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US 8,074,819 B2Granted
Siphon tube for a multi-chamber fluid reservoir
AssigneeMann+Hummel GmbH
InventorsDavid J. Dexter, David Hewkin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-chamber reservoir includes an upper and a lower body welded into unitary reservoir. A pressure relief device is interposed between a pressure chamber and the overflow chamber of the reservoir. A snap-in siphon tube is mounted into the reservoir and includes an orientation feature enforcing a desired alignment. A snap lock feature retentively mounts the siphon tube in alignment during reservoir welding.
Claims10
A multi-chamber reservoir apparatus for fluids, comprising:
- an upper reservoir body and a lower reservoir body, said bodies configured for welding together to define a plurality of closed fluid chambers therein including a pressure chamber and an overflow chamber;
- a pressure relief device interposed in a fluid flow path between said pressure chamber and said overflow chamber, said fluid flow path having a first passage extending between said pressure chamber and said relief device and a second passage extending between said relief device and said overflow chamber;
- a siphon tube designed for snap-in mounting into said lower reservoir body and having a fluid discharge opening, said siphon tube having a first end, an opposing second end and an internal passage in communication with said discharge opening and forming a portion of said second passage, said siphon tube including:
- an orientation feature for enforcing desired alignment of said siphon tube into said lower reservoir body,
- said fluid discharge opening configured to deliver to and draw fluid from said overflow chamber,
- said fluid discharge opening positioned proximate to a bottom wall of said lower reservoir body to enable fully draining said overflow chamber through said siphon tube;
- and
- a snap lock feature retentively mounting said siphon tube into said lower reservoir body,
- said snap lock feature holding said siphon tube in said desired alignment during welding of said reservoir bodies,
- said snap lock feature enabling no-leak welding of said siphon tube to said second passage during welding of said reservoir bodies;
- and
- wherein said lower reservoir body includes an upper clamp member arranged on an upper portion of an interior wall of said lower reservoir body;
- wherein said orientation feature includes
- a projecting tab arranged affixed to said upper clamp member;
- a complimentary indentation on said siphon tube;
- wherein said projecting tab is received into said complimentary indentation of said siphon tube.
13 more elements
A multi-chamber reservoir apparatus for storeably receiving and deaerating pressurized fluids, said apparatus comprising:
- an upper reservoir body and
- a lower reservoir body each having complimentary flanges configured for mating to permanently and sealably secure said upper and lower bodies together defining a plurality of closed fluid chambers therein,
- wherein said plurality of fluid chambers include at least one pressure chamber and at least one overflow chamber;
- a mounting flange provided in said upper reservoir body;
- a pressure relief device interposed in a fluid flow path between said pressure chamber and said overflow chamber, said fluid flow path having a first passage extending between said pressure chamber and said relief device and a second passage extending between said relief device and said mounting flange;
- a siphon tube designed for snap-in mounting into said reservoir apparatus, said siphon tube having a first end, an opposing second end and an internal passage for fluid flow between said first and second ends, said siphon tube including:
- a sealing flange provided at said second end, said sealing flange adapted and positioned to mate against said mounting flange, said sealing flange provided at a fluid communication interface between said internal passage and said second passage;
- an orientation feature for enforcing installed alignment of said siphon tube in said reservoir apparatus;
- and
- a snap lock feature secured to an internal wall of said at least one overflow chamber, said snap lock feature configured to retentively engage said siphon tube to provide said snap-in mounting;
- wherein said pressure relief device is adapted to limit pressure in said pressure chamber by controllably venting fluid through said fluid flow path;
- wherein said siphon tube is configured to deliver and draw fluid from a bottom portion of said overflow chamber;
- an upper clamp member and
- a lower clamp member secured to an interior wall of said lower reservoir body,
- said clamp members having opposing ear portions configured to elastically spread apart to engage opposing sides of an outside surface of said siphon tube,
- said ears providing compressive forces to retentively mount said siphon tube.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.