DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A Vessel

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a vessel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vessel installed in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, in vehicles, to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and to improve vehicle performance, attempts are made to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle in many ways. Especially in lightweight vehicles such as motorcycles, reduction in weight becomes an even more significant consideration. Generally, the weight of the vehicle is reduced by using alternative lightweight materials for certain components.
[003] Conventionally, the weight reductions efforts are centred around frame and chassis wherein the frame, which would earlier be made of iron or steel containing iron, would be made of aluminium or aluminium alloy. This would substantially reduce the weight of the vehicle since aluminium or aluminium alloy generally has a specific gravity of about one-third of iron or steel containing iron.
[004] Further, there have been attempts to reduce the weight of the vessels in the vehicle such as a fuel tank for reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. In one such attempt, a vessel made of aluminium or aluminium alloy has been proposed for cars wherein fuel tank has an upper and lower casing which are formed by drawing and then brazed together. In other attempts, an upper shell and lower shell for a vessel are provided wherein the lower shell is mounted on the motorcycle body and has mounting flanges etc integrated thereon. Further, the upper shell and the lower shell made of aluminium are seam rolled to be attached to each other. The seam rolling process, to ensure no fuel leakage, requires a high rolling radius and thus the space occupied by the seam is higher. This leads to volume reduction of the vessel within the packaging constraints of the vehicle. Further, when the entire vessel is made of aluminium or aluminium alloy, the associated costs are much higher since aluminium is an expensive material.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a vessel which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a vessel. The vessel has a lower portion and the lower portion is made of a first material. Further, the vessel has an upper portion and the upper portion is supported on the lower portion. Thereby, the upper portion and the lower portion define a sealed space therein. Further, the upper portion is made of a second material.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the vessel is provided on a vehicle and the vessel is configured to store a third material for the vehicle.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the upper portion is supported on the lower portion by welding the upper portion to the lower portion.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, the first material of the lower portion is a sheet-metal material.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second material of the upper portion is one or more of aluminium, or Aluminium-Magnesium based alloy, or Aluminium-Silicon-Magnesium based alloy.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lower portion has a bottom surface and a side surface. The side surface extends from the bottom surface and extends along a periphery of the bottom surface. Herein, the lower portion is supported on a frame assembly of the vehicle at the side surface. Further, the upper portion has an opening for supporting an inlet flange. The inlet flange supports a cap assembly, and the inlet flange is made of the second material.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vessel has a supply port provided on the bottom surface of the lower portion and the supply port is integrally formed with the lower portion.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vessel has a supply flange. The supply flange is arranged around the supply port on the bottom surface of the lower portion. The supply flange is made of the second material.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the supply flange has an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion is arranged around the supply port, and the outer portion has one or more mounting holes for mounting of the supply flange to the bottom surface of the lower portion. Further, the vessel has a mounting flange configured to be provided between the inner portion of the supply flange and the supply port. The mounting flange is made of the first material.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper portion is supported on the side surface of the lower portion. Further, the upper portion has a dome shape, thereby forming a sealed space with the lower portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vessel provided on a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the vessel, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a lower portion of the vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a supply flange of the vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates another sectional view of the vessel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[017] The present invention relates to a vessel. In particular, the present invention relates to a vessel for a vehicle. The vessel of the present invention is typically used in a vehicle such as a two wheeled vehicle. However, it should be understood that the vessel as illustrated may find its application in a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle, or other multi-wheeled vehicles, or any non-automotive application using a vessel to store a material as required.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vessel 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, the vessel 100 is provided on a saddle type vehicle and is supported on a frame assembly 20 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the vessel 100 is supported on a main frame of the frame assembly 20 and is configured to store a material as per requirement.
[019] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the vessel 100. As illustrated, the vessel 100 comprises a lower portion 110. Herein, the lower portion 110 of the vessel 100 is made of a first material. The vessel 100 further has an upper portion 120. As illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the upper portion 120 is supported on the lower portion 110 whereby the upper portion 120 and the lower portion 110 define a sealed space therein, for storing a material or fluid material as per requirement. Further, the upper portion 120 is made of a second material. Accordingly, the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 120 being made of dissimilar material allows for selection of a lightweight material for the upper portion 120, and an inexpensive material for the lower portion 110, thus allowing for weight reduction of the vessel 100 without an increase in the costs.
[020] In an embodiment, as referenced above, the vessel 100 is provided on a vehicle 10 (shown in Figure 1) and the vessel 100 is configured to store a third material for the vehicle 10 in the sealed space defined between the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 120. In an embodiment, the vessel 100 is a fuel tank of the vehicle 10 and is configured to store fuel for the vehicle 10.
[021] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the upper portion 120 is supported on the lower portion 110 by welding the upper portion 120 to the lower portion 110. In an embodiment, the welding of the upper portion 120 to the lower portion 110 is done around the periphery of the interface of the upper portion 120 and the lower portion 110 thereby forming the sealed space. Supporting the upper portion 120 to the lower portion 110 through welding, thus eliminates the requirement of seam rolling the portions of the vessel 100 for creating the sealed space, thus ensuring that the volume of the vessel 100 need not be compromised for packaging on to the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the fuel tank upper portion 120 is welded to the fuel tank lower portion 110 by a Cold-Metal-Transfer Metal-Inert-Gas (CMT MIG) welding process.
[022] In a further embodiment, the first material of the lower portion 110 is a sheet-metal material. In another embodiment, the second material of the upper portion 120 is one or more of aluminium, or Aluminium-Magnesium based alloy, or Aluminium-Silicon-Magnesium based alloy. In an embodiment, the upper portion 120 is fabricated or formed by a press forming process. Accordingly, the upper portion 120 is made of a lightweight material, while the lower portion 110 is made of an inexpensive material, thus ensuring reduction in weight of the vessel 100 without an increase in the costs.
[023] Reference is made to be embodiment depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3, herein as illustrated, the lower portion 110 of the vessel 100 comprises a bottom surface 112 and a side surface 114. Herein, the side surface 114 extends from the bottom surface 112 and extends along a periphery of the bottom surface 112. In this embodiment, the lower portion 110 is supported on the vehicle 10 at the side surface 114. To support the lower portion 110 on the vehicle 10, one or more mounting provisions are provided on the lower portion 110, that extend from the side surface 114 of the lower portion 110 for attaching the lower portion 110 on the frame assembly 20 of the vehicle 10.
[024] In an embodiment, the upper portion 120 has a dome shape, thereby forming a sealed space with the lower portion 110 as Illustrated in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the upper portion 120 is supported on the side surface 114 of the lower portion 110. Accordingly, the upper portion 120 is welded to the lower portion 110 along the side surface of the lower portion 110. As referenced in Figure 2, the upper portion 120 has an opening 122 for supporting an inlet flange 140. The inlet flange 140 supports a cap assembly, whereby the cap assembly can be operated to transfer the third material from a source to the sealed space inside the vessel 100. Further, the inlet flange 140 is made of the second material, and accordingly is made of the same material as the upper portion 120 that the inlet flange 140 is attached to.
[025] Further, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 4 and Figure 5, and referenced in Figure 2, the vessel 100 has a supply port 130 provided on the bottom surface 112 of the lower portion 110. The supply port 130 is integrally formed with the lower portion 110 and is provided for supplying the third material from the sealed space in the vessel 100 to the location of requirement. For example, when the vessel 100 is installed on the vehicle 10 and stores fuel, the supply port 130 facilitates the supply of fuel from the vessel 100 or the fuel tank to an engine for combustion.
[026] Further, as illustrated, the vessel 100 a supply flange 150. The supply flange 150 is arranged around the supply port 130 on the bottom surface 112 of the lower portion 110. The supply flange 150 is configured to support a supply system for supplying the third material from the vessel 100. For example, when the vessel 100 is installed on the vehicle 10 and stores fuel, the supply flange 150 supports a fuel pump assembly that supplies fuel from the vessel 100 or the fuel tank to the engine for combustion. In an embodiment, the supply flange 150 being made of the second material. Accordingly, the supply flange 150 is made of a material that is dissimilar to the material of the lower portion 110 that the supply flange 150 is mounted on.
[027] As illustrated in Figure 6, in an embodiment, the supply flange 150 comprises an inner portion 152 and an outer portion 154. Herein, the inner portion 152 is arranged around the supply port 130 (shown in Figure 5). Further, as shown, the outer portion 154 has one or more mounting holes 156. The one or more mounting holes 156 are provided for mounting of the supply flange 150 to the bottom surface 112 of the lower portion 110. The mounting holes 156 are capable of allowing fasteners to pass through for mounting of the supply flange 150 to the lower portion 110.
[028] As explained hereinbefore, the supply flange 150 is made of a material that is dissimilar to the material of the lower portion 110 that the supply flange 150 is mounted on. Accordingly, when the supply flange 150 made of second material is attached to the lower portion 110 made of first material through a process like welding, owing to the difference in melting temperature of the first material and the second material, the supply flange 150 is susceptible to melting which can cause deformation. To prevent this melting deformation, in the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 7, there is provided a mounting flange 160 that is configured to be provided between the inner portion 152 of the supply flange 150 and the supply port 130. In that, the mounting flange 160 is made of the first material. Accordingly, the heat during the welding of the supply flange 150 to the supply port 130, is absorbed by the mounting flange 160, thereby preventing the supply flange 150 from melting. For example, when the supply flange 150 is made of the second material such as aluminium, or Aluminium-Magnesium based alloy, or Aluminium-Silicon-Magnesium based alloy and the lower portion 110 is made of the first material such as sheet metal material, when the mounting flange 160 is made of the sheet metal material. Since the melting point of aluminium or aluminium alloy is much lower than the sheet metal material, the provision of the mounting flange 160 of sheet metal material results in the heat being absorbed by the mounting flange 160, thereby preventing the aluminium made supply flange 150 from melting.
[029] Advantageously, the present invention provides a vessel in which the lower portion is made of the first material and upper portion is made of the second material, whereby provision of dissimilar materials allow for reduction in weight of the vessel, without an increase in costs. Further, the upper portion of the vessel being welded to the lower portion for creating a sealed space also eliminates the requirement of seam rolling the two portions, thereby ensuring no compromise the vessel volume.
[030] Further, due to welding, chances of there being any leakage, or chances of water ingress in the sealed space are eliminated. The welding also allows in reduction of potential sharp edges in the vessel, thereby reducing the chances of damage to the vessel and potential fire hazards.
[031] Further, in the present invention, when the vessel is mounted on the vehicle as a fuel tank, it can be ensured that the vessel can be accommodated within the packaging constraints of the vehicle without having to compromise on the volume of the vessel. The upper portion being made of the second material, such as aluminium also provides for improved aesthetics of the vehicle. Further, the upper portion being made of the second material, such as aluminium also prevents any chances of rusting of the vessel. The elimination of the seam also ensures more packaging space being available for other vehicle components.
[032] In addition, provision of the mounting flange being of the first material also allows for mounting of the supply flange on to the supply port of the lower portion with a reduced risk of melting and deformation of the supply flange.
[033] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
10: Vehicle
20: Frame Assembly
100: Vessel
110: Lower Portion
112: Bottom Surface of the Lower Portion
114: Side Surface of the Lower Portion
120: Upper Portion
130: Supply Port
140: Inlet Flange
150: Supply Flange
152: Inner Portion of the Supply Flange
154: Outer Portion of the Supply Flange
156: Mounting Holes
160: Mounting Flange

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A vessel (100), the vessel (100) comprising:
a lower portion (110), the lower portion (110) being made of a first material; and
an upper portion (120), the upper portion (120) being supported on the lower portion (110) whereby the upper portion (120) and the lower portion (110) define a sealed space therein, and the upper portion (120) being made of a second material.

2. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vessel (100) being provided on a vehicle (10) and the vessel (100) being configured to store a third material for the vehicle (10).

3. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (120) is supported on the lower portion (110) by welding the upper portion (120) to the lower portion (110).

4. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first material of the lower portion (110) is a sheet-metal material.

5. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second material of the upper portion (120) is one or more of aluminium, or Aluminium-Magnesium based alloy, or Aluminium-Silicon-Magnesium based alloy.

6. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lower portion (110) comprises a bottom surface (112) and a side surface (114), the side surface (114) extending from the bottom surface (112) and extending along a periphery of the bottom surface (112), wherein the lower portion (110) is supported on a frame assembly (20) of the vehicle (10) at the side surface (114), and wherein the upper portion (110) being supported on the side surface (114) of the lower portion (110).

7. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprising a supply port (130) provided on the bottom surface (112) of the lower portion (110), the supply port (130) being integrally formed with the lower portion (110).

8. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a supply flange (150), the supply flange (150) being arranged around the supply port (130) on the bottom surface (112) of the lower portion (110), and the supply flange (150) being made of the second material.

9. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the supply flange (150) comprises an inner portion (152) and an outer portion (154), wherein the inner portion (152) being arranged around the supply port (130), and the outer portion (154) having one or more mounting holes (156) for mounting of the supply flange (150) to the bottom surface (112) of the lower portion (110), and wherein the vessel (100) comprises a mounting flange (160) configured to be provided between the inner portion (152) of the supply flange (150) and the supply port (130), the mounting flange (160) being made of the first material.

10. The vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (120) comprises an opening (122) for supporting an inlet flange (140), the inlet flange (140) supporting a cap assembly, the inlet flange (140) being made of the second material, and wherein the upper portion (120) has a dome shape, thereby forming a sealed space with the lower portion (110).

Dated this 13th day of January 2025

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471