Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
A fuel filter having improved means of preventing water and particulate contaminant from passing therethrough comprising: a cannister having a closed and an opened end; a plate secured to the cannister open end and having a central fuel outlet opening therein and at least one fuel inlet opening spaced from said outlet opening; a rigid tubular fuel pervious member within said cannister having an upper and lower end, the upper tubular end being in sealed communication with said central fuel outlet opening; flexible filter media surrounding the outer tubular surface of said rigid tubular fluid pervious member through which fuel freely passes but which resists the passage of particulate matter and water; a first washer member having an opening therethrough secured concentrically to the tubular member lower end, the first washer member being of thin deformable material; a ball within said cannister and normally in engagement with said first washer member as fuel flows through the filter, the ball having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of said first washer member and thereby serving to close the lower end of said tubular member; an annular seat member having closed communication between said central fuel outlet opening and the interior of said tubular member at said upper end, the annular seat being closed to fuel flow when engaged by said ball; a second washer member supported concentrically adjacent to and spaced from said annular seat member, the second washer member being of thin deformable material and having an opening therethrough normally of diameter slightly less than the diameter of said ball, said second washer member being deformable to permit said ball to pass when a predetermined fuel pressure drop develops across said flexible filter media to thereby engage said annular seat member to block further fuel flow through the filter, the second washer member serving to thereafter retain said ball adjacent said annular seat member even in the absence of fuel pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
A fuel filter having improved means of preventing water and particulate contaminant from passing therethrough comprising: a cannister having a closed and an opened end; a plate secured to the cannister open end and having a central fuel outlet opening therein and at least one fuel inlet opening spaced from said outlet opening; a rigid tubular fuel pervious member within said cannister having an upper and lower end, the upper tubular end being in sealed communication with said central fuel outlet opening; flexible filter media surrounding the outer tubular surface of said rigid tubular fluid pervious member through which fuel freely passes but which resists the passage of particulate matter and water; a first washer member having an opening therethrough secured concentrically to the tubular member lower end, the first washer member being of thin deformable material; a ball within said cannister and normally in engagement with said first washer member as fuel flows through the filter, the ball having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of said first washer member and thereby serving to close the lower end of said tubular member; an annular seat member having closed communication between said central fuel outlet opening and the interior of said tubular member at said upper end, the annular seat being closed to fuel flow when engaged by said ball; a second washer member supported concentrically adjacent to and spaced from said annular seat member, the second washer member being of thin deformable material and having an opening therethrough normally of diameter slightly less than the diameter of said ball, said second washer member being deformable to permit said ball to pass when a predetermined fuel pressure drop develops across said flexible filter media to thereby engage said annular seat member to block further fuel flow through the filter, the second washer member serving to thereafter retain said ball adjacent said annular seat member even in the absence of fuel pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fuel filter according to claim 1 wherein said first washer member is predeformed to a configuration which permits said ball to pass therethrough upon a predetermined differential fluid pressure thereacross.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel filter according to claim 1 wherein said first washer member is formed of thin metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fuel filter according to claim 3 wherein said first washer member is formed of aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fuel filter according to claim 1 wherein said first washer member is formed of a plurality of thin deformable washers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fuel filter according to claim 2 wherein said first washer member is formed of a plurality of thin deformable washers all of which are predeformed to configurations which permit said ball to pass therethrough upon a predetermined differential fuel pressure thereacross.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fuel filter according to claim 1 wherein said flexible filter media is formed at least in part by material which becomes substantially impervious to the passage of fuel therethrough when wetted with water.