U.S. patent application number 11/783597 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for modular liquid reservoir.
This patent application is currently assigned to MANN & HUMMEL GMBH. Invention is credited to David Hewkin.
Application Number | 20070235458 11/783597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38574086 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070235458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hewkin; David |
October 11, 2007 |
Modular liquid reservoir
Abstract
A modular liquid reservoir comprises a plurality of shell
sections that in an assembled state define a fluid tight reservoir
volume. Each shell section includes a plurality of flow apertures
that are adapted to fixedly engage a variety of interchangeable,
insertable attachments.
Inventors: |
Hewkin; David; (Battle
Creek, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
MANN & HUMMEL GMBH
Ludwigsburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
38574086 |
Appl. No.: |
11/783597 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60790541 |
Apr 10, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/612 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01P 11/029
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/612 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/28 20060101
B65D006/28 |
Claims
1. A liquid reservoir comprising: a plurality of shell sections
assembled along annular mating surfaces and defining an interior
region for storing fluids; and a plurality of attachment members;
wherein the annular mating surfaces are formed in an axial end
surface of the shell sections and each shell section comprises a
plurality of apertures, each aperture adapted to fixably engage a
respective one of said attachment members.
2. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the interior region has
a substantially circular or oval cross section.
3. The liquid reservoir of claim 1-, wherein the shell sections are
formed from a synthetic resin material.
4. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein shell sections are
welded together along a respective pair of annular mating
surfaces.
5. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein shell sections are
clamped or bolted together along a respective pair of annular
mating surfaces.
6. The liquid reservoir of claim 5, further comprising a
circumferential seal forming member between each respective pair of
annular mating surfaces.
7. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the attachment members
are formed from a synthetic resin material.
8. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein each attachment member
is engaged with a respective one of each aperture using a weld.
9. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein each attachment member
is engaged with a respective one of each aperture using a clamp or
a plurality of bolts.
10. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the shell sections
comprise two end cap shell sections.
11. The liquid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the shell sections
comprise two end cap shell sections and at least one expansion
shell sections.
12. A method of forming a fluid storage reservoir, said method
comprising the acts of: joining a plurality of shell sections along
annular mating surfaces to define a reservoir volume, and joining a
plurality of attachment members to apertures formed in the shell
sections, wherein the annular mating surfaces are formed in an
axial end surface of the shell sections.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the shell sections are made of a
synthetic resin and are joined together by hot plate melting.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the shell sections and the
attachment members are made of a synthetic resin and are joined
together by hot plate melting.
15. A synthetic resin shell section adapted to form a fluid tight
reservoir, said shell section comprising at least one annular
mating surface formed in an axial end surface thereof, and a
plurality of apertures formed in an outer wall of the shell
section, each aperture adapted to fixedly engage a synthetic resin
attachment member thereto.
16. The shell section of claim 15, wherein the shell section is an
end cap shell section.
17. The shell section of claim 15., wherein the shell section is an
expansion shell section.
18. The shell section of claim 17, wherein an interior region of
the expansion shell section comprises a structural reinforcing
member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a liquid storage reservoir having a
modular construction.
[0002] Automobiles use a variety of liquid-containing systems for
efficient operation. For example, closed-loop liquid coolant
circulation systems are used in conjunction with vehicle engines to
dissipate heat that is created during normal operation of the
engine. Such coolant circulation systems typically include a
pressurized coolant reservoir and may further include an overflow
reservoir. The overflow reservoir, if provided, can accommodate
excess liquid coolant that is generated due to thermal expansion of
the coolant supply during periods of elevated engine and/or ambient
temperature. An overflow reservoir can also be used to add fluid to
or remove fluid from the coolant circulation system. In addition to
coolant circulation systems, vehicles may use other
liquid-containing systems, e.g., an automatic windshield washing
system that includes a reservoir for storing washer fluid.
[0003] In these liquid-containing systems, in order to facilitate
flow of liquid between a respective reservoir and the remainder of
the system, the reservoir will typically include at least one
outlet aperture that may be disposed at a lower portion of the
reservoir such that the system is gravity fed. Likewise, liquid
reservoirs are typically provided with at least one inlet aperture
that allows liquid to be added to the reservoir. The inlet and
outlet apertures typically comprise fittings to form a sealed fluid
connection between the reservoir and the remainder of the system.
In addition to the inlet and outlet apertures, further apertures
may be provided that cooperate with monitoring equipment to measure
a condition of the contents of the reservoir.
[0004] In order to efficiently incorporate the various
liquid-containing systems into a vehicle, the liquid reservoirs
must conform to a variety of design considerations. The design
considerations, which may impose physical or geometric constraints,
may be different for different vehicle makes and models, and
typically encompass variables such as the volume and shape of the
reservoir, the number, type and position of the attendant inlet(s)
and outlet(s), and the incorporation of mounting hardware.
[0005] Due to the large number of possible combinations of design
criteria facing automobile manufacturers, it would be advantageous
to provide a liquid reservoir for a liquid-containing system having
a modular construction whereby automakers could select from a
variety of stock parts and assemble with relative ease a liquid
reservoir having the desired functionality, geometry, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is a primary object of the invention to provide a liquid
reservoir having an easily modifiable configuration and/or
capacity.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid
reservoir constructed from a plurality of shell sections, each
shell section having formed therein a plurality of apertures
adapted to engage a variety of functional attachments.
[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a modular
liquid reservoir constructed from a plurality of versatile,
interchangeable, relatively inexpensive components.
[0009] Disclosed is a modular liquid reservoir comprising a
plurality of shell sections which when assembled along annular
mating surfaces define a fluid tight reservoir volume. Generally,
an assembled reservoir includes a pair of end cap shell sections
and one or more optional expansion shell sections. Each end cap
shell section includes one annular mating surface, while each
expansion shell section includes two annular mating surfaces. Each
shell section further includes a plurality of apertures that are
each adapted to fixedly engage an attachment member.
[0010] These and other features of preferred embodiments of the
invention, in addition to being set forth in the claims, are also
disclosed in the specification and/or in the drawings, and the
individual features each may be implemented in embodiments of the
invention either individually or in the form of subcombinations of
two or more features and can be applied to other fields of use and
may constitute advantageous, separately protectable constructions
for which protection is also claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will be described in further detail
hereinafter with reference to illustrative preferred embodiments
shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an assembled modular reservoir according to a
first embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an end cap shell section having a variety of
attachment members joined thereto.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an assembled modular reservoir according to a
second embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows an expansion shell section having a plurality
of attachment members joined thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An assembled reservoir according to one embodiment is shown
in FIG. 1. The reservoir 100 includes a pair of end cap shell
sections 110, 120. The shell sections are preferably formed from a
synthetic resin material and comprise an interior region having a
substantially circular or oval cross section. Adjacent shell
sections in an assembled reservoir are axially aligned and
connected with each other along complimentary annular mating
surfaces formed at one end of each shell section. End cap shell
sections 110, 120 are joined along shared interface 130 to form the
reservoir volume therebetween. As illustrated, end cap shell
section 110 is hot plate welded to end cap shell section 120 via
weld flanges 115, 125 to form a permanent bond along interface 130.
The annular mating surfaces are adapted to provide a fluid tight
seal between joined shell sections.
[0017] First end cap shell section 110 has an interior region
having a first volume (V1), and second end cap shell section 120
has an interior region having a second volume (V2) such the total
reservoir volume is approximately equal to V1+V2. As illustrated in
FIG. 1, V1<V2. The volumes of the shell sections used to form a
reservoir may be equal or unequal. Advantageously, the volumes of
the shell sections can be selected in order to satisfy the shape
and total volume requirements of the reservoir. Preferred end cap
shell sections each have a volume ranging from about 0.5 to 3.5
liters (e.g., 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 or 3.5 liters).
[0018] The connection between adjacent shell sections is preferably
formed using known synthetic resin welding techniques such as hot
plate welding, sonic welding, spin welding, or vibratory welding.
These resin bonding techniques create substantially permanent bonds
such that the shell sections, once joined, are not readily
separable.
[0019] Other joining methods can be used such that the joined parts
are readily separable. Such methods include snap-on, screw-on, or
dovetail connections or using one or more fastening members such as
clamps or bolts, preferably in connection with a seal forming
member such as an O-ring that is disposed between mating
surfaces.
[0020] According to one embodiment, the fastening member used to
connect adjacent shell sections comprises a circumferential clamp
that cooperates with a pair of radially-extending flanges formed at
the outer circumference of each mating surface. The flanges can be
comprise a bevel along a non-mating axial surface thereof such that
hoop stress provided by the clamp operates to forcibly engage
aligned shell sections in an axial direction and form a fluid tight
seal along the mating surfaces.
[0021] As an alternative to providing a clamp, holes formed through
mating flanges and in axial alignment with one another can receive
fastening elements, e.g., bolts, that secure adjacent shell
sections. Regardless of the fastening member used to join adjacent
shell sections, the mating surfaces form a substantially circular
or oval seal surface extending 360.degree. about the circumference
of the reservoir.
[0022] Each shell section further includes a plurality of apertures
adapted to fixably engage an attachment member. The apertures are
formed in an outer wall of the shell section and provide a conduit
between the outside of the assembled reservoir and the inside of
the assembled reservoir.
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 1, reservoir 100 includes a
plurality of attachment members. The attachment members are
preferably formed from a synthetic resin material and, in a
preferred embodiment, are hot plate welded over a respective
aperture formed in one of the shell sections. The above mentioned
joining methods can also be used to join an attachment member to a
shell section.
[0024] The attachment members include flow attachments such as
fillnecks, nipples, and the like, and non-flow attachments such as
attachments adapted to include monitoring apparatus such as a level
sensor, thermometer, pH probe, and the like. An attachment member
can also comprise a stopcock attachment that permanently or
temporarily closes the aperture. As shown, joined to end cap shell
110 are nipple attachment 140 and fillneck attachment 150. Joined
to end cap shell 120 is nipple attachment 160.
[0025] Each attachment member comprises a base section having a
mating surface for joining with a cooperating mating surface formed
around the corresponding shell section aperture. Fillneck 150, for
example, comprises base section 152 having a weld flange 154.
Similarly, nipple attachment 160 comprises base section 162.
[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, attachment members can
be attached to shell sections in a variety of locations and/or in
one of a number of different orientations. For example, nipple
attachments are preferably joined to outlet apertures and fillneck
attachments are preferably joined to inlet apertures. Other
arrangements are possible, however, such as joining a nipple
attachment to an inlet aperture.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, nipple 164 of nipple attachment
160 is aligned axially with respect to reservoir 100. In an
alternate configuration (shown using broken lines) nipple 164a can
be aligned radially with respect to reservoir 100. Advantageously,
by allowing post-manufacture assemblage of the shell sections and
the attachment members, end users can create liquid reservoirs that
substantially conform to governing design criteria.
[0028] The attachments can be interchangeable such that a variety
of different attachments can be attached to a particular aperture.
Because each shell section includes a plurality of apertures each
adapted to receive a number of different attachments, the reservoir
can be assembled to accommodate a wide variety of design
considerations.
[0029] A variety of different attachments can be provided. Flow
attachments, for example, can have a variety of different
dimensions and configurations. Fillnecks can be threaded or
provided with a cam-type lock for engaging an external connection.
Likewise, the length, diameter and orientation of nipples can be
varied. A nipple attachment can comprise one or more nipples, and
where multiple nipples are provided, the respective nipples can be
configured substantially the same or substantially different from
each other.
[0030] Selection of the desired shell sections and attachment
members permits rapid custom manufacture of a fluid reservoir from
preassembled elements. The modular design is especially well
adapted for incorporation into the unique designs of various host
apparatus such as automobiles wherein reservoirs can be used as
coolant reservoirs, overflow reservoirs, washer reservoirs, and the
like. The reservoirs can be used to contain pressurized or
non-pressurized liquids.
[0031] A method of forming the reservoir comprise the steps of
joining a plurality of shell sections along annular mating surfaces
to define a reservoir volume, and joining a plurality of attachment
members to apertures formed in the shell sections.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of end cap shell section 110
showing the component prior to joining it to a second shell section
and prior to joining fillneck 150 to aperture 200. Aperture 200
includes a circumferential mating surface 202 such as a weld flange
that is adapted to form a fluid tight seal.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates how a variety of configurations
comprising different attachment members (or attachment members
positioned at different locations) can be created. As shown via the
inset illustrations, aperture 200 of end cap shell section 110 can
have joined thereto a nipple attachment member 210 comprising
radially-aligned nipple 214 (FIG. 2a), a nipple attachment member
220 comprising axially-aligned nipple 224 (FIG. 2b), or a stopcock
attachment member 230 comprising stopcock 234 (FIG. 2c).
[0034] Further illustrating the modular design of the reservoir,
FIG. 2d shows that a nipple attachment member comprising a single
nipple 140 can be replaced by a nipple attachment member 240
comprising first and second radially-aligned nipples 242, 244.
Optionally, one or more of the nipples 242, 244 could be aligned
axially (not shown). Furthermore, the modular design permits the
location of the attachment members to be variable. As an
alternative, or in addition to nipples 140, 242, 244, an attachment
member 250 comprising one or two nipples (252, 254) can be
incorporated in end cap member 110 at a different position with
respect to the overall reservoir design. Such flexibility allows an
end user to position the desired attachment(s) in the desired
location(s) with respect to the overall geometry of the
reservoir.
[0035] An assembled reservoir according to a further embodiment is
shown in FIG. 3. The reservoir 300 includes a pair of end cap shell
sections 310, 320 and an expansion shell section 350 positioned
therebetween. The three shell sections are aligned axially whereby
end cap shell section 310 is joined along interface 330 with
expansion shell section 350, and end cap shell section 320 is
joined along interface 340 with expansion shell section 350.
[0036] First end cap shell section 310 has an interior region
having a first volume (V1), second end cap shell section 320 has an
interior region having a second volume (V2), and the expansion
shell section has an interior region having a third volume (V3)
such the total reservoir volume is approximately equal to V1+V2+V3.
Preferred expansion shell sections each have an individual volume
ranging from about 3 to 6 liters (e.g., 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 or 6
liters).
[0037] Attachment members can be joined to apertures formed in end
cap shell sections and/or expansion shell sections. Various
exemplary methods for joining attachment members to shell sections
(as well as for joining shell sections to each other) have been
described previously.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, adjacent pairs of the shell
sections (310, 350 and 320, 350) are hot plate welded to one
another and the various attachment members are hot plate welded
over a respective aperture to form fluid tight seals between joined
components. Joined to end cap shell 310 is nipple attachment 360
having axially-aligned nipple 364. Joined to end cap shell 320 are
nipple attachments 370 and 380. Nipple attachment 370 includes
axially-aligned nipple 374 and nipple attachment 380 includes
radially aligned nipple 384. Also, joined to expansion shell 350 is
fillneck attachment 390.
[0039] A perspective view of unassembled expansion shell section
350 is shown in FIG. 4. Expansion shell section 350 includes two
annular mating surfaces 352, 354 formed respectively in annular
weld flanges 353, 355. The shell section also includes attachment
member 385 fitted around aperture 380. Attachment member 385
includes weld flange 386 form in an outer circumferential surface
thereof and adapted to form a fluid tight seal with fillneck
attachment 390. As shown in the inset, as an alternative to
attachment member 385, a stopcock attachment 389 can be provided
which closes aperture 380.
[0040] As also illustrated in FIG. 4, the interior region of
expansion shell section 350 has incorporated therein an optional
structural reinforcing member 390. The structural reinforcing
member comprises a square grid of reinforcing bars that enhance the
mechanical rigidity of the shell section.
[0041] The foregoing description and examples have been set forth
merely to illustrate the invention and are not intended to be
limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments
incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur
to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed
broadly to include all variations falling within the scope of the
appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *