Fuel Water Separator Filter with a Low-Velocity Collection Sump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filters with multiple stages require complex plumbing and additional structures like dirt pots, which can lead to re-entrainment of water droplets into the fuel stream and increase the number of required pieces.
Innovation Solution
A fuel filter design featuring a ring of filter media with a support assembly that includes an annular shroud region and a water collection sump, which prevents re-emulsification of water droplets by maintaining lower fuel velocities near the collection point, using a combination of imperforate and perforate regions to direct fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex plumbing and additional structures like dirt pots are used in fuel filters, then water separation capability is improved, but device complexity increases and re-entrainment of water droplets occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water separation function and the support structure into a single integrated assembly. The support assembly with its imperforate lower portion and perforate upper portion integrates the functions of structural support, water collection, and fuel flow control, eliminating the need for separate dirt pots and complex plumbing structures while preventing water re-entrainment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the water collection function from complex external structures and concentrates it into a simplified sump region within the filter element. By removing unnecessary external plumbing and dirt pot structures, the design achieves water separation with fewer components and reduced complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If additional structures like dirt pots are added to fuel filters, then water collection is improved, but the number of required pieces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly merges multiple functions including structural support, water collection, and flow control into a single component. The imperforate lower portion provides structural support and defines the sump, while the perforate upper portion controls fuel flow, eliminating the need for separate dirt pots and reducing the total number of pieces required.
3Productivity
If fuel velocity is increased to improve filtration efficiency, then filtration performance is improved, but water re-entrainment into fuel stream increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly creates different flow conditions in different regions: the imperforate lower portion creates a low-velocity zone that prevents water re-entrainment, while the perforate upper portion allows controlled fuel flow for efficient filtration. This local differentiation of flow characteristics resolves the contradiction between filtration efficiency and water separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is segmented into two functional portions: an imperforate lower portion for water collection and a perforate upper portion for fuel flow. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its function independently, preventing water re-entrainment while maintaining filtration efficiency.
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 design effectively prevents water re-entrainment into the fuel stream and reduces the number of components needed, enhancing filtration efficiency and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
prevents water that gravitationally migrates into the water collection sump from re-emulsifying into fuel flow
Implementation Method 2
Fuel filters with multiple stages of filtration are known... ring filter element arranged in a filter housing... water stripper media
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel filter is provided with a filtration media and a water stripper media. The fuel filter includes a ring of filter media bonded to upper and lower end caps. A first tube portion supports the ring of filter media and includes an annular shroud region extending from the lower end wall portion that creates a quieter zone of lower fluid velocities in a region of a water collection sump to prevent water from re-emulsifying into the fuel flow stream. The water stripper media can be mesh supported by a second tube portion radially spaced from the first tube portion.