Fluid Tank Having Integrated Shut-Off

Abstract

A reservoir is provided. The reservoir defines an internal storage cavity. A plurality of system connections extend through a sidewall of the reservoir defining channels fluidly communicating the internal cavity of the reservoir with the exterior of the reservoir. A valve arrangement has a valve member that operably simultaneously closes off all of the plurality of system connections to prevent fluid flow from the internal cavity through the system connections when in a closed position. The valve arrangement, when the valve member is in an open position, permits fluid flow from the internal cavity and through all of the plurality of system connections.

1 . A fluid storage system comprising:
 a fluid reservoir defining an internal storage cavity;   a plurality of system connections extending through a sidewall of the reservoir defining channels fluidly communicating the internal cavity of the reservoir with the exterior of the reservoir; and   a valve arrangement having a single valve member that operably simultaneously closes off all system connections preventing fluid flow from the internal cavity through the system connections, when in a closed position, the arrangement, when the valve member is in an open position, permits fluid flow from the internal cavity through the plurality of system connections.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve arrangement includes a valve member that, in the closed position, sealingly engages a seal ring that defines an internal cavity in fluid communication with all of the channels of the system connections to prevent fluid flow from the internal storage cavity through the channels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve member has an outer diameter that is sized to seat within the cavity defined by the seal ring. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve member includes a seal member on a radially outer surface of the seal plate, the seal member being radially interposed between the seal plate and the seal ring forming a radial seal therebetween in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the valve arrangement further includes a valve main shaft connected to the valve member, the valve main shaft extending axially through the sidewall of the reservoir, the valve main shaft mounted for axial movement such that the valve member is axially transitioned toward the sidewall to close the valve arrangement and axially transitioned away from the sidewall to open the valve arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the valve main shaft is mounted for axially sliding movement relative to the sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the valve main shaft is threadedly mounted to the sidewall such that the valve main shaft must be rotated to axially transition the valve member toward and away from the sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve member includes a seal plate and a seal member mounted to an axial end face of the seal plate, the seal member being an annular seal member, the annular seal member having an inner periphery that is larger than an outer periphery defined by the plurality of system connections, wherein in the closed position the seal member is axially biased against an inner surface of the sidewall of the reservoir, and sandwiched between the seal plate and the sidewall, the outer periphery defined by the plurality of system connections being entirely encompassed in the inner periphery of the seal member to close off all system connections from the interior of the reservoir in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , where in the seal plate has a diameter greater than an internal diameter of the seal ring such that the seal plate radially overlaps the seal ring cavity and a portion of an end face of the seal ring such that a the seal member is axially sandwiched between an axial end face of the seal plate axially facing the sidewall and the axial end face of the seal ring in the closed position forming an axial seal therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the seal ring and the plurality of system connections form a manifold arrangement, the seal ring defining a single inlet to the manifold arrangement and the plurality of system connections forming a plurality of outlets for the manifold arrangement, the manifold arrangement passing through the sidewall of the reservoir.