Fuel filter assembly

Abstract

A fuel filter assembly that provides a constant level of least restricted fuel flow through the fuel filter assembly during the useful life of the filter media by utilizing the least possible amount of filter media to provide the least possible pressure differential over the filter media while also providing a constant level of fuel additive by exposing an amount proportional to the filter media required for the least possible restricted fuel flow. The fuel filter assembly utilizes a vertically upward housing that houses a filter media and a fuel additive. The fuel level slowly rises in the housing as the filter media becomes obstructed with contaminants and as the fuel additive dissolves over the life of the filter media. The top portion of the housing is made of a transparent material so that the level of fuel may be easily determined, thereby allowing for an accurate and simple assessment of the useful life of the filter media and the fuel additive. The housing also provides a multi-purpose aperture provided in the top of the housing to provide for removal and / or replacement of the fuel additive and venting and priming of the housing. The filter media and fuel additive are entirely fabricated from combustible materials so that both may be easily discarded without cost and environmental concerns.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to fuel filter assemblies and more particularly, to a fuel filter assembly that provides a constant level of restricted fuel flow through the fuel filter assembly during the useful life of the filter media by utilizing a minimum amount of filter media to obtain the least possible restricted fuel flow while providing a fuel additive whose addition is proportionally related to the amount of filter media required for least possible restricted fuel flow.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is well known to utilize fuel filter assemblies to filter fuel for a combustible engine of a motor vehicle. Such fuel filter assemblies typically comprise a sideways or downwardly mounted canister having a paper filter media enclosed in the canister. The fuel enters and fills the canister so that all of the filter media is doused with fuel as the fuel passes through the paper filter media and exits the canister to travel to the engine. Various contaminants ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a fuel filter assembly that provides a constant level of restricted fuel flow through a filter media during the useful life of the filter media by utilizing a minimum amount of filter media to obtain the least possible restricted fuel flow while providing a fuel additive whose addition is proportionally related to the amount of filter media required for the least possible restricted fuel flow. The present invention also provides a means by which to accurately assess the useful life of the filter media and fuel additive so that proper and efficient replacement of the filter media and fuel additive will occur. In addition, the present invention provides a multi-purpose access for removing and / or replacing the fuel additive without the need for disassembling the fuel filter assembly, for providing a means for venting the fuel filter assembly to drain the fuel from the fuel filter assembly, and for providing access to prime the fuel filter assembly directly with fuel. A well is provided in the fuel filter assembly for collecting excess fuel when the fuel filter assembly is vented so that fuel does not escape into the environment or into the engine unfiltered and untreated. Replacement parts for the fuel filter assembly are entirely combustible so that the replacement portions of the fuel filter assembly can be discarded at a minimal expense and concern.

In another form of the invention, the fuel filter canister comprises the filter media, end caps, wax substrate, fuel additive and means for supporting the fuel additive. All of these elements are fabricated from combustible materials to provide for replacement and discardment of these parts without excessive cost or environmental concerns.

In an additional form of the invention, the housing of the fuel filter assembly comprises a top portion and a bottom portion that are detachably and sealingly connected. The bottom portion provides a well for collecting and holding excess fuel that has drained from venting the housing. After the fuel has drained from the housing, the top portion may be detached from the bottom portion without spilling fuel into the surrounding environment and without having unfiltered and untreated fuel escape into the outlet of the fuel filter assembly and travel to the engine.

To this end, the objects of the present invention are to provide a new and improved fuel filter assembly that provides a constant level of least restricted fuel flow during the useful life of the filter media by utilizing the least possible amount of filter media to obtain the least possible restricted fuel flow while providing a fuel additive whose addition is proportionally related to the amount of filter media required for least possible restricted fuel flow; to provide a new and improved fuel filter assembly that fabricates all replaceable parts of the fuel filter assembly from combustible material so that the replaceable parts may be discarded without cost and environmental concerns; to provide a new and improved fuel filter system that provides a multi-purpose access for removing and / or replacing the fuel additive, for venting the housing of the fuel filter assembly, and for priming the fuel filter assembly by introducing fuel directly into the housing of the fuel filter assembly without having to disassemble the fuel filter assembly; to provide a new and improved fuel filter assembly that provides a well for collecting and holding excess fuel from the housing of said fuel filter assembly upon the housing being vented so that said excess fuel does not escape into the surrounding environment or escape into the fuel outlet before the fuel is filtered and treated; and to provide a new and improved fuel filter assembly that provides an accurate and simple means by which to determine the remaining useful life of the filter media and fuel additive without having to disassemble the fuel filter assembly.

Problems solved by technology

This results in the fuel level resting at a level where there is enough unobstructed filter media to provide the least possible restriction to fuel flow.

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