Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter housing having a longitudinal axis, the filter housing divided into a first filter chamber and a second filter chamber, a first element bottom endplate, a second element top endplate, an intermediate endplate positioned along the longitudinal axis between the second element top endplate and the first element bottom endplate, a first filter element housed within the first filter chamber and comprising first filter media positioned between the first element bottom endplate and the intermediate endplate, and a second filter element housed within the second filter chamber and comprising second filter media positioned between the second element top endplate and the intermediate endplate.

Abstract: Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.

Abstract: A fluid filter is described, where a drain valve is configured to move back and forth into open and closed positions. The drain valve and a filter cartridge are in a structural arrangement such that the drain valve is put in an open position before the filter and/or a filter element therein can be serviced or replaced.

Abstract: A water separator and particulate filter with a first or outer stage configured to coalesce water from fluid such as fuel, and a second or inner stage configured to separate coalesced water from the fluid and also remove fine solid contaminants from the fluid. The coalescing stage includes a pleated cylinder of polymeric media. The pleated cylinder has pleat valleys and downstream pleat tips, and release sites defined at the downstream pleat tips. The separator stage includes a non-pleated cylinder of polymeric media surrounding and in contact with outer pleat tips of a multi-layer pleated cylinder.

Abstract: A fuel heater module and a water-in-fuel sensor module are disclosed that are configured to be connected to an outside surface of a filter assembly. The fuel heater module includes an inlet port and an outlet port with a heating element positioned in the fluid path between the inlet and outlet. A thermostat is included for controlling operation of the heating element. The water-in-fuel sensor module is configured to detect water in the filter housing that it may be drained from the filter housing. Both modules are configured to be attached to an outside surface of the filter housing thereby being readily replaceable.

Abstract: One embodiment is a filter assembly wherein the shape of the filter is a non-circular geometry. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods to remove contaminates from a flow of fuel while at the same time providing a unique filter and filter assembly geometry. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

Abstract: One embodiment is a filter assembly wherein the shape of the filter is a non-circular geometry. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods to remove contaminates from a flow of fuel while at the same time providing a unique filter and filter assembly geometry. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

Abstract: A water separator and particulate filter with a first or outer stage configured to coalesce water from fluid such as fuel, and a second or inner stage configured to separate coalesced water from the fluid and also remove fine solid contaminants from the fluid. The coalescing stage includes a pleated cylinder of polymeric media. The pleated cylinder has pleat valleys and downstream pleat tips, and release sites defined at the downstream pleat tips. The separator stage includes a non-pleated cylinder of polymeric media surrounding and in contact with outer pleat tips of a multi-layer pleated cylinder.

Abstract: One embodiment is a filter assembly wherein the shape of the filter is a non-circular geometry. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods to remove contaminates from a flow of fuel while at the same time providing a unique filter and filter assembly geometry. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

Abstract: A fuel heater module and a water-in-fuel sensor module are disclosed that are configured to be connected to an outside surface of a filter assembly. The fuel heater module includes an inlet port and an outlet port with a heating element positioned in the fluid path between the inlet and outlet. A thermostat is included for controlling operation of the heating element. The water-in-fuel sensor module is configured to detect water in the filter housing that it may be drained from the filter housing. Both modules are configured to be attached to an outside surface of the filter housing thereby being readily replaceable.

Abstract: Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.

Abstract: One embodiment is a replaceable filter element including a filter media having a first end, a second end and an interior cavity, and an endplate coupled to the first end of the filter media, the endplate including a projection extending from the endplate, the projection including a first portion, a flange and a second portion, the first portion extending from the endplate to the flange, the second portion extending from the flange. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

Abstract: A fluid filter is described, where a drain valve is configured to move back and forth into open and closed positions. The drain valve and a filter cartridge are in a structural arrangement such that the drain valve is put in an open position before the filter and/or a filter element therein can be serviced or replaced.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a quick-drain filter includes a cylindrical filter element, a cylindrical interior volume disposed axially through the element, an end plate disposed on an axial end of the element, and a housing within which the element and end plate are disposed, the housing and element having a common axis. A stand pipe is disposed axially through the housing and configured to extend into the interior volume. A service drain passage is disposed at an axial end of the housing, the drain passage being configured to be disposed axially adjacent the end plate, and a plug is disposed on the end plate, the plug being configured to plug the drain passage.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a quick-drain filter includes a filter housing, a clean fluid passage disposed axially in the housing, and a service drain passage disposed at an axial end of the housing and spaced radially away from the clean fluid passage. A protrusion extending radially from a stand pipe defining the clean fluid passage, disposed axially in the housing, defines the inner radius of the drain passage, and a housing member defines the outer radius. A plug extends axially from a filter cartridge to plug the drain passage when the cartridge is installed in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for fluid filtering with contaminant removal, such as removing water from the surface of a top loading-type fuel filter element, includes a housing containing a cavity, a fluid flow inlet leading into the cavity, a filter element disposed in the cavity, and a flow director configured to direct the flow of fluid against the filter element such that contaminant collected on the surface of the filter element is sloughed off. The flow director may be configured to direct the fluid flow at least partially parallel to the filter element. The flow director may further be configured as one or more holes in a filter element housing disposed around the filter element.

Abstract: A fuel water separator system includes a fuel tank for storing fuel and a fuel water separator fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for separating water from the fuel. A fuel pump has a suction side that is fluidly coupled to the fuel water separator for pumping fuel from the fuel water separator. The fuel pump has a high pressure side where the fuel has a higher pressure than at the suction side. A water pump, such as a venturi or a jet pump, is fluidly coupled between the fuel water separator and the fuel tank for pumping the water from the fuel water separator into the fuel tank. The water pump is fluidly coupled to the high pressure side of the fuel pump to receive the fuel at the higher pressure to drive the water pump.

Abstract: A filter system includes a filter configured to regulate fuel pressure as well as automatically vent air from the filter. A pressure regulator valve is positioned in the top of a standpipe of the filter. The filter includes a filter cartridge with top and bottom end caps. The top end cap of the filter cartridge has a hole with radial sealing gasket, which seals against the top of the standpipe to prohibit flow from bypassing the filter cartridge. This arrangement exposes the regulator valve to the fuel and/or air at the top of the filter housing. Pressure in the housing opens the valve, allowing air and/or fuel to be vented through the standpipe, and back to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fluid level detector system, which may measure the amount of fluid in a reservoir, and may further trigger an alarm when the fluid level in the cassette reaches a low level condition. The cassette's reservoir may contain a transient sterile solution, which is moving through the cassette to be either cooled or heated in the heat exchanger area. The detection scheme includes a ring magnet housed in a float assembly located in the fluid reservoir of the cassette and, e.g., two magnetic sensors, such as may form a Hall effect integrated circuit, which may be fixed within the console.

Abstract: A fuel filter housing and fuel heater combination for a fuel-water separator includes, as part of the fuel filter housing, a heater-receiving bore and a protrusion adjacent the heater-receiving bore. The fuel heater is constructed and arranged for inserting into the bore and includes a flange that is attached to the housing for securing the fuel heater in position. The fuel heater includes a notch that is constructed and arranged with a ramp portion. With the fuel heater properly seated, the protrusion inserts into the notch and is seated against the ramp portion. O-ring seal swelling may cause the fuel heater to be difficult to remove and the protrusion cooperates with the ramp portion by way of a camming action to facilitate removal of the fuel heater from the bore under such conditions.