Drain system for fuel processor apparatus

Claim 2

In a fuel processor means operative to separate out water or other impurities from the fuel, said fuel processor means including a chamber adapted to receive said fuel flowing therethrough, said fuel and said water or other impurities being separated in a lower portion of said chamber, the improvement comprising: quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities therein; drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water or other impurities from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity; and temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for sensing the temperature of said water or other impurities in said lower portion of said chamber and for disabling said drain means in response to detection of a water temperature below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said quantity sensing means is also adapted to detect the presence of a second quantity of said water or other impurities, said improvement further including control means for causing actuation of said drain means in response to said detection of said predetermined quantity of water or other impurities in said chamber and for causing deactuation of said drain means in response to detection of said second quantity of water or other impurities in said chamber, said predetermined quantity being greater than said second quantity, whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities is maintained generally between said predetermined quantity and said second quantity.

Claim 4

The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said drain means is actuated and deactuated automatically by said control means in response to said detection of said respective predetermind and second quantities of water or other impurities, whereby the quantity of water or other impurities is automatically maintained generally between said predetermined quantity and said second quantity even when said fuel process is unattended.

Claim 5

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said quantity sensing means includes probe means protruding in a generally vertical direction into said lower portion of said chamber, said probe means being adapted for detecting the presence of a predetermined level of said water or other impurities therein generally corresponding to said predetermined quantity and for generating a high-level signal to indicate the presence of said predetermined quantity.

Claim 6

The improvement according to claim 4, further comprising automatic control means for receiving said high-level signal and for automatically actuating said drain means in response to said high-level signal.

Claim 7

The improvement according to claim 5, wherein said probe means is further adapted for detecting the presence of a level of said water or other impurities lower than said predetermined level in said lower portion of said chamber and for generating a low-level signal to indicate the presence of said lower level, said automatic control means further being adapted to automatically deactuate said drain means in response to said low-level signal, whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities is automatically maintained generally between said predetermined quantity and a lesser quantity corresponding to said lower level.

Claim 8

The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said probe means comprises at least one elongated probe protruding in a generally upwardly direction into said lower portion of said chamber, said probe being adapted to generate distinct signals when exposed at various points along its length to one or more fluids having distinct electrical characteristics, said automatic control means being adapted to differentiate between said distinct signals in oder to actuate and deactuate said drain means in response to said high-level and low-level signals, respectively.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 7, wherein said drain means includes a solenoid-operated valve adapted to provide communication therethrough between the interior of said lower portion of said chamber and the exterior of said fuel processor means to discharge said substantial portion of said water or other impurities when said solenoid-operated valve is actuated, said solenoid-operated valve further being adapted to prevent said communication when said solenoid-operated valve is deactuated.

Claim 10

The improvement according to claim 8, wherein said drain means further includes pumping means operatively connected to said solenoid-operated valve, said pumping means being actuated and deactuated by said control means in conjunction with respective actuation and deactuation of said solenoid-operated valve.

Claim 11

The improvement according to claim 8, wherein said probe means comprises a pair of said elongated probes protruding generally upwardly into said lower portion of said chamber, said probes being separated but located closely adjacent to one another relative to the distance from said probes to the wall of said chamber and being adapted to generate distinct signals when exposed at various corresponding levels along each of their lengths to one or more fluids which have distinct electrical characteristics and extend between said probes.

Claim 12

The improvement according to claim 3, wherein said temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber is adapted to generate a low temperature signal in response to detection of a temperature of said water or other impurities below said predetermined temperature level in said lower portion of said chamber, said control means being adapted to receive said low-temperature signal and to automatically disabling said drain means in response thereto.

Claim 13

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined temperature level is approximately 34 F., whereby said temperature sensing means substantially disables and prevents improper operation of said drain means resulting from ice being introduced thereinto.

Claim 14

A fuel processing apparatus for use on trucks, automobiles, and the like, said apparatus being operative to preheat the fuel to separate out water or other impurities from the fuel, said apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid-tight chamber having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, said fuel and said water or other impurities being substantially separated in a lower portion of said chamber; heating means in said chamber for preheating said fuel; filter means operatively connected with said chamber for filtering said fuel after said water and other impurities have been substantially separated; quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of various quantities of said water or other impurities therein; drain valve means actuable to provide fluid communication between the interior of said lower portion of said chamber and the exterior of said chamber in order to discharge a substantial portion of said water and other impurities therefrom, said drain valve means further being deactuable to prevent said fluid communication; automatic control means for actuating said drain valve means in response to detection by said quantity sensing means of the presence of a first predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities in said lower portion of said chamber and for deactuating said drain valve means in response to detection by said quantity sensing means of the presence of a second lesser predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities in said lower portion of said chamber whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities is maintained generally between said first and second predetermined quantities; and temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for sensing the temperature of said water or other impurities therein and for disabling said drain means in response to detection of a water temperature below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 15

A fuel processing apparatus for use on trucks, automobiles, and the like, said apparatus being operative to preheat the fuel to separate out water or other impurities from the fuel, said apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid-tight chamber having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, said fuel and said water or other impurities being substantially separated in a lower portion of said chamber; heating means in said chamber for preheating said fuel; filter means operatively connected with said chamber for filtering said fuel after said water and other impurities have been substantially separated; quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of various quantities of said water or other impurities therein; drain valve means actuable to provide fluid communication between the interior of said lower portion of said chamber and the exterior of said chamber in order to discharge a substantial portion of said water and other impurities therefrom, said drain valve means further being deactuable to prevent said fluid communication; automatic control means for actuating said drain valve means in response to detection by said quantity sensing means of the presence of a first predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities in said lower portion of said chamber and for deactuating said drain valve means in response to detection by said quantity sensing means of the presence of a second lesser predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities in said lower portion of said chamber whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities is maintained generally between said first and second predetermined quantities; and temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for sensing the temperature of said water or other impurities therein and for disabling said drain means in response to detection of a water temperature below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 16

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said quantity sensing means includes at least one elongated probe extending generally upwardly into said lower portion of said chamber, said probe being adapted to generate distinct signals when exposed at various points along its length to one or more fluids having distinct electrical characteristics, said automatic control means being adapted to differentiate between said distinct signals in order to actuate said drain valve means in response to a first level of said water or other impurities and to deactuate said drain valve means in response to a second level of said water or other impurities, said first and second levels corresponding to said first and second predetermined quantities, respectively.

Claim 17

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said drain valve means is solenoid-operated.

Claim 18

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said drain valve means further includes pumping means operatively connected thereto, said pumping means being actuated and deactuated by said automatic control means in conjunction with respective actuation and deactuation of said drain valve means.

Claim 19

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said quantity sensing means comprises a pair of said elongated probes protruding generally upward into said lower portion of said chamber, said probes being separate but located closely adjacent to one another relative to the distance from said probes to the wall of said chamber and being adapted to generate distinct signals when exposed at various corresponding levels along each of their lengths to one or more fluids which have distinct electrical characteristics and extend between said probes.

Claim 20

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said drain valve means is solenoid-operated.

Claim 21

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said drain valve further includes pumping means operatively connected thereto, said pumping means being actuated and deactuated by said automatic control means in conjunction with respective actuation and deactuation of said drain valve.

Claim 22

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber is adapted to generate a low-temperature signal in response to detection of temperatures below a predetermined temperature level in said lower portion of said chamber, said control means being adapted to receive said low-temperature signal and to automatically disable said drain means in response thereto.

Claim 23

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined temperature level is approximately 34 F., whereby said control means substantially disables and prevents improper operation of said drain means resulting from ice being introduced thereinto.

Claim 24

An automatic drain system for a chamber having at least one fluid therein, said system comprising: quantity sensing means located in a lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said fluid therein; drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said fluid from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said fluid by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said fluid in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity; and temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for sensing the temperature of said fluid therein and for disabling said drain means in response to detection of a fluid temperature below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 25

An automatic drain system for a chamber having at least one fluid therein, said system comprising: quantity sensing means located in a lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said fluid therein; drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said fluid from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said fluid by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said fluid in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity; and temperature sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for sensing the temperature of said fluid therein and for disabling said drain means in response to detection of a fluid temperature below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 26

An automatic drain system according to claim 22, wherein said quantity sensing means is also adapted to detect the presence of a second quantity of said fluid, said system further including automatic control means for causing actuation of said drain means in response to said detection of said predetermined quantity of said fluid in said chamber and for causing deactuation of said drain means in response to detection of said second quantity of said fluid in said chamber, said predetermined quantity being greater than said second quantity, whereby the quantity of said fluid in said chamber is maintained generally between said predetermined quantity and said second quantity.

Claim 27

An automatic drain system according to claim 23, wherein said quantity sensing means includes at least one elongated probe extending generally upwardly into said lower portion of said chamber, said probe being adapted to generate distinct signals when exposed at various points along its length to one or more fluids having distinct electrical characteristics, said automatic control means being adapted to differentiate between said distinct signals in order to actuate said drain means in response to a first level of said fluid and to deactuate said drain means in response to a second level of said fluid, said first and second levels corresponding to said first and second predetermined quantities, respectively.

Claim 28

An automatic drain system according to claim 24 wherein said drain means includes a solenoid-operated valve.

Claim 29

An automatic drain system apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said drain means further includes pumping means operatively connected thereto, said pumping means being actuated and deactuated by said automatic control means in conjunction with respective actuation and deactuation of said drain means.

Claim 30

An automatic drain system according to claim 24, wherein said quantity sensing means comprises a pair of said elongated probes protruding generally upwardly into said lower portion of said chamber, said probes being separate but located closely adjacent to one another relative to the distance from said probes to the wall of said chamber and being adapted to generate distinct signals when exposed at various corresponding levels along each of their lengths to one or more fluids which have distinct electrical characteristics and extend between said probes.

Claim 31

An automatic drain system according to claim 27, wherein said drain means includes a solenoid-operated valve.

Claim 32

An automatic drain system according to claim 28, wherein said drain means further includes pumping means operatively connected thereto, said pumping means being actuated and deactuated by said automatic control means in conjunction with respective actuation and deactuation of said drain means.

Claim 33

The improvement according to claim 1, further including heater means selectively actuable for heating said fuel in said chamber, said temperature sensing means being adapted to cause actuation of said heater means in response to detection of said temperature below said predetermined temperature level.

Claim 34

A fuel processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said temperature sensing means is adapted to cause actuation of said heating means in response to detection of said temperature below said predetermined temperature level.

Claim 35

In a fluid fuel processor device operative to separate water or other impurities from the fuel, the fuel processor device including a chamber adapted to receive the fuel flowing therethrough, the fuel and the water or other impurities being separated in a lower portion of the chamber wherein an interface is created between the fuel and the water or other impurities, the fuel having a different resistance or electrical conductivity from that of the water or other impurities, the improvement comprising: drain means located in the lower portion of the chamber and actuable for providing fluid communication between the lower portion of the chamber and the exterior of the chamber; quantity sensing means located in the lower portion of the chamber for detecting the level of the interface between the fuel and the water or other impurities, said quantity sensing means including at least one elongated electric probe protruding generally vertically into the lower portion of said chamber, said probe having an insulated lower probe portion and an uninsulated upper probe portion, said upper probe portion being adapted to generate distinct electrical signals as it is exposed along its length to the interface between the fuel and the water or other impurities, said distinct electrical signals varying continuously along the length of said uninsulated upper probe portion as the level of the interface changes, automatic control means adapted to receive said electrical signals from said probe and to actuate said drain means in response to a first electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined high level of the interface and to deactuate said drain means in response to a second electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined low level of the interface, whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities in the lower portion of the chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined high level, and temperature sensing means in said chamber for detecting the temperature therein, said control means being adapted to disable said drain means in response to detection by said temperature sensing means of a temperature at or below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 36

In a fluid fuel processor device operative to separate water or other impurities from the fuel, the fuel processor device including a chamber adapted to receive the fuel flowing therethrough, the fuel and the water or other impurities being separated in a lower portion of the chamber wherein an interface is created between the fuel and the water or other impurities, the fuel having a different resistance or electrical conductivity from that of the water or other impurities, the improvement comprising: drain means located in the lower portion of the chamber and actuable for providing fluid communication between the lower portion of the chamber and the exterior of the chamber; quantity sensing means located in the lower portion of the chamber for detecting the level of the interface between the fuel and the water or other impurities, said quantity sensing means including at least one elongated electric probe protruding generally vertically into the lower portion of said chamber, said probe having an insulated lower probe portion and an uninsulated upper probe portion, said upper probe portion being adapted to generate distinct electrical signals as it is exposed along its length to the interface between the fuel and the water or other impurities, said distinct electrical signals varying continuously along the length of said uninsulated upper probe portion as the level of the interface changes, automatic control means adapted to receive said electrical signals from said probe and to actuate said drain means in response to a first electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined high level of the interface and to deactuate said drain means in response to a second electrical signal corresponding to a predetermined low level of the interface, whereby the quantity of said water or other impurities in the lower portion of the chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined high level, and temperature sensing means in said chamber for detecting the temperature therein, said control means being adapted to disable said drain means in response to detection by said temperature sensing means of a temperature at or below a predetermined temperature level.

Claim 37

The improvement according to claim 32, wherein said predetermined temperature level is approximately 34° F.

Claim 38

The improvement according to claim 32, comprising a pair of said elongated electric probes, said probes being physically separate and spaced apart and extending generally parallel to one another in said generally vertical direction, the space between said separate probes being substantially less than the distance from said probes to the wall of the chamber such that the level of contact of the interface with the uninsulated probe portion of each of said probes is approximately the same even under conditions wherein the probes are not substantially perpendicular to the interface.

Claim 39

A unitary processing and filtering unit, particularly for diesel fuel and operative to separate out water-impurities from the fuel, comprising a housing including a lower portion defining a combined heating and sediment chamber having a fuel inlet, a concentric annular shaped filtering means carried by an upper portion of said housing and having a fuel outlet, means defining a passage for conducting fluid from said chamber to the filtering means, heating means in said lower portion operative to heat the incoming fuel by direct contact therewith in said chamber, said heating means including a heated portion in close proximity to said passage, said heating means extending through a substantial part of the lower portion, said water-impurities being separated out in said lower portion, quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water-impurities therein, and drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water-impurities from said lower portion in response to the detection by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water-impurities is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity.

Claim 40

A unitary processing and filtering unit, particularly for diesel fuel and operative to separate out water-impurities from the fuel, comprising a housing including a lower portion defining a combined heating and sediment chamber having a fuel inlet, a concentric annular shaped filtering means carried by an upper portion of said housing and having a fuel outlet, means defining a passage for conducting fluid from said chamber to the filtering means, heating means in said lower portion operative to heat the incoming fuel by direct contact therewith in said chamber, said heating means including a heated portion in close proximity to said passage, said heating means extending through a substantial part of the lower portion, said water-impurities being separated out in said lower portion, quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water-impurities therein, and drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water-impurities from said lower portion in response to the detection by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water-impurities is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity.

Claim 41

A fuel processor means for use with diesel engines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, and whereby said fuel processor means is operative to preheat the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impurities from the diesel fuel, comprising, a vertically oriented tubular vessel means operative for separating water-impurities out of the fuel in a lower portion thereof, inlet conduit means to introduce hot liquid from the engine, another conduit means passing through a central portion of said vessel for transmitting the hot liquid therethrough, outlet conduit means for recirculating the hot liquid back through the engine system, a second inlet conduit means for introducing fuel to the interior of the vessel near the midpoint thereof for flow therethrough and such that this inlet is above the level of water-impurities being collected in the vessel, a second outlet conduit means for the fuel near the top of the vessel for transmitting the water-free fuel to the engine, vent means near the top of the vessel for venting the vessel when desired, quantity sensing means located in said lower portion for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water-impurities therein, and drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water-impurities from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said water-impurities by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water-impurities in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity.

Claim 42

A fuel processor means for use with diesel engines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, and whereby said fuel processor means is operative to preheat the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impurities from the diesel fuel, comprising, a vertically oriented tubular vessel means operative for separating water-impurities out of the fuel in a lower portion thereof, inlet conduit means to introduce hot liquid from the engine, another conduit means passing through a central portion of said vessel for transmitting the hot liquid therethrough, outlet conduit means for recirculating the hot liquid back through the engine system, a second inlet conduit means for introducing fuel to the interior of the vessel near the midpoint thereof for flow therethrough and such that this inlet is above the level of water-impurities being collected in the vessel, a second outlet conduit means for the fuel near the top of the vessel for transmitting the water-free fuel to the engine, vent means near the top of the vessel for venting the vessel when desired, quantity sensing means located in said lower portion for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water-impurities therein, and drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water-impurities from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said water-impurities by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water-impurities in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity.

Claim 43

A fuel processor means for use with diesel engines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, and whereby said fuel processor means is operative to preheat the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impurities from the diesel fuel, comprising, a vertically oriented tubular vessel means operative for separating water-impurities out of the fuel in a lower portion thereof, inlet conduit means to introduce hot liquid from the engine, another conduit means passing through a central portion of said vessel for transmitting the hot liquid therethrough, outlet conduit means for recirculating the hot liquid back through the engine system, a second inlet conduit means for introducing fuel to the interior of the vessel near the midpoint thereof for flow therethrough and such that this inlet is above the level of water-impurities being collected in the vessel, a second outlet conduit means for the fuel near the top of the vessel for transmitting the water-free fuel to the engine, quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water-impurities therein, and drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water-impurities from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water-impurities in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity.

Claim 44

A fuel processor means for use with diesel engines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, and whereby said fuel processor means is operative to preheat the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impurities from the diesel fuel, comprising, a vertically oriented tubular vessel means operative for separating water-impurities out of the fuel in a lower portion thereof, inlet conduit means to introduce hot liquid from the engine, another conduit means passing through a central portion of said vessel for transmitting the hot liquid therethrough, outlet conduit means for recirculating the hot liquid back through the engine system, a second inlet conduit means for introducing fuel to the interior of the vessel near the midpoint thereof for flow therethrough and such that this inlet is above the level of water-impurities being collected in the vessel, a second outlet conduit means for the fuel near the top of the vessel for transmitting the water-free fuel to the engine, quantity sensing means located in said lower portion of said chamber for detecting the presence of at least one predetermined quantity of said water-impurities therein, and drain means actuable to discharge a substantial portion of said water-impurities from said chamber in response to the detection of said predetermined quantity of said water or other impurities by said quantity sensing means, whereby the quantity of said water-impurities in said chamber is maintained at or below said predetermined quantity.