Abstract: A molded base module for a filter assembly comprises a header portion which forms a receiving cavity for a replaceable cartridge and includes integral inlet and outlet structures for providing the communication with the received filtered cartridge. The base module also includes an integrally formed retainer defining a retaining channel for securably retaining the cartridge to the module. The retainer may include angularly spaced slots which mate with corresponding retention tabs of the cartridge.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use with a base to create a filter assembly. The filter cartridge includes a seal to establish a fluid flow within the filter assembly and a resilient bias member to bias the filter cartridge away from the base. The resilient bias member in cooperation with a fastening mechanism secures the filter cartridge to the base.

Abstract: A fuel filter cartridge assembly employs a two piece housing to house a disposable, incineratable filter unit. The filter unit is constructed to cooperate with the sealing mechanism of the housing to seal the assembled cartridge against a fuel inlet/outlet conduit. Tabs formed on the filter unit end cap cooperate with slots formed in the housing to ensure that only compatible filter units are used.

Abstract: A base module for a filter assembly constructed from molded parts comprises a body which forms a receiving cavity for a replaceable filter cartridge and a communication module which includes integral inlet and outlet structures for providing fluid communication with the received filter cartridge and inlet and outlet fittings for remote fluid communication. The body, communication module and inlet and outlet fittings may be individually molded of plastic or similar material to provide for the efficient assembly of a set of elementary components into a base module having a configuration specified from an infinite variety of possible angular orientations.

Abstract: A molded base module for a filter assembly includes a header portion that defines a receiving cavity for a replaceable cartridge and may include integral inlet and outlet structures for communicating with the received filtered cartridge. The header portion includes an integrally formed retainer having a retaining channel for receiving tabs projecting from the cartridge, thereby retaining the cartridge to the module. The retaining channel is defined by a retaining lip and axially spaced shoulder connected by a side wall. In an illustrated embodiment, the retaining lip includes a plurality of angularly spaced axial slots and the side wall includes ramp-like projections which mate with correspondingly shaped tabs projecting from the cartridge.

Abstract: A fuel filter cartridge assembly employs a two piece housing to house a replaceable filter unit. The filter cartridge assembly incorporates a key system to ensure compatibility of a replacement filter unit for a given cartridge assembly. Keys formed on the filter unit cooperate with keyways formed in the housing to ensure that only filter units having key structures may be used. Each key may have a different angular position, angular dimension and radial projection. By varying the dimensions of the keys and/or the positions and/or the number of keys, a composite compatibility matrix comprising an infinite number of configuration sets are available to differentiate between filter units having differing flow capacities, filter media, disposal options or other characteristics.

Abstract: A fuel filter cartridge has a plurality of retention tabs which radially integrally project along the roll seam structure which joins a top section of the housing to the cylindrical lower section. A base contains complementary slots which allow for the cartridge to be axially inserted and rotated to secure the replaceable cartridge in position. Various numbers and configurations of the retention tabs may be provided.

Abstract: A two stage pressure relief valve for releasing a fluid under pressure includes a body having a bore extending from an inlet and terminating in an outlet. A first chamber which communicates with the inlet and a second chamber which communicates with the first chamber and the outlet are provided and are dimensioned such that the cross sectional area of the second chamber is greater than that of the first chamber. An operator seat is disposed within the body and an operator is moveably disposed within the bore and engages the operator seat. The operator includes a blocking surface which blocks at least a portion of the flow of fluid. When the pressure of the fluid exceeds a threshold pressure, the operator is unseated whereby fluid flows at a first flow volume such that at least a portion of the fluid impinges the blocking surface causing the blocking surface to move within the second chamber whereby fluid flows at a second flow volume. The second flow volume being greater than the first flow volume.

Abstract: A filter assembly including a base and a disposable filter cartridge. The container of the filter cartridge has a top portion of an upper section that is received in the base and which may deform into engagement with the interior receiving surface of the base when exposed to the fuel system operating pressure. A plurality of longitudinally extending keys or protrusions protrude from the bottom surface of the base. The protrusions are selectively dimensioned and positioned to provide a unique protrusion matrix for a given filter capacity, filtering quality or filtering parameter. The protrusions form corresponding depressions in the top portion of the upper section when the fuel system is operating, locking the top portion of the upper section to the base. The base structure supports the upper section of the cartridge, controlling the extent of deformation of the upper section.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly employs a hand primer and a disposable filter cartridge mounted to a header. The filter cartridge has a filter element which defines an interior chamber for receiving the filtered fuel. The hand primer includes a diaphragm which cooperates with the header to define a reservoir and a valve plate having a plurality of orifices and an axial opening for providing fluid communication between an exit passage of the header and the reservoir and between the chamber and the reservoir, respectively. A first check valve is mounted in the opening and a second check valve is mounted in an axial bore in the first check valve. The first and second check valves are moveable between an open position for allowing flow through the orifices of the valve plate and orifices in the first check valve, respectively, and a closed position for preventing such flow.

Abstract: An improved fuel filter cartridge comprises a housing which defines an opening, a filter element enclosed within the housing, and a flow-reversing insert disposed within the housing between the opening and the filter element. The improved filter cartridge is preferably used with a conventional header of the type having a fuel entry port, a fuel exit port, a central first conduit for interiorly defining a first axial fuel passage which is in fluid communication with the entry port of the header. Headers used with the improved filter cartridge also include a second conduit surrounding and cooperating with the first conduit to define a second axial fuel passage therebetween, the second fuel passage being in fluid communication with the exit port of the header, and a base for mounting the filter cartridge thereto.

Abstract: An improved fuel filter cartridge can be used with a header of a conventional fuel filter assembly. The cartridge has a water coalescing sock filter enclosed within a housing and a generally conically shaped water separating baffle with a spiralling rim and an outer barrier at the lower periphery of the baffle. As water droplets coalesce and fall off the bottom end of the sock filter, they are intercepted by the water baffle and coalesce on the radially inward side of the downwardly spiralling rim and the radially inward side of the outer barrier. As the water droplets spiral outwardly toward the outer barrier, they agglomerate. The water, thus separated and routed away from the fuel stream, exits the water baffle at an outlet of the outer barrier and falls to the bottom of the filter cartridge under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly of modular form is adapted to incorporate a lift pump or an automatic primer. The lift pump is mounted to the filter base by means of a lock ring. Fuel supplied to the filter base inlet is supplied to a rotary vane-type or gerotor pump which may be electrically activated from the vehicle console or a location remote from the fuel filter assembly. The lift pump regulates the fuel pressure to provide a sufficient fuel flow through the supply system and the filter for ultimate delivery to the fuel injection pump or engine. The pump/filter flow sequence is bi-directional and may be selected by the angular position of an adapter.

Abstract: A fuel circuit for a fuel system including a fuel tank, a fuel injection system, and a fuel filter assembly. Excess fuel flow is recirculated from the fuel injection pump to the base of the fuel filter. The base includes an internal recirculated fuel passageway which is in fluid communication with the fuel injection pump and the fuel tank, an internal fuel inlet plenum that is in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and an internal fuel outlet passageway which is in fluid communication with the fuel injection system. An opening provides fluid communication between the recirculated fuel passageway and the fuel inlet plenum. A thermal flow control valve is positioned in the recirculated fuel passageway to open the opening when the recirculated fuel temperature is below a predetermined temperature and to close the opening when the recirculated fuel temperature is above the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly employs a hand primer and a disposable filter cartridge mounted to a filter base. The filter cartridge and filter base define a fuel flow path through the filter assembly. The filter base includes a sump for receiving fuel that has traversed the filter element. The hand primer includes a deformable member composed of an elastomeric material that cooperates with a base plate to define a cavity. The base plate is disposed intermediate the deformable member and the base sump to separate the cavity from the fuel flow path. The base plate has a plurality of orifices to selectively provide fluid communication between the cavity and the sump. A discharge passage in fluid communication with cavity provides means for discharging air from the fuel filter assembly.

Abstract: A locating and keying system for a filter system assembly employs protrusions having a selected location and shape, such as a spherical sector cap, a pie wedge, a square or a bead, which longitudinally protrude from the end receiving surface of the base. Corresponding dimples in the opposing surface of the cartridge are dimensioned for receiving the protrusion for locking the cartridge at a fixed angular position of the base.

Abstract: A fuel circuit for a fuel system including a fuel reservoir, a fuel injection system, a fuel lift pump, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel circuit includes a fuel passageway for recirculating the excess fuel flow from the outlet of the fuel injection pump to the inlet of the fuel injection pump. The excess fuel flow, which is pressurized by the fuel injection pump, is preferentially utilized as the fuel source over fuel in the fuel reservoir, which is at a lower pressure. The fuel circuit may include a single fuel-to-air heat exchanger or a fuel-to-coolant heat exchanger and a coolant-to-air heat exchanger to remove heat from the excess fuel flow, depending on the amount of heat generated by the fuel injection system and the fuel lift pump and the expected ambient temperature conditions. Circulation pumps in the fuel passageway and the coolant line may be used to facilitate removal of heat in the two heat exchanger system.

Abstract: A fuel filter cartridge is formed from a pair of shell sections which are joined along a roll seam to form a retaining shoulder. The sections have generally cylindrical walls which are symmetric about a central axis. One of the sections has a diameter greater than the other section. Angularly spaced arcuate protrusions or keys protrude radially from the cylindrical wall of the cartridge.

Abstract: A filter module for filtering a flow of fluid employs a base member which either mounts a blanking plug or a diverter valve module. The plug is replaced by a diverter valve module for use with those engines that require an auxiliary source of low pressure fuel. A solenoid valve is housed in the module. A pressure regulator valve positioned in the valve module maintains a backpressure in the filter assembly to insure that there is sufficient head to drive the flow of fuel to the engine.