Fluid reservoir having inlet filtering

#This disclosure relates generally to a fluid reservoir and, more particularly, to a fluid reservoir having inlet filtering.

#Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is a known method for abating nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaust produced by a diesel engine. In a typical SCR system, a reductant is delivered directly into the exhaust by a pump and a specialized injector, and mixed with the exhaust before being directed through a catalyst. The reductant breaks down in the exhaust and reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the catalyst to produce nitrogen gas (N2) and water (H2O), both of which are unregulated substances.

#A supply of reductant is stored in a tank near the diesel engine in most mobile applications. The tank has a finite capacity and must be replenished periodically. In certain applications, such as in mining, construction, farming and other field applications, reductant replenishment is often carried out in the work environment of the associated machine by dispensing the reductant through an uncapped fill spout. As can be appreciated, dirt and other debris can fall into the tank when the fill spout is uncapped. This dirt and debris may present problems if it is ingested into downstream components (e.g., into the pump or the injector). Specifically, these components typically have close clearances and small orifices that can bind or become plugged by the dirt and debris.

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary disclosed engine;

#FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary disclosed reductant reservoir that may be used in conjunction with the engine of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary disclosed portion of the reductant reservoir of FIG. 2;

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary engine 10. For the purposes of this disclosure, engine 10 is depicted and described as a diesel-fueled, internal combustion engine. However, it is contemplated that engine 10 may embody any other type of combustion engine such as, for example, a gasoline engine or a gaseous fuel-powered engine burning compressed or liquefied natural gas, propane, or methane. Engine 10 may include an engine block 12 at least partially defining a plurality of cylinders 14, and a plurality of piston assemblies (not shown) disposed within cylinders 14 to form a plurality of combustion chambers (not shown). It is contemplated that engine 10 may include any number of combustion chambers and that the combustion chambers may be disposed in an in-line configuration (shown), in a “V” configuration, in an opposing-piston configuration, or in any other conventional configuration.

#Multiple separate sub-systems may be associated within engine 10 and cooperate to facilitate the production of power. For example, engine 10 may include, among others an aftertreatment system 18. Engine 10 may combust an air and fuel mixture to produce mechanical power and a flow of exhaust gases. Aftertreatment system 18 may function to reduce the discharge of regulated exhaust constituents produced by engine 10 to the atmosphere.

#Aftertreatment system 18 may include components configured to trap, catalyze, reduce, or otherwise remove regulated constituents from the exhaust flow of engine 10 prior to discharge to the atmosphere. For example, aftertreatment system 18 may include, among other things, one or more exhaust passages 22 in communication with the combustion chambers of engine 10, and one or more reduction catalysts 24 disposed within each passage 22 downstream of an associated injector 26. With this arrangement, a gaseous or liquid reductant, most commonly urea ((NH2)2CO), a water/urea mixture, a hydrocarbon such as diesel fuel, or ammonia gas (NH3), may be sprayed or otherwise advanced into the exhaust flow of passage 22 at a location upstream of reduction catalyst(s) 24 by reductant injector 26. If more than one reduction catalyst 24 is included, reduction catalysts 24 may be a arranged into bricks or packs, which are placed in parallel and/or series relative to the flow of exhaust. Many different configurations may be possible. To promote mixing of reductant with exhaust in some embodiments, a mixer 29 may be disposed within passage 22 at a location between reduction catalyst 24 and injector 26.