Fluid tank and mounting configuration

Abstract

A fluid tank is disclosed for use with a machine. The fluid tank may have a plurality of walls connected to each other to substantially enclose a volume, and a sump connected to at least one of the plurality of walls at a location gravitationally lower than the volume formed by the plurality of walls. The fluid tank may also have a plurality of different ports disposed within the sump at different gravitational levels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid tank, comprising:
 a plurality of walls connected to each other to substantially enclose a volume; and   a sump connected to at least one of the plurality of walls at a location gravitationally lower than the volume formed by the plurality of walls; and   a plurality of different ports disposed within the sump at different gravitational levels.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid tank of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different ports includes:
 a supply port; and   a cleanout port located gravitationally lower than the supply port.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid tank of  claim 2 , further including a return port disposed within the sump. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid tank of  claim 3 , wherein the return port is spaced apart from the supply port to promote mixing of returned warm fuel within the volume. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid tank of  claim 4 , wherein the return port is located gravitationally higher than the supply port. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid tank of  claim 2 , wherein the sump includes a plurality of walls sloped towards the cleanout port. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid tank of  claim 6 , wherein the sump has a v-shaped bottom. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid tank of  claim 6 , wherein the sump has a generally flat horizontal bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid tank of  claim 6 , wherein the sump is located at a leading end of the fluid tank relative to a mounting orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid tank of  claim 9 , wherein the sump is located at a general transverse center of the fluid tank. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid tank of  claim 6 , wherein the sump is located at a trailing end of the fluid tank relative to a mounting orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid tank of  claim 11 , wherein the sump is located at a corner of the fluid tank. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid tank of  claim 1 , wherein the sump has wall that is generally co-planar with one of the plurality of walls that substantially encloses the volume. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid tank of  claim 1 , further including a quick fill mounting location located in at least one of the plurality of walls that substantially encloses the volume. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid tank of  claim 14 , wherein the quick fill mounting location is located in a lower wall of the plurality of walls from which the sump extends and spaced apart from the sump in a transverse direction. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid tank of  claim 14 , wherein the quick fill mounting location is located at an intersection of side wall and a lower wall of the plurality of walls, at a corner opposite the sump. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid tank of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of channels located in the plurality of walls that substantially enclose the volume, the plurality of channels including:
 at least a first channel configured to receive a mounting bracket; and   a second channel configured to strengthen the fluid tank.   
     
     
         18 . The fluid tank of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls, sump, and plurality of ports are integrally formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid tank of  claim 18 , further including a plurality of metal fittings associated with the plurality of ports. 
     
     
         20 . A fluid tank, comprising:
 a plurality of walls connected to each other to substantially enclose a volume; and   a sump extending away from a lower wall of the plurality of walls;   a cleanout port located within the sump;   a supply port located within the sump at a location gravitationally higher than the cleanout port; and   a return port located within the sump at a location gravitationally higher than the supply port,   wherein:   the sump includes a plurality of walls sloped towards the cleanout port; and   the plurality of walls, the sump, the cleanout port, the supply port, and the return port are integrally formed from a plastic material.