Abstract:
A fluid containment unit for automotive applications that is capable of being easily enlarged, changed, modified and configured.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a non-provisional application of and claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/743,827, filed Mar. 27, 2007, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention is related to automotive fluid containment units, and more particularly, to modular automotive fluid containment units.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Fluid tanks are used in automobiles to contain fluids in a number of applications and configurations. These applications include, but are not limited to, coolant containment tanks, brake hydraulic reservoirs, pneumatic gas storage tanks, and power steering fluid reservoirs.  
         [0004]     For example, the cooling system is one of the most important systems in the vehicle because it keeps the engine at a right temperature, allowing it to work efficiently. Since the engine takes charge of burning the air and fuel mixture, it produces large amount of heat that makes the parts so hot and vulnerable to damage. The cooling system dissipates the heat from the engine and its parts through the coolant. This coolant absorbs the heat as it circulates around the engine and goes to the radiator where it transfers the heat to the cool air.  
         [0005]     A coolant is a mixture of water and anti-freeze, which is a chemical solution, usually ethylene glycol and anticorrosion chemicals. When heated the coolant expands. Thus, most cooling systems have an expansion tank that provides storage space for the heated coolant. The expansion tank is usually plastic and is connected to the radiator through the overflow tube. It is also called a radiator overflow tank, coolant-recovery tank, coolant reservoir, or simply overflow tank or canister. These names imply its function, which is to hold the overflowing coolant that absorbed the heat from the engine.  
         [0006]     Not all vehicles have a radiator overflow tank; however, this part is helpful in the cooling system. Without it, the expanded or heated coolant could flow out of the overflow tube and eventually, out of the vehicle and out onto the street. The expansion tank or radiator overflow tank provides additional volume for the coolant to occupy after it absorbed the heat from the engine. Also, the radiator overflow tank removes air bubbles from the coolant, thus, allowing it to absorb heat more efficiently and to prevent air bubble blockage. Furthermore, when a vehicle has an overflow tank containing coolant, the radiator is always full. Only the proper amount of the coolant goes to the radiator for cooling and this goes back to the engine to absorb heat once again. When the engine cools, vacuum is created in the cooling system since it is a closed system. This causes the coolant in the radiator overflow tank to be sucked back into the cooling system.  
         [0007]     One problem with stock overflow tanks is that they are made for a specific model and make of vehicle. Further, the overflow tanks themselves are not capable of being enlarged and larger tanks may not fit within the space constraints of the vehicle.  
         [0008]     These issues are also shared by the other applications for fluid containment units. Therefore it is highly desirable to have a fluid containment unit that is capable of being easily enlarged, changed, modified and configured. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Like reference numbers generally indicate corresponding elements in the figures.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-section view of a fluid containment unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a modular fluid containment unit  4  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective and side views of the cap  11 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective and side cross-sectional views of the modular member  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective and side cross-sectional views of the bottom coupler, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the hose coupling, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the bottom coupler and hose coupling  13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0017]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective and top views of a bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     References will now be made to embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language which will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, as such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein as being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0019]     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to providing modular fluid storage units. The modular fluid storage units comprise one or more modular members that provide for configurable and customizable fluid volumes suitable for a particular purpose. Further, the modular fluid storage units provide means for coupling to fluid systems suitable for a particular purpose.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-section view of a modular fluid containment unit  2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The modular fluid containment unit  2  comprises one or more modular members  10 , a bottom coupler  12  and a cap  11 . Each modular member  10  is a cylinder or tube having a threaded first end  16  and a threaded second end  15 . The threaded first end  16  is adapted for threadable engagement with a threaded second end  15  of another modular member  10 . The threaded first end  16  is also adapted for threadable engagement with the cap  11 . The threaded second end is adapted for threaded engagement with the bottom coupler  12 .  
         [0021]     The bottom coupler  12  comprises a threaded first end  14  and a hose coupling  13 . The threaded first end  14  is adapted for threadable engagement with a threaded second end  15  of a modular member  10 . The hose coupling  13  is adapted to couple with a hose from the vehicle cooling system (not shown).  
         [0022]     The modular member  10  includes a bore  18  that defines an inner volume suitable for containing fluid. The modular member  10  has a predetermined length and the bore  18  has a predetermined diameter suitable for a particular purpose. The volume within the modular member for containing fluid is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing, respectively, either or both of the length or diameter.  
         [0023]     The fluid volume of the modular fluid containment unit  2  can be increased by adding additional modular members  10 . It is this modular aspect of the present invention that allows the customization of the volume of the modular fluid containment unit  2  by simply adding one or more additional modular members  10 .  
         [0024]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the modular fluid containment unit  2  provides threaded coupling between the modular members  10 , the bottom coupler  12  and the cap  11 . It is appreciated that any suitable coupling means, or combinations, may be used suitable for a particular purpose. By example only, but not limited therein, the coupling can be a slip-fit with o-ring, threaded with o-ring seal, compression fitting, among many others.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a modular fluid containment unit  4  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The modular fluid containment unit  4  comprises one or more modular members  110 , a bottom coupler  112 , and a cap  111 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective and side cross-sectional views, respectively, of the modular member  110 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The modular member  110  is a cylinder or tube having a first end  116  and a second end  115 , and a bore  18  therethrough. The first end  116  is adapted for removable coupling engagement with the second end  115  of another modular member  110  or with a cap  111 . The first end  116  includes a mouth  52  suitable for receiving a cooperative element therein as will be discussed below.  
         [0026]     The second end  115  defines a coupling portion  51  that is adapted to be slidingly received in the bottom coupler  112  or the first end  116  of a modular member  110 . The coupling portion  51  comprises a seat  44  for receiving and retaining a seal in the form of an o-ring  41 , shown in  FIG. 2 . The o-ring  41  seals the second end  115  to a respective element inserted therein, such that the modular fluid containment unit  4  contains the fluid. The o-ring  41  in combination with the coupling portion  51  provides a friction fit such that the elements may be removably coupled. It is appreciated that other methods of removable coupling may be used, such as, but not limited to, threads and locking collars as is well known in the art.  
         [0027]     The second end  115  may be slidably received within the mouth  52  of a second modular member  110 . The mouth  52  adapted to slidingly receive the coupling portion  51 , including the o-ring  41 .  
         [0028]     Similarly, the second end  115  may be slidably received within a mouth  54  of the bottom coupler  12  as discussed below. The mouth  54  adapted to slidingly receive the coupling portion  51 , including the o-ring  41 .  
         [0029]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective and side views of a cap  111 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cap  111  comprises a head  58  and a coupling portion  57 . The coupling portion  57  comprises a seat  44  for receiving and retaining a seal in the form of an o-ring  40 , shown in  FIG. 2 . The coupling portion  57  and the mouth  52  are adapted for cooperative engagement therebetween. The coupling portion  57  comprises a suitable diameter such that it may be slidably received within the mouth  52 . The o-ring  40  seals the first end  116  to the coupling portion  57 , such that the modular fluid containment unit  4  contains the fluid. The o-ring  40  in combination with the coupling portion  57  provides a friction fit such that the elements may be removably coupled. It is appreciated that other methods of removable coupling may be used, such as, but not limited to, threads and locking collars as is well known in the art.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective and side cross-sectional views of the bottom coupler  12 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bottom coupler  12  has a first end  60  and a second end  62 . The first end  60  includes a mouth  54  suitable for receiving the coupling portion  51  of a modular member  110 . The coupling portion  51  and the mouth  54  are adapted for cooperative engagement therebetween.  
         [0031]     The coupling portion  51  comprises a suitable diameter such that it may be slidably received within the mouth  54 . The o-ring  44  seals the second end  115  to the mouth  54 , such that the modular fluid containment unit  4  contains the fluid. The o-ring  44  in combination with the coupling portion  51  provides a friction fit such that the elements may be removably coupled. It is appreciated that other methods of removable coupling may be used, such as, but not limited to, threads and locking collars as is well known in the art.  
         [0032]     The second end  62  of the bottom coupler  12  comprises two hose coupler ports  70  each defining a bore  76  as a fluid conduit to the mouth  54 . The hose coupler ports  70  are adapted for receiving a second end  72  of a house coupler  13 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the hose coupler  13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the bottom coupler  12  and hose coupler  13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The hose coupler  13  comprises a first end  74  and a second end  72 , and defines a bore  78  therebetween.  
         [0034]     The second end  72  comprises a seat  46  for receiving and retaining a seal in the form of an o-ring  43 . The second end  72  and the hose coupler ports  70  are adapted for cooperative engagement therebetween. The second end  72  comprises a suitable diameter such that it may be slidably received within the hose coupler port  70 . The o-ring  43  seals the second end  72  to the hose coupler ports  70 , such that the modular fluid containment unit  4  contains the fluid. The o-ring  43  in combination with the second end  72  provides a friction fit such that the elements may be removably coupled. It is appreciated that other methods of removable coupling may be used, such as, but not limited to, threads and locking collars as is well known in the art.  
         [0035]     The first end  74  is adapted to couple with fluid elements, such as, but not limited to a hose and pipe.  
         [0036]     The modular fluid containment unit  4  provides containment and allows for fluid communication with other fluid handling elements.  
         [0037]     Bore  18  of the one or more modular members  110  provides a predetermined amount of the available fluid volume. There is fluid communication between the modular members  110 , the bottom coupler  12 , and the hose couplers  13  such that fluid can flow between the modular fluid containment unit  4  and the external fluid elements coupled to the hose couplers  13 . The cap  111  is provided such that fluid can be provided to or removed from the modular fluid containment unit  4 .  
         [0038]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective and top views of a bracket  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket  20  defines a substantially circular band  80  that is segmented at a first end  81  and a second end  83 . The circular band  80  defines a diameter suitable for receiving the modular fluid containment unit therein, such as, but not limited to, the outer diameter of a modular member. The first and second ends  81 ,  83  define first and second coaxial fastener bores  85   a ,  85   b  adapted to receive and couple with a fastener (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a screw. A fastener is slidingly received into the first bore  85   a  and threadably engaged with the second bore  85   b . Tightening of the fastener and therefore closing a gap  89  between the first and second ends  81 ,  83  reduces the diameter defined by the band  80  and tightens the band  80  about the outer surface of the modular member.  
         [0039]     The bracket  20  further includes a mounting flange  88  and a mounting bore  87  having an axis perpendicular to the mounting flange  88 . The mounting flange  88  is adapted to be placed against a surface and a fastener to extend into the mounting bore and through to flange and into the surface to affix the bracket  20  to the surface.  
         [0040]     While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.