Fuel Filter End Cap Grounding via Integrated Metal Spring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel filters in engines accumulate static electricity due to electron stripping from fuel, leading to potential damage through arcing with neighboring components.

Innovation Solution

A metal spring is integrated into the end cap of the fuel filter, grounding it to a mounting nub, preventing static electricity buildup by providing a continuous electrical path to the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fuel passes through the filter screen, then particulates are removed from fuel, but static electricity accumulates on the housing and end caps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel filtrationVSAvoidstatic electricity accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding spring extracts the harmful static electricity from the end cap by providing a dedicated electrical path to ground, separating the filtration function from the static discharge function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal spring acts as an intermediary element between the end cap and the mounting nub, providing an electrical connection path that allows static electricity to be discharged safely without interfering with the filtration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If static electricity builds up on the housing, then fuel filtration continues, but arcing damage occurs to fuel filter or neighboring components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel filtrationVSAvoidarcing damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding spring is pre-installed on the end cap before assembly, establishing an electrical ground path in advance to prevent static electricity accumulation and subsequent arcing damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful static electricity accumulation into a beneficial grounded state, where the same electron stripping process that occurs during filtration now safely discharges through the grounding spring instead of causing damaging arcs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively eliminates static electricity accumulation, reducing the risk of wear and damage from discharges, ensuring the fuel filter and nearby components remain safe from electrical interference.

Implementation Method 1

A metal spring is connected to a first surface of the metal body, and the metal spring extends at least partially over a hole in the metal body. The metal spring presses against a mounting nub and electrically grounds the end cap of the fuel filter to the mounting nub.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3653279B1Fuel filter element electrical grounding

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An end cap for a fuel filter includes a metal body with a first surface (24) opposite a second surface (26). A hole (28) extends through the first surface and the second surface of the body. A metal element such as a spring (30) is connected to the first surface of the metal body and extends at least partially over the hole.