Diesel exhaust fluid tank housing

Abstract

This invention relates generally to diesel exhaust fluid tanks, commonly referred to as DEF tanks and more specifically to a housing to enclose the DEF tank, which in the preferred embodiment is insulated to protect the housing from both contaminants as well as extreme temperatures that could adversely effect the DEF mixture in the DEF tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diesel exhaust fluid system comprising:
 a housing having a main body, the main body having a back side and a front side to define an opening for receipt of a tank containing diesel exhaust fluid;   a cover mounted to said front side to close said opening;   said housing and said cover having an interior wall and an exterior wall, said interior wall and said exterior wall being spaced from one another to define a gap;   a layer of insulation positioned in said gap between said interior wall and said exterior wall;   a tank for containing diesel exhaust fluid;   said tank being positioned within said housing and fully enclosed within said housing and said cover;   whereby said housing and cover insulates said tank from extreme temperatures and restricts the ingress of contaminants.   
     
     
         2 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein said tank includes a header assembly mounted to said tank for controlling the flow of diesel exhaust fluid, said header assembly being mounted within said housing;
 whereby said housing and cover insulates said header assembly from extreme temperatures and restricts the ingress of contaminants.   
     
     
         3 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein said tank includes a refill neck and cap, said neck extending through said housing and cover, said cap being positioned outside said housing and cover such that said tank can be refilled with diesel exhaust fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein said tank includes a vent tube. 
     
     
         5 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 4 , wherein said housing includes a window and a filter, said vent tube being positioned to draw air through said filter. 
     
     
         6 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , including a mounting assembly, said mounting assembly including a mounting member, said mounting assembly including a first set of fasteners to mount the mounting member to said tank and a second set of fasteners extending through said mounting member and said back of said housing and into a mount on a vehicle to secure the diesel exhaust fluid system to said vehicle;
 whereby said housing main body does not support the weight of said tank.   
     
     
         7 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 6 , wherein said mounting member includes a first plate attached to said tank and a second plate positioned against said housing, said first and second plates sandwiching said housing between said plates. 
     
     
         8 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 6 , wherein said mounting member is a plate. 
     
     
         9 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein said tank includes tubing that extends into said tank to circulate coolant through the tank. 
     
     
         10 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , further including a heating element positioned adjacent said tank. 
     
     
         11 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 1 , wherein said tank includes sensors to sense quality of the fluid, depth of the fluid and temperature of the fluid. 
     
     
         12 . A diesel exhaust fluid system housing, said housing comprising: a main body, the main body having a back side and a front side to define an opening for receipt of a tank containing diesel exhaust fluid;
 a cover generally mounted to said housing to close said opening;   said housing and said cover having an interior wall and an exterior wall, said interior wall and said exterior wall being spaced from one another to define a gap;   a layer of insulation positioned in said gap between said interior wall and said exterior wall;   whereby said housing and cover insulates a diesel exhaust fluid tank from extreme temperatures and restricts the ingress of contaminants into the tank.   
     
     
         13 . The diesel exhaust fluid system housing of  claim 12 , wherein said housing includes a space to receive a header assembly mounted to a tank for containing diesel exhaust fluid, said header assembly being adapted to be positioned within said space in said housing;
 whereby said housing and cover insulates said header assembly from extreme temperatures and restricts the ingress of contaminants.   
     
     
         14 . The diesel exhaust fluid system housing of  claim 12 , wherein said housing includes a window and a filter. 
     
     
         15 . The diesel exhaust fluid system housing of  claim 12 , further including a mounting assembly, said mounting assembly including a mounting member, said mounting assembly including a first set of fasteners to mount the mounting member to a tank and a second set of fasteners extending through said mounting member and said back of said housing and into a mount on a vehicle to secure the diesel exhaust fluid system to said vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The diesel exhaust fluid system housing of  claim 15 , wherein said mounting member is a plate. 
     
     
         17 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 15 , wherein said mounting member includes a first and second plate. 
     
     
         18 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second plates sandwich said housing between said first and second plates. 
     
     
         19 . The diesel exhaust fluid system of  claim 12 , further including a heating element positioned adjacent said tank.