Fuel filter with bypass valve

• US 20010030148A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Inventors: Knight, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,555,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/130
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/162 with snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/305 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/34 Seals or gaskets for filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4084 Snap or Seeger ring connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/15 arranged for inward flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/21 with corrugated, folded or wound sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/902 containing fixed liquid displacement elements or cores
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/925 containing liquid displacement elements or cores
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/96 in which the filtering elements are moved between filtering operations; Particular measures for removing or replacing the filtering elements; Transport systems for filters B01D29/09, B01D29/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/147 Bypass or safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/153 Anti-leakage or anti-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/157 Flow control valves: Damping or calibrated passages
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/1573 Flow control valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/1576 Calibrated passages
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/18 Heating or cooling the filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/26 Filters with built-in pumps filters provided with a pump mounted in or on the casing aquarium pumps or filters A01K63/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/003 Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids B01D35/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/22 Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines, e.g. arrangements in the feeding system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/26 with water detection means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/30 : characterised by heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/44 : Filters structurally associated with pumps

Abstract

A fuel filter includes a pair of housing portions defining an interior cavity. A filter element is provided in surrounding relation to a fuel pump. A diverter plate assembly supported in the housing in sealing relation with one of the housing portions, the pump and the filter element, includes a bypass valve with a ball member. The bypass valve is normally closed when the pump is operational, and fuel flow passes from the inlet, through the filter element, and through the pump to the outlet. When the pump is not operational, the bypass valve opens, and fuel flow passes from the inlet through the filter element, and then directly to the outlet, bypassing the fuel pump. The diverter plate assembly includes a segmented collar that couples the assembly to one of the housing portions; a lip seal sealing to the pump; an outer rim that seals to one of the housing portions; and an annular flange that seals to the filter element.

Claims

1. A filter including a housing having an inlet and outlet for directing fluid into and out of the housing, the housing including removably connectable housing portions defining a filter cavity, a pump supported in the filter cavity for pumping fluid through the housing, and a filter element in the filter cavity disposed in surrounding relation to said pump for separating particulate from the fluid, a flow path defined from the inlet, through the filter element and then the pump, to the outlet, fluid passing through said flow path when said pump is operational, and being prevented from flowing through the pump when said pump is non-operational;

and a bypass valve in said housing normally in a closed position when said pump is operational, and moving to an open position when said pump is not-operational to provide a by-pass flow path from said inlet to said outlet, bypassing said pump.

2. The filter as in

claim 1

, wherein said bypass valve is supported in an annular diverter plate assembly, said diverter plate assembly including a central opening receiving said pump.

3. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein said diverter plate assembly includes coupling means for coupling said diverter plate assembly to said housing.

4. The filter as in

claim 3

, wherein said coupling means includes a segmented annular collar projecting axially away from a surface of the diverter plate assembly.

5. The filter as in

claim 3

, wherein said collar closely surrounds said pump.

6. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein said diverter plate assembly has a lip seal which bounds the central opening in the diverter plate assembly and seals to the pump.

7. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein said diverter plate assembly includes an outer annular rim projecting axially away from a surface of the plate, said rim closely received in the housing and sealing against one of the housing portions.

8. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein diverter plate assembly includes an annular flange projecting axially away from a surface of the assembly, and said filter element includes an end cap with a corresponding annular flange projecting axially away from the end cap, the annular flange from the plate and the annular flange from the filter element engaging in sealing relation and preventing fluid flow between the plate and the end cap.

9. The filter as in

claim 8

, wherein the annular flange is radially outwardly disposed from the central opening in the diverter plate assembly.

10. The filter as in

claim 9

, and further including an O-ring seal disposed between the annular flange of the plate and the annular flange from the filter element to provide a fluid-tight seal.

11. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein the diverter plate assembly includes a segmented annular collar closely receiving the pump and coupling the diverter plate assembly to the housing;

a lip seal bounding the central opening and sealing to the pump;

an outer annular rim closely received in and sealing to the housing; and

an annular flange sealing to the filter element.

12. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein the bypass valve includes an annular seat integral with said diverter plate assembly, and a ball member supported in the annular seat, the ball member moveable between a first position blocking flow through the annular seat when said pump is operational and a second position allowing flow through the annular seat when the pump is not-operational.

13. The filter as in

claim 12

, wherein said annular seat is closely received in a sleeve integral with the diverter plate assembly, the sleeve fluidly sealed to an outlet passage in one housing portion fluidly connected to the outlet.

14. The filter as in

claim 1

, wherein said bypass valve is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, pump outlet pressure when the pump is operational maintaining the bypass valve in a closed position preventing fluid flow through the bypass valve.

15. The filter as in

claim 1

, wherein said bypass valve is exposed to pump outlet pressure, and to fluid inlet pressure at the inlet, the difference in pressures moving the valve from the closed position to the open position.

16. The filter as in

claim 1

, wherein said bypass valve is fixed to one of said housing portions.

17. The filter as in

claim 16

, wherein said housing portions can be separated to enable access and replacement of said filter element, said bypass valve remaining fixed with one of said housing portions during replacement of said filter element.

18. The filter as in

claim 1

, wherein said bypass flow path also passes through the filter element.

19. The filter as in

claim 2

, wherein said diverter plate assembly includes an annular heater pan having a collar receiving the pump and coupling the diverter plate to the housing;

and an outer annular rim closely received in and sealing to the housing; and

a flow diverter ring disposed adjacent the heater pan and having a lip seal bounding the central opening and sealing to the pump, and an annular flange sealing to the filter element.

20. The filter as in

claim 1

, wherein said bypass valve includes an annular seat and a ball member supported on said annular seat, the ball member moveable between a first position blocking flow through the annular seat when said pump is operational, and a second position allowing flow through the annular seat when the pump is not operational.

21. A filter including a housing having an inlet and outlet for directing fluid into and out of the housing, and an internal filter cavity, a pump supported in the filter cavity for pumping fluid through the filter, and a filter element for separating particulate from the fluid, a flow path defined from the inlet, through the filter element and the pump, to the outlet, fluid passing through said flow path when said pump is operational, and being prevented from flowing through the pump when said pump is non-operational;

and a bypass valve supported in a diverter plate assembly in said housing, said diverter plate assembly sealing to said housing, to said pump, and to said filter element, and including a one-way check valve, said one-way check valve normally in a closed position when said pump is operational; and

moving to an open position when said pump is non-operational to provide a by-pass flow path from said inlet, through said element, to said outlet, bypassing said pump.

22. The filter as in

claim 21

, wherein the diverter plate assembly includes a segmented annular collar closely receiving the pump and coupling the diverter plate assembly to the housing;

a lip seal bounding the central opening and sealing to the pump;

an outer annular rim closely received in and sealing to the housing; and

an annular flange sealing to the filter element.

23. The filter as in

claim 21

, wherein the check valve is exposed to pump outlet pressure and to fluid inlet pressure at the inlet, the difference in pressures moving the valve from the closed to the open position.

24. A filter including a housing having an inlet and outlet for directing fluid into and out of the housing, and an internal filter cavity, a pump supported in the filter cavity for pumping fluid through the housing, and a filter element for separating particulate from the fluid, a flow path defined from said inlet, through the filter element and said pump, to said outlet, fluid passing through said flow path when said pump is operational, and being prevented from flowing through the pump when said pump is non-operational;

and a bypass valve responsive to pressure from the pump, said by-pass valve normally in a closed position when said pump is operational; and

moving to an open position when said pump is not-operational to provide a by-pass flow path from said inlet to said outlet, bypassing said pump.

25. The filter as in

claim 24

, wherein said by-pass flow path is also through said filter element.