| abstract |
A vehicle (10) and a fuel storage system (12) for a vehicle are provided. A frame (36) defining a perimeter structure and having first (40) and second (42) ends, and a generally open central interior portion (44), is configured to receive any one of a plurality of vehicle bodies in a body-on-frame vehicle architecture. A fuel cell arrangement is disposed adjacent one end of the frame, and a fuel storage tank (14) is disposed in the central interior portion of the frame, along a length of the frame. The fuel storage tank provides a source of fuel for the fuel cell, and also acts as a fuel delivery conduit from one end of the frame to the other. The fuel storage system includes a non-rigid mounting structure (56) for the fuel tank, thereby substantially isolating the fuel tank from movements of the vehicle frame. |