In-tank fuel filter

Claim 1

An outside located field tank filter for connection to the end of a supply line toward the bottom of a fuel tank comprising: means designed for providing continuous flow of fuel from said outside located field tank to a heating system, in the coldest of weather, including, an inlet tube connected to and extending downwardly from the supply line and communicating with the supply line, the tube being closed at the bottom end, a plurality of holes through the tube above and the lower end of the filter, a cylindrical fiber filter surrounding the inlet tube to trap and hold small particulate materials drawn toward the inlet tube with the fuel, an imperforate cup extending from the bottom of the filter at least higher than the level of accumulation of water at the bottom of the tank, and surrounding the lower portion of the fibrous filter, the top of the cup and the inlet holes being relatively positioned to prevent flow directly, horizontally or from below the inlet tube, and a wire mesh screen covering the fibrous filter exposed above the cup having a mesh sized sufficient to substantially repel intrusion of water through the screen when the screen is coated with fuel.