Reservoir with a channel

Abstract

A reservoir includes a plurality of chambers, an inlet, and a channel. The channel includes a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is connected to the inlet to receive fluid, and the second opening is greater in area than the first opening.

1 . A reservoir comprising: 
 a plurality of chambers;    an inlet; and    a channel having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is aligned with the inlet to receive fluid from the inlet, and wherein the second opening is greater in area than the first opening.    
   
   
       2 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends through a wall of one of the chambers.  
   
   
       3 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends into at least two of the chambers.  
   
   
       4 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a section where an area of the channel gradually increases in a direction from the first opening to the second opening.  
   
   
       5 . The reservoir of  claim 4 , wherein the section has a generally conical configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The reservoir of  claim 5 , wherein a cone of the conical configuration has an angle between 1° to 45°.  
   
   
       7 . The reservoir of  claim 6 , wherein a cone of the conical configuration has an angle between 10° to 30°.  
   
   
       8 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a generally cylindrical section.  
   
   
       9 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening of the channel is sealingly connected to the inlet so that all fluid from the inlet enters the channel.  
   
   
       10 . The reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the channel does not include sharp shape changes in its flow path that can cause objectionable fluid foaming.