Fuel Filter Water Separation Using Hydrophobic Hollow Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel filters for internal combustion engines, particularly those for diesel fuel, face challenges in effectively separating water from fuel, as existing designs often result in water drops being carried away by the fuel flow or encountering obstacles, leading to incomplete water separation.
Innovation Solution
A fuel filter with a hydrophobic, fuel-permeable separating medium designed as a hollow body is placed in the fuel flow path behind the filter medium, creating a precipitation gap connected to the water outlet, and supported by a structure that allows the separating medium to be positioned at the level of or behind upstream support structures, enhancing water separation by retaining and discharging water drops without obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional filter element with filter medium is used, then fuel filtration is achieved, but water separation is incomplete and water drops are carried away by fuel flow
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into functionally distinct zones: an outer filter medium for particle filtration, an inner water separation medium for water droplet retention, and a precipitation gap for water collection. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without interfering with others, improving water separation efficiency while maintaining fuel flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The precipitation gap acts as an intermediary space between the water separation medium and the water collection chamber. It provides a dedicated pathway for water drops to travel from the separation medium to the collection chamber without being carried away by the fuel flow, effectively mediating the transition from separation to collection.
2Reliability
If the separating medium is placed in the flow path, then water separation is improved, but pressure loss increases due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The water separation medium is positioned specifically at the level of and behind upstream sides of the support structure, creating localized water separation zones where water drops are retained. The precipitation gap provides unobstructed pathways in critical areas, reducing pressure loss while maintaining effective water separation where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by positioning the water separation medium within the hollow body structure, allowing water separation to occur in a different spatial dimension than the main fuel flow path. This dimensional arrangement enables water separation without creating linear obstacles in the fuel flow direction.
3Manufacturing precision
If a support structure is added for the separating medium, then positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure for the water separation medium is merged with the existing hollow body structure of the filter element. The support ribs or framework are integrated into the overall design, providing necessary positioning support while avoiding the need for separate, additional support components.
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
This design significantly improves water separation efficiency by allowing water drops to flow to a collection chamber without encountering obstacles, optimizing the surface area for separation and reducing pressure loss, while ensuring complete removal of water from the fuel.
Implementation Method 1
a water separation unit with a hydrophobic fuel-permeable separating medium designed as hollow body for separating water contained in the fuel
Implementation Method 2
between the filter medium and the separating medium a precipitation gap is realized which is connected with the water outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A filter (10) with a filter element (36) are described. A housing (12) includes at least one fuel inlet, fuel outlet (18) and a water outlet (30) for water separated from the fuel. The filter element (36) within the housing separates the fuel inlet (26) from the fuel outlet (18). The filter element (36) includes a hollow body filter medium (38) flowed through radially. A water separation unit (56) with a hollow body hydrophobic fuel-permeable separating medium (66) separates water contained in the fuel and includes at least one support structure disposed in the flow path (78) in such a way that a precipitation gap (74) is realized between the filter medium (38) and the separating medium (66). The precipitation gap (74) is connected with the water outlet (30).