Fuel Water Separator Filter with Annular Shroud 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-entrainment of water droplets by maintaining lower fuel velocities near the sump and using imperforate and perforate regions to guide fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fuel filters use multiple filter stages with dirt pots and complex plumbing, then filtration capability is improved, but device complexity increases and water re-entrainment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple filtration functions into a single integrated filter element. The support assembly merges the dirt pot, water separator, and filter media into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate components and complex plumbing connections while maintaining effective filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the filter media, collects water in the sump, prevents water re-entrainment through the annular shroud region, and facilitates drainage. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If traditional fuel filters use dirt pots and additional structures, then water separation is improved, but the number of required pieces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the water separation function directly into the filter element by incorporating a water collection sump within the support assembly. This eliminates the need for separate dirt pots and additional water separation components, reducing the total number of pieces while maintaining effective water separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, water collection, and water separation functions. This universal design reduces the quantity of separate components needed in the fuel filter system.
3Productivity
If fuel velocity is increased for better filtration, then filtration efficiency is improved, but water re-entrainment into fuel stream increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different permeability characteristics to different regions of the support assembly. The annular shroud region at the lower end has reduced permeability to prevent water re-entrainment, while the upper region maintains higher permeability for effective filtration. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve both high filtration efficiency and prevent water re-entrainment.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly uses varying permeability parameters across different regions. The lower annular shroud region has lower permeability to reduce fuel velocity and prevent water re-entrainment, while the upper perforate region has higher permeability to maintain filtration efficiency. This parameter variation resolves the contradiction between filtration efficiency and water re-entrainment prevention.
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 prevents water re-entrainment and reduces the complexity of plumbing by integrating a water collection sump and annular shroud region, enhancing filtration efficiency and reducing the number of components.
Implementation Method 1
A water collection sump is delimited by the annular shroud region... the annular shroud region is less perforate than the perforate region for causing in use fuel velocity to be lower proximate the lower end and the annular shroud region as compared to the perforate region. In this manner, the annular shroud region prevents water that gravitationally migrates into the water collection sump from re-emulsifying into fuel flow.
Implementation Method 2
Fuel filters with multiple filter stages are known... a ring of filter media that has an upper end and a lower end... The ring filter element has an upper end disc and a lower end disc.
Implementation Method 3
a second tube portion radially spaced from the first tube portion, in which the second tube portion supports a water stripper media
Data Source
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.