Electrically conducting filter

Details Electrically conducting filter Electrically conducting filter

2000-12-28

2002-09-24

Argenbright, Tony M. (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Accessories

Covers, trays, vibrators, corrosion inhibitors, air filters

C123S509000, C210S243000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06453870

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to fuel filters for vehicles, particularly electrically conducting fuel filters.
BACKGROUND
Fuel filters are in common use in vehicles as part of the fuel supply system for delivering fuel to internal combustion engines. The size, placement, and type of fuel filter varies widely from engine to engine and manufacturer to manufacturer. For example, the fuel filter can be positioned in the engine compartment either on or adjacent to the engine, in the fuel tank itself, either in a fuel module or the like, or in a fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. Fuel filters positioned in modules adapted to be positioned in a fuel tank are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,392,750 and 5,782,223.
Non-metallic fuel filters are in common use due to their low cost and ease of manufacture. These fuel filters typically have a non-metallic housing and a conventional paper-type fuel filter. Often, however, an electrical charge buildup on the walls or other surfaces of the non-metallic fuel filter causes pitting of the material which can lead to fuel leakage. In an effort to solve this problem, metallic fibers and/or powders have been added to the non-metallic material to make the walls or surfaces conductive. One of the systems is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,920. The addition of metallic materials to the non-conductive material, however, can cause difficulties in molding the products, and material fibers have a tendency to make the surface of the walls rough, causing higher flow resistance.
There is thus a need for an improved fuel filter which prevents the buildup of electrical charges and subsequent leaking and does not have resultant molding or fuel flow difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel filter mechanism. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel filter mechanism for a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel filter mechanism which prevents or dissipates electrical charge buildup which could cause leakage of the fuel filter mechanism.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an electrically conducting fuel filter mechanism which is easier to mold and does not have increased fuel flow resistance.
These and other objects, purposes and advantages of the present system will become apparent from the following summary and detailed description of the invention, when taken in view of the attached drawings and appended claims.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved fuel filter mechanism is provided which uses conductive material as the core material of the housing and has a non-conductive material as an outer layer (especially the layer adjacent the fuel). The non-conductive material can be on one or both sides of the core layer. The non-conductive material is preferably a plastic material, and the conductive material is preferably a metallic filler, such as metallic fibers or a metallic powder.
The fuel filter housing can be molded in two steps or layers, or the molding process can be set up to provide non-conductive layers on the outer surface or surfaces of the conductive material.
Electrical pitting is a primary cause of the failure of known fuel filter mechanisms. The buildup of static charges from the movement of fuel along the wall surfaces causes small holes to be formed in the walls (i.e., pitting). With the present invention, any electrical charge accumulated pitting process does not cause failure of, or leakage in, the fuel filter mechanism. If the non-conductive layer becomes pitted, electrical discharge paths to the conductive layer will be formed, thus eliminating any accumulation of harmful electrical charges.
With the present invention, the conductive material also does not have fibers which can cause difficulties with the molding process or protrude into the flow path to cause disturbances in the fuel flow path. This results in a product which has lower cost, does not increase fuel flow resistance or turbulence, and can be manufactured more easily.


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patent: 6168713 (2001-01-01), Sekine et al.
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patent: 6260543 (2001-07-01), Chih
patent: 6328063 (2001-12-01), Tistchenko

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