FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
TITLE: “A COOLANT TANK OF A VEHICLE AND A COOLING SYSTEM
THEREOF”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400001
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates in general to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a cooling system for a vehicle. Further embodiments of the disclosure disclose a coolant tank of the cooling system, where the coolant tank is configured to restrict the flow of air bubbles into the cooling system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles are driven by at least one of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor or both. An internal combustion engine of a vehicle produces power by converting chemical energy from fuels such as gasoline or diesel into mechanical energy. The combustion of the fuel inside the engine generates very high temperatures. These high temperatures may severely damage the engine and lower the engine performance over an extended duration of time. The high temperatures may also increase carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the operational efficiency of the engine. Further, electric vehicles include motors which power the vehicle by drawing power from a battery source housed in the vehicle. The operation of the electric motors also generates very high temperatures. The high temperatures may damage windings and other parts in the motor if the temperature is not moderated. It is therefore crucial for controlling the temperatures in the vehicle.
Generally, a cooling system is employed in the vehicle for controlling the temperatures in the engine and/or the electric motor [hereinafter referred to as the drive system] of the vehicle. The cooling system includes a coolant tank for storing the coolant. The cooling system may also include a cooling circuit with a coolant pump and a radiator. The coolant will be circulated from the coolant tank by the coolant pump. The coolant may be circulated to absorb heat from the drive system in the vehicle. The coolant may be subsequently circulated through the radiator to lower the temperature of the coolant. The coolant is further re-circulated into the coolant tank. As the coolant from the radiator mixes with the coolant in the coolant tank, air bubbles are generated inside the coolant tank. These air bubbles are often re-circulated into the cooling system by the coolant pump. As the coolant with the air bubbles are pumped out of the coolant tank, various parts of the coolant pump are damaged due to the circulation of the air bubbles. The air bubbles often tend to burst or explode on vanes of the coolant pump. Consequently, the vanes and other parts within the pump are damaged. The air bubbles which are circulated with the coolant also travel into the cooling circuit and may also damage or clog the cooling circuit. Therefore, the coolant pump and the cooling circuit may have to be repaired or replaced

prematurely. Consequently, the overall service and maintenance costs of the vehicle increase drastically.
Furthermore, the fusion of air bubbles in the coolant often reduces the overall ability of the coolant to absorb high temperatures from the drive system. Consequently, the operational efficiency of the cooling system is reduced. The coolant may have to be circulated for a longer period of time through the drive system for maintaining the drive system under required temperature ranges. Consequently, the parts of the cooling system such as the coolant pump and the radiator are operated for a prolonged time period. Since the radiator and the coolant pump draw energy from the vehicle itself, the operational efficiency of the vehicle is also reduced, which is undesired.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above, or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the conventional system or device are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the coolant tank as claimed in the present disclosure.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a coolant tank of a vehicle is disclosed. The coolant tank includes a body that is configured to store coolant. The body is defined with at least one inlet for receiving coolant and at least one outlet for expunging the coolant. The coolant tank includes at least one air stone which is positioned within the body and is configured to enclose the outlet. The at least one air stone allows the flow of the coolant through the at least one outlet and restricts the flow of air bubbles through the at least one outlet. In an embodiment, the above configuration of the coolant tank with the air stone ensures that air bubbles are restricted within the coolant tank. Thus, damage to other auxiliary components such as a pump and heat exchanger is prevented. Consequently, the longer operational life of the pump and the heat exchanger is ensured. In an embodiment, preventing the flow of air bubbles into the coolant flow lines improves the operational efficiency of a cooling system. Thus, the operational efficiency of the cooling system is improved.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the body of the coolant tank is defined with a spherical shape. In an embodiment, the spherical shaped coolant tank has improved pressure bearing abilities.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one outlet of the body is defined at a bottom portion of the body. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant tank includes an outlet tube that extends downwardly from the at least one outlet. The provision of the outlet and the outlet tube at the bottom end ensures the smooth outward flow of the coolant from the body of the coolant tank, when the pump is operated to suck the coolant from the coolant tank.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant tank includes a vent port extending upwardly from the body in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of extension of the outlet tube. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the coolant tank includes a pressure valve that is disposed in the vent port. The pressure valve opens when the pressure of air in the body exceeds a pre-determined limit. In an embodiment, the above configuration of the vent port and the pressure valve ensures that air inside the body is vented out to the atmosphere. Consequently, safe operational pressure is maintained inside the body of the coolant tank.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the air stone is made of aluminium oxide and the air stone is defined with a porous structure. In an embodiment, the air stone prevents the flow of air bubbles into the outlet tube of the coolant tank.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a cooling system for a vehicle is disclosed. The cooling system includes a coolant tank for receiving and circulating a coolant. The coolant tank further includes a body that is configured to store coolant. The body is defined with at least one inlet for receiving coolant and at least one outlet for expunging the coolant. The coolant tank includes at least one air stone which is positioned within the body and is configured to enclose the outlet. The at least one air stone allows the flow of the coolant through the at least one outlet and restricts the flow of air bubbles through the at least one outlet. The cooling system also includes a pump that is fluidly coupled to the at least one outlet. The pump is configured to direct the coolant from the coolant tank to at least one cooling region of the vehicle. The cooling system also includes a heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled to the at least one cooling region and the coolant tank. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the coolant

from the at least one cooling region of the vehicle, for lowering the temperature of the coolant and re-circulating the coolant into the coolant tank.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one cooling region is one of an engine and an electric motor in the vehicle.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a cooling system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 is a sectional perspective view of a coolant tank in the cooling system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figure depicts embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the coolant tank of the vehicle illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the

conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to its organization, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such mechanism. In other words, one or more elements in the device or mechanism proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the mechanism.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the coolant tank and the cooling system as disclosed in the present disclosure may be employed in any vehicles that employs/includes powertrain, where such vehicle may include, but not be limited to, light duty vehicles, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and the like. Further, the person skilled in

the art would appreciate that the coolant tank and the cooling system as disclosed in the present disclosure may be employed in any vehicles including but not limited to vehicles driven internal combustion engines and electric motors.
Reference is made to Figure 1 which illustrates a cooling system (200) for a vehicle. The cooling system (200) [hereinafter referred to as the system] may include a coolant tank (100). The coolant tank (100) may be configured to receive, store, and expunge coolant. The system (200) may also include a pump (7). The pump (7) may be fluidly coupled to the coolant tank (100) and the pump (7) may be configured to direct the coolant from the coolant tank (100) to at least one cooling regions (8) in the vehicle. The system (200) may also include a heat exchanger (9) and the heat exchanger (9) may be configured to receive the coolant from the at least one cooling regions (8). The heat exchanger (9) is configured to lower the temperature of the coolant. The heat exchanger (9) is further coupled to the coolant tank (100) and the coolant from the heat exchanger (9) is re-circulated back into the coolant tank (100).
In an embodiment, the pump (7) may be configured to suck the coolant from the coolant tank (100). Further, the pump (7) may be coupled to a power source and the pump (7) may be configured to supply coolant to the at least one cooling regions (8) [hereinafter referred to as the cooling region] in the vehicle. The cooling regions (8) may be regions including but not limited to internal combustion engines, electric motors in electric vehicles, transmissions, gear boxes etc. In an embodiment, the cooling region (8) may be any region in the vehicle which reaches high temperatures, and which is required to be cooled. Furthermore, the coolant circulated to the cooling regions (8) may absorb the heat from the cooling regions (8) to maintain temperature of cooling regions to desired levels. The high temperature coolant after absorbing heat, exits the cooling regions (8) may further be cooled. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger (9) may be configured to receive the high temperature coolant from the cooling regions (8) of the vehicle. The heat exchanger (9) may reduce the temperature of the coolant to the required levels. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger (9) may be any cooling device including but not limited to radiators. The radiators may include fins and cooling fans where the coolant is configured to be circulated within the tubes in the radiator. Thus, the high temperature coolant from the cooling regions (8) may be cooled to a lower temperature by the heat exchanger (9). The low temperature coolant may further be re-circulated into the coolant tank (100). The configuration and the working of the coolant tank (100) is explained below.

Reference is made to the Figure 2 which illustrates a perspective view of the coolant tank (100). In an embodiment, the coolant tank (100) may include a body (2) that is configured to receive, store, and expunge the coolant. In an embodiment, the body (2) may be defined with but not limiting to a spherical shape. In an embodiment, spherical shaped coolant tank (100) prevents the localization of forces on the corners of the coolant tank (100). Consequently, the coolant tank (100) has improved pressure bearing abilities. In an embodiment, the spherical shape has smaller surface area per unit volume than any other shape which reduces the weight and cost of the coolant tank (100). In an embodiment, internal reinforcement for the coolant tank (100) is not required since the spherical shape of the coolant tank (100) is able to sustain the pressure exerted by the coolant in the coolant tank (100). In an embodiment, the body (2) may include at least one flange (10). The at least one flange (10) may extend outwardly from the body (2) and the at least one flange (10) may be used for coupling the body (2) of the coolant tank (100) to a body portion of vehicle.
The body (2) may be defined with at least one inlet (1a) [hereinafter referred to as the inlet]. The body (2) may further include at least one inlet tube (1) [hereinafter referred to as the inlet tube]. In an embodiment, the inlet tube (1) may be fluidly coupled to inlet (1a) on the body (2). The inlet tube (1) may be configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to the first axis (A-A) of the body (2). Further, the inlet tube (1) may be fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger (9) in the vehicle. The coolant from the heat exchanger (9) may flow into the body (2) through the inlet tube (1) and the inlet (1a) of the body (2).
In an embodiment, the body (2) may be defined with a bottom portion (3b). The body (2) may be further defined with at least one outlet (3a) [hereinafter referred to as the outlet]. The outlet (3a) may be defined at the bottom portion (3b) of the body (2). Further, coolant tank (100) includes an outlet tube (3), and the outlet tube (3) may be fluidly coupled to the outlet (3a) of the body (2). The outlet tube (3) may be configured to extend downwardly from the outlet (3a) of the body (2). Further, the outlet tube (3) may be positioned to extend along the first axis (A-A) of the body (2) and may be coupled to the pump (7). As apparent from Figure 2, the coolant tank (100) may include an air stone (4). The air stone (4) may be a structure with any shape including but not limited to a sphere. In an embodiment, the air stone (4) is made of aluminum oxide. In an embodiment, the air stone (4) may be of any material that repels air bubbles. In an embodiment, the air stone (4) may be defined with a porous structure. In an embodiment, the air stone (4) may be made of various porous materials including but not limited to sand,

sandstone, volcanic rock, fractured rock, concrete, polyurethane foam, metal foam etc. In an embodiment, the air stone (4) may be positioned within the body (2) and the air stone (4) may be configured to enclose the outlet (3a) of the body (2). In an embodiment, the air stone (4) may be disposed of at a region where one of the ends of the outlet tube (3) is completely enclosed by the air stone (4). In an embodiment, the air stone (4) may be fixed inside the body (2) by means of fasteners or other coupling mechanisms.
In an embodiment, as the coolant flows into the body (2) from the inlet tube (1), the incoming coolant mixes with the coolant in the body (2). Consequently, air bubbles may be generated in the body (2). In an embodiment, the air stone (4) prevents the flow of air bubbles into the outlet tube (3). The air stone (4) only allows the flow of the coolant whereas the air bubbles that come in contact with the air stone (4) are restricted from flowing into the outlet tube (3) through the outlet (3a). In an embodiment, the above configuration of the coolant tank (100) with the air stone (4) ensures that air bubbles are not directed into the pump (7) as the coolant is pumped out of the coolant tank (100). Thus, damage to the pump (7) and the parts of the pump (7) such as the impeller and vanes are prevented. Consequently, the longer operational life of the pump (7) is ensured, which further reduces the maintenance costs of the cooling system (200). In an embodiment, the lack of air bubbles in the coolant also prevents damage to the heat exchanger (9) as the heat exchanger (9) effectively reduces the temperature of the coolant. Consequently, the operational life and the operational efficiency of the heat exchanger (9) are also improved. In an embodiment, preventing the flow of air bubbles into the coolant flow lines, improves the operational efficiency of the cooling system (200). The lack of air bubbles in the coolant flow lines enables better heat or temperature absorption by the coolant from the cooling regions (8) in the vehicle. Thus, the operational efficiency of the cooling system (200) is improved. As the operational efficiency of the cooling system (200) is improved, the cooling system (200) draws less power from the vehicle for its operation. Consequently, the overall efficiency of the vehicle is also improved.
In an embodiment, the coolant tank (100) includes a vent port (5). The vent port (5) may be defined to the body (2) of the coolant tank (100). The vent port (5) may be configured to extend upwardly from the body (2). The vent port (5) is configured to extend in a direction that is substantially opposite to the direction in which the outlet tube (3) extends. The vent port (5) may extend in a direction that is parallel to the first axis (A-A) of the body (2). In an embodiment, the inlet (1a) and the inlet tube (1) may also be configured to extend from the

vent port (5). In an embodiment, the coolant tank (100) may include a pressure valve (6). The pressure valve (6) may be disposed in the vent port (5). The pressure valve (6) may be disposed at an end of the vent port (5) that lies opposite to the end of the vent port (5) that is coupled to the body (2) of the outlet tube (100). In an embodiment, the pressure valve (6) may be configured to open when the pressure exceeds a pre-determined limit. In an embodiment, the pressure valve (6) may open when the pressure of the air that is accumulated inside the tank exceeds the pre-determined limit. As the air bubbles are restricted from flowing into the outlet tube (3) by the air stone (4), the air bubbles tend to rise upwardly, and the air bubbles get accumulated along the top region of the body (2). As the air bubbles continue to get accumulated in the body (2), the pressure inside the body (2) increases. When this pressure of the coolant and the air inside the body (2) exceeds the pre-determined limit, the pressure valve (6) opens and releases the air in the body (2) to the atmosphere. In an embodiment, the above configuration of the vent port (5) and the pressure valve (6) ensures that the accumulated air inside the body (2) is vented out to the atmosphere. Consequently, safe operational pressure is maintained inside the body (2) of the coolant tank (100). In an operational embodiment, electric vehicles including motors are circulated with coolant for cooling. The coolant from the coolant tank (100) is initially directed into the motor for cooling the motor through the pump (7). The coolant from the motor is directed into the heat exchanger (9) where the temperature of the coolant is reduced, and the coolant is further directed into the coolant tank (100). As the coolant tank (100) mixes with the existing coolant in the coolant tank (100), bubbles are generated and the same are prevented from entering the coolant flow lines by the air stone (4) in the coolant tank (100). In an embodiment, vehicles running with internal combustion engines also include coolant channels. The coolant from the coolant tank (100) is initially directed into the internal combustion engine through the pump (7). The coolant from the internal combustion engine is directed into the heat exchanger (9) where the temperature of the coolant is reduced, and the coolant is further directed into the coolant tank (100). As the coolant tank (100) mixes with the existing coolant in the coolant tank (100), bubbles are generated and the same are prevented from entering the coolant flow lines by the air stone (4) in the coolant tank (100).
Equivalents
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.
Referral Numerals:

Referral numeral Description
1 Inlet tube
1a Inlet
2 Body
3 Outlet tube
3a Outlet
3b Bottom portion
4 Air stone
5 Vent port
6 Pressure valve
7 Pump
8 Cooling region
9 Heat exchanger
10 Flange
100 Coolant tank
200 Cooling system

We Claim:
1. A coolant tank (100) of a vehicle, the coolant tank (100) comprising:
a body (2) configured to store coolant and defined with: at least one inlet (1a) for receiving coolant; and at least one outlet (3a) for expunging the coolant; at least one air stone (4) positioned within the body (2) and configured to enclose the outlet (3a), wherein the at least one air stone (4) allows flow of the coolant through the at least one outlet (3a) and restricts the flow of air bubbles through the at least one outlet (3a).
2. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (2) is defined with a spherical shape.
3. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet (3a) is defined at a bottom portion (3b) of the body (2).
4. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an outlet tube (3) extending downwardly from the at least one outlet (3a).
5. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 4, comprising a vent port (5) extending upwardly from the body (2) in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of extension of the outlet tube (3).
6. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 5, comprising a pressure valve (6) disposed in the vent port (5), wherein the pressure valve (6) opens when the pressure of air in the body (2) exceeds a pre-determined limit.
7. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air stone (4) is made of aluminium oxide.
8. The coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air stone (4) is defined with a porous structure.
9. A cooling system (200) for a vehicle, the cooling system (200) comprising:

a coolant tank (100) for receiving and circulating a coolant, the coolant tank (100) comprising:
a body (2) defined with:
at least one inlet (1a) for receiving a coolant; at least one outlet (3a) for expunging the coolant; at least one air stone (4) positioned within the body (2) and configured to enclose the outlet (3a) wherein, the at least one air stone (4) allows the flow of the coolant through the at least one outlet (3a) and restricts the flow of air bubbles through the at least one outlet (3a); a pump (7) fluidly coupled to the at least one outlet (3a), the pump (7) is configured to direct the coolant from the coolant tank (100) to at least one cooling region (8) of the vehicle; and
a heat exchanger (9) fluidly coupled to the at least one cooling region (8) and the coolant tank (100), wherein the heat exchanger (9) is configured to receive the coolant from the at least one cooling region (8) of the vehicle, for lowering the temperature of the coolant and re-circulating the coolant into the coolant tank (100).
10. The cooling system (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one cooling region (8) is one of an engine, an electric motor in the vehicle.
11. A vehicle comprising a coolant tank (100) as claimed in claim 1.