AU2021421146A1 - Conformal fluid reservoir for thermal management - Google Patents

Abstract

A reservoir for use in a thermal management system includes a first housing joined to a second housing along a split surface that defines an internal volume. The first and second housings are asymmetric about the split surface and retain a periphery of the barrier, which divides the internal volume into a first volume and a second volume. A first port communicates with the first volume, and a second port communicates with the second volume. A working fluid contained within the reservoir can be expelled by discharging gas from a pressurized source through the first port and into the reservoir, displacing the barrier towards the second port. The working fluid expelled from the reservoir cools an electronics module before discharging from a vehicle.

Description

CONFORMAL FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/152,083 filed January 19, 2021 for “CONFORMAL FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT” by B. R, Holt and K. Y. Kim and J. F. Tullius.

The present invention relates to reservoirs and, more specifically, to positive expulsion reservoirs used in thermal management systems.

Modem munitions (e.g., missiles, guided projectiles, torpedoes, and rockets, among others) as well as other single-use or limited-use vehicles include one or more electronics modules assisting operation of the vehicle. For instance, an electronics module of the vehicle can be a guidance module, power supply, or other high-density power device used during operation of the vehicle. Due to concentrated power consumption, these devices produce large thermal loads within relatively small spaces. Attempts to disperse a thermal load from medium to low power density devices has included using the outer body of the munition or vehicle as a heat sink, routing the thermal load of the electronics module through a heat pipe, and using thermal capacitance devices to absorb the thermal load internally. To date, these attempts are inadequate to address thermal loads produced by high-density power devices for near future products.

SUMMARY

A method for cooling an electronics module of a vehicle includes discharging gas from a pressurized or pressure-generating storage into a reservoir through a first port and expelling a working fluid contained within the reservoir through a second port by displacing a barrier within the reservoir with the discharged gas. Further, the method includes cooling the electronics module using the working fluid expelled from the reservoir and discharging the working fluid to an exterior of the vehicle through an overboard port.

The reservoir includes a first housing joined to a second housing along a split surface that defines an internal volume of the reservoir. The first and second housings are asymmetric about the split surface and retain a periphery of the barrier, which divides the internal volume into a first volume and a second volume. The first port communicates with the first volume, and the second port communicates with the second volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a thermal management system with a reservoir for expelling a working medium to dissipate high-density power loads contained within a vehicle. FIGs. 2A and 2B are schematic views of an exemplary reservoir incorporated into the thermal management system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of a reservoir that includes one or more localized recesses and/or one or more localized protrusions for further adapting a shape of the reservoir to a space within the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As disclosed herein is a thermal management system and related components and methods for a high-density power device contained within a single-use or limited-use vehicle such as a munition. The thermal management system includes a reservoir fluidly coupled in series to a heat exchanger and an overboard port. In operation, storage releases a charging fluid into the reservoir, driving a working fluid contained therein through the heat exchanger before externally discharging the working fluid from the vehicle through the overboard port. The charging fluid may be stored under pressure or can be pressurized and/or created using a gas generator. A high-density power device, such as an electronics module of the vehicle, rejects heat to the working fluid at the heat exchanger maintaining the electronics module within an acceptable temperature range during operation of the vehicle.

The reservoir includes a multi-part housing with a barrier retained between two or more housing parts. For example, some embodiments include a two-piece housing formed by first and second housings mated to each other along a split surface. First and second housings can be symmetric or asymmetric about the split surface, which itself can be planar, curved, or irregular along with mating surfaces of the first and second housings depending on the space available within the vehicle. In some embodiments, first and second housings subtend a segment of an annulus at the split surface. In other embodiments, first and second housings define a partial or complete toroidal internal volume. In still other embodiments, first and second housings can form a spherical, cylindrical, or annular internal volume, or a portion thereof.

Certain embodiments of the reservoir include one or more housings with localized protrusions extending away from the internal volume, localized recesses extending toward the internal volume, or a combination of one or more localized protrusions and localized recesses. Examples of localized protrusions include portions of a bounding housing wall that form a hump, a dome, a ramp, a bulge, a protuberance, a projection, a convexity, or another deviation of the housing away from the internal volume whereas examples of localized recesses include a depression, a concavity, an ingrowth, an indentation, a hollow, a cavity, a retreat, or other deviation of the housing wall towards the internal volume. Each of the localized protrusion and/or recess is incongruent with a shape of the housing as a whole but is incorporated into a general shape of the housing using smooth and continuous transitions.

By selecting the reservoir shape and, optionally, incorporating one or more localized protrusions and/or localized recesses, the reservoir shape can be adapted to an interior space of the vehicle or munition bounded by an outer casing of the vehicle as well as one or more internal components, which can include components of a radar system, a guidance system, a control surface actuation system, and a propulsion system, among other possible internal components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of thermal management system 10 equipped with reservoir 12 incorporating one or more of these features to facilitate installation into a single-use or limited-use vehicle, such as a munition, with high-density power loads and, consequently, high thermal loads. Reservoir 12 includes first housing 14 mated to second housing 16 and barrier 18 retained between first housing 14 and second housing 16 along split surface 20. First housing 14 and second housing 16 enclose and define internal volume 22, and barrier 18 divides internal volume 22 into two subvolumes 22A and 22B. Charging port 24 of reservoir 12 places sub volume 22 A in communication with charging line 26 fluidly connecting charging port 24 to storage 28. Discharge port 30 of reservoir 12 places subvolume 22B in communication with discharge line 32 fluidly connecting discharge port 30 to overboard port 34. Vent port 31 communicates with subvolume 22A and can facilitate filling subvolume 22B by evacuating subvolume 22A as barrier 18 displaces within reservoir 12. Positioned along discharge line 32 between discharge port 30 and overboard port 34, heat exchanger 36 places discharge line 32 in thermal communication with heat source 38.

Barrier 18 is elastically deformable under pressure from working fluid 40 stored within subvolume 22B of reservoir 12, under pressure from charging fluid 42 contained or produced within storage 28, or under pressure from both working fluid 40 and charging fluid 42 depending on the neutral state of barrier 18. For instance, barrier 18 in some embodiments includes a neutral state that conforms to the interior walls of reservoir 12 and overlays charging port 24. With this configuration, working fluid 40 is not pressurized under a restoring force from barrier 18. Alternatively, the neutral state of barrier 18 can be selected to divide internal volume 22 into any proportion of subvolumes 22A and 22B, the restonng force of barrier 18 on working fluid 40 increasing as the neutral state of barrier 18 increases sub volume 22 A.

In a charged state, blocking element 44 is disposed at any location along discharge line 32, including at discharge port 30 or overboard port 34, to retain working fluid 40 within reservoir 12. As shown, blocking element 44 is downstream from discharge port 30 and upstream from heat exchanger 36. In some embodiments, blocking element 44 can be a burst disk that breaks open above a threshold pressure or a squib that explosively breaks open after triggered. In other embodiments, blocking element 44 can be a two-position valve such as solenoid valve or a needle valve characterized by an open area selected to regulate flow rate Q of working fluid 40 within discharge line 32. In some embodiments with a valve blocking element 44, orifice 45 can be positioned along discharge line 32 between blocking element 44 and overboard port 34 to regulate flow rate Q of working fluid 40, an open area of the valve, or other blocking element 44, selected to be larger than an open area of orifice 45. In still other embodiments, blocking element 44 can be a flow control valve in which an open area of valve 44 varies to regulate flow rate Q within discharge line 32 as described further below.

Storage 28 contains charging fluid 42 necessary for expelling working fluid 40 from reservoir 12 through discharge line 32 and associated components to overboard port 34. In some embodiments, charging fluid 42 fills charging line 26 up to barrier 18, pressing on barrier 18 and retained by blocking element 44 in the charged state. In other embodiments, charging line 26 includes another blocking element 46 that, when closed, retains charging fluid 42 within storage 28 independently of working fluid 40 and blocking element 44. Examples of blocking element 46 include a solenoid valve, a burst disc, or a squib, among other potential blocking elements known in the art. In each configuration, charging fluid 42 can be stored under pressure within storage 28 or, alternatively, can unpressurized and expelled from storage 28 using pressurized gas produced by a gas generator. In still other embodiments, charging fluid 42 can be product of the gas generator itself, storage 28 containing one or more constituents necessary for operation of the gas generator reaction.

While both working fluid 40 and charging fluid 42 can be a gas or a liquid, selecting a liquid for working fluid 40 facilitates a phase-change or mixed-phase- flow configuration for heat exchanger 36 and selecting a gas for working fluid 42 facilitates compact storage of a quantity and pressure of working fluid 42 sufficient to expel working fluid 40 from reservoir 12. Examples of working fluid 40 liquids include water, methanol, and ammonia, and examples of gaseous charging fluid 42 include carbon dioxide, dry or humid air, and nitrogen. Although, any non-volatile gas or fluid with thermal properties compatible with a design of thermal management system 10 can be selected for working fluid 40 and charging fluid 42. In still other embodiments, a gas generator can be used to produce charging fluid 42, or to pressurize stored charging fluid 42, upon initiation of a reaction of two or more constituents.

Heat exchanger 36 places discharge line 32 in thermal communication with heat source 38 to reject heat into working fluid 40. Various configurations can be selected for heat exchanger 36 depending on the application including single channel, multi-channel, microchannel, plate and fin, or plate and frame heat exchanger designs arranged in singlepass or multi-pass configurations. Heat exchanger 36 can be bonded directly to heat source 38 using a thermally conductive material or, alternatively, receive rejected heat through another medium such as a gas or liquid circulated through heat source 38 or contained within a heat pipe arrangement. In some embodiments, heat exchanger 36 is configured to partially vaporize or fully vaporize working fluid 40 such that gaseous or mixed-phase working fluid 40 exits heat exchanger 36.

Heat source 38 can be any component internal to the vehicle that produces heat. For instance, heat source 38 can be heat-generating components of, a radar system, a guidance system, a control surface actuation system, or a propulsion system among other possible internal components. In some embodiments, heat source 38 is an electronics module operatively associated with one or more of the foregoing systems. Heat generated by heat source 38 is rejected to working fluid 40, which exits heat exchanger 36, flowing along discharge line 32 before expelling externally to the vehicle through overboard port 34.

In operation, thermal management system 10 discharges charging fluid 42 from storage 28 into sub volume 22 A through charging port 24 of reservoir 12. Discharge of fluid 42 can be initiated by opening blocking element 44 or by opening both blocking element 44 and blocking element 46. Charging fluid 42 displaces barrier 18 from a charged position overlaying charging port 24 to a discharged position overlaying discharge port 30 and thereby expels working fluid 40 from reservoir 12 into discharge line 32.

While working fluid 40 exits reservoir 12 through discharge port 30, blocking element 44 or orifice 45 regulates flow rate Q of working fluid 40 through discharge line 32. In other embodiments where blocking element 44 is a flow control valve, an open area of is the valve varies to control flow rate Q of working fluid 40 within discharge line 32. In these embodiments, blocking element 44 receives an analog or digital electric pilot signal 48 that operates to vary the open area of the valve as is known in the art. For instance, signal 48 can be indicative of temperature T of heat source 38 and operate to increase flow rate Q as temperature T increases or exceeds a threshold temperature, although other applicationspecific temperature sources can be used in other embodiments. In still other embodiments, a valve schedule can be stored within an electronics module contained within the vehicle or munition that varies the open area of the valve as a function of time or some other timedependent variable via signal 48. For example, this electronics module can command an initial open area of the valve that increases to different open area during a period known to produce higher heat flux from heat source 38.

FIGs. 2A is a schematic end view and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-section, each of FIGs. 2A and 2B depicting features that can be incorporated into embodiments of reservoir 12 for adapting a shape of reservoir 12 to a space bounded by outer casing 50 of vehicle 52 or munition 54 and at least one internal component 56A and up to an arbitrary number of internal components 56n as indicated by subscript “n”. As depicted, reservoir 12 includes outer housing 58 mated to inner housing 60 along split surface 62 between respective flanges 64 and 66. Fasteners 67 extending through flanges 64 and 66, of which two are shown, to secure outer housing 58 to inner housing 60. In other embodiments, a different mechanical attachment can be implemented. For instance, outer housing 58 can be affixed to inner housing 60 via a suitable weld joint, adhesive or epoxy joint, or a v-band clamp, among other possible mechanical attachments.

Outer housing 58 and inner housing 60 are asymmetric about split surface 62 defined along the mating faces of flanges 64 and 66. Taken together, outer housing 58 and inner housing 60 enclose internal volume 68 depicted in FIG. 2B. Retained between outer housing 58 and inner housing 60 is barrier 70, which is depicted in charged position 70A, discharged position, and intermediate position 70C. Barrier 70 divides internal volume 68 into sub- volumes 68A and 68B, which is best shown with barrier 70 at intermediate position 70C. In charged position 70A, barrier 70 conforms to interior surfaces of outer housing 58 and overlays charging port 72. In the discharged position 70B, barrier 70 conforms to interior surfaces of inner housing 60 and overlays discharge port 74. Charging port 72 and discharge port 74 communication with charging line 26 and discharge line 32, respectively. In operation, charging fluid 42 enters sub- volume 68A displacing barrier 70 from charged position 70A to discharged position 70B expelling working fluid 40 from internal volume 68 into discharge line 32. In other embodiments, positions of charging port 72 and discharge port 74 can be reversed such that charging fluid 42 displaces barrier 70 from inner housing 60 to outer housing 58. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of another embodiment of reservoir 12 equipped with one or more localized recesses 76, one or more localized protrusions 78, and one or more localized recesses 76 and one or more localized protrusions 78. Each localized recess 76 is characterized by a wall of outer housing 58 or inner housing 60 that deviates inward toward internal volume 68 relative to a generalize shape of the outer or inner housing. Contrastingly, each localized protrusion 78 is characterized by a wall of outer housing 58 or inner housing 60 that deviates away from internal volume 68 relative to the generalized shape of the outer housing 58 or inner housing 60.

As shown in FIG. 3, reservoir 12 includes localized recess 76 in outer housing 58 and localized protrusion 60 in inner housing 60. While a shape of barrier 70 differs from the embodiment depicted in FIGs. 2A and 2B to accommodate localized recess 76 and localized protrusion 60, barrier 70 conforms to interior surfaces of outer housing 58 or inner housing 60 in the same manner as the embodiment depicted by FIG. 2B. Similarly, working fluid enters one of ports 72 and 74, expelling working fluid 40 from the other port 72 or port 74, depending on the arrangement. Eike the embodiment depicted by FIGs. 2A and 2B, reservoirs 12 incorporating one or more localized recesses 76 and/or one ore more localized protrusions 78 can have asymmetric outer housing 58 and inner housing 60 relative to split surface 62. In this manner, reservoir 12 can be adapted to an interior space of the vehicle bounded by one or more of outer casing 50 as well as internal components 56A to 56n.

Discussion of Possible Embodiments

The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible embodiments of the present invention.

A reservoir in accordance with this disclosure can include, among other possible things, a first housing and a second housing joined to the first housing along a split surface to define an internal volume between the first housing and the second housing. A periphery of a barrier retained between the first and second housings divides the internal volume into a first volume and a second volume. A first port communicates with the first volume, and a second port communicates with the second volume. The first housing and the second housing are asymmetric about the split surfaced.

The reservoir of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components. A further embodiment of the foregoing reservoir, wherein a bounding wall of the first housing or the second housing can define a localized protrusion extending away from the internal volume.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing reservoirs, wherein a bounding wall of the first housing or the second housing can define a localized recess extending toward the internal volume.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing reservoirs, wherein the first housing and the second housing can subtend a segment of an annulus at the split surface.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing reservoirs, wherein the internal volume defines by the first housing and the second housing can subtend at least a portion of a toroid.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing reservoirs, wherein the first housing can join to the second housing at a nonplanar flange.

A vehicle in accordance with this disclosure includes, among other possible things, an electronics module, and a thermal management system. The thermal management system includes a storage, a reservoir, an overboard port, a first line fluidly connecting the storage to the first port, and a second line fluidly connecting the second port to the overboard port, a heat exchanger position along the second line between the second port and the overboard port, and a burst disc or a squib positioned along the second line between the second port and the heat exchanger. The reservoir includes a first housing and a second housing joined to the first housing along a split surface to define an internal volume between the first housing and the second housing. A periphery of a barrier retained between the first and second housings divides the internal volume into a first volume and a second volume. A first port communicates with the first volume, and a second port communicates with the second volume. The first housing and the second housing are asymmetric about the split surfaced. The heat exchange thermally communicates with the electronics module.

The vehicle of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components.

A further embodiment of the foregoing vehicle, wherein a bounding wall of the first housing or the second housing can define a localized protrusion extending away from the internal volume. A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein a bounding wall of the first housing or the second housing can define a localized recess extending toward the internal volume.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein the first housing and the second housing can subtend a segment of an annulus at the split surface.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein the internal volume defined by the first housing and the second housing can subtend at least a portion of a toroid.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles can include one or more components adjacent to the reservoir that at least partially bound a space within the vehicle.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein the first housing and the second housing can conform to a shape of the space.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein one of the first housing and the second housing can include a localized protrusion extending away from the internal volume or a localized recess extending toward the internal volume.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein the localized protrusion can conform to the one or more components.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein the localized recess can conform to the one or more components.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein one of the first housing and the second housing of the reservoir can conform to an interior surface of a body of the vehicle.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicles, wherein the first housing can join to the second housing at a nonplanar flange.

A method for cooling an electronics module of a vehicle in accordance with this disclosure includes, among other possible things and/or steps, discharging gas from a storage into a reservoir through a first port and expelling a working fluid contained within the reservoir through a second port by displacing a barrier within the reservoir with the discharged gas. Further, the method includes cooling the electronics module using the working fluid expelled from the reservoir and discharging the working fluid to an exterior of the vehicle through a third port.

The method of the preceding paragraph can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations, additional components, and/or steps. A further embodiment of the foregoing method, wherein cooling the electronics module can include expelling the working fluid through a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the electronics module.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods can include regulating a flow rate of the working fluid from the second port to the heat exchanger using one of an orifice or a valve disposed along a line fluidly connecting the second port of the reservoir to the heat exchanger.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the flow rate of the working fluid from the second port to the heat exchanger is regulated by a solenoid valve, an orifice, or a needle valve.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods can include triggering a squib and thereby discharging the gas from the storage and expelling the working fluid from the reservoir.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods can include controlling a flow rate of the working fluid from the second port to the heat exchanger by varying an open area of a valve disposed along a line fluidly connecting the second port of the reservoir to the heat exchanger.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods can include sensing a parameter of the heat exchanger or the electronics module.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the electronics module can vary the open area of the valve based on the parameter.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the open area of the valve can vary according to a schedule stored in the electronics module that defines open area of the valve as a function of a time-dependent variable.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein the schedule can define at least a first open area and a second open area.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein each of the first open area and the second open area can be nonzero.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein cooling the electronics module includes causing a phase change of at least a portion of the working fluid using heat rejected from the electronics module.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein discharging gas from the storage can include opening a solenoid valve. A further embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, wherein discharging gas from the storage can include breaking a burst disc by exceeding a threshold pressure within the charging line.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS:

1. A method for cooling an electronics module of a vehicle, the method comprising: discharging gas from a storage into a reservoir through a first port; displacing a barrier within the reservoir using gas discharged from the storage; expelling a working fluid contained within the reservoir through a second port by displacing the barrier; cooling the electronics module using the working fluid expelled from the reservoir; and discharging the working fluid to an exterior of the vehicle through a third port.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein cooling the electronics module includes expelling the working fluid through a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the electronics module.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: regulating a flow rate of the working fluid from the second port to the heat exchanger using one of an orifice or a valve disposed along a line fluidly connecting the second port of the reservoir to the heat exchanger.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: triggering a squib and thereby discharging the gas from the storage and expelling the working fluid from the reservoir.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: controlling a flow rate of the working fluid from the second port to the heat exchanger by varying an open area of a valve disposed along a line fluidly connecting the second port of the reservoir to the heat exchanger.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: sensing a parameter of the heat exchanger or the electronics module, wherein the electronics module varies the open area of the valve based on the parameter.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the open area of the valve vanes according to a schedule stored in the electronics module that defines open area of the valve as a function of a time-dependent variable.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the schedule defines at least a first open area and a second open area, and wherein each of the first open area and the second open area is nonzero.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein cooling the electronics module includes causing a phase change of at least a portion of the working fluid using heat rejected from the electronics module.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein discharging gas from the storage includes breaking a burst disc by exceeding a threshold pressure within the charging line.

11. A reservoir comprising: a first housing; a second housing joined to the first housing along a split surface to define an internal volume between the first housing and the second housing; a barrier having a periphery retained between the first housing and the second housing and dividing the internal volume into a first volume and a second volume; a first port communicating with the first volume; a second port communicating with the second volume; wherein the first housing and the second housing are asymmetric about the split surface.

12. The reservoir of claim 11, wherein a bounding wall of the first housing or the second housing defines a localized protrusion extending away from the internal volume of the reservoir.

13. The reservoir of claim 11, wherein a bounding wall of the first housing of the second housing defines a localized recess extending toward the internal volume of the reservoir.

14. The reservoir of claim 11, wherein the first housing and the second housing subtend a segment of an annulus at the split surface.

15. The reservoir of claim 11, wherein the internal volume defined by the first housing and the second housing subtends at least a portion of a toroid.

16. A vehicle comprising: an electronics module; and a thermal management system comprising: a storage; a reservoir comprising: a first housing; a second housing joined to the first housing along a split surface to define an internal volume between the first housing and the second housing; a barrier having a periphery retained between the first housing and the second housing and dividing the internal volume into a first volume and a second volume; a first port communicating with the first volume; and a second port communicating with the second volume; wherein the first housing and the second housing are asymmetric about the split surface; an overboard port communicating with an exterior space surrounding the vehicle; a first line fluidly connecting the storage to the first port; a second line fluidly connecting the second port to the overboard port; a heat exchanger position along the second line between the second port of the reservoir and the overboard port and in thermal communication with the electronics module; and a burst disc or a squib positioned along the second line between the second port of the reservoir and the heat exchanger.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising: one or more components adjacent to the reservoir that at least partially bound a space within the vehicle, wherein the first housing and the second housing conforms to a shape of the space.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein one of the first housing and the second housing includes a localized protrusion extending away from the internal volume or a localized recess extending toward the internal volume, and wherein the localized protrusion or the localized recess conforms to the one or more components.

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19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein one of the first housing and the second housing of the reservoir conforms to an interior surface of a body of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first housing joins to the second housing at a nonplanar flange.

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