Patent Publication Number: US-11648834-B2

Title: Refuse vehicle with independently operational accessory system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/007,605, filed Aug. 31, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/943,295, filed Jul. 30, 2020, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/881,089, filed Jul. 31, 2019, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Refuse vehicles collect a wide variety of waste, trash, and other material from residences and businesses. Operators of the refuse vehicles transport the material from various waste receptacles within a municipality to a storage or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, an incineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.). 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicle includes multiple tractive elements, a prime mover, and an independent accessory system. The prime mover is configured to generate mechanical energy to drive one or more of the tractive elements. The independent accessory system includes one or more storage tanks configured to store a fuel, and an accessory primary mover. The accessory primary mover is configured to fluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storage tanks and operate to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory of the refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover is configured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refuse vehicle independently of operation of the prime mover. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an independent accessory system for a refuse vehicle. The system includes one or more storage tanks configured to store a fuel, and an accessory primary mover. The accessory primary mover is configured to fluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storage tanks and operate to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory of the refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover is configured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refuse vehicle independently of operation of a prime mover of the refuse vehicle. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicle includes an independent compressed natural gas (CNG) system including multiple CNG storage tanks configured to store CNG fuel. The independent compressed natural gas (CNG) also includes an independent CNG engine. The independent CNG engine is configured to receive the CNG fuel from the multiple CNG storage tanks and generate mechanical energy using the CNG fuel. The independent CNG engine operates independently of operation of a primary mover of the refuse vehicle. 
     This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a refuse vehicle including an independent accessory system, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of the independent accessory system of the refuse vehicle of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of a control system of the refuse vehicle of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a block diagram of a charging system for the refuse vehicle of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a support structure for fuel tanks of the independent accessory system of the refuse vehicle of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the refuse vehicle of  FIG.  1   , with an accessory power unit that contains some of the components of the independent accessory system of  FIG.  1   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the FIGURES. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Overview 
     Referring generally to the FIGURES, a refuse vehicle includes a prime mover configured to drive the refuse vehicle for transportation. The refuse vehicle may include tractive elements (e.g., wheels) that are configured to be driven by the prime mover to transport the refuse vehicle from location to location. The prime mover can be an electric motor, a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine, an internal combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, etc.), or any combination thereof. For example, the refuse vehicle may be a hybrid refuse vehicle that includes both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. 
     The refuse vehicle also includes an independent accessory system that is configured to operate various body functions of the refuse vehicle. For example, the independent accessory system can be configured to operate lift arms, a packer apparatus, a tailgate, lifting/dumping apparatuses, etc., of the refuse vehicle. The independent accessory system can include one or more fuel tanks (e.g., pressure vessels) that store fuel (e.g., CNG fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline fuel, etc.) for use by an engine (e.g., an internal combustion engine). The fuel may be stored in the one or more fuel tanks as a liquid fuel, a gaseous fuel, or a combination thereof (e.g., a saturated fuel). The engine may be configured to fluidly couple with the fuel tanks to receive fuel from the tanks, combust the fuel, and drive a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump can draw or recirculate hydraulic fluid from a reservoir and provide the hydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders can be operated to perform various body functions (e.g., by extending and/or retracting). 
     The independent accessory system can be operated by a user through a human machine interface (HMI) and a controller. The controller may receive user inputs from the HMI and generate control signals for the engine and/or the hydraulic pump to perform requested operations of the body functions. The engine and the hydraulic pump may be sized according to requirements of the various body functions. For example, a compaction apparatus that compacts, crushes, compresses, or otherwise packs refuse may require a larger hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump, and engine. Likewise, a smaller hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump, and engine may be suitable for lift arms for small refuse collection bins. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the independent accessory system are positioned within a modular unit (e.g., a modular add-on unit, an accessory power unit, etc.). The modular unit can be removably coupled with the refuse vehicle. The modular unit can include the engine, the hydraulic pump, a reservoir for the hydraulic pump, etc. In some embodiments, the modular unit is configured to fluidly couple with the fuel tanks to receive the fuel from the fuel tanks. The modular unit can be removably and/or fixedly coupled anywhere on the refuse vehicle, and may be fluidly coupled with the fuel tanks. 
     The prime mover of the refuse vehicle may be an electric motor. If the prime mover is an electric motor, the refuse vehicle may include a battery system having battery cells. The battery cells may store electrical energy (e.g., in the form of chemical energy) and provide the electrical energy to the electric motor for transportation. The battery system can be configured to removably electrically couple with a charging station that may be located at jobsites, along a route of the refuse vehicle, at charging locations, at a fleet management location (e.g., a home base), etc. The charging station can include an engine, a generator, and fuel tanks. The fuel tanks can provide the engine with fuel. The engine combusts the fuel and drives the generator (e.g., through a shaft). The generator then charges the batteries with electrical power/electrical energy that can be used to transport the refuse vehicle. 
     Overall Vehicle 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a vehicle, shown as refuse vehicle  10  (e.g., a garbage truck, a waste collection truck, a sanitation truck, a recycling truck, etc.), is configured as a front-loading refuse truck. In other embodiments, the refuse vehicle  10  is configured as a side-loading refuse truck or a rear-loading refuse truck. In still other embodiments, the vehicle is another type of vehicle (e.g., a skid-loader, a telehandler, a plow truck, a boom lift, etc.). As shown in  FIG.  1   , the refuse vehicle  10  includes a chassis, shown as frame  12 ; a body assembly, shown as body  14 , coupled to the frame  12  (e.g., at a rear end thereof, etc.); and a cab, shown as cab  16 , coupled to the frame  12  (e.g., at a front end thereof, etc.). The cab  16  may include various components to facilitate operation of the refuse vehicle  10  by an operator (e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, actuator controls, a user interface, switches, buttons, dials, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the refuse vehicle  10  includes an electric motor, a CNG engine, a hybrid engine, an internal combustion engine, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, etc., shown as prime mover  18 , and an energy storage system, shown as battery system  20 . In some embodiments, the prime mover is or includes an internal combustion engine. For example, the prime mover may be a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a CNG engine, etc. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   , the prime mover  18  is coupled to the frame  12  at a position beneath the cab  16 . The prime mover  18  is configured to provide power to a plurality of tractive elements, shown as wheels  22  (e.g., via a drive shaft, axles, etc.). In other embodiments, the prime mover  18  is otherwise positioned and/or the refuse vehicle  10  includes a plurality of electric motors to facilitate independently driving one or more of the wheels  22 . In still other embodiments, the prime mover  18  or a secondary electric motor is coupled to and configured to drive a hydraulic system that powers hydraulic actuators. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   , the battery system  20  is coupled to the frame  12  beneath the body  14 . In other embodiments, the battery system  20  is otherwise positioned (e.g., within a tailgate of the refuse vehicle  10 , beneath the cab  16 , along the top of the body  14 , within the body  14 , etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the battery system  20  is configured to provide electric power to (i) the prime mover  18  to drive the wheels  22 , (ii) electric actuators of the refuse vehicle  10  to facilitate operation thereof (e.g., lift actuators, tailgate actuators, packer actuators, grabber actuators, etc.), and/or (iii) other electrically operated accessories of the refuse vehicle  10  (e.g., displays, lights, etc.). In some embodiments, the refuse vehicle  10  includes an internal combustion generator that utilizes one or more fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, hydrogen, etc.) to generate electricity to charge the battery system  20 , power the prime mover  18 , power the electric actuators, and/or power the other electrically operated accessories (e.g., a hybrid refuse vehicle, etc.). For example, the refuse vehicle  10  may have an internal combustion engine augmented by the prime mover  18  to cooperatively provide power to the wheels  22 . The battery system  20  may thereby be charged via an on-board generator (e.g., an internal combustion generator, a solar panel system, etc.), from an external power source (e.g., overhead power lines, mains power source through a charging input, etc.), and/or via a power regenerative braking system, and provide power to the electrically operated systems of the refuse vehicle  10 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse vehicle  10  is configured to transport refuse from various waste receptacles within a municipality to a storage and/or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, an incineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.). As shown in  FIG.  1   , the body  14  includes a plurality of panels, shown as panels  32 , a tailgate  34 , and a cover  36 . The panels  32 , the tailgate  34 , and the cover  36  define a collection chamber (e.g., hopper, etc.), shown as refuse compartment  30 . Loose refuse may be placed into the refuse compartment  30  where it may thereafter be compacted (e.g., by a packer system, etc.). The refuse compartment  30  may provide temporary storage for refuse during transport to a waste disposal site and/or a recycling facility. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the body  14  and the refuse compartment  30  extend above or in front of the cab  16 . According to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   , the body  14  and the refuse compartment  30  are positioned behind the cab  16 . In some embodiments, the refuse compartment  30  includes a hopper volume and a storage volume. Refuse may be initially loaded into the hopper volume and thereafter compacted into the storage volume by a compacting apparatus  46 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the hopper volume is positioned between the storage volume and the cab  16  (e.g., refuse is loaded into a position of the refuse compartment  30  behind the cab  16  and stored in a position further toward the rear of the refuse compartment  30 , a front-loading refuse vehicle, a side-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In other embodiments, the storage volume is positioned between the hopper volume and the cab  16  (e.g., a rear-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the refuse vehicle  10  includes a lift mechanism/system (e.g., a front-loading lift assembly, etc.), shown as lift assembly  40 , coupled to the front end of the body  14 . In other embodiments, the lift assembly  40  extends rearward of the body  14  (e.g., a rear-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In still other embodiments, the lift assembly  40  extends from a side of the body  14  (e.g., a side-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). As shown in  FIG.  1   , the lift assembly  40  is configured to engage a container (e.g., a residential trash receptacle, a commercial trash receptacle, a container having a robotic grabber arm, etc.), shown as refuse container  60 . The lift assembly  40  may include various actuators (e.g., electric actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, etc.), shown as hydraulic cylinders  108 , to facilitate engaging the refuse container  60 , lifting the refuse container  60 , and tipping refuse out of the refuse container  60  into the hopper volume of the refuse compartment  30  through an opening in the cover  36  or through the tailgate  34 . The lift assembly  40  may thereafter return the empty refuse container  60  to the ground. According to an exemplary embodiment, a door, shown as top door  38 , is movably coupled along the cover  36  to seal the opening thereby preventing refuse from escaping the refuse compartment  30  (e.g., due to wind, bumps in the road, etc.). 
     Accessory Power System 
     Referring still to  FIG.  1   , the refuse vehicle  10  also includes an independent accessory system  100  (e.g., a CNG powered accessory system, a diesel powered accessory system, etc.), according to an exemplary embodiment. The independent accessory system  100  can be configured to drive, move, provide mechanical energy for, etc., or otherwise operate various body functions of refuse vehicle  10  independently of an operation of prime mover  18 . For example, the independent accessory system  100  can be configured to drive or operate the lift assembly  40 , a tailgate lift assembly  42 , etc., or any other body function, lift apparatus, auxiliary apparatus, etc., of the refuse vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, the independent accessory system  100  is configured to operate a hydraulic cylinder  108  of any of the lift apparatuses, auxiliary apparatuses, etc. The independent accessory system  100  may be configured to operate independently of the prime mover (e.g., prime mover  18 ) of the refuse vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, the independent accessory system  100  can operate to drive the hydraulic cylinders  108  without requiring operation of the prime mover  18 . For example, the independent accessory system  100  can independently provide mechanical energy for the various body functions  114  of the refuse vehicle  10 , without requiring operation of or mechanical energy from the prime mover  18  (e.g., even if prime mover  18  is shut-off or inoperational, or in an idle mode). In some embodiments, the independent accessory system  100  and operation of the prime mover  18  are linked (e.g., linked in a control scheme). However, if operation of the independent accessory system  100  and the prime mover  18  are linked in a control scheme, the independent accessory system  100  and the prime mover  18  (e.g., the prime mover of the refuse vehicle  10 ) may still be able to provide mechanical energy for their respective functions (e.g., operation of the body functions  114  and transportation of the refuse vehicle  10 , respectively) independent of the operation of each other. 
     The body functions can include operation of lift arms (e.g., front loading lift arms, side loading lift arms, rear loading lift arms), tailgates, dumping operations, packing operations, etc., of the refuse vehicle  10 . The refuse vehicle  10  can include various hydraulic cylinders  108  configured to perform any of the body functions described herein. For example, the refuse vehicle  10  can include the compacting apparatus  46  that is configured to pack, crush, compact, compress, etc., refuse that is loaded into the hopper or the body  14  using the hydraulic cylinders  108 . The independent accessory system  100  can be configured to operate any of the hydraulic cylinders  108  to perform the various body functions in response to user inputs. The independent accessory system  100  can be configured to perform the various body functions independently of each other, or in conjunction with each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the independent accessory system  100  includes one or more tanks, capsules, containers, pressure vessels, cartridges, etc., shown as fuel tanks  104  (e.g., CNG tanks, diesel fuel tanks, gasoline tanks, etc.). The fuel tanks  104  are supported, fixedly coupled, fixed, connected, etc., or otherwise coupled with a support unit, a mount unit, a structure, etc., shown as support structure  102  of the refuse vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, the fuel tanks  104  are positioned within the tailgate  34  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  5   , described in greater detail below). For example, the fuel tanks  104  and the support structure  102  can be disposed within an inner volume of the tailgate  34 . 
     The independent accessory system  100  also includes an internal combustion engine, a CNG engine, a diesel engine, a fuel cell, a hydrogen engine, an electric motor, etc., shown as accessory prime mover  110 . The accessory prime mover  110  is configured to receive fuel (e.g., diesel fuel, gasoline, CNG, hydrogen, electrical energy, a resource, etc.) from the fuel tanks  104  through a piping system, a plumbing system, one or more pipes, etc. The piping system can include various tubular members, pipes, hoses, valves, connectors, etc., that fluidly couple with the tank  112  and the accessory prime mover  110  such that fuel can be provided from the tank  112  to the accessory prime mover  110 . The accessory prime mover  110  can use the fuel (e.g., combust the fuel) to produce mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is output by the accessory prime mover  110  to a pump  106 . The pump  106  can be driven by the accessory prime mover  110  and draw hydraulic fluid from a fluid reservoir, a tank, etc., shown as tank  112 . The tank  112  is coupled with (e.g., fixedly coupled, attached, mounted, etc.) with the refuse vehicle  10 . The tank  112  can be fixedly coupled with the body  14 . The pump  106  outputs the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders  108  to operate the hydraulic cylinders  108  to perform the body functions  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the accessory prime mover  110  is a smaller engine than the prime mover  18 . The accessory prime mover  110  and the hydraulic pump  106  can be sized according to requirements of the various body functions. Other refuse vehicles use the prime mover  18  to drive the body functions. However, this may be inefficient, since the prime mover  18  is sized to transport the refuse vehicle  10  (e.g., to provide torque to the wheels  22 ) and may be oversized for the body functions. Using a smaller engine (e.g., the accessory prime mover  110 ) with a correspondingly sized hydraulic pump  106  facilitates a more efficient and robust refuse vehicle, which does not use an oversized prime mover  18  for body functions. 
     Advantageously, the independent accessory system  100  can use pre-existing infrastructure of the refuse vehicle  10 . For example, CNG-powered refuse vehicles (e.g., refuse vehicles that use a CNG engine as the prime mover for transportation purposes) may already include a support structure and fuel tanks that can be used by the accessory prime mover  110 /hydraulic pump  106  for the body functions. 
     Accessory Power Unit 
     Referring particularly to  FIG.  6   , one or more portions of the independent accessory system  100  can be contained in, enclosed in, supported by, etc., a modular unit, an add-on unit, a removable unit, etc., shown as accessory power unit (APU)  120 . The APU  120  can be configured to integrate with existing infrastructure (e.g., CNG infrastructure) of the refuse vehicle  10  to operate or drive the various body functions of the refuse vehicle  10 . The refuse vehicle  10  can be configured as a front loading refuse vehicle, a side loading refuse vehicle, a rear loading refuse vehicle, etc. It should be understood that while the inventive concepts described herein reference a refuse vehicle, it is contemplated that the APU  120  and/or the various components of the independent accessory system  100  are also applicable to various other types of vehicles that include body functions. For example, the independent accessory system  100  and/or the APU  120  can be used on a fire truck, a commercial truck, a heavy-duty truck, etc., or any vehicle that has body functions to be operated independently of the transportation of the vehicle. 
     The APU  120  can be removably coupled with the refuse vehicle  10  on an underside of the body  14 . For example, the APU  120  can be fixedly and removably coupled with the frame  12  beneath the body  14 . The APU  120  can be fixedly and removably coupled at a front of the frame  12 , at a rear end of the frame  12 , centrally along the frame  12 , etc. In other embodiments, the APU  120  can be fixedly and removably coupled with a side of the body  14 , within the body  14 , within a compartment of the body  14 , on top of the body  14 , etc. The APU  120  can be positioned anywhere about the body  14  or anywhere on the refuse vehicle  10  that provides sufficient structural strength (e.g., along the frame  12 , near a chassis of the refuse vehicle  10 , etc.). 
     The APU  120  includes the accessory prime mover  110 , the tank  112 , and the hydraulic pump  106 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The APU  120  can be a hollow container that protects the various internal components (e.g., the accessory prime mover  110 , the tank  112 , the hydraulic pump  106 , etc.) and removably couples with the refuse vehicle  10 . The accessory prime mover  110  of the APU  120  fluidly couples with the fuel tanks  104  through a plumbing system, a piping system, etc., shown as tubular system  122 . The tubular system  122  includes various tubular members that fluidly couple the fuel tanks  104  with the accessory prime mover  110 . The accessory prime mover  110  receives the fuel from the fuel tanks  104  through the tubular system  122 , combusts the fuel, and drives the hydraulic pump  106 . The hydraulic pump  106  then drives the hydraulic cylinder(s)  108  of the various body functions of the refuse vehicle  10  (e.g., through various tubular members, pipes, etc.). 
     Advantageously, the APU  120  facilitates a versatile refuse vehicle with improved efficiency since the accessory prime mover  110  and the hydraulic pump  106  are sized to serve or drive the various hydraulic cylinders  108 . The APU  120  can be installed by a technician, plumbed (e.g., by fluidly coupling the accessory prime mover  110  with the fuel tanks  104  through installation of the tubular system  122 ), and used to operate the various body functions of the refuse vehicle  10 . Advantageously, the various body functions of the refuse vehicle  10  can be operated independently of the prime mover  18 . The APU  120  can integrate with existing structure (e.g., existing fuel tanks  104 ), to thereby convert refuse vehicles to the refuse vehicle  10  described herein. 
     Control System 
     Referring particularly to  FIG.  3   , a control system  200  can be configured to operate the refuse vehicle  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The control system  200  includes a controller that is configured to generate control signals for a drivetrain, a chassis, etc., of the refuse vehicle  10 , shown as drivetrain  210 . The drivetrain  210  includes an engine  202 , a transmission  204 , and wheels  22  of the refuse vehicle  10 . The engine  202  may be the prime mover  18  of the refuse vehicle  10 . The engine  202  can produce mechanical energy and output the mechanical energy to the transmission  204 . The transmission  204  receives the mechanical energy from the engine  202  and outputs mechanical energy (e.g., rotational kinetic energy) to the wheels  22  (e.g., at a higher torque than the mechanical energy input by the engine  202 ). 
     Control system  200  includes a controller  208  that is configured to generate control signals for the engine  202  and the transmission  204 . The controller  208  can include a circuit, shown as processing circuit  216 , a processor, shown as processor  212 , and memory, shown as memory  214 , according to an exemplary embodiment. Controller  208  may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. The processing circuit  216  of controller  208  may include an ASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components (i.e., processor  212 ). In some embodiments, the processing circuit  216  is configured to execute computer code stored in memory  214  to facilitate the activities described herein. 
     Memory  214  may be any volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable of storing data or computer code relating to the activities described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, memory  214  includes computer code modules (e.g., executable code, object code, source code, script code, machine code, etc.) configured for execution by the processing circuit  216 . 
     In some embodiments, a single controller  208  is configured to generate control signals for both the drivetrain  210  and the independent accessory system  100 . In other embodiments, multiple controllers  208  are configured to generate control signals for independent accessory system  100  and drivetrain  210  independently of each other. For example, a first controller  208  can be configured to provide control signals to engine  202  and/or transmission  204  of drivetrain  210 , while a second controller  208  can be configured to provide control signals for independent accessory system  100 . The first and second controllers  208  can be configured to receive user inputs from a human machine interface (HMI) or a user interface, shown as HMI  218 . In some embodiments, the first and second controllers  208  are configured to receive user inputs from separate HMIs  218 . The HMIs  218  can be positioned within the cab  16  or near the associated body functions (e.g., near lift assembly  40 ). For example, the HMI  218  that controls the operation of the drivetrain  210  can be disposed within the cab  16 , while the HMI  218  that controls the operation of the lift assembly  40  can be positioned on the body  14  near the lift assembly  40 . 
     Charging System 
     Referring particularly to  FIG.  4   , a charging system  300  can be used to re-charge batteries  44  of the battery system  20 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The charging system  300  includes a charging station  302  that can be positioned at a fleet management site, at a job site, along the refuse vehicle&#39;s route, etc. The charging station  302  includes one or more fuel tanks  306 , an engine  304 , and a generator  308 . The fuel tanks  306  can be the same as or similar to the fuel tanks  104  on the refuse vehicle  10 . Likewise, the engine  304  can be similar to the accessory prime mover  110  on the refuse vehicle  10 . 
     The refuse vehicle  10  includes controller  208  that is configured to generate and provide control signals for prime mover  18  (e.g., an electric motor) and/or accessory prime mover  110 . The controller  208  can be configured to receive user inputs from HMI  218  and generate the control signals for the prime mover  18  and/or the accessory prime mover  110  based on the user inputs. In some embodiments, the controller  208  generates control signals to operate the prime mover  18  and/or the accessory prime mover  110  to perform operations requested by the user through HMI  218 . 
     The refuse vehicle  10  can be driven by an electric motor, an engine (e.g., engine  202 ), or a hybrid engine-electric motor. In this way, the refuse vehicle may be an electrically driven refuse vehicle, an internal-combustion engine driven vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. For example, the refuse vehicle  10  can include a plurality of prime movers. One or more of the prime movers can be electric motors (e.g., the prime mover  18 ) and/or internal combustion engines (e.g., the engine  202 ). The electric motors used to transport the refuse vehicle  10  are supplied with power by batteries  44  of the battery system  20 . 
     The batteries  44  can be removable and/or replaceable battery cells. For example, the batteries  44  can be charged at a fleet management site in a charging rack, then installed into the refuse vehicle  10 . The batteries  44  can be later removed (e.g., after a state of charge of the batteries  44  has been depleted) and replaced with new or fresh batteries (e.g., that may be stored on the refuse vehicle  10 ). 
     The operator of the refuse vehicle  10  may arrive at a job site, or at a fleet management location and electrically couple the charging station  302  with the batteries  44 . Since some refuse vehicles operate using CNG, the charging station  302  may use pre-existing fuel tanks  306  at the fleet management location that store CNG. In some embodiments, the engine  304  and the generator  308  are packaged in a unit that is configured to fluidly couple with the fuel tanks  306 . In some embodiments, the fuel tanks  306  are removably fluidly coupled with the engine  304 . In this way, the fuel tanks  306  can be used for replenishing the fuel tanks  104  on the refuse vehicle  10  and/or for charging batteries  44  of the refuse vehicle  10 . The generator  308  can be any mechanical transducer capable of receiving mechanical energy (e.g., rotational kinetic energy) and generating electrical energy for the batteries  44 . For example, the generator  308  can include a stator and an armature that is driven by the engine  304  to produce electrical current or electrical energy. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  2   , the accessory prime mover  110  can be configured to output mechanical energy to generator  116  to drive generator  116  to generate electrical power. The electrical power is provided to batteries  44  of refuse vehicle  10  to charge the batteries  44 . In this way, accessory prime mover  110  can operate independently to drive generator  116  to charge batteries  44  of refuse vehicle  10 . 
     Support Infrastructure 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , one possible infrastructure of the support structure  102  includes the fuel tanks  104  stored within the tailgate  34 . The tailgate  34  can include a first or inner member  502  and a second or outer member  504 . The first member  502  is configured to fixedly and/or pivotally couple with the refuse vehicle  10 . The first member  502  and the second member  504  can be configured to removably and fixedly couple with each other to define an inner volume. The fuel tanks  104  can be fixedly coupled with the first member  502  and stored within the inner volume defined by the first member  502  and the second member  504 . The fuel tanks  104  can be oriented horizontally (as shown in  FIG.  5   ) or vertically. The fuel tanks  104  can be fixedly coupled with the first member  502  at their ends (e.g., with fasteners). In some embodiments, the fuel tanks  104  extend along substantially an entire width of the tailgate  34 . 
     It should be understood that while several configurations of the support structure  102  are described herein, the inventive concepts are not limited to these configurations of the support structure  102 . The fuel tanks  104  can be positioned anywhere on the refuse vehicle  10 , or in multiple locations. For example, the fuel tanks  104  can be positioned on top of the refuse vehicle  10  (e.g., on top of the body  14 ), underneath the refuse vehicle  10  (e.g., on an underside of the body  14 , on the frame  12  beneath the refuse vehicle  10 , etc.), between the cab  16  and the body  14 , etc. 
     Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
     Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the refuse vehicle  10  and the systems and components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.