Systems and devices for separating water and contaminants from fuel

• US 8,651,068 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Torgerud, Michael A., Fugar, Gregory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie, Mahmoud
• Application Number:
  US14/026,012
• Time in Patent Office: 158 Days
• Field of Search: 123/25.J, 123/196.A, 123/510, 123/461, 123/495, 220/562, 114/55.5, 210/94, 2101721-1726, 210/DIG.6
• US Class Current: 123/25.J
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0214 with removal of one of the phases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/12 Auxiliary equipment particularly adapted for use with liquid-separating apparatus, e.g. control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/003 Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids B01D35/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/24 characterised by water separating means

Abstract

A device is for separating water and contaminants from fuel that is being supplied from an upstream fuel reservoir to a downstream internal combustion engine. The device comprises a housing configured to couple with the upstream fuel reservoir, the housing having an inlet receiving fuel, water and contaminants, and an outlet discharging the fuel; a gravity separator disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the gravity separator separating the water from the fuel; and a filter disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the filter filtering the contaminants from the fuel.

Claims

1. A device for separating water and contaminants from fuel that is being supplied from an upstream fuel reservoir to a downstream internal combustion engine, the device comprising:

a housing that couples with the fuel reservoir, the housing having an inlet receiving fuel, water and contaminants, and an outlet discharging the fuel;

a gravity separator disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the gravity separator separating the water from the fuel;

wherein the housing comprises a water cavity holding the water separated from the fuel and a fuel cavity supplying the fuel to the outlet;

a filter disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the filter filtering the contaminants from the fuel;

a primer priming fuel for consumption by the internal combustion engine, the primer comprising a cap that is biased into an extended position, wherein pressing the cap out of the extended position primes fuel from the reservoir for consumption by the internal combustion engine; and

an outlet valve that is biased into a closed position on the outlet and an inlet valve that is biased into a closed position on the inlet, wherein pressing the cap out of the extended position opens the outlet valve and supplies fuel, to the internal combustion engine and wherein releasing the cap closes the outlet valve and opens the inlet valve so as to prime fuel from the reservoir into the housing.

2. The device according to claim 1, comprising a stem coupled to the cap, the stem carrying a fuel demand valve that maintains as sealed condition of the fuel reservoir and is responsive to changes in pressure within the fuel system relative to atmospheric pressure.

3. The device according to claim 2, comprising a spring on the stem, the spring biasing the cap into the extended position.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the fuel demand valve is located in the housing, downstream of the inlet valve and upstream of the outlet valve.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the fuel demand valve seals with the housing when the cap is in the extended position and wherein the fuel demand valve does not seal with the housing and fluid flows past the fuel demand valve to the gravity separator when the cap is out of the extended position.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the stem comprises at least one flute allowing flow of fluid therepast when the aid demand valve is not sealed with the housing.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the housing comprises an inclined surface disposed downstream of the gravity separator and upstream of the filter, the inclined surface defining a passageway through which fuel drains to the filter;

wherein the stem extends through the inclined surface.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the gravity separator comprises a baffle disposed between the water cavity and the fuel cavity such that as the fuel passes over the baffle from upstream to downstream the fuel and water separate by gravity.

9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the water cavity comprises a sloped floor draining water towards a drain and wherein the stem passes through the sloped floor.

10. A fuel supply system comprising:

a fuel reservoir containing fuel;

an internal combustion engine consuming fuel from the fuel reservoir;

a device attached to the fuel reservoir and separating water and contaminants from the fuel, the device comprising a housing, having an inlet receiving fuel and an outlet discharging the fuel;

a gravity separator disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the gravity separator separating water from the fuel;

a filter disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the filter filtering contaminants from the fuel;

a primer priming fuel from the fuel reservoir to the internal combustion engine;

wherein the primer comprising a cap that is biased into an extended position, and wherein pressing the cap out of the extended position primes fuel from the reservoir for consumption by the internal combustion engine; and

an outlet valve that is biased into a closed position on the outlet and an inlet valve that is biased into a closed position on the inlet, wherein pressing, the cap out of the extended position opens the outlet valve and supplies fuel to the internal combustion engine and wherein releasing the cap closes the outlet valve and opens the inlet valve so as to prime fuel, from the reservoir into the housing.

11. A fuel supply system comprising:

an upstream fuel reservoir for containing fuel;

a downstream internal combustion engine that consumes fuel from the fuel reservoir;

a device that separates water and contaminants from the fuel, the device disposed upstream of the internal combustion engine and downstream of the fuel reservoir, the device comprising a housing that is attached to the fuel reservoir, the housing having an inlet receiving the fuel from the fuel reservoir and an outlet discharging, the fuel, to the internal combustion engine;

a seal that provides a fluid-tight seal between an outer surface of the housing and the fuel reservoir;

a gravity separator disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the gravity separator separating water from the fuel;

a filter disposed in the housing between the gravity separator and the outlet, the filter filtering, contaminants from the fuel;

a primer priming fuel from the fuel reservoir to the internal combustion engine;

wherein the primer comprises a cap that is biased into an extended position, and wherein pressing the cap out of the extended position primes fuel from the reservoir for consumption by the internal combustion engine; and

an outlet valve that is biased into a closed position on the outlet and an inlet valve that is biased into a closed position on the inlet, wherein pressing the cap out of the extended position opens the outlet valve and supplies fuel to the internal combustion engine and wherein releasing the cap closes the outlet valve and opens the inlet valve so as to prime fuel from the reservoir into the housing.

12. The fuel supply system according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a flanged surface that receives screws that fix the housing to the fuel reservoir.

13. The fuel supply system according to claim 11, comprising a screen that is connected to the inlet for filtering particulate matter from the fuel, wherein the screen is disposed in the fuel reservoir.

14. The fuel supply system according to claim 11, wherein the inlet valve comprises a ball valve that is biased into the closed position by a spring, wherein the suction pressure created in the housing by the internal combustion engine overcomes the bias of the spring.

15. The fuel supply system according to claim 11, comprising a fuel demand valve disposed downstream of the inlet valve and upstream of the gravity separator, the fuel demand valve being biased into a dosed position, wherein the fuel demand valve opens under suction pressure created in the housing, by the internal combustion engine.

16. The fuel supply system according to claim 15, comprising a spring that biases the fuel demand valve into the closed position, wherein the suction pressure created in the housing by the internal combustion engine overcomes the bias of the spring to move the fuel demand valve into an open position.

17. The fuel supply system according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises:

a water cavity holding the water separated from the fuel;

a fuel cavity supplying the fuel to the outlet;

wherein the gravity separator comprises a primary baffle disposed between the water cavity and the fuel cavity such that as the fuel passes over the baffle from upstream to downstream the fuel and water separate by gravity;

wherein the gravity separator comprises a secondary baffle formed by an inclined surface disposed downstream of the gravity separator and upstream of the filter, the inclined surface defining a passageway through which fuel drains to the filter;

wherein the primer comprises a stem that extends through the inclined surface.

18. The fuel supply system according to claim 11, comprising a drain discharging water from the water cavity, wherein the water cavity comprises a sloped floor draining water towards the dram;

wherein the primer comprises a stem that extends through the sloped floor.

19. The fuel supply system according to claim 18, comprising a valve that is movable between a sealed position that closes the drain and an unsealed position that opens the drain;

wherein the valve comprises a fitting that coextends with the outlet and further comprises at least one seal sealing between the fitting and the housing, wherein the fitting comprises a threaded connection, and wherein threading the connection presses the at least one seal between the fitting and the housing to close the drain and wherein unthreading the connection unseals the at least one seal so as to open the drain.

20. The fuel supply system according to claim 19, wherein the filter is coupled to the fitting and the seal is coupled to the filter.