초록 ▼

A fuel filter comprises a filter housing, a filter assembly positioned within said filter housing, a fuel inlet adapted to receive fuel into the filter housing, and a fuel outlet. The filter assembly may have a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter element positioned therebetween. The filter

A fuel filter comprises a filter housing, a filter assembly positioned within said filter housing, a fuel inlet adapted to receive fuel into the filter housing, and a fuel outlet. The filter assembly may have a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter element positioned therebetween. The filter element may comprise a particulate filter component and a water sensing component, the water sensing component having a center tube, a water sensing layer, and a screen. The water sensing layer may wrap around at least a portion of the center tube and be secured in place by the screen. The water sensing layer comprises a gelling and thickening agent, such as methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. In operation, the fuel filter is configured to direct fuel received at the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet by way of the water sensing component and the particulate filter component.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fuel filter comprising: a filter housing;a filter assembly positioned within said filter housing, the filter assembly having a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter element positioned between said first end cap and said second end cap, wherein the filter element comprises a particulate

1. A fuel filter comprising: a filter housing;a filter assembly positioned within said filter housing, the filter assembly having a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter element positioned between said first end cap and said second end cap, wherein the filter element comprises a particulate filter component and a water sensing component, the water sensing component having a center tube, a water sensing layer comprising fiberglass, and a screen,wherein the water sensing layer wraps around at least a portion of the center tube and is secured in place by the screen, andwherein the water sensing layer comprises methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose;a fuel inlet adapted to receive fuel into the filter housing; anda fuel outlet, wherein the fuel filter is configured to direct fuel received at the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet by way of the water sensing component and the particulate filter component. 2. The fuel filter of claim 1, wherein the water sensing layer is a fiberglass laminate comprising a first layer and a second layer of fiberglass, the fiberglass laminate having methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose dispersed between said first layer and said second layer. 3. The fuel filter of claim 2, wherein the methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is dispersed at a ratio of about 40 to 70 grams per square foot of fiberglass laminate. 4. The fuel filter of claim 3, wherein the methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is dispersed at a ratio of about 55 grams per square foot of fiberglass-laminate. 5. The fuel filter of claim 3, wherein the fuel filter is operatively coupled to a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser comprising (1) a fuel dispensing apparatus operatively coupled to a fuel tank and (2) a nozzle operatively coupled to said fuel dispensing apparatus, wherein said fuel dispensing apparatus is configured to direct fuel from said fuel tank to said nozzle via said fuel filter. 6. A fuel filter comprising: a filter housing having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, wherein the fuel inlet is adapted to receive fuel into the filter housing;a particulate filter component positioned within said filter housing; anda water sensing component positioned within said filter housing, the water sensing component comprising a water sensing layer and a center tube, the water sensing layer comprising fiberglass and methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and being wrapped around at least a portion of the center tube. 7. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the particulate filter component comprises a fiberglass material laminated to a cellulose backing layer. 8. The fuel filter of claim 7, wherein the cellulose backing layer is formed in a pleated configuration. 9. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the fiberglass is laminated to a cellulose backing layer, the cellulose backing layer being formed in a pleated configuration. 10. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the water sensing layer is a fiberglass laminate having a first layer and a second layer of fiberglass, the fiber laminate having methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose dispersed between said first layer and said second layer. 11. The fuel filter of claim 10, wherein the methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is dispersed at a ratio of about 40 to 70 grams per square foot of fiberglass laminate. 12. The fuel filter of claim 11, wherein the methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is dispersed at a ratio of about 55 grams per square foot of fiberglass-laminate. 13. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the water sensing component and particulate filter component are cylindrical. 14. The fuel filter of claim 13, wherein the water sensing component and particulate filter component are concentric with regard to one another. 15. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the fuel outlet is a threaded hole configured to engage a fuel system. 16. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the fuel inlet comprises a plurality of holes arranged around said threaded hole. 17. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the water sensing component comprises a screen securing the water sensing layer around at least a portion of the center tube. 18. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the fuel filter is configured to direct fuel received from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet by way of the water sensing component and the particulate filter component. 19. The fuel filter of claim 6, wherein the fuel filter is operatively coupled to a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser comprising (1) a fuel dispensing apparatus operatively coupled to a fuel tank and (2) a nozzle operatively coupled to said fuel dispensing apparatus, wherein said fuel dispensing apparatus is configured to direct fuel from said fuel tank to said nozzle via said fuel filter. 20. A method of detecting water in a fuel supply, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an amount of fuel at a fuel inlet of a fuel filter;passing said amount of fuel from the fuel inlet through a particulate filter component;passing said amount of fuel from the particulate filter component through a water sensing component,wherein the water sensing component comprises a fiberglass wrap material impregnated with methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose; andpassing at least a portion of said amount of fuel from the water sensing component to a fuel outlet of the fuel filter. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is impregnated at a ratio of about 40 to 70 grams per square foot of fiberglass wrap material. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose is impregnated at a ratio of about 55 grams per square foot of fiberglass wrap material. 23. A fuel filter comprising: a filter housing having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet;a particulate filter component positioned within said filter housing; anda fiberglass laminate positioned within said filter housing, the fiberglass laminate comprising a first layer and a second layer of fiberglass having a gelling and thickening agent dispersed between said first layer and said second layer,wherein the gelling and thickening agent comprises methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. 24. The fuel filter of claim 23, wherein the gelling and thickening agent is dispersed at a ratio of about 40 to 70 grams per square foot of fiberglass laminate. 25. The fuel filter of claim 24, wherein the gelling and thickening agent is dispersed at a ratio of about 55 grams per square foot of fiberglass laminate. 26. The fuel filter of claim 23, wherein the fuel filter is configured to direct fuel received from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet by way of the water sensing component and the particulate filter component. 27. The fuel filter of claim 23, wherein the fuel filter is operatively coupled to a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser comprising (1) a fuel dispensing apparatus operatively coupled to a fuel tank and (2) a nozzle operatively coupled to said fuel dispensing apparatus, wherein said fuel dispensing apparatus is configured to direct fuel from said fuel tank to said nozzle via said fuel filter.