Liquid purification or separation – Flow – fluid pressure or material level – responsive – Maintaining stream pressure or flow
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-10-23
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
Flow, fluid pressure or material level, responsive
Maintaining stream pressure or flow
C123S514000, C137S155000, C210S416400, C210S446000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306292
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fuel filters for internal combustion engines and, more particularly, this invention relates to fuel filters for internal combustion engines, wherein the fuel filters include pressure regulators associated therewith which return excess fuel to fuel tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel filters and pressure regulators are frequently combined and adapted for combination with fuel pump systems, A fuel pump system typically fits in a sealed manner in an opening in wall of a fuel tank and contains an electrically operated fuel pump. Fuel that has entered the fuel pump from the fuel tank is pumped first through a fuel filter and pressure regulator assembly and then through a fuel line extending from the fuel pump system to a fuel rail assembly of an internal combustion engine. Fuel passing to the engine is filtered by the fuel filter, while the pressure is regulated by a pressure regulator juxtaposed with the fuel filter. Typically, the pressure regulator returns excess fuel to the fuel tank from the fuel filter and pressure regulator assembly. This allows the elimination of a return line from the engine to the tank.
It is, of course, important to configure the fuel filter and pressure regulator assembly to minimize the possibility of leaks and it is preferable to make the assembly convenient to both fabricate and assemble, while arranging the device so as to not require extensive modification of any associated fuel system components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the aforementioned considerations, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a new and improved fuel filter and pressure regulator assembly, wherein the assembly is leak resistant and is relatively convenient to assemble, while being configured for inclusion in a fuel system, wherein the fuel system need not be redesigned to accommodate the fuel filter pressure regulator assembly.
In view of these features and other features, the present invention is directed to a fuel filter and pressure regulator assembly comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the housing is formed about an axis and has a side wall, a first end wall at the first end thereof and a second end wall at the second end thereof. An annular filter element is disposed within the housing in spaced relation to the side wall to form a space therebetween. The annular filter element has a first end, a second end and a core, with the second end being at the second end wall of the housing. A pressure regulating element is disposed within the housing, the pressure regulating element having a first end juxtaposed at the first end wall of the housing and a second end engaging the first end of the annular filter element. The annular filter element and the pressure regulating element are acted upon by a resilient device to axially position the elements within the housing. An inlet is in communication with the space between the side wall of the housing and the annular filter element, while an outlet through the second end wall of the housing is in communication with the core of the annular filter element. Consequently, fuel under pressure flows into the inlet, through the filter element, into the core of the filter element and through the outlet. A fuel return disposed in communication with the core of the annular filter element via the pressure regulating element returns fuel to a fuel tank when pressure inside the housing exceeds a preselected pressure.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the assembly is made of stainless steel and, in accordance with further aspects of the invention, the first end wall is unitary with the side wall and the second end wall is attached and fixed to close the second end of the housing. Preferably, a resilient device such as an O-ring or wave spring is disposed between the pressure regulating element and the filter element to axially position the elements within the housing.
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Dell Norman C.
Jacobson Wendell
Kroha John L.
Puckett Ron
Tieu Sam
Drodge Joseph W.
Millen White Zelano & Branigan P.C.
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