Header unit for reductant tank

Abstract

A header unit for a reductant tank is provided. The header unit includes a reductant draw conduit extending into an interior space of the reductant tank. The reductant draw conduit is configured to draw a reductant from the reductant tank. The reductant draw conduit includes at least one expansion opening provided along a length thereof. The header unit also includes a valve element coupled to the reductant draw conduit. The valve element includes a main body member defining a channel therethrough. The main body member circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the reductant draw conduit corresponding to the at least one expansion opening. The main body member is made of an elastomeric material configured to accommodate an expansion thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A header unit for a reductant tank, the header unit comprising:
 a reductant draw conduit extending into an interior space of the reductant tank, the reductant draw conduit configured to draw a reductant from the reductant tank, wherein the reductant draw conduit includes at least one expansion opening provided along a length thereof; and   a valve element coupled to the reductant draw conduit, the valve element comprising:
 a main body member defining a channel therethrough, the main body member circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the reductant draw conduit corresponding to the at least one expansion opening, 
 wherein the main body member is made of an elastomeric material configured to accommodate an expansion thereof. 
   
     
     
         2 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein the reductant draw conduit includes a plurality of expansion openings provided along the length thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material of the valve element is configured to exert a radially inward restoring force on an outer wall of the reductant draw conduit with respect to a central axis of the valve element. 
     
     
         4 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein the valve element is configured to exert a radially inward force on the reductant draw conduit with respect to a central axis of the valve element based on the drawing of the reductant from the reductant tank. 
     
     
         5 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion of the valve element is based on a radially outward force with respect to a central axis of the valve element exerted thereon by a portion of the reductant present within the reductant draw conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a thickness of a wall of the main body member of the valve element to a diameter of the reductant draw conduit is 1:2. 
     
     
         7 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein the reductant draw conduit has a split piece configuration, such that the reductant draw conduit includes a first section and a second section. 
     
     
         8 . The header unit of  claim 7 , wherein the valve element is positioned between and fluidly connected to the first section and the second section respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The header unit of  claim 1  further comprising a positioning element configured to vertically position the valve element along the length of the reductant draw conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The header unit of  claim 1  further comprising a support member provided on an outer wall of the valve element. 
     
     
         11 . The header unit of  claim 1 , wherein the header unit further includes at least one additional valve element provided on the reductant draw conduit. 
     
     
         12 . A reductant supply system comprising:
 a reductant tank having an interior space;   a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the interior space of the reductant tank;   a pump configured to draw a reductant from the interior space of the reductant tank; and   a header unit attached to the reductant tank, the header unit comprising:
 a reductant draw conduit extending into the interior space of the reductant tank, the reductant draw conduit configured to draw the reductant from the reductant tank, wherein the reductant draw conduit includes wherein the reductant draw conduit includes at least one expansion opening provided along a length thereof; and 
 a valve element coupled to the reductant draw conduit, the valve element comprising:
 a main body member defining a channel therethrough, the main body member circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the reductant draw conduit corresponding to the at least one expansion opening, 
 wherein the main body member is made of an elastomeric material configured to accommodate an expansion thereof; and 
 
 a coolant loop coupled to the heat exchanger, the coolant loop extending into the interior space of the reductant tank, the coolant loop comprising:
 a coolant supply line configured to supply a coolant flow into the reductant tank; and 
 a coolant outlet line configured to discharge the coolant flow from the reductant tank. 
 
   
     
     
         13 . The reductant supply system of  claim 12 , wherein the elastomeric material of the valve element is configured to exert a radially inward restoring force on an outer wall of the reductant draw conduit with respect to a central axis of the valve element. 
     
     
         14 . The reductant supply system of  claim 12 , wherein the valve element is configured to exert a radially inward force on the reductant draw conduit with respect to a central axis of the valve element based on the drawing of the reductant from the reductant tank. 
     
     
         15 . The reductant supply system of  claim 12 , wherein the expansion of the valve element is based on a radially outward force with respect to a central axis of the valve element exerted thereon by a portion of the reductant present within the reductant draw conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The reductant supply system of  claim 12 , wherein the reductant draw conduit has a split piece configuration, such that the reductant draw conduit includes a first section and a second section. 
     
     
         17 . The reductant supply system of  claim 16 , wherein the valve element is positioned between and fluidly connected to the first section and the second section respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The reductant supply system of  claim 12  further comprising a positioning element configured to vertically position the valve element along the length of the reductant draw conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The reductant supply system of  claim 12  further comprising a support member provided on an outer wall of the valve element. 
     
     
         20 . The reductant supply system  claim 12 , wherein the header unit further includes at least one additional valve element provided on the reductant draw conduit.