Exhaust fluid tank provided with an exhaust system

Abstract

A exhaust fluid tank includes a base having an inner base surface and an outer surface; a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each extending from the base and each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A first heating element is disposed within the exhaust fluid tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exhaust system, comprising:
 an exhaust pipe extending from an internal combustion engine; and   an exhaust fluid system operatively connected to the exhaust pipe and configured to inject a exhaust fluid into the exhaust pipe, the exhaust fluid system, comprising:
 an exhaust fluid tank having a base with an inner base surface and an outer base surface each extending between a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, and 
 a heating system disposed within the exhaust fluid tank. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating system includes a first heating element that is disposed on the inner base surface. 
     
     
         3 . The exhaust system of  claim 2 , wherein the heating system includes a second heating element that is disposed on the inner surface of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , wherein the first heating element is spray deposited on the inner base surface and the second heating element is spray deposited on the inner surface of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are electrically conductive coatings. 
     
     
         6 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , further comprising a thermally conductive coating that is disposed on at least one of the first heating element and the second heating element. 
     
     
         7 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , further comprising a solid plate disposed on at least one of the first heating element and the second heating element. 
     
     
         8 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating system includes a first heating element that is disposed between the inner base surface and the outer base surface. 
     
     
         9 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein the heating system includes a second heating element that is disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating system includes a first heating element that extends between the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The exhaust system of  claim 10 , wherein the first heating element engages the inner base surface. 
     
     
         12 . The exhaust system of  claim 10 , wherein the heating system includes a second heating element that is spaced apart from the first heating element and extends between the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
         13 . The exhaust system of  claim 12 , wherein the second heating element engages the inner base surface. 
     
     
         14 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third heating element that is disposed on the outer base surface.   
     
     
         15 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a diesel engine. 
     
     
         16 . An exhaust fluid tank provided with an exhaust system, comprising:
 a base having an inner base surface and an outer surface;   a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each extending from the base and each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; and   a first heating element that is disposed between the inner base surface and the outer base surface.   
     
     
         17 . The exhaust fluid tank of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second heating element that is disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall.   
     
     
         18 . A exhaust fluid tank provided with an exhaust system, comprising:
 a base having an inner base surface and an outer surface extending between a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each extending from the base and each having an inner surface and an outer surface; and   a first heating element that is disposed on the inner base surface.   
     
     
         19 . The exhaust fluid tank of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a second heating element that is disposed on at least one of the inner surface of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall.   
     
     
         20 . The exhaust fluid tank of  claim 18 , wherein the exhaust system is provided for after-treatment of diesel exhaust.