Valve assembly

Abstract

A valve assembly for an aftertreatment system is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a coolant conduit. The coolant conduit is configured to allow a coolant flow therethrough. The valve assembly also includes a valve element having a valve passage. The valve element is configured to control a reductant flow through the valve passage. The valve assembly further includes a coupling mechanism provided on the valve element. The coupling mechanism is configured to attach the valve element to the coolant conduit such that a temperature of the valve assembly is controlled based on the coolant flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve assembly for an aftertreatment system, the valve assembly comprising:
 a coolant conduit configured to allow a coolant flow therethrough;   a valve element having a valve passage, the valve element configured to control a reductant flow through the valve passage; and   a coupling mechanism provided on the valve element, the coupling mechanism configured to attach the valve element to the coolant conduit such that a temperature of the valve assembly is controlled based on the coolant flow.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least two legs extending from the valve element. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two legs extend from opposite faces of the valve element. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a coolant manifold having an inner passage, the inner passage configured to receive the coolant conduit therein. 
 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes a mechanical fastener configured to attach the at least two legs to the coolant manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve element is attached to the coolant conduit such that a centerline of the valve passage is parallel to a centerline of the coolant conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pair of connection elements provided on opposing faces of the valve element, the pair of connection elements configured to attach a reductant line to the valve passage. 
 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly is electrically controlled. 
     
     
         9 . An aftertreatment system comprising:
 a reductant tank;   a pump;   a coolant conduit configured to allow a coolant flow therethrough; and   a valve assembly coupled to the pump and the reductant tank, the valve assembly comprising:
 a valve element having a valve passage, the valve element configured to control a reductant flow from the pump to the reductant tank; and 
 a coupling mechanism provided on the valve element, the coupling mechanism configured to attach the valve element to the coolant conduit such that a temperature of the valve assembly is controlled based on the coolant flow. 
   
     
     
         10 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 9 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least two legs extending from the valve element. 
     
     
         11 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two legs extend from opposite faces of the valve element. 
     
     
         12 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a coolant manifold having an inner passage, the inner passage configured to receive the coolant conduit therein. 
 
     
     
         13 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes a mechanical fastener configured to attach the at least two legs to the coolant manifold. 
     
     
         14 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the valve element and the coolant manifold are unitary components. 
     
     
         15 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 9 , wherein the valve assembly is electrically controlled. 
     
     
         16 . A valve assembly for an aftertreatment system, the valve assembly comprising:
 a valve element having a valve passage, the valve element configured to control a reductant flow through the valve passage; and   a coolant manifold coupled to the valve element, the coolant manifold having an inner passage, the inner passage configured to allow a coolant flow therethrough,   wherein a temperature of the valve assembly is controlled based on the coolant flow.   
     
     
         17 . The valve assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the valve assembly is a unitary component. 
     
     
         18 . The valve assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a centerline of the valve passage is parallel to a centerline of the inner passage. 
     
     
         19 . The valve assembly of  claim 16 , wherein each of the valve element and the coolant manifold are unitary components. 
     
     
         20 . The valve assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the valve assembly is electrically controlled.