Receiver for reductant tank

Abstract

A receiver is disclosed. The receiver includes a housing. The housing defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned at opposing ends of the housing. The receiver also includes a piston. The piston includes a head portion positioned at the fluid inlet. The piston also includes a rod portion. The rod portion extends from the head portion towards the fluid outlet. The receiver further includes a plate positioned within the housing and surrounding the rod portion. The plate includes through holes provided therein. The receiver includes a spring mounted on the rod portion. The spring is configured to bias a movement of the piston with respect to the housing. Further, the plate and the head portion of the piston define an adjustable volume therebetween. The volume is adjusted based on the movement of the piston with respect to the housing.

what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A receiver comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned at opposing ends of the housing;   a piston comprising:
 a head portion positioned at the fluid inlet; and 
 a rod portion extending from the head portion towards the fluid outlet; 
   a plate positioned within the housing and surrounding the rod portion, the plate including through holes provided therein; and   a spring mounted on the rod portion, the spring configured to bias a movement of the piston with respect to the housing,   wherein the plate and the head portion of the piston define an adjustable volume therebetween, such that the volume is adjusted based on the movement of the piston with respect to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the piston is an inward direction with respect to the housing during an inflow of a fluid into the receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the piston is an outward direction with respect to the housing during an expansion of the fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The receiver of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a stopper provided at one end of the rod portion. 
 
     
     
         5 . The receiver of  claim 4 , wherein the spring includes a first spring mounted between the head portion of the piston and the plate and a second spring mounted between the plate and the stopper. 
     
     
         6 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the spring includes a first spring mounted between the head portion of the piston and the plate, and a second spring mounted within the first spring. 
     
     
         7 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment in the volume is based on a diameter of a neck of the fluid inlet, a depth of the neck of the fluid inlet and a thickness of the head portion of the piston. 
     
     
         8 . The receiver of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a sealing member provided between the piston and the fluid inlet. 
 
     
     
         9 . The receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the through holes are kidney shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a reductant tank; and   a receiver for the reductant tank, the receiver comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned at opposing ends of the housing; 
 a piston comprising:
 a head portion positioned at the fluid inlet; and 
 a rod portion extending from the head portion towards the fluid outlet; 
 
 a plate positioned within the housing and surrounding the rod portion, the plate including through holes provided therein; and 
 a spring mounted on the rod portion, the spring configured to bias a movement of the piston with respect to the housing, 
 wherein the plate and the head portion of the piston define an adjustable volume therebetween, such that the volume is adjusted based on the movement of the piston with respect to the housing. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid inlet is configured to receive a fluid supply from an external source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid outlet is connected to the reductant tank. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the spring includes a first spring mounted between the head portion of the piston and the plate, and a second spring mounted between the plate and a stopper. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the spring includes a first spring mounted between the head portion of the piston and the plate, and a second spring mounted within the first spring. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustment in the volume is based on a diameter of a neck of the fluid inlet, a depth of the neck of the fluid inlet and a thickness of the head portion of the piston. 
     
     
         16 . A method for accommodating an expansion in a volume of a fluid present in a receiver, the method comprising:
 connecting a fluid supply to the receiver;   receiving the fluid into a fluid inlet of the receiver;   moving a piston of the receiver in an inward direction within a housing of the receiver;   providing the fluid to a tank;   disconnecting the fluid supply; and   moving the piston in an outward direction with respect to the housing during the expansion in the volume of the fluid present in the receiver.