Liquid reservoir system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016129782-A1
Application number	US-201514936017-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 9, 2015
Priority date	Nov 7, 2014
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Liquid reservoir systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a liquid reservoir system may capture and retain a fuel reservoir to provide an un-interrupted fuel supply to a fuel pump or pickup line during low fuel conditions such as those that may be experienced during vehicle acceleration, braking or side to side maneuvers. It may also capture and retain a fuel reservoir to provide an un-interrupted fuel supply to a fuel pump or other pickup line during periods of high agitation such as may be experienced during vehicle jumping, cross country/closed course racing and other aggressive driving maneuvers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A liquid reservoir structure comprising:
a top layer and a bottom layer, the top layer and the bottom layer being sealingly connected along their periphery and defining an internal reservoir volume, wherein at least a portion of the top layer and the bottom layer comprise a permeable material; at least one flexible separator positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer within the internal reservoir volume, the at least one flexible separator maintaining a variable separation between the top layer and the bottom layer; and an outlet port in the top layer and communicating the internal reservoir volume, wherein the outlet port is in communication with a vacuum source by a pump line; wherein liquid is drawn into the internal reservoir volume through the permeable material and through the outlet port.

2 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising a plastic webbing surrounding the top layer and the bottom layer.

3 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , wherein the permeable material comprises a filter material having a filtration size rating between about 5 microns and 40 microns.

4 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , wherein filter material has a filtration size rating between about 10 microns and 30 microns.

5 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
an external reservoir positioned proximate to the outlet port on an outer surface of the top layer, wherein the external reservoir holds liquid around the outlet to the vacuum source.

6 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 6 , wherein the external reservoir comprises a plurality of holes on a lower portion that is in contact with the outer surface of the top layer.

7 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid return that returns liquid from the vacuum source to an external surface of the liquid reservoir.

8 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising a second liquid return.

9 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible separator has a cylindrical shape.

10 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible separator has a half-cylindrical shape.

11 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one fastening mechanism for fastening the liquid reservoir to a tank.

12 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 11 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises at least one of a magnet, a hook, a hose, a clip, a tie, a stud, a fitting, and a weight.

13 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is positioned in the liquid reservoir structure based on an force that will be applied to the liquid reservoir structure.

14 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second outlet port in the top layer and communicating the internal reservoir volume.

15 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 13 , wherein the outlet port and the second outlet port communicate to the vacuum source.

16 . The liquid reservoir structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
an external reservoir provided on the top layer, the external reservoir in communication with the vacuum source via at least one return line.

17 . A liquid reservoir system, comprising:
a tank having at least a lower surface and an upper surface, a pump; and a liquid reservoir comprising:
a top layer and a bottom layer, the top layer and the bottom layer being sealingly connected along their periphery and defining an internal reservoir volume, wherein at least a portion of the top layer and the bottom layer comprise a permeable material;
at least one flexible separator positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer within the internal reservoir volume, the at least one flexible separator maintaining a variable separation between the top layer and the bottom layer; and
an outlet port in the top layer and communicating the internal reservoir volume, wherein the outlet port is in communication with the pump by a first pump line;
wherein liquid is drawn into the internal reservoir volume through the permeable material and through the outlet port; and wherein the liquid reservoir is positioned on the lower surface of the tank.

18 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein the liquid reservoir has a shape that conforms to the lower surface of the tank.

19 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein the liquid reservoir has a shape that is adapted for an operating environment of the tank.

20 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein the tank further comprises an opening, and the liquid reservoir is adapted to be introduced to an interior of the tank through the opening

21 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , further comprising a return line from the pump, wherein the return line returns fluid from the pump to one of the top layer and the bottom layer of the liquid reservoir.

22 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , further comprising a second pump line for communicating a second port with the pump.

23 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 21 , further comprising a second return line from the pump, wherein the second return line returns fluid from the pump to one of the top layer and the bottom layer of the liquid reservoir.

24 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , further comprising a fastening device for securing the liquid reservoir to the tank, the fastening device comprising at least one of a magnet, a hook, a hose, a clip, a tie, and a weight.

25 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the tank comprises an open-cell foam material, the open-cell foam material applying a force to substantially maintain a position of the liquid reservoir.

26 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein the liquid reservoir further comprises a plastic webbing surrounding the top layer and the bottom layer.

27 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein the permeable material comprises a filter material having a filtration size rating between about 5 microns and 40 microns.

28 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein filter material has a filtration size rating between about 10 microns and 30 microns.

29 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 17 , wherein the liquid reservoir further comprises:
an external reservoir positioned proximate to the outlet port on an outer surface of the top layer, wherein the external reservoir holds liquid around the outlet to the vacuum source.

30 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 29 , wherein the external reservoir comprises a plurality of holes on a lower portion that is in contact with the outer surface of the top layer.

31 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 29 , wherein the at least one flexible separator has a cylindrical shape.

32 . The liquid reservoir system of claim 29 , wherein the at least one flexible separator has a half-cylindrical shape.

Assignees

• Holley Performance Products Inc

Inventors

• Tipton Larry J
• Weckerly Shane

Classifications

• B60K15/077 Primary

  with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation · CPC title

• B60K2015/0777

  in-tank reservoirs or baffles integrally manufactured with the fuel Tank · CPC title

• B60K2015/03243

  characterised by special pumps, the mounting thereof · CPC title

• B60K2015/03105

  with supplementary interior tanks inside the fuel tank · CPC title

• B60K2015/03236

  characterised by special filters, the mounting thereof · CPC title