Coolant system for reductant tank

Abstract

A coolant system for a reductant tank is disclosed. The coolant system includes a valve configured to control a coolant flow to the reductant tank. The coolant system also includes a cyclonic filter element provided in fluid communication with the valve. The cyclonic filter is positioned upstream of the valve with respect to the coolant flow. The cyclonic filter is configured to separate particulate contaminants from the coolant flow to create a filtered coolant flow. The cyclonic filter is also configured to direct the separated particulate contaminants away from the valve. The cyclonic filter is further configured to provide the filtered coolant flow to the valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coolant system for a reductant tank, the coolant system comprising:
 a valve configured to control a coolant flow to the reductant tank; and   a cyclonic filter element in fluid communication with the valve and positioned upstream of the valve with respect to the coolant flow, wherein the cyclonic filter element is configured to:
 separate particulate contaminants from the coolant flow to create a filtered coolant flow; 
 direct the separated particulate contaminants away from the valve; and 
 provide the filtered coolant flow to the valve. 
   
     
     
         2 . The coolant system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a heat exchanger provided within the reductant tank. 
 
     
     
         3 . The coolant system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a contaminant reservoir in fluid communication with the cyclonic filter element, wherein the contaminant reservoir is configured to collect the particulate contaminants separated from the coolant flow. 
 
     
     
         4 . The coolant system of  claim 1 , wherein the reductant tank is a diesel exhaust fluid tank. 
     
     
         5 . An engine having an aftertreatment system, the aftertreatment system comprising:
 a reductant tank;   a pump coupled to the reductant tank; and   a coolant system for the reductant tank, the coolant system comprising:
 a valve configured to control a coolant flow to the reductant tank; and 
 a filter element in fluid communication with the valve and positioned upstream of the valve with respect to the coolant flow, wherein the filter element is configured to:
 separate particulate contaminants from the coolant flow to create a filtered coolant flow; and 
 provide the filtered coolant flow to the valve. 
 
   
     
     
         6 . The engine of  claim 5 , wherein the filter element is a cyclonic filter element. 
     
     
         7 . The engine of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a contaminant reservoir in fluid communication with the cyclonic filter element, wherein the contaminant reservoir is configured to collect the particulate contaminants separated from the coolant flow. 
 
     
     
         8 . The engine of  claim 5 , wherein the filter element is a mesh screen. 
     
     
         9 . The engine of  claim 5 , wherein the reductant tank is a diesel exhaust fluid tank. 
     
     
         10 . The engine of  claim 5 , wherein the coolant system further comprises a heat exchanger provided within the reductant tank. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling a temperature of a reductant tank, the method comprising:
 introducing a coolant flow into a filter element;   separating particulate contaminants from the coolant flow;   creating a filtered coolant flow;   providing the filtered coolant flow to a valve; and   passing the filtered coolant flow towards the reductant tank based on a position of the valve.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 directing the separated particulate contaminants away from the valve. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 collecting the separated particulate contaminants in a contaminant reservoir. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 thawing of a reductant in the reductant tank based on the passage of the filtered coolant flow therethrough.