Collapsible fluid storage tank

Abstract

A collapsible fluid storage tank is disclosed. The fluid storage tank may include a bladder configured to store fluids, occupy a variable space, and collapse as the stored fluid is depleted. The fluid storage tank may also include at least one component configured to connect the bladder to a machine.

1 . A fluid storage tank, comprising:
 a bladder, configured to:
 store fluid; 
 occupy a variable space; and 
 collapse after the stored fluid is depleted; and 
   at least one connecting component, configured to connect the bladder to a machine.   
   
   
       2 . The fluid storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the variable space is proportional to the volume of the stored fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The fluid storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder includes a plurality of compartments. 
   
   
       4 . The fluid storage tank of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of compartments are separated by non-permeable membranes for storing different types of fluids. 
   
   
       5 . The fluid storage tank of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of compartments include an outer compartment that substantially embraces an inner compartment, one of the inner and outer compartments serve as a heat sink for the remaining of the inner and outer compartments. 
   
   
       6 . The fluid storage tank of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of compartments include at least two adjacent compartments, a central one of the at least two adjacent compartments serve as a heat sink for the remaining of the at least two adjacent compartments. 
   
   
       7 . The fluid storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting component includes one or more fluid passages to feed fluid into the bladder and drain fluid from the bladder. 
   
   
       8 . A method of storing fluid, comprising:
 connecting a bladder to a machine;   storing fluid in the bladder;   varying a size of the bladder; and   collapsing the bladder as the stored fluid is depleted.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein varying the size of the bladder includes varying the size of the bladder proportional to a volume of the stored fluid. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein storing fluid in a bladder includes storing multiple different fluids in the bladder simultaneously, and maintaining separation between the stored fluids. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further including transferring heat from one of the fluids to another of the fluids within the bladder. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further including flexing the bladder around rigid components in a machine. 
   
   
       13 . A method of gaining service access to a machine, comprising:
 manually depleting fluid stored in a bladder;   collapsing the bladder as the stored fluid is depleted; and   creating space in the machine.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein manually depleting fluid stored in the bladder includes manually depleting fluid stored in the bladder via an inlet. 
   
   
       15 . A machine, comprising:
 an engine compartment;   an engine disposed within the engine compartment;   a plurality of rigid machine components disposed within the engine compartment; and   at least one fluid storage tank disposed within the engine compartment, the fluid storage tank including:
 a bladder, configured to:
 store fluid; 
 flex around the plurality of rigid machine components disposed within the engine compartment; 
 occupy a variable space within the engine compartment; and 
 collapse after the stored fluid is depleted to gain access to the plurality of rigid components; and 
 
 at least one connecting component, configured to connect the bladder to a machine. 
   
   
   
       16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the variable space is proportional to the volume of the stored fluid. 
   
   
       17 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the bladder include a plurality of compartments, the plurality of compartments are separated by non-permeable membranes for storing different types of fluids. 
   
   
       18 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of compartments include an outer compartment that substantially embraces an inner compartment, one of the inner and outer compartments serving as a heat sink for the remaining of the inner and outer compartments. 
   
   
       19 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of compartments include at least two adjacent compartments, a central one of the at least two adjacent compartments serving as a heat sink for the remaining of the at least two adjacent compartments. 
   
   
       20 . The machine of  claim 15 , further including a bulkhead connected with one or more fluid passages to feed fluids into the bladder and drain fluids from the bladder.