Liquid purification or separation – With repair or assembling means – Placement of container opens flow controller
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-01-09
Savage, Matthew O. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
With repair or assembling means
Placement of container opens flow controller
C210S430000, C210S438000, C210S450000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171491
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fluid filters, and more particularly to fuel filters and separators for vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many types of fuel filters and separators are known in the prior art. A popular type of filter and/or separator construction is a type that has a filter head to which a replaceable “spin-on” element is attached. The head is a permanent part of the fuel system of the vehicle and includes inlet and outlet connections to the fuel lines. The element may be readily removed from the filter head and a new one attached without opening the fuel line connections to the filter head.
Another popular type of fuel filter construction is one that has a housing which encloses a replaceable filter element.
Problems may arise when such filter elements are replaced. Periodic replacement of the element ensures that the filter element will not become so loaded with impurities that fuel flow is restricted. Replacing the element also ensures that impurities are removed from fuel before it is delivered to other fuel system components such as fuel injection pumps and fuel injectors, where such contaminants may cause severe damage.
One common problem associated with changing filters is fuel spillage. The fuel lines and element are often under pressure. When the element is removed the pressure is relieved and the fuel spills out. This can present a fire hazard as well as a waste clean up problem.
A further problem is that filter elements with different filtration capabilities often have an identical mounting configurations and may fit on the same filter head. However, use of the wrong filter can cause poor engine performance and allow undesirable amounts of contaminants, which shortens engine life.
Another problem is that disturbance of the spent element during replacement may cause collected impurities to fall off the element. In some designs, these impurities may travel into the outlet of the filter housing. As a result these contaminants may reach the components downstream in the fuel system.
Another problem is that changing the element may require a mechanic to have skin contact with the fuel. It is desirable to minimize such contact when changing a filter element.
To reduce and at least partially eliminate these problems, the filter element shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,923, owned by the Assignee of the present invention, was developed. This filter assembly includes a replaceable filter element that is attached to a removable cover. This construction enables changing the element while avoiding skin contact with fuel.
A further advantage of this element design is that it has an internal standpipe with an opening at the top. When the element is removed from the housing, the fuel level in the housing falls below the opening to the standpipe. As a result, the impurity-laden fuel left in the housing is less likely to reach the outlet. Likewise, when a new element is installed in the housing, only fuel that has been purified by passing through the media of the element is enabled to reach the opening and pass out of the assembly.
While this element design has many advantages, if the filter element is not removed carefully, impurity-laden fuel in the housing or from the outer surface of the element may fall into the opening in the standpipe. If this happens, some impurities may reach the downstream components of the fuel system.
In addition, the cover is discarded with each spent element. This is undesirable from a conservation and solid waste standpoint. It is generally desirable to minimize the amount of material discarded, particularly if a discarded element must be treated as hazardous waste. The cover also represents a portion of the cost of the replacement element. As a result this design adds cost to the replacement element. Sometimes individuals who do not care about maintaining the vehicle on which the prior art filter assembly is used, may separate the element from the attached cover portion and install the cover on the housing without the element. This causes the vehicle to operate without fuel filtration until the problem is discovered. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period of time in this condition, damage to fuel system components may occur.
In any case, it is believed that there exists a need for a fuel filter that has increased reliability, reduces waste, is low in cost, minimizes skin contact during element changes, and minimizes the risk that an improper filter will be used and minimizes fuel spillage.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A new and unique fuel filter is provided in a first preferred embodiment of the invention by a filter head adapted for mounting a replaceable separator or filter element thereon. The element has an in-flow area for accepting incoming fuel, and an out-flow area for delivering fuel that has passed through the element.
The filter head includes an inlet for receiving incoming fuel from the fuel tank or other source of supply. The inlet is in fluid communication with the in-flow area of the element. The head also has an outlet which is in fluid communication with the outflow area of the element through a fluid passage in the head. The outlet of the head is connected to the remainder of the vehicle fuel system including the carburetor or fuel injection system of the engine.
The first embodiment further includes a filter head with a nipple portion which threadably attaches the element to the head. The nipple portion includes a valve element therein. The valve element is positioned in the fuel passage in the nipple portion and is biased by a spring to a closed position.
The filter element has a generally cylindrical housing with an annular ring of filter media therein. The filter media divides a peripheral fuel chamber from a central fuel chamber. In a first form of this embodiment, the filter media is bounded at a first upper end by a first end cap. The first end cap has a first annular end cap wall which extends longitudinally and is disposed radially interiorly of the filter media in the central fuel chamber. The first end cap has a central portion with fluid passages therethrough transversely spanning the annular end cap wall.
In another form of this embodiment, the filter media is bounded at its second lower end by a second end member. The second end member has a first end cap wall which extends longitudinally and is disposed within the filter media in the central fuel chamber. The second end cap has a central portion which extends transversely across the end cap wall. In this form, the end cap wall can be annular and be spaced radially inward from the filter media, or can have an x-shape (in cross-section) and be closely received within the media.
According to any of these forms, in diametrically-centered relation of the respective end cap wall is an upwardly-extending actuating projection. The actuating projection has a free end within the central fuel chamber, and another end which is fixed to the end cap wall. The free end is aligned with a first opening in a tap plate of the element which accepts the nipple portion therein when the element is attached to said head.
Attachment of the element and the head causes the actuating projection in the nipple portion to engage and move the valve element therein to the open position. This enables fuel to flow out of the filter element. Disengagement of the element causes the valve element to move to the closed position so that air may not readily enter the head or the remainder of the fuel system. Further, the closure of the valve element prevents fuel from flowing out of the head through the nipple portion.
The actuating member is sized and positioned longitudinally so that the actuating member inside the element engages and opens the valve element in the nipple portion when the element is attached to the head. The actuating member may be positioned within various element types at different longitudinal positions each of which corresponds to a particular configuration of a nipple portion. As a result, only the proper element will operate in conjunct
Clausen Michael D.
Hodgkins David H.
Jensen Russell D.
Oelschlaegel Victor A.
Popoff Peter
Hunter Christopher H.
Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Savage Matthew O.
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