Fuel Filter Assembly With Automatic Shutoff Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filters lack efficient mechanisms for preventing fuel leakage during servicing and do not easily integrate with existing fuel filter manifolds, leading to complex and costly maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A fuel filter design featuring a manifold, connector element, filter bowl, shutoff valve, and relief valve that allows for reversible attachment and automatic closure of fuel passages when not in use, enabling safe servicing without fuel leakage and compatibility with existing manifolds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter bowl is reversibly attached to the connector element for easy servicing, then the ease of operation is improved, but fuel leakage occurs when the filter bowl is detached
Solution Approach 1:
The shutoff valve is designed to automatically close when the filter bowl is detached from the connector element, preventing fuel leakage before the servicing operation is completed. This preliminary action of closing the valve eliminates the harmful effect of fuel leakage that would otherwise occur during reversible attachment/detachment operations.
2Reliability
If the filter element is blocked, then filtration is effective, but fuel flow is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that opens when the filter element becomes blocked, providing an alternative path for fuel flow. This allows the system to maintain fuel flow continuity while the filter element continues to perform its filtration function, preventing complete interruption of fuel supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief valve is designed to respond to pressure changes caused by filter blockage. When the pressure differential across the filter element exceeds a predetermined threshold, the relief valve opens to bypass the filter, changing the flow parameters to maintain continuous fuel supply while the filter remains in place.
3Reliability
If a traditional fuel filter design is used, then filtration function is provided, but complex maintenance procedures and high servicing costs result
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel filter system is segmented into modular components: a reusable connector element with integrated shutoff and relief valves, and a replaceable filter bowl assembly. This segmentation allows the complex valve mechanisms to remain in the permanent connector element while only the filter bowl and element need replacement during servicing, simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing servicing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector element is designed as a universal component that integrates multiple functions: fuel distribution manifold, shutoff valve mechanism, and relief valve mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate valve assemblies and reduces the complexity of maintenance, as only the filter bowl needs to be replaced while the intelligent connector element remains in place.
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
Facilitates simple and swift servicing by preventing fuel leakage during filter changes and allows continued fuel flow even when the filter element is blocked, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the shutoff valve is biased by a biasing means into a closed configuration which prevents fuel flowing along the inlet and outlet passages when the filter bowl with a filter element located therein is not connected to the connector element
Implementation Method 2
the relief valve is biased by a biasing means into a closed configuration in which fuel flowing between the inlet passage and outlet passage passes through the filter element
Implementation Method 3
the relief valve is caused to move into its open configuration when a predetermined fuel pressure is reached in the inlet passage
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fuel filter (2) comprising a manifold (4), a connectorelement (6), a filter bowl (8), a filter element (10), a shutoff valve, an inlet port (14), an inlet passage (16), an outlet port (18), an outlet passage (20) and a relief valve in which the connector element (6) is fixed to the manifold (4), and the filter bowl (8) is reversibly fixed to the connector element (6), the filter bowl (8) is adapted to reversibly receive the filter element (10) and is so configured that when the filter element (10) is located within the filter bowl (8) and the filter bowl (8) attached to the connection element (6) the filter element (10) divides the space defined by the connector element (6) and filter bowl (8) into an inlet filter chamber (84) and an outlet filter chamber (86), the inlet port (14) is incorporated in the manifold (4), and the inlet port (14) and inlet filter chamber (84) are in fluid communication via the inlet passage (16), the outlet port (18) is incorporated in the manifold (4) and the outlet port (14) and outlet filterchamber (86) are in fluid communication via the outlet passage (20), the shutoff valve is biased by a biasing means (28) into a closed configuration which prevents fuel flowing along the inlet and outlet passages (16, 18) when the filter bowl (8) with a filter element (10) located therein is not connected to the connector element (6), and connection of the filter bowl (8) with a filter element (10) located therein to the connector element (6) causes the shutoff valve to be impelled into an open configuration which allows fuel to flow along the inlet and outlet passages (16, 18), the relief valve is biased by a biasing means (30) into a closed configuration in which fuel flowing between the inlet passage (16) and outlet passage (18) passes through the filter element (10), and movement of the relief valve into an open configuration allows fuel to flow between the inlet passage (16) and the outlet passage (20) without the fuel passing through the filterelement (10), and the relief valve is caused to move into its open configuration when a predetermined fuel pressure is reached in the inlet passage (16).