FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular reservoir system and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, truck tractors, boats, and trains, require reservoirs to store a variety of fluids and gases, including, but not limited to, windshield wiper fluid, power steering fluid, fuel, pressurized air, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, and engine coolant.

From a vehicle production standpoint, however, each vehicle model will often times have reservoirs that are uniquely shaped to that particular model. Having uniquely shaped and mounted reservoirs for each particular model fails to take advantage of economies of scale and thus leads to an increase in costs. Additionally, since vehicle designers tend to focus on the design and location of major components, like engines, radiators, transmissions, etc., reservoir locations, designs, and mounting are typically an afterthought during the initial design phase. After the location of the major components is determined, vehicle designers often are faced with the difficult task of trying to fit the reservoirs into the vehicles. With space and vehicle weight often times at a premium, especially in the engine compartment of road vehicles, it can be exceptionally difficult to find suitable location, design, and mounting means, for reservoirs.

The present invention relates to an improved modular reservoir mounting system and method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a modular reservoir comprises a body and first and second end caps. The body includes a reservoir cavity and an external surface. The reservoir cavity extends longitudinally within the body and is provided with first and second ends. The external surface is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. The tabs are provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves. The first and second end caps are located at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity. The first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of

manufacturing a modular reservoir comprises the steps of, providing a body, defining a reservoir cavity within the body that extends longitudinally within the body and includes first and second ends, providing an external surface of the body with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves, and providing first and second end caps at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity, whereby the first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing a modular reservoir comprises the steps of providing a body, wherein a reservoir cavity is defined within the body, the reservoir cavity extending longitudinally within the body and including first and second ends and an external surface of the body is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross- sectional shape of the grooves and providing first and second end caps at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity, whereby the first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.

According to still yet another embodiment of the present invention, a modular reservoir, comprises a body and a reservoir tank. The body includes a reservoir cavity and an external surface. The reservoir cavity extends longitudinally within the body. The external surface is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross- sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves. The reservoir tank is located within the reservoir cavity.

ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a modular reservoir comprises: a body that includes:

a reservoir cavity that extends longitudinally within the body and is provided with first and second ends;

an external surface provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves; and

first and second end caps located at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity, wherein the first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity. Preferably, the body is provided with a longitudinal length and the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves and the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs extend along the entire longitudinal length.

Preferably, the first end cap is integral with the body.

Preferably, the body is provided with a longitudinal axis, the longitudinally extending tabs are provided with a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is provided with a width that is less than a width of the second portion and the first portion extends a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than a radial distance at which the second portion extends from the longitudinal axis, and the plurality of longitudinal grooves are provided with first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is provided with a width that is greater than a width of the second portion and the first portion extends a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than a radial distance at which the first portion extends from the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the longitudinally extending tabs and the longitudinally extending grooves are provided with substantially "T" cross-sectional shapes.

Preferably, at least one of the end caps includes a port.

Preferably, at least one baffle is located within the reservoir cavity, the at least one baffle dividing the reservoir cavity into a first reservoir section and a second reservoir section, whereby the second reservoir section is isolated from the first reservoir section.

Preferably, the reservoir includes a top surface and further comprising a battery and a battery hold-down, the top surface supporting at least a portion of the battery, and at least one of the plurality of longitudinal grooves receives a portion of the battery hold-down to hold the battery in place on the top surface.

Preferably, further comprising a container that includes a plurality of tabs that are nested with a plurality of grooves on the modular reservoir.

Preferably, further comprising at least one other modular reservoir that includes: another body, wherein the another body includes:

another reservoir cavity defined within the another body, the another reservoir cavity extending longitudinally within the another body and provided with first and second ends;

another external surface provided with another plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and another plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the another tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the another grooves and the

grooves and the tabs are provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape with respect to the another grooves, wherein at least one of the tabs is in a nested relationship within at least one of the another grooves and at least one of the another tabs is in a nested relationship within at least one of the grooves; and

another first and second end caps located at the another first and second ends of the another reservoir cavity, wherein the another first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.

Preferably, the external surface includes at least a first side and a second side whereon the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves and the plurality of longitudinally tabs are located, wherein the second side is opposite the first side and the first and second sides are complementary in shape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a modular reservoir comprises the steps of:

providing a body;

defining a reservoir cavity within the body that extends longitudinally within the body and includes first and second ends;

providing an external surface of the body with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves; and

providing first and second end caps at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity, whereby the first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.

Preferably, the step of defining the reservoir cavity within the body that extends longitudinally within the body and includes first and second ends and the step of providing the external surface of the body with the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with the substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to the cross-sectional shape of the grooves to provide a modular reservoir are accomplished via extrusion. Preferably, the step of providing the first and second end caps at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity, whereby the first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity, includes the step of providing the first end cap integral with the body.

Preferably, the body is provided with a longitudinal length and the step of providing the external surface of the body with the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves, includes the step of extending the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves and the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs along the entire longitudinal length.

Preferably, the body is provided with a longitudinal axis and the step of providing the external surface of the body with the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves, includes the steps of providing the longitudinally extending tabs with a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is provided with a width that is less than a width of the second portion and the first portion extends a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than a radial distance at which the second portion extends from the longitudinal axis and providing the plurality of longitudinal grooves are provided with first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is provided with a width that is greater than a width of the second portion and the first portion extends a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than a radial distance at which the second portion extends from the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the step of providing the external surface of the body with the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves, includes the step of providing the longitudinally extending tabs and the longitudinally extending grooves with substantially "T" cross-sectional shapes.

Preferably, at least one of the end caps includes a port.

Preferably, further comprising the step of locating at least one baffle within the reservoir cavity, whereby the at least one baffle divides the reservoir cavity into a first reservoir section and a second reservoir section and the second reservoir section is isolated from the first reservoir section.

Preferably, the step of providing the external surface of the body with the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and the plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves, includes the step of providing the external surface with at least a first side and a second side, whereon the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and plurality of longitudinally grooves are located and wherein the second side is opposite the first side and the first and second sides are complementary in shape.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a modular reservoir comprises the steps of:

providing a body, wherein:

a reservoir cavity is defined within the body, the reservoir cavity extending longitudinally within the body and including first and second ends;

an external surface of the body is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross- sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves; and

providing first and second end caps at the first and second ends of the reservoir cavity, whereby the first and second end caps enclose the reservoir cavity.

Preferably, the reservoir includes a top surface and further comprising the step of securing a battery and a battery hold-down, to the top surface, whereby the top surface supports at least a portion of the battery, and at least one of the plurality of longitudinal grooves receiving a portion of the battery hold-down to hold the battery in place on the top surface.

Preferably, further comprising the steps of providing another body, wherein another reservoir cavity is defined within the another body, the another reservoir cavity extending longitudinally within the body and including first and second ends and another external surface of the body is provided with another plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and another plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the another tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the another grooves and the grooves and the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross- sectional shape with respect to the another grooves, providing another first and second end caps at the another first and second ends of the another reservoir cavity, whereby the another first and second end caps enclose the another reservoir cavity, and sliding at least one of the tabs into a nested relationship within at least one of the another grooves and at least one of the another tabs in a nested relationship within at least one of the grooves to form a bundle of multiple modular reservoirs.

Preferably, further comprising the step of using the plurality of longitudinal tabs and grooves to provide integral mounting points for bundling of multiple modular reservoirs, mounting the modular reservoir to a supporting structure, or mounting objects to the modular reservoir.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a modular reservoir comprises: a body that includes a reservoir cavity that extends longitudinally within the body and an external surface provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves and a reservoir tank that is located within the reservoir cavity.

Preferably, the body is a first body section and further comprising a second body section, wherein another reservoir cavity extends longitudinally within the second body section and another external surface is provided with another plurality of longitudinally extending tabs and another plurality of longitudinally extending grooves, the another tabs provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the another grooves and the reservoir tank is located within the another reservoir cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a body of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a bundled multiple modular reservoir assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a bundled multiple modular reservoir assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of a bundled multiple modular reservoir assembly, a pluralities of batteries, and a battery hold-down, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an end view of a modular reservoir and a container according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates a bundled multiple modular reservoir assembly and a support structure according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bundled multiple modular reservoir assembly and a support structure according to one embodiment

FIG. 9 illustrates a reservoir cavity and a simplified external surface profile of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a reservoir cavity and a simplified external surface profile of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1 1 illustrates a reservoir cavity and a simplified external surface profile of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a reservoir cavity and a simplified external surface profile of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates an extrusion process for fabricating a body of a modular reservoir according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a modular reservoir according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a modular reservoir according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1-2 depict a modular reservoir 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the modular reservoir 10 is provided with a body 20 and end caps 50, 51.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the body 20 is configured to function as a reservoir for a fluid or a gas. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a reservoir cavity 25 is defined within the body 20 and provided with a first end 26 and a second end 27. The reservoir cavity 25 may extend substantially along the entire length Li of the body from a first end 21 of the body 20 to a second end 22 of the body 20; however, in alternative embodiments, the reservoir cavity 25 may extend within the body less substantially than the entire length Li.

As shown, the reservoir cavity 25 may preferably be provided with a substantially uniform shape along the entire longitudinal length of the reservoir cavity 25. In the embodiment depicted, the reservoir cavity 25 is provided with a generally cylindrical cross- sectional shape; however, by way of example, as shown in FIGS. 9-12 the reservoir cavity may be provided with other shapes, including, but not limited to, an ovular, triangular, octagonal, or circular shape, as shown at 25', 25", 25"', and 25"", respectively.

As shown, in FIG. 1, if desired, at least one baffle 29 may be located within the reservoir cavity 25. The illustrated baffle 29 divides the reservoir cavity 25 into a first reservoir section 25a and a second reservoir section 25b. The baffle 29 preferably isolates the first reservoir section 25a from the second reservoir section 25b. The baffle 29 may be welded or adhered ("glued") into the reservoir cavity 25 or provided via forming and/or machining. Advantageously, the inclusion of one or more baffles, such as baffle 29, may allow for different substances to be stored in each reservoir section, such as reservoir sections 25 a, 25b. In the illustrated embodiment, only one baffle 29 is depicted; however, in alternative embodiments the reservoir cavity 25 may be fabricated without a baffle 29 or with more than one baffle 29.

According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the body 20 includes a plurality of integral mounting points located directly on the body 20 to allow bundling, if desired, of multiple modular reservoirs 10, whereby a multiple modular reservoir assembly may be provided. According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the body 20 includes a plurality of integral mounting points located directly on the body 20, which may, if desired, be used to mount the modular reservoir 10 to a supporting structure or to mount a variety of objects to the modular reservoir 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 20 is provided with an external surface 30.

Although the external surface 30 is shown provided with a generally square cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, the external surface 30 may be provided with other shapes, including, but not limited to an rectangular, triangular, octagonal, and circular as shown at 30', 30", 30"' and 30"".

As FIGS. 1 and 2, show, the external surface 30 of the body 20 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs 40. Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external surface 30 of the body 20 defines a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 45. The grooves 45 are recessed, on the external surface 30, with respect to the tabs 40. The tabs 40 and grooves 45 may extend substantially along the entire longitudinal length Li of the body 20; however, in alternative embodiments, the longitudinally extending tabs 40 and grooves 45 may extend less than substantially along the entire longitudinal length Li of the body 20.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the longitudinally extending tabs 40 are provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to the cross sectional shape of the grooves 45. As shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinally extending tabs 40 are provided with a first portion 41 and a second portion 43. The first portion 41 is provided with a width 42 having a length that is less than a width 44 of the second portion 43. Also shown in FIG. 2, the first portion extends a radial distance Ri from the longitudinal axis A of the body 20 that is less than a radial distance R2 at which the second portion 43 extends from the longitudinal axis A. Similarly, the plurality of longitudinal grooves 45 are provided with first portion 46 and a second portion 48. As shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 46 is provided with a width 47 that is greater than a width 49 of the second portion 48. Also shown in FIG. 4, the first portion 46 extends a radial distance R3 from the longitudinal axis A of the body 20 that is less than a radial distance R4 at which the second portion 48 extends from the longitudinal axis A.

The first portion 41 and second portion 48 are shown provided with a substantially complementary shape and the second portion 43 and first portion 46 are provided with a substantially complementary shape. The first portion 41 is provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the second portion 48. Similarly, the second portion 43 is provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape, with respect to the cross sectional shape of the first portion 46. In the presently illustrated embodiment, the longitudinally extending tabs 40 and the longitudinally extending grooves 45 may be provided with a substantially "T" cross-sectional shape; however, other nesting shapes may be provided, such as for example as at 40a, and 45a, within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the external surface 30 may be provided with a first side 31, a second side 32, opposite the first side 31, a third side 33, and a fourth side 34, opposite the third side 33. In the presently illustrated embodiment, the tabs 40 and grooves 45 on the first side 31 and second sides 32 are arranged so that the first side 31 and second side are complementary in shape. Likewise, the tabs 40 and grooves 45 on the third side 33 and fourth side 34 are arranged so that the third side 33 and the fourth side 34 are complementary in shape. Also shown, the tabs 40 and grooves 45 may be positioned and/or numbered so that the contour of the first side 31 and the second side 32 differs from the contour of the third side 33 and the fourth side 34.

The plurality of longitudinally extending tabs 40 and grooves 45 may function as integral mounting points to allow for bundling of multiple modular reservoirs, such as, for example, modular reservoirs 10, 10', and 10", whereby a bundled multiple modular reservoir assembly 1 10 may be provided. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, in addition to modular reservoir 10, at least one other modular reservoir, such as modular reservoirs 10' and 10" may be provided. Also shown in FIG. 3, the modular reservoirs 10' and 10" like modular reservoir 10 may be provided with bodies 20', 20" and end caps 50', 50", 51 ' 51". Like modular reservoir 10, reservoir cavities 25' and 25" are defined within the bodies 20', 20". External surfaces 30', 30" of the bodies 20', 20" are also provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tabs 40', 40" and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 45', 45". The plurality of longitudinally extending tabs 40', 40" are provided with a substantially nesting cross- sectional shape, with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the grooves 45, 45', 45". Similarly, the tabs 40 are provided with a substantially nesting cross-sectional shape with respect to the grooves 45, 45', and 45".

As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, the bundle of multiple modular reservoirs 110 may be formed by sliding at least one of the tabs 40, 40', 40" within one of the grooves 45, 45', 45" of an adjacent modular reservoir 10, 10', 10" so that the tabs 40, 40', 40" are in a nested relationship within the grooves 45, 45', 45". For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a tab 40 on the second side 32 of the modular reservoir 10 may nest with the grooves 45' on a first side 31 ' of the modular reservoir 10' and a tab 40' on the first side 31 ' of the modular reservoir 10' may nest within groove 45 on the second side 31 of the modular reservoir 10. By way of another example, as shown in FIG. 4, tabs 40 on the third side 33 of the modular reservoir 10 may nest with the grooves 45' on a fourth side 34' of the modular reservoir 10' and tabs 40' on the fourth side 34' of the modular reservoir 10' may nest within grooves 45 on the third side 33 of the modular reservoir 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 any number of modular reservoirs, such as, for example, and not limitation, modular reservoirs 10', 10", 10"' may be stacked horizontally and/or vertically to provide a variety of bundled configurations.

Although FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs 40 and grooves 45 functioning as integral mounting points for bundling of multiple modular reservoirs 10, in alternative embodiments, the longitudinally extending tabs 40 and grooves 45 may functioning as integral mounting points for bundling the modular reservoir 10 with a variety of other objects. By way of example, and not limitation, as shown in FIG. 5, a side, such as, for example, and not limitation, the third side 33 may be oriented to provide a top surface 35 whereupon a variety of objects, including, but not limited to a battery 200, as shown, can be supported. Also shown, a plurality of modular reservoirs, such as modular reservoirs 10, 10', 10", in a modular reservoir bundle 1 10 may be oriented whereby top surfaces 35, 35', 35", support a plurality of batteries 200, 201, 202, 203. As shown, longitudinal grooves, such as, for example, longitudinal grooves, as at 45 and 45", may receive a portion of the battery hold-down 205 to hold the batteries 200, 201, 202 in place on the top surfaces 33, 33 ' and 33".

Although FIG 5. illustrates bundling modular reservoirs 10, 10', 10" with batteries 200, 201, 202, 203 via use of a battery hold-down 205, many other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 6 shows a container 80 provided with a bottom surface 81. As shown, the bottom surface 81 may be provided with a plurality of tabs 86. As shown, the tabs 86 are configured to nest within the grooves 45 provided on the top surface 35 of a modular reservoir 10. Within the scope of the present invention, the container 80 may have a variety of shapes and can hold a variety of objects 210.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the plurality of longitudinally extending tabs 40 and grooves 45 may, if desired, function as integral mounting points for mounting the modular reservoir 10 to a supporting structure 90, such as, for example, and not limitation, a frame rail or a cross member. As shown, heads 301 of a plurality of bolts 300 may nest within the grooves 45 and a shaft may pass through openings 91 in the supporting structure 90 and be fastened with nuts 95 to secure the modular reservoir 10 to the supporting structure 90. By way of another example, and not limitation, tabs (not shown) that nest within the grooves 45 may be welded onto the supporting structure 90.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-8 depict various arrangements wherein longitudinally extending tabs 40 and grooves 45 functioning as integral mounting points in a variety of contexts; however the present invention contemplates other arrangements within the scope of the present invention. Within the scope of the present invention, various objects, including, but not limited to, access steps, containers, brackets, fasteners and equipment may be mounted to the modular reservoir 10. Additionally, although tabs 40 and grooves 45 may serve as mounting points, when solely relied upon, they may not serve to prevent relative displacement between a modular reservoir 10 and any object mounted thereto. In such instances welding, for example, and not limitation, as at W in FIG. 5, set screws, for example, and not limitation, as at S in FIG. 6, fasteners, for example, and not limitation, as at F in FIG. 8, or a bracket, for example, and not limitation, as at B in FIG. 7 may be utilized to prevent relative displacement.

Turning now back to FIG. 1, the end caps 50, 51 according to one embodiment are depicted. As shown, the end caps 50, 51 are secured to the body 20 to enclose the reservoir cavity 25. The end caps 50, 51 are preferably welded, adhered ("glued") or fastened, for example via threads, such as at 28, whereby they are located at opposite ends 26, 27 of the reservoir cavity 25 and enclose the reservoir cavity, however, one of the end caps may be provided integral to the body 20.

As shown, at least one of the end caps 50, 51 may be provided with a port, such as ports 55, 56. Alternatively, one or more ports (not shown) may be provided through the body 20. Although shown centrally located, the ports 55, 56 may be located anywhere on the end caps 50, 51 or the body 20. Within the scope of the present invention, the ports may also have various shapes and configurations. For example, in embodiments, a modular reservoir 10 may be oriented vertically and the ports may include dipsticks (not shown). By way of example, in other embodiments, the ports may be connected to hoses for air line connections or fluid transfer. By way of still another example, the ports may receive a cap that can be removed to allow fluid to be added to the reservoir cavity 25.

Within the scope of the present embodiment, the body 20 and end caps 50, 51 may be manufactured in a variety of ways, including via machining, stamping, forming (cold or hot), and/or extrusion. The body 20 and end caps may be fabricated from any material, including, but not limited to a metal, such as, for example, an aluminum or a steel or a plastic, such as a thermoplastic or a thermoset. Preferably the end caps 50, 51 are fabricated via stamping and the body 20 is fabricated via extrusion.

Turning now to FIG. 13, the preferred extrusion process 1000 involves use of a floating mandrel 1001, provided with an outer surface that is shaped to generally correspond to the shape of the reservoir cavity 25. The floating mandrel 1001, which may be threaded into a dummy bock 1002, pierces a blank 2000 to form and substantially define the shape of the reservoir cavity. After the blank 2000 is pierced, a follower 1003 forces the blank 2000 through a die 1004 to substantially complete the shape of the body 20. The die 1004 is provided with a shape that substantially corresponds to the external surface of the body 20 and substantially defines the shape of exterior surface of the body 20. Thereafter, if desired, the extruded body 20 may be cut to desired lengths to provide multiple bodies of any length according to reservoir volume requirements.

Turning now to FIG. 14, an alternative embodiment of a modular reservoir 1 10 is depicted. The modular reservoir 110 is similar to the modular reservoir 10, except that it does not include end caps 50, 51 and the reservoir cavity 120 receives a reservoir tank 160 that functions as a fluid or gas reservoir. As shown, the reservoir tank 160 may be provided with at least a port 161. Within the scope of the present invention, the port 161 may also have various shapes, configurations, and locations other than as illustrated. Turning now to FIG. 15, another alternative embodiment of a modular reservoir 210 is depicted. The modular reservoir 210 is similar to the modular reservoir 110, except a first body section 220A and a second body section 220B are provided. The first body section 220A and the second body section 220B are each provided with reservoir cavities 220 that each receive portions of a reservoir tank 260 that is elongated relative to the tank 160 shown in FIG. 14. As shown, the reservoir tank 260 may be provided with at least a port 261.

Within the scope of the present invention, the port 261 may also have various shapes, configurations, and locations other than as illustrated.

The present description depicts specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to be within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the invention.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create further embodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of the invention. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the invention. Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined from the appended claims and equivalents thereof.