US 10,690,152 B1 · Fluid expansion tank

Abstract

An expansion tank includes a tank body mounted inside a housing forming a sump, where the tank body defines an internal expansion volume. A fluid inlet tube on the tank body has an upper end open to the sump and a lower end open to the internal expansion volume. A single 2-way check valve is located at the lower end of the tube, and fluid enters the expansion volume when the pressure in the sump exceeds the pressure in the expansion volume by a first predetermined amount, and fluid exits the expansion volume to the sump when the pressure in the expansion volume exceeds the pressure in the sump by a second predetermined amount. The check valve may be a combination duckbill valve and umbrella valve. The tank body may include a cover on which the inlet tube is formed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An expansion tank for use with a drive device having a housing forming a sump containing hydraulic fluid, the expansion tank comprising:

a tank body disposed in the sump and defining an internal expansion volume;
a fluid inlet tube disposed on the tank body and having a first, upper end open to the sump and a second, lower end open to the internal expansion volume;
and
a check valve disposed at the second, lower end of the fluid inlet tube to control fluid flow between the sump and the internal expansion volume, wherein fluid enters the internal expansion volume from the sump when the pressure in the sump exceeds the pressure in the internal expansion volume by a first predetermined amount, and fluid exits the internal expansion volume to the sump when the pressure in the internal expansion volume exceeds the pressure in the sump by a second predetermined amount.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid expansion tank

Life of this patent

Fluid expansion tank

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20