US Patent 10106032 Refuse vehicle having tailgate-mounted CNG tanks

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis having an engine, a body assembly, a tailgate pivotally attached to the body assembly, a CNG fuel system having a CNG fuel tank coupled to the tailgate and moveable therewith, the engine configured to be powered by the CNG fuel system, at least one of one a non-structural conduit, a non-structural raceway, and a non-structural channel configured to contain at least one of wiring and a hydraulic line, and an impact mitigation system. The impact mitigation system is a passive system and includes a skeleton. The skeleton includes a plurality of structural frame members positioned to direct impact loads around the CNG fuel tank. The impact mitigation system provides a protected region within which the CNG fuel tank is disposed.