Abstract: A liquid filter includes a filtering medium of a collapsed cylindrical form which defines cooperating accordian pleats that form contaminant collecting walls. The medium is self-supporting, and divides the filter into inlet and outlet chambers across the medium. When the restriction of the medium increases, thereby increasing the pressure differential across the medium, the accordian pleats collapse until corrugations on the pleats engage with one another, thereby resisting further collapse of the medium. As the pressure differential increases still further to the extent that the corrugations are collapsed, a part of each fold is kept apart by adjacent double thickness portion of the fold or pleat, so that a minimum flow of liquid through the filter is maintained.

Abstract: A separating device for separating a pair of immiscible components from a fluid mixture, such as separating water from a diesel fuel oil/water mixture, includes a housing and a filter cartridge mounted on the housing such that the filter cartridge is oriented substantially horizontally. The housing includes an inlet fitting, an outlet fitting, and a sump for receiving the fluid component separated from the mixture. Because of the orientation of the housing, the coalesced water or heavier component of the fluid mixture tends to collect in the lower portion of the filter cartridge and drains into the sump, where it may be drained periodically. The lighter component or fuel oil is communicated to the outlet port or fitting.

Abstract: A filter element and method for making it include the steps of providing a pleated paper filtering media and providing a batt-like filtering media containing thermoplastic fibers which is slightly larger than the pleated paper filtering media. A ring-shaped die is used in a press to apply heat and pressure to the edges of the batt-like filtering media while accommodating the rest of the batt-like filtering media in the aperture of the die. Accordingly, a stiffened wall is provided which circumscribes the pleated paper filtering media. The pleated paper filtering media is attached to the stiffened, fluid-impermeable wall to provide a fluid-impermeable seal therebetween. A perimetrically-extending flange gasket is simultaneously formed around the edge of the batt-like media, so that the latter can be sealingly engaged in an air cleaner housing.

Abstract: Fuel supply system for a vehicle engine includes a filter/reservoir housing (22, 122, 222) which is communicated to one or more fuel tanks (12, 162, 164, 262, 264) and to the vehicle engine (14, 114, 214) by a fuel supply line (16, 116, 216) and a transfer pump (30, 130, 230). Excess fuel is returned to the fuel tanks by a return line (18, 118, 218) which also communicates through the reservoir housing (22, 122, 222). Primary fuel pumps (24, 166, 168, 266, 268) pump fuel at a greater flow rate than that of the transfer pump (30, 130, 230) so that the excess fuel is returned to the tank through the return line (18, 118, 218), thereby assuring that fuel being returned from the engine does not mix with fuel being pumped to the engine. The reservoir housing (22, 122, 222) contains a quantity of fuel so that the engine will not be deprived of fuel if the fuel pickup in the tanks (12, 162, 164, 262, 264) momentarily is above the fuel level.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for a dual tank fuel supply system includes a housing (304) communicated to the return circuit (118, 218) and supply circuit (116, 216). The valve mechanism is responsive to pressure differentials between branches (170, 172 and 270, 272) of the supply circuit (216) to switch communication between branches (178, 180, 278, 280) of the return circuit (118, 218) accordingly.

Abstract: A separating device for removing water from a fuel oil/water mixture includes a cartridge comprising a filtering media and a sump. The cartridge is installed on a mounting head, which includes a pump and a pair of check valves to permit fluid to be drained from the sump by operation of the pump. A bypass passage permits fluid to bypass the check valves during normal operation of the device, but a plunger closes the bypass passage to permit operation of the pump to move fluid through the device.

Abstract: A probe and sump drain assembly (128) includes a fitting (136) secured to the wall of a sump (98) to which a probe housing 146 is threadedly engaged. The fitting is provided with a stepped bore having larger (142) and smaller (140) diameter portions. Seals (154, 156) carried on the housing (146) control fluid communication through passages (160, 162) communicated with the larger portion (142). A ring terminal assembly (170) provides an electrical connection with the fitting (136) and with a transversely projecting portion (166) of the probe (144) regardless of the angular orientation of the portion (166) of the probe (144).

Abstract: Separating device for separating the liquid components of a liquid mixture comprising an annular coalescing medium (84) for causing the liquid component to be removed from the mixture to coalesce into droplets, and a conical separating medium (102) tapering toward a liquid collecting sump (98). A heating element (46) heats the liquid mixture when the temperature of the mixture is below a predetermined temperature. An open, fibrous batt of filtering material (100) circumscribes the coalescing medium (84) to collect wax crystals which form during cold temperature conditions. A relief valve (108) permits liquid to bypass the separating medium (102) when the pressure differential across the separating medium (102) exceeds a predetermined amount. Accordingly, initial flow through the separating device is established, permitting the heater to heat the liquid to a temperature above that at which wax crystals form.

Abstract: A fluid filter (10) of the spin-on automotive type has a housing with a unitary closure member (18). The unitary, or one-piece, closure member (18) includes provision for mounting of the filter and for fluid flow therethrough. Two opposed annular flanges (78, 80) of the closure member receive between them the marginal edge (72) of the filter shell in a fluid-tight crimped engagement. This arrangement facilitates manufacture of the filter by providing support to the shell wall (68) during the crimping operation and also provides an exceptionally strong joint between the shell (12) and closure member (18). Another embodiment of the filter has a closure member (18) with a marginal edge (76) having a portion of reduced thickness which facilitates its crimped engagement with the filter shell (12). Methods of making such closure members attain a unitary closure member without welding operations.

Abstract: A fluid filter (10) of the spin-on automotive type has a housing with a unitary closure member (18). The unitary, or one-piece, closure member (18) includes provision for mounting of the filter and for fluid flow therethrough. Two opposed annular flanges (78, 80) of the closure member receive between them the marginal edge (72) of the filter shell in a fluid-tight crimped engagement. This arrangement facilitates manufacture of the filter by providing support to the shell wall (68) during the crimping operation and also provides an exceptionally strong joint between the shell (12) and closure member (18). Another embodiment of the filter has a closure member (18) with a marginal edge (76) having a portion of reduced thickness which facilitates its crimped engagement with the filter shell (12). Methods of making such closure members attain a unitary closure member without welding operations.

Abstract: A pressure distributing superstructure for a windshield wiper, comprising a plastic primary yoke having at each end oppositely extending, coaxial pins and a lobe beyond the pins, and two plastic secondary yokes, each having a pair of ears spaced apart along the axis of the pins, the ears of each pair having opposing openings for receiving the pins of one end of the primary yoke, a shoulder above each opening to retain the pins therein, and a downwardly and inwardly sloping ramp above each shoulder, the ends of said pins of a pair being separated by more than the minimum spacing of the ramps, the ears being sufficiently resilient so that when the pins are forced between the ramps the ears will temporarily be flexed apart to allow the pins to snap into the openings.