems for use with internal combustion (IC) engines.

BACKGROUND

Exhaust aftertreatment systems are used to receive and treat exhaust gas generated by engines such as IC engines. Conventional exhaust gas aftertreatment systems include any of several different components to reduce the levels of harmful exhaust emissions present in exhaust gas. For example, certain exhaust aftertreatment systems for diesel-powered IC engines include a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst to convert NOx (NO and NO2in some fraction) into harmless nitrogen gas (N2) and water vapor (H2O) in the presence of ammonia (NH3).

Aftertreatment systems generally include a plurality of components which are positioned within a housing of the aftertreatment system. Each of the plurality of components can include separate modules having their own housing which can be coupled together to assemble the aftertreatment component. The housings of each of the plurality of components are coupled together at service joints to assemble the aftertreatment system. The service joints represent mechanically weak areas which are secured via clamps. Mounting assemblies are used to mount such aftertreatment systems on a structure, for example a vehicle chassis. Such mounting assemblies are generally coupled to the aftertreatment system at locations which are different than the service joints. Thus, a substantial surface of the housing of the aftertreatment system is occupied by the clamps and the mounting members, reducing the space available for mounting other components on the surface of the housing of the aftertreatment system and increasing costs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate generally to aftertreatment systems which include a clamping assembly for securing housing joints and mounting the aftertreatment system on a structure. In various embodiments, the aftertreatment systems described herein include a housing having a plurality of portions that are joined together at housing joints which are secured using a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is also configured to mount the housing on a structure so that the aftertreatment system is mounted on the structure at the one or more housing joints.

In a first set of embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing including a housing first portion and a housing second portion. The housing first portion includes a first joint portion configured to overlap a second joint portion of the housing section portion so as to form a housing joint. A primary clamp is positioned at a primary location of the housing joint. The primary clamp abuts at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. A mounting bracket is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp. A plurality of secondary clamps are positioned at secondary locations of the housing joint. Each of the plurality of secondary locations is different than the primary location. The plurality of secondary clamps also abut at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. A band is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket. The band is positioned around and contacts each of the plurality of secondary clamps. The band is configured to be tightened so as to urge the mounting bracket and thereby the primary clamp, and the plurality of secondary clamps towards the housing joint to secure the housing joint.

In another set of embodiments, an aftertreatment system comprises a housing including a housing first portion and a housing second portion. The housing first portion includes a first joint portion configured to overlap a second joint portion of the housing second portion so as to form a housing joint. A first aftertreatment component is positioned within a first internal volume defined by the housing first portion. A primary clamp is positioned at a primary location of the housing joint. The primary clamp abuts at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. A mounting bracket is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp. A plurality of secondary clamps are positioned at secondary locations of the housing joint. Each of the plurality of secondary locations are different than the primary location. The plurality of secondary clamps abut at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. A band is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket. The band is positioned around and contacts each of the plurality of secondary clamps. The band is configured to be tightened to urge the mounting bracket and thereby the primary clamp, and the plurality of secondary clamps towards the housing joint to secure the housing joint.

In yet another a set of embodiments, a method of securing a housing joint of a housing which comprises a housing first portion including a first joint portion configured to overlap a second joint portion of a housing second portion so as to form a housing joint, comprises positioning a primary clamp at a primary location of the housing joint. The primary clamp is positioned so that the primary clamp abuts at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. A mounting bracket is positioned on the primary clamp such that the mounting bracket contacts the primary clamp. A band is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket. A plurality of secondary clamps are positioned at a plurality of secondary locations of the housing joint so that the plurality of secondary clamps abut at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. Each of the plurality of secondary locations are different than the primary location. The band is positioned around each of the plurality of secondary clamps such that the band contacts each of the plurality of secondary clamps. The band is tightened so as to urge the mounting bracket and thereby the primary clamp, and the plurality of secondary clamps towards the housing joint to secure the housing joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments described herein relate generally to aftertreatment systems which include a clamping assembly for securing housing joints and mounting the aftertreatment system on a structure. In various embodiments, the aftertreatment systems described herein include a housing having a plurality of portions that are joined together at housing joints which are secured using a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is also configured to mount the housing on a structure so that the aftertreatment system is mounted on the structure at the one or more housing joints.

Embodiments described herein provide benefits including, for example: (1) providing a clamping assembly capable of securing housing joints of a housing as well as mounting the housing on a structure; (2) allowing mounting of a housing of an aftertreatment system to a structure at housing joints (also referred to herein as “service joints”) which can be preferable mounting locations for mounting the housing of the aftertreatment system; (3) reducing the number of clamps for securing and mounting the aftertreatment system thereby increasing the space available on the housing of the aftertreatment system for installing other components; and (5) reducing a number of high strength mounting surfaces of the housing which are generally used as the locations for positioning clamps for mounting the aftertreatment system to a structure, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly cost.

FIG. 1is a schematic illustration of a side cross section of an aftertreatment system100according to an embodiment. The aftertreatment system100includes a housing110, a clamping assembly120, a mounting arm132, a first aftertreatment component150and a second aftertreatment component160. The aftertreatment system100is configured to receive an exhaust gas (e.g., a diesel exhaust gas) from an IC engine (e.g., a diesel IC engine) and decompose constituents (e.g., NOx gases) included in the exhaust gas.

The housing110includes a housing first portion112and a housing second portion116. The housing first portion112is positioned upstream of the housing second portion116. The housing first portion112includes an inlet111for receiving the exhaust gas. The housing first portion112defines a first internal volume. The first aftertreatment component150is positioned within the first internal volume.

In various embodiments, the first aftertreatment component150can include an SCR system150. At least one catalyst154is included in the SCR system150and is formulated to selectively reduce constituents (e.g., NOx gases) included in the exhaust gas. Any suitable catalyst can be used such as, for example, platinum, palladium, rhodium, cerium, iron, manganese, copper, vanadium based catalyst, any other suitable catalyst, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the first aftertreatment component150can include any other component, for example an oxidation catalyst (e.g. a diesel oxidation catalyst), a particulate filter (e.g., a diesel particulate filter, a catalyzed filter or a partial filter) or a mixer.

The housing second portion116is positioned downstream of the housing first portion112and includes an outlet113for expelling treated exhaust gas into the environment. The housing second portion116defines a second internal volume within which the second aftertreatment component160is positioned. The second aftertreatment component160can include any suitable component, for example an SCR system, an oxidation catalyst (e.g. a diesel oxidation catalyst), a particulate filter (e.g., a diesel particulate filter, a catalyzed filter or a partial filter), a mixer or any other aftertreatment component.

The housing second portion116is coupled to the housing first portion112at a housing joint. Expanding further, the housing first portion112includes a first joint portion114which is configured to overlap a second joint portion118of the housing second portion116to form the housing joint. For example, a first cross-section (e.g., diameter) of the housing first portion112at the first joint portion114can be slightly larger than a second cross-section (e.g., diameter) of the housing second portion116at the second joint portion118. This allows the first joint portion114to be positioned over and around the second joint portion118to couple the housing first portion112to the housing second portion116. In particular embodiments, the first cross-section and the second cross-section can be within close tolerance of each other so that the first joint portion114and the second joint portion118form a friction fit.

The clamping assembly120is configured to be positioned around the housing joint to secure the housing joint and allow securing of the housing joint to a structure (e.g., a vehicle chassis), as described herein. The clamping assembly120includes a primary clamp122apositioned at a primary location of the housing joint so that the primary clamp122aabuts at least a portion of the first joint portion114and the second joint portion118, as shown inFIG. 1. The primary location can be positioned, for example, proximate to the structure when the housing110(and thereby the aftertreatment system100) is mounted to the structure.

The primary clamp122ais formed from a strong from a strong, rigid and temperature resistant material, for example metals (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), plastics, polymers or any other suitable material. The primary clamp122acan include a V-shaped clamp. A mounting bracket124is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp122a. For example, the mounting bracket124includes a side wall which is in continuous contact or contiguous with a surface of the primary clamp122a. The mounting bracket124is configured to urge the primary clamp122atowards the housing joint as described below herein.

A plurality of secondary clamps122bare positioned at a plurality of secondary locations of the housing joint. Each of the plurality of secondary locations is different than the primary location. For example, the primary location is located proximate to the structure, and each of the secondary locations are located distal to the structure at various locations on the housing joint around the periphery of the housing110. The plurality of secondary clamps122balso abut at least a portion of the first joint portion114and the second joint portion118.

Any number of secondary clamps can be used, for example 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 clamps. In some embodiments, the plurality of secondary clamps122bcan be substantially similar to the primary clamp122a. For example, the secondary clamps122bmay be V-shaped clamps, may be formed from the same material, may define the same curvature and may have the same length (e.g., arc length) as the primary clamp122b. The distinguishing between the primary clamp122aand the secondary clamps122bis thus only by virtue of the location of the primary clamp122aat the primary location. In such embodiments, the primary clamp122aand each of the plurality of secondary clamps122bare positioned along the same peripheral length of the housing joint as the primary clamp122a.

In other embodiments, the secondary clamps122bcan be different from the primary clamp122a, for example have a different length. For example, the secondary clamps122bcan be longer than the primary clamp122aso that the plurality of secondary clamps122bare positioned on a longer peripheral length of the housing joint relative to the primary clamp122a. The primary clamp122aand the plurality of the secondary clamps122bhave a total length so that a combination of the primary clamp122aand the plurality of secondary clamps122bsurround substantially all of the perimeter (e.g., circumference) of the housing joint. As used herein, the term “substantially all of the perimeter” means greater than the 90% of the perimeter of the housing joint.

In some embodiments, the housing110is a circular housing defining a circular cross-section. In such embodiments, the primary clamp122aand the plurality of secondary clamps122bare curved to conform to a curvature defined by the cylindrical housing110. Furthermore, the mounting bracket124can include a curved sidewall configured to be positioned on and contact the primary clamp122asuch that the curved sidewall is in continuous contact with the curved primary clamp122a.

A band126is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket124. The band126is positioned around and contacts each of the plurality of secondary clamps122b. The band126is configured to be tightened so as to urge the mounting bracket124, and thereby the primary clamp122a, and the plurality of secondary clamps122btowards the housing joint to secure the housing joint. The band126can be formed from any suitable material, for example metals, fabric or polymers.

In various embodiments, the band126includes a band first portion coupled to a mounting bracket first end, and a band second portion coupled to a mounting bracket second end which is opposite the mounting bracket first end. For example, the mounting bracket124can include a second sidewall which extends from the sidewall contacting the primary clamp and is orthogonal to the sidewall (e.g., oriented at an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees to the sidewall). Protrusions can be defined on second sidewall projecting orthogonally (e.g., at an angle between 80 degrees and 10 degrees) from the second sidewall at the mounting bracket first end over which an end of band first portion is looped and secured, and the mounting bracket second end over which an end of the band second portion is looped and secured.

In one embodiment, throughholes can be defined in the second sidewall in place of the protrusions through which fasteners are inserted over which the ends of the band first portion and the band second portion are looped and secured as described before. In still other embodiments, the ends of the band first portion and the band second portion can be secured to the sidewall contacting the primary clamp122a. For example, slots, clips or any other securing mechanism can be provided on the sidewall proximate to the mounting bracket first end and the mounting bracket second end for securing the ends of the band first portion and the band second portion, respectively.

A winch or any other tightening mechanism is coupled to each of the band first portion and the band second portion at second ends of the band first portion and the band second portion distal from the mounting bracket124. The winch or other the tightening mechanism is configured to urge the band first portion and the band second portion towards each other (i.e., tightens the band126) to clamp the mounting bracket124and thereby the primary clamp122a, and the plurality of secondary clamps122btowards the housing joint.

The mounting arm132is coupled to the mounting bracket124and is configured to mount the housing110on a structure e.g., a vehicle chassis. As shown inFIG. 1, the mounting arm132has a plurality of mounting apertures134. The mounting apertures134can be configured to receive fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets and/or pins) therethrough for coupling the mounting arm to the structure and thereby mounting the aftertreatment system100on the structure.

The mounting bracket124can be structured to be removably coupled to a mounting arm coupling portion of the mounting arm132. For example, the mounting bracket124can include a mounting bracket first portion and a mounting bracket second portion. A sidewall of the mounting bracket first portion is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp122a, for example is in continuous contact with the primary clamp122a(e.g., curved primary clamp122a) as described before. A second sidewall of the mounting bracket first portion extends orthogonally from the sidewall (e.g., at an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees), as described before. In other words, the mounting bracket first portion defines an L-shape.

The mounting bracket second portion is positioned parallel to the second sidewall of the mounting bracket first portion such that a space is defined therebetween. The space is configured to receive a mounting arm coupling portion of the mounting arm132. The mounting bracket first portion and the mounting bracket second portion can be separate members which can each be coupled to the mounting arm coupling portion to secure the mounting arm132.

A plurality of fasteners can be used to couple the mounting bracket first portion and the mounting bracket second portion such that the mounting arm coupling portion is secured therebetween. For example, the mounting bracket first portion, the mounting bracket second portion and the mounting arm coupling portion can define mating throughholes through which the plurality of fasteners are inserted to secure the mounting arm coupling portion between the mounting bracket first portion and the mounting bracket second portion. While described as including separate mounting bracket first portion and the mounting bracket second portion, in various embodiments, the mounting bracket can be monolithically formed.

FIGS. 2-7show various views of another embodiment of an aftertreatment system200and a clamping assembly220included in the aftertreatment system200. The aftertreatment system200includes a housing210, the clamping assembly220, and a mounting arm232. The aftertreatment system200is configured to receive an exhaust gas (e.g., a diesel exhaust gas) produced by an engine (e.g., a diesel IC engine) and decompose constituents of the exhaust gas.

As shown inFIG. 2, the housing210is cylindrical and defines a circular cross-section. The housing210includes a housing first portion212and a housing second portion216. The housing first portion212is positioned downstream of the housing second portion216and includes an outlet for expelling treated exhaust gas from the housing110. The housing first portion can define a first internal volume. A first aftertreatment component (e.g., the first aftertreatment component150) can be positioned within the first internal volume. The first aftertreatment component can include, for example an SCR system, an oxidation catalyst (e.g. a diesel oxidation catalyst), a particulate filter (e.g., a diesel particulate filter, a catalyzed filter or a partial filter) or a mixer.

The housing second portion216is positioned upstream of the housing first portion212and includes an inlet211for receiving the exhaust gas. The housing second portion216defines a second internal volume within which a second aftertreatment component (e.g., the second aftertreatment component160) can be positioned. The second aftertreatment component can include any suitable component, for example an SCR system, an oxidation catalyst (e.g. a diesel oxidation catalyst), a particulate filter (e.g., a diesel particulate filter, a catalyzed filter or a partial filter) or a mixer or any other aftertreatment component.

The housing second portion216is coupled to the housing first portion212at a housing joint. Expanding further, the housing first portion212includes a first joint portion214which is configured to overlap a second joint portion218of the housing second portion216to form the housing joint (seeFIG. 4). As shown inFIG. 4, the second joint portion218includes a raised portion, while the first joint portion214also includes a raised portion configured to overlap the raised portion of the second joint portion218. In particular embodiments, the first joint portion214has a first diameter slightly larger than a second diameter of the second joint portion218. The first diameter and the second diameter can be in close tolerance with each other so that the first joint portion214and the second joint portion218form a friction fit.

The clamping assembly220is configured to be positioned around the housing joint to secure the housing joint and allow securing of the housing joint to a structure (e.g., a vehicle chassis), as described herein. The clamping assembly220includes a primary clamp222apositioned at a primary location of the housing joint so that the primary clamp222aabuts at least a portion of the first joint portion214and the second joint portion218, as can be seen inFIG. 4. The primary location can be any location on the housing joint which is intended to be positioned proximate to the structure when the housing210(and thereby the aftertreatment system200) is mounted to the structure.

The primary clamp222ais formed from a strong, rigid material and temperature resistant material, for example metals (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) or hard plastics. The primary clamp222aincludes a V-shaped clamp configured to overlap either side of the housing joint formed by the first joint portion214and the second joint portion218. The primary clamp222ais curved to conform to a curvature defined the cylindrical housing210and thereby the housing joint.

A mounting bracket224is positioned on and contacts the primary clamp222a. The mounting bracket224includes a mounting bracket first portion224aand a mounting bracket second portion224b(seeFIGS. 4 and 6). As shown inFIGS. 3-7, the mounting bracket first portion224aincludes a curved sidewall227apositioned on and contacts the primary clamp222asuch that the curved sidewall227ais in continuous contact with the curved primary clamp222a. The mounting bracket224is configured to urge the primary clamp222atowards the housing joint, as described below herein. In one embodiment, the primary clamp222acan be coupled to the curved sidewall227aof the mounting bracket224, for example using fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc.). A second sidewall of the mounting bracket first portion224aextends orthogonally from the curved sidewall227a(e.g., at an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees), as described before.

A plurality of secondary clamps222bare positioned at a plurality of secondary locations of the housing joint. Each of the plurality of secondary locations is different than the primary location. For example, the primary location is located proximate to the structure, and each of the secondary locations are located distal to the structure (relative to the primary location) at various locations on the housing joint around the periphery of the housing210. The plurality of secondary clamps222balso abut at least a portion of the first joint portion214and the second joint portion218.

As seen inFIG. 5the clamping assembly220includes four secondary clamps222bpositioned at various secondary locations around the housing joint. The plurality of secondary clamps222bare substantially similar to the primary clamp222a, for example, are V-shaped clamps, are formed from the same material, define the same curvature and have the same length (e.g., arc length) as the primary clamp222a. The distinguishing between the primary clamp222aand the secondary clamps222bis thus only by virtue of the positioning of the primary clamp222aat the primary location.

In other embodiments, any number of secondary clamps222bcan be used, for example 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 clamps. In such embodiments, the secondary clamps222bcan be different from the primary clamp222a, for example by having a different length. More specifically, the secondary clamps222bcan be longer than the primary clamp222bso that the primary clamp222bare positioned on a longer peripheral length of the housing joint relative to the primary clamp222a. The primary clamp222aand the plurality of the secondary clamps222bhave a total length so that a combination of the primary clamp222aand the plurality of secondary clamps222bsurround substantially all of the perimeter (e.g., circumference) of the housing joint.

A band226is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket224, as described herein. The band226is positioned around and contacts each of the plurality of secondary clamps222b. The band226is configured to be tightened so as to urge the mounting bracket224and thereby the primary clamp222a, and the plurality of secondary clamps222btowards the housing joint to secure the housing joint. The band226can be formed from any suitable material, for example metals or polymers.

As shown inFIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the band226includes a band first portion226acoupled to a mounting bracket first end, and a band second portion226bis coupled to a mounting bracket second end which is opposite the mounting bracket first end. The mounting bracket224includes a second sidewall which extends from the sidewall227acontacting the primary clamp222aand is orthogonal to the sidewall227a(e.g., oriented at an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees to the sidewall).

Throughholes are defined in the second sidewall at the mounting bracket first end and the mounting bracket second end. A band first portion mounting fastener229aand a band second portion mounting fastener229bare inserted through the corresponding throughholes. A loop is defined on an end of the band first portion226awhich is slid over the band first portion mounting fastener229ato secure the band first portion226ato the mounting bracket first end, as shown inFIG. 7. Similarly, a loop is also defined on an end of the band second portion226bwhich is slid over the band second portion mounting fastener229bto secure the band second portion226bto the mounting bracket second end. In other embodiments, the ends of the band first portion226aand the band second portion226bcan be secured to the sidewall227acontacting the primary clamp222a. For example, slots, clips or any other securing mechanism can be provided on the mounting bracket first end and the mounting bracket second end on the sidewall227afor securing the ends to the band first portion226aand the band second portion226b, respectively.

A winch240is coupled to a second end of each of the band first portion226aand the band second portion226bdistal from the mounting bracket224. The winch240can include, for example a lead screw type tightening winch, a ratchet winch, any other suitable winch or any other tightening mechanism. The winch240is configured to urge the band first portion226aand the band second portion226btowards each other (i.e., tighten the band226) to clamp the mounting bracket224and thereby the primary clamp222a, and the plurality of secondary clamps222btowards the housing joint.

The mounting arm232is coupled to the mounting bracket224and is configured to mount the housing210on a structure e.g., a vehicle chassis. The mounting arm232includes a mounting arm coupling portion231and the mounting arm mounting portion233(seeFIG. 6). The mounting arm mounting portion233and optionally, the mounting arm coupling portion231define a plurality of mounting apertures234. The mounting apertures234can be configured to receive fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets and/or pins) therethrough for coupling or mounting the mounting arm232, and thereby mounting the aftertreatment system200to the structure.

The mounting arm mounting portion233extends from the mounting arm coupling portion231at a non-zero angle relative to the mounting arm coupling portion231. In various embodiments, the non-zero angle can be in the range of 30 degrees to 150 degrees and can be varied or adjusted based on a specific shape or geometry of the structure on which the aftertreatment system200is to be mounted.

The mounting bracket second portion224bis positioned parallel to the second sidewall of the mounting bracket first portion224asuch that a space is defined therebetween, as shown inFIG. 6. The space is configured to receive the mounting arm coupling portion231of the mounting arm232. The mounting bracket first portion224aand the mounting bracket second portion224bare separate members which are coupled to the mounting arm coupling portion231on either side to secure the mounting arm232.

A plurality of fasteners225are used to couple the mounting bracket first portion224aand the mounting bracket second portion224bsuch that the mounting arm coupling portion231is secured therebetween. Expanding further, the mounting bracket first portion224a, the mounting bracket second portion224band the mounting arm coupling portion231define mating throughholes through which the plurality of fasteners225are inserted to secure the mounting arm coupling portion231between the mounting bracket first portion224aand the mounting bracket second portion224b.

FIG. 8is a schematic flow diagram of an example method300for securing a housing joint of a housing (e.g., the housing110or210). The housing includes a housing first portion (e.g., the housing first portion112, or212) including a first joint portion configured to overlap a second joint portion of a housing second portion (e.g., the housing second portion116or216) so as to form a housing joint.

The method300includes positioning a primary clamp at a primary location of the housing joint so that the primary clamps abuts at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion at302. For example, the primary clamp122aor222ais positioned on the primary location of housing joint of the housing110or210, as described above. In various embodiments, the primary location is configured to be positioned proximate to a structure (e.g., a vehicle chassis) on which the housing (e.g., the housing110or210) may be mounted.

A mounting bracket is positioned on the primary clamp so that the mounting bracket contacts the primary clamp at304. For example, the mounting bracket (e.g.,124or224) includes a sidewall (e.g., the curved sidewall227aof the mounting bracket224) configured to continuously contact the primary clamp, as described before.

A band is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket at306. For example, the band (e.g., the band226) can include a band first portion (e.g., the band first portion226a) and a band second portion (e.g., the band second portion226b). The band first portion is coupled to a mounting bracket first end and the band second portion is coupled to a mounting bracket second end opposite the first end. For example, loops can be defined on an end of the band first portion and the band second portion which can be looped around fasteners inserted through throughholes defined in the mounting bracket, as described above.

A plurality of secondary clamps are positioned at a plurality of secondary locations of the housing joint so that the plurality of secondary clamps abut at least a portion of the first joint portion and the second joint portion at308. Each of the plurality of secondary locations are different than the primary location. For example, the secondary clamps122bor222bare positioned at various secondary locations around the housing joint. The secondary clamps can be similar in size and shape to the primary clamp or different, as described before. Furthermore, any number of secondary clamps can be used, for example 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 as described before.

The band is positioned around each of the plurality of secondary clamps such that the band contacts each of the plurality of secondary clamps at310. For example, the band first portion226ais positioned around a first portion of the plurality of secondary clamps222b, and the band second portion226bis positioned around a second portion of the plurality of secondary clamps222bsuch that the band first portion226aand the band second portion226bin combination are positioned around each of the plurality of secondary clamps222b.

The band is tightened so as to urge the mounting bracket and thereby the primary clamp222a, and the plurality of secondary clamps222btowards the housing joint to secure the housing joint at312. For example, the winch240or any other tightening mechanism is coupled to each of the band first portion226aand the band second portion226b. The winch240can be coupled to a second end of each of the band first portion226aand the band second portion226bdistal from the mounting bracket. The band226is tightened by operating the winch to urge the band first portion226aand the band second portion226btowards each other to clamp the mounting bracket224and thereby the primary clamp222a, the plurality of secondary clamps222btowards the housing joint.

A mounting arm is coupled to the mounting bracket at314. For example, the mounting arm132or232is coupled to the mounting bracket124or224or described before. In specific embodiments, the mounting bracket (e.g., the mounting bracket224) includes a mounting arm coupling portion (e.g., the mounting arm coupling portion231) at least a portion of which is positioned in a space between a mounting bracket first portion (e.g., the mounting bracket first portion224a) and a mounting bracket second portion (e.g., the mounting bracket second portion224b). A plurality of fasteners (e.g., the plurality of fasteners225) can be passed through mating throughholes defined in the mounting bracket first portion, the mounting arm coupling portion and the mounting arm second portion such that the mounting arm coupling portion is secured between the mounting arm first portion and the mounting arm second portion.

The housing is mounted on a structure via the mounting arm at316. For example, the mounting arm (e.g., the mounting arm132or232) can define a plurality of mounting apertures (e.g., the mounting apertures134or234). Fasteners can be inserted through the plurality of apertures to mount or install the housing on a structure (e.g., a vehicle chassis).

It should be noted that the term “example” is used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various example embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Additionally, it should be understood that features from one embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with features of other embodiments disclosed herein as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various example embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.