Patent Publication Number: US-2010124689-A1

Title: System to reservoir connector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present teachings generally relate to a connector for transporting fluid between a reservoir and a system. In particular, the present teachings relate to a system to reservoir connector for providing positive valve closure on both halves of the connector to minimize fluid loss. 
     Fuel cells are becoming a more important source of electrical energy for a variety of uses, including personal electronic devices, electric vehicles, and other electrically powered devices. Some liquid fuels can be used directly in direct oxidation fuel cells. When the fuel is methanol, the fuel cell is typically referred to as a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). A DMFC is the most suitable fuel cell for portable applications. It offers the users the opportunity to quickly replace an empty fuel cartridges with a full one. However, in conventional systems, the connectors used to connect a fuel cartridge to the fuel cell may leak during attachment and detachment from the fuel cell. Also, external forces may disrupt the fluid transport from the fuel cartridge causing a disruption or fluctuation in the power provided by the fuel cell. In addition, how much fuel can be transferred to the fuel cell is largely dependent on the orientation of the connector. In a less favorable orientation, a large amount of fuel will remain in the cartridge without being able to be transferred to the fuel cell. 
     Therefore what is needed is a connector that provides positive valve closures on both halves of the connector for minimizing fluid loss upon connect and disconnect, minimizes the effect of external forces on the fluid transport integrity, and is orientation independent. 
     SUMMARY 
     System to reservoir connectors are disclosed. In one instance, a system to reservoir connector is provided in which a system-side-sub-connector and a reservoir-side-sub-connector provide for a fluid connection that is resilient to external forces and is substantially leak proof upon insertion and retraction and is orientation independent. 
     The system to reservoir connector includes first and second sub-connectors that are complementary to one another and allow for motion of each of the sub-connectors relative to the other. Each of the first and second sub-connectors includes a series of seals, fluid transfer components (a wick in one embodiment, these teachings not being limited to only that embodiment), and collapsible/extendable components (springs in one embodiment, these teachings not being limited to only that embodiment) that ensure positive fluid communication between the two sub-connectors and provide a substantially leak-proof connection. 
     Embodiments of the system to reservoir connector and methods for use thereof are disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present teachings are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. The present teachings are illustrated by way of examples in the following drawings in which like references indicate similar elements (except for  FIG. 1 ). The following drawings disclose various embodiments of the present teachings for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the relationship, in one embodiment, between a system, a system-side-sub-connector, a reservoir-side-sub-connector, and a reservoir; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the system (e.g., a fuel cell engine) side and the reservoir (e.g., fuel supply or cartridge) side sub-connectors of the present teachings. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the system (e.g., a fuel cell engine) side and the reservoir (e.g., fuel supply or cartridge) sealed together with both valves closed, corresponding to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 3   b  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the system side and the cartridge side sub-connectors sealed together with both valves open, corresponding to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are cross-sectional views of both the system-side-sub-connector and the reservoir-side-sub-connector in another embodiment of the system of these teachings; 
         FIG. 4   c  is a cross-sectional view of both the system-side-sub-connector and the reservoir-side-sub-connector of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  sealed together with both valves open; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the system-side-sub-connector of these teachings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description sets forth numerous specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the teachings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the teachings may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, protocols, processes, and circuits are not described in detail so as not to obscure the teachings. 
     Embodiments of a system to reservoir connector in accordance with the present teachings are described in more detail below. The system to reservoir connector includes a first and a second sub-connectors that are complementary to one another and allow for motion of the sub-connectors relative to each other. Each of the first and second sub-connectors includes a series of seals, fluid transfer components (a wick in one embodiment, but these teachings not being limited to only that embodiment) and collapsible/extendable components (springs in one embodiment, but these teachings not being limited to only that embodiment) that ensures positive fluid communication between the two sub-connectors and that provides for a substantially leak-proof connection. 
       FIG. 1  depicts, in one embodiment, the relationship of a system  1 , a sub-connector at the system side, which is referred to as the system-side-sub-connector  2 , a sub-connector at the reservoir side, which is referred to as the reservoir-side-sub-connector  3 , and a reservoir  4 . In one instance, these teachings relate to how to conduct fluid stored in the reservoir  4 , to the system  1 , through a combination of the system-side-sub-connector  2  and the reservoir-side-sub-connector  3 . The fluid is conducted in a substantially smooth manner (not a limitation of these teachings), substantially leak-proof, and in a substantially controlled fashion (not a limitation of these teachings). The end of the system-side-sub-connector that faces the system is referred to as the system end  5 , of the system-side-sub-connector, while the other end that faces the reservoir-side-sub-connector is referred to as the reservoir end  6 , of the system-side-sub-connector. Likewise, the end of the reservoir-side-sub-connector that faces the reservoir is referred to as the reservoir end  8 , of the reservoir-side-sub-connector, while the other end that faces the system-side-sub-connector is referred to as the system end  7 , of the reservoir-side-sub-connector. The combination of the system-side-sub-connector and the reservoir-side-sub-connector, in one embodiment, when in a open configuration, enables fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the system. 
     In one embodiment, the system to reservoir connector of these teachings includes a system-side-sub-connector and a reservoir-side-sub-connector. The system-side-sub-connector has a system-side-housing, a fluid transfer component disposed in an interior portion of the system-side-housing and extending from a system end of the system-side-housing to a reservoir end of the system-side-housing, a first portion of the fluid transfer component having a first end proximate to the system end of the system-side-housing; the first portion extending from an exterior of the system end of the system-side-housing to an interior of the system-side-housing, a second portion of the fluid transfer component having a second end proximate to the reservoir end of the system-side-housing, the second portion being able to obtain fluid from the reservoir-side-sub-connector and to provide the obtained fluid to the first portion (being in fluid communication), a system side seal component capable of, in one configuration of the system-side-sub-connector, preventing fluid transfer in/out of the system, and an extendable/collapsible component. The system side seal component includes a first portion disposed substantially coaxially over a portion of the fluid transfer component and a second portion disposed over the second end of the fluid transfer component, the second seal component portion being attachable/detachable (forming a sealed/unsealed form) from the first seal component portion. The extendable/collapsible component is operatively connected to the first seal component portion and capable of enabling to seal/unseal (attachment/detachment) of the first and the second seal component portions; and also capable of retracting the first seal component portion into a second configuration, wherein the first seal component portion not being disposed when in the second configuration, over at least part of the portion of the fluid transfer component. 
     The reservoir-side-sub-connector can operate in an open configuration or in a closed configuration. The reservoir-side-sub-connector includes a reservoir-side-housing, a reservoir side fluid transfer component adapted to be, when in the open configuration, in fluid communication with the fluid transfer component in the system-side-sub-connector, and a reservoir side seal. In one instance, the reservoir side fluid transfer component is also partially enclosed in the reservoir. In another instance, the reservoir side fluid transfer component comprises the reservoir. Both of these instances are within the scope of these teachings. The reservoir side fluid transfer component is disposed inside the reservoir-side-housing, and has a first reservoir fluid transfer component portion extending from a reservoir side of the reservoir-side-housing to a location inside the reservoir-side-housing, and a second portion of the reservoir fluid transfer component. The second portion of reservoir side fluid transfer component is in fluid communication with the first portion of the reservoir side fluid transfer component. The reservoir side fluid transfer component has a first end proximate to the reservoir and a second end proximate to a system side of the reservoir-side-housing. In one instance, the reservoir side seal is capable of, in the closed configuration, substantially preventing fluid transfer from the second end of the reservoir side fluid transfer component. In one instance, the reservoir side seal component has at least a portion disposed over and operatively connected to another collapsible/extendable component, that portion being capable of being retracted and allowing, when in the open configuration, fluid communication between the reservoir side fluid transfer component and the fluid transfer component of the system-side-sub-connector. 
     The reservoir-side-housing is sized and dimensioned to have a portion, including the system end of the reservoir-side-housing that is received in the interior of the system-side-housing. In one embodiment, the reservoir-side-housing also has an opening at the system end, that being dimensioned to receive the second end of the fluid transfer component of the system-side-sub-connector, and also being dimensioned to receive the second seal component portion of the system-side-sub-connector. The reservoir-side-housing, in one embodiment, also has a channel extending from an opening at the system end of the reservoir-side-sub-connector to an opening into the interior of the reservoir-side-sub-connector. The channel is dimensioned to receive the second end of the fluid transfer component of the system-side-sub-connector. The channel is also dimensioned to receive the second seal component portion of the system-side-sub-connector. 
     In one instance, the portion of the reservoir-side-housing, including the system end of the reservoir-side-housing, when received in the system-side-housing, operatively connects with the first seal component portion of the system-side-sub-connector and breaks the seal between the first seal component portion and the second seal component portion. The second seal component portion enters into and moves along the channel in the reservoir-side-sub-connector. After the second seal component portion reaches the opening into the interior of the reservoir-side-housing, the second seal component portion operatively connects to the reservoir side seal component and breaks the seal of the reservoir side seal component to get into the interior of the reservoir-side-sub-connector. In one embodiment, the portion of the reservoir-side-housing that is received by the system-side-housing and the channel are dimensioned such that the two housings seal together first, then the seal between the first seal component portion and the second seal component portion of the system-side-housing is broken, and subsequently the seal of the reservoir side seal component opening into the interior of the reservoir-side-sub-connector is broken. One detailed embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     To allow the fluid to flow through the sub-connectors (and, in the instance where the sub-connectors are in open configuration, the complete connector), it is highly desirable to utilize a capillary flow process. The use of capillary flow process enables flow under almost any type of orientation. Capillary flow via a capillary tube (capillary conduit) is one method to establish this flow. Capillary tubes can be built into both sides of the connector and through capillary action provide continuous feed of fluid through the connector. In addition to capillary tubes, porous materials can be employed to provide capillary flow action through “wick” materials. A “wick,” as used herein, refers to a material of any porosity or permeability that can wick a fluid at a desired (predetermined) flow rate. In one embodiment, the “wick” comprises an absorbent material. Suitable absorbent materials include, but are not limited to, sponges, fibrous polymers such as polyester, polyethylene, polyolefin, polyacetal, and polypropylene, or natural fibers such as hemp, cotton, or cellulose acetate or other plant-based fibers. In one instance, when polymeric fibers are used, these fibers are either thermoset or thermoplastic with high enough softening and/or melting temperatures to withstand potentially high internal temperatures that may exist inside the system such as a fuel cell or inside electronic devices. Although the description hereinbelow concentrates on wick materials, the use of capillary tubes (conduits) is also considered part of the art of this application. 
     A wick transports a liquid such as fuel (methanol in one exemplary instance) mainly through capillary forces. While not desiring to be bound by theory, one explanation of capillary action is provided below. Capillary action occurs when the adhesive intermolecular forces between the liquid and the surface of a solid are stronger than the cohesive intermolecular forces within the liquid. The Young-Laplace equation states that the capillary pressure, PC, is proportional to the surface tension, γ, and cosine of the contact angle, θ, of the liquid on the surface of the capillary, and inversely proportional to the effective radius, r, of the meniscus formed at the interface, as shown below, 
     
       
         
           
             
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                 θ 
               
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     The fuel (methanol in the exemplary instance) flow in the wick materials is governed by the capillary force, viscous force, and gravity force. As known, methanol is a wetting liquid to most of the surfaces, or, the contact angle is less than 90° with most of the solid materials. Therefore, the capillary force of the methanol in the wick is the key driving force to make it flow, while overcoming the resistant forces, including viscous force and/or gravity. Since the capillary forces can be much stronger than the combined viscous and gravity forces when the diameter of the capillary is made small enough (such as 100 microns), liquid methanol can be wicked in any direction. In other words, the system is basically orientation independent. 
     Along the wicking flow direction, the methanol would be trying to move to the downstream pores, and then build up a new meniscus in the next available pores. If the next pores are larger, the available methanol will be difficult to build up the new meniscus inside, which leads to a smaller or even zero capillary force to drive the methanol to flow further. Therefore, it is desirable to make sure that the pore size does not get larger along the desired methanol wicking flow direction. 
     If a single wick is used, it is acceptable to have the pore size or the diameter of capillary tubes be the same along the liquid wicking flow direction. However, it would be preferable if the wick is designed such that the pore sizes or the diameter of capillary tubes decrease along the desired methanol flow direction. If two (or more) wicks are used to transport the liquid, such as the case described herein where there is a cartridge (reservoir) side wick and a system side wick, the pore size or the diameter of capillary tubes within the system side wick should not be larger than that within the cartridge side wick. Preferentially, the pore size or the diameter of capillary tubes within the system side wick is smaller than that within the cartridge side wick so that the methanol flow from the cartridge to the fuel cell system will be facilitated. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one detailed embodiment of the system-to-reservoir connector in accordance with the present teachings which is herein schematically shown in a closed position. In particular, the system-to-reservoir connector  100  includes a system side sub-connector portion  102  and a reservoir (cartridge) side-sub-connector portion  104 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the system-side-sub-connector portion  102  includes system side case  106  that includes an interior portion  106   a,  a system end  106   b,  and an end  106   c  facing the reservoir-side-sub-connector. A fluid transfer component (a wick in the embodiment shown)  108  extends from the exterior of the system end  106   b  through the interior portion  106   a  to a fluid transfer component (wick) head  110  that is proximate to the system-side-sub-connector end  106   c.  Although a wick is shown as the fluid transfer component in  FIG. 2 , it should be noted that other fluid transfer components, such as, but not limited to, other components capable of capillary action, are also within the scope of these teachings. The wick head  110  has a larger diameter than the wick body  108 . An end seal  116  is disposed between wick head  110  and the reservoir (cartridge) end  106   c  of the case  106  that is larger in diameter than the wick head  110 . A fluid transfer component (wick) cover  109  extending the length of the wick from the system end  108   a  to the wick head  110  is coaxially disposed around the wick  108  and is sized such that the thickness of the wick cover  109  is such that the outer surface  109   a  is adjacent to the outer surface of the wick head  110   a.  In one embodiment, the wick cover  109  can also be a seal. A seal housing  112  is coaxially disposed around the wick cover  109  and includes two raised portions  112   a  and  112   b,  respectively. A seal  114  may be disposed within one or both of the raised portions  112   a  and  112   b,  although a single seal is depicted in the figure disposed within raised portion  112   a,  an additional seal may be disposed within raised portion  112   b.  The seal housing has a front portion  112   c  that is configured and arranged to press against the portion of the end seal  116  that extends beyond the wick head  110  to seal the wick head  110  to prevent leakage therefrom. The seal housing is configured and arranged to slide along the wick cover  109  in order to expose the outer surface  110   a  of the wick head  110  and allow fluid communication to occur from the wick head  110  under appropriate conditions. A system side extendable/collapsible component (spring) seat  118  is disposed within the interior portion  106   a  and an extendable/collapsible component (a tension spring in the embodiment shown)  120  is seated on the spring seat  118  and a second end  112   d  of the seal housing  112 . As the seal housing  112  slides toward to the system end  106   b,  tension spring  120  is extended and biases the seal housing toward the cartridge end  106   c.    
     The reservoir (also referred to as the cartridge, although these teachings are not limited only to a cartridge) side  104  includes a reservoir (cartridge) side case  121  that includes an interior portion  121   a,  a system end  121   b,  and a reservoir (cartridge) end  121   c.  A channel  121   d  extends from the opening  121   e  in the system end  121   b  to an opening  121   f  in the interior portion  121   a  of the reservoir side case  121 . A hollow piston  128  is coaxially disposed on the longitudinal axis of the cartridge side case  121 . A portion of a cover seal  124  is disposed over a system side head  128   a  of the hollow piston  128 . That portion of the cover seal  124  is dimensioned and arranged so that, in the closed configuration, that portion of the cover seal  124  seals the opening  121   f  into the interior portion  121   a.  In some embodiments, the hollow piston  128  comprises the cover seal  124  or the cover seal  124  comprises a hollow piston  128 . A compression spring  130  is disposed within the hollow piston  128 . The compression spring  130  is seated at cartridge spring seat  137  that is disposed against a wall  132  at the cartridge end  121   c.  A first wick  134  extends through the wall  132  and extends coaxially through the interior portion  121   a.  A second wick  136  is in fluid communication with first wick  134  and is also coaxially disposed within the interior  121   a,  but is closer to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge case  121   
       FIG. 3   a  depicts a cross sectional of the cartridge side  104  being inserted into the system side  102 , for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . The system end  121   b  of the reservoir side  104  is inserted into the interior  106   a  of the system side  102  and is seated against the end seal  116 . The end seal  116  is located in the vicinity of the head  128   a  of hollow piston  128  without displacing the hollow piston  128 . At this instant in the insertion, seals  116  and  124  and seal housing  112  prevent fluid communication between the two sides and in addition, prevent leakage from either side as well. Also at this instant in the insertion, seals  116  and  124  seal the system-side-sub-connector  102  and the reservoir-side-sub-connector  104  to each other. 
     Subsequently in the insertion, the system end  121   b  ( FIG. 2 ) presses against the second raised portion  112   b  ( FIG. 2 ) of the seal housing and breaks the seal between the seal housing  112  and the end seal  116 , allowing fluid flow in the system side  102 . The end seal  116  is located substantially adjacent to the head  128   a  ( FIG. 2 ) of hollow piston  128  without displacing the hollow piston  128 . The system side seal housing  112 , the end seal  116 , and any other seals such as seal  114 , comprise system side seal structure. The system side seal structure, being capable of being opened (unsealed) and resealed, constitutes the system side valve. 
     At a later stage in the insertion, the end seal  116  presses against the head  128   a  ( FIG. 2 ) of the hollow piston  128  and moves the hollow piston  128  toward the cartridge end  121   c  and compresses compression spring  130 . The end of that later stage results in the cartridge side  104  being engaged within system side  102  and allowing fluid communication between the two sides. As the end seal  116  presses against the head  128   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and moves the hollow piston  128 , the seal between the cover seal  124  and the hollow piston  128  at the opening  121   f  into the interior portion  121   a  ( FIG. 2 ) of the reservoir side case  121 , is broken. At this stage, the wick head  110  is positioned such that the wick head  110  is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the second wick  136 . Fluid flow from the reservoir is now possible. The seal between the cover seal  124  and the hollow piston  128  at opening  121   f  into the interior portion  121   a  of the reservoir side case  121 , which is capable of being opened (unsealed) and resealed, constitutes a reservoir side valve. 
       FIG. 3   b  depicts a cross sectional portion of the cartridge side  104  being engaged within system side  102  and allowing fluid communication between the two sides, for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . In the engaged position, seal housing  112  has been moved toward system end  106   b  and has uncovered outer surface  110   a  of wick head  110 . Piston head  128   a  is adjacent to end seal  116 . As the cartridge housing  121  is inserted into interior  106   a,  the inner surface  136   b  of second wick  136  is placed adjacent to the now uncovered outer surface  110   a  of the wick head  110  and is in fluid communication therewith. This configuration allows fluid to flow from the reservoir or fuel cartridge (not shown) to the system such as a fuel cell (not shown) through the first wick  134 , second wick  136 , wick head  110  and wick  108 , respectively. The bias forces of the tension spring  120  and the compression spring  130  are in opposition to one another and allow for a more secure coupling between the cartridge side  104  and the system side  102  making the connection both substantially leak proof and more resilient to external forces as well. 
     Another embodiment of the system-to-reservoir connector of these teachings (also referred to as “the second embodiment”) is shown (in cross-sectional view) in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c,  in which components having the same function as components in  FIG. 1  are given the same label.  FIG. 4   a  shows a cross-sectional view of the system-side-sub-connector portion  102  of the second embodiment in which the system side case  106  includes an interior portion  106   a,  a system end  106   b  and an end  106   c  facing the reservoir-side-sub-connector. Also shown in  FIG. 4   a  are the seal  116 , the wick  108 , and the spring  120 .  FIG. 4   b  shows a cross-sectional view of the reservoir (cartridge)-side-sub-connector portion  104  of the second embodiment where the seal  124 , the case  121 , the spring  130  and wick  136  are labeled.  FIG. 4   c  shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge side portion  104  engaged within the system side portion  102  and allowing fluid communication between the two sides. 
     In one instance, during operation, especially, but not limited to, during multiple insertions, fluid can remain in the cartridge-side-sub-connector portion  104 , a situation which may lead to unintentional or undesired leakage of fluid to the system-side-sub-connector during insertion. Embodiments of the cartridge-side-sub-connector portion  104  with components or features for allowing transfer of fluid from an interior portion ( 121   a,    FIG. 5 ) of the cartridge (reservoir) side portion  104  of the system-to-reservoir connector of these teachings are within the scope of these teachings. 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the cartridge side portion  104  (similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4   b ) with a passage (vent)  150  which can be operatively connected to the cartridge or to another container, thereby allowing remaining fluid to exit from the interior of the cartridge side portion  104  of the sub-connector. Other possible structures that allow remaining fluid to exit from the interior of the cartridge-side-sub-connector  104  are openings (vent holes) in the housing  121 , where the openings are located at the cartridge end  121   c  of the cartridge-side-sub-connector, or openings or vents or structures in the wick  136  that allow remaining fluid to exit from the interior of the cartridge-side-sub-connector  104 . 
     One embodiment of the method for operating the system-to-reservoir connector of these teachings, as described herein above, can be summarized as follows. A connector is provided that has a system-side-sub-connector and a reservoir-side-sub-connector. The system-side-sub-connector and the reservoir-side-sub-connector are initially closed. Each sub-connector has a seal component substantially preventing fluid from flowing out of the sub-connector when in a sealed configuration. The seal component in each sub-connector is capable of being unsealed/sealed and is sealed when the system-side-sub-connector and the reservoir-side-sub-connector are closed. A portion of the reservoir-side-sub-connector is inserted into the system-side-sub-connector while maintaining the seal components in a sealed configuration. First, the reservoir side-sub-connector seals to the system-side-sub-connector. Subsequently, insertion of the portion of the reservoir-side-sub-connector into the system-side-sub-connector continues, rendering the seal component in the system-side-sub-connector in a unsealed configuration, whereby fluid flow into the system-side-sub-connector is enabled. Finally, connecting the reservoir-side-sub-connector to the system-side-sub-connector is completed by completing the insertion, rendering the seal component in the reservoir-side-sub-connector in the unsealed configuration and placing a fluid transfer component in the reservoir-side-sub-connector in fluid communication with a fluid transfer component in the system-side-sub-connector, whereby fluid flow out of the reservoir-side-sub-connector is enabled when connecting a system to a reservoir, leakage of fluid can be substantially prevented by utilizing a system-to-reservoir connector of these teachings. 
     The corresponding embodiment of the method for closing the system-to-reservoir connector of these teachings is the reverse of the above described embodiment. A portion of the reservoir-side-sub-connector is retracted from the system-side-sub-connector, rendering the seal component in the reservoir-side-sub-connector in the sealed configuration, whereby fluid flow out of the reservoir-side-sub-connector is disabled. Subsequently, the reservoir-side-sub-connector is disengaged from the system-side-sub-connector, rendering the seal component in the system-side-sub-connector in a sealed configuration, whereby flow into the system-side-sub-connector is disabled. Finally, the system-side-sub-connector and reservoir-side-sub-connector are fully separated breaking the final seal between them. 
     It should be noted that similar systems utilizing flow transfer components other than wicks, different configurations of collapsible/extendable components, other than springs or exchanging compression and tension springs, are also within the scope of these teachings. 
     It should be noted that the connection between the system-side-sub-reservoir and the system and the connection between the reservoir-side-sub-connector and the reservoir are conventional. 
     It should be appreciated that other variations to and modifications of the above-described method and system for providing a system-to-reservoir connector may be made without departing from the inventive concepts described herein. Accordingly, the teachings should not be viewed as limited except by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.