The present disclosure relates generally to a filter module, and more particularly to a service valve assembly in a filter module adjustable to fluidly connect primary and secondary filter receptacles to a common drain.
Fuel systems are among the most complex and sophisticated parts of modern internal combustion engine systems. A typical implementation can employ dozens or even hundreds of moving parts. The various valves, plungers, and other components may be operated at high speeds and subjected to high pressure and rapid pressure changes. In the diesel engine fuel system context, fuel stored in a tank is typically increased in pressure for direct injection into cylinders in the engine. Fuel pressurization may be achieved with dedicated unit pumps associated with or integral to each one of a plurality of fuel injectors for the engine. In other systems a pressurized common reservoir of fuel is maintained for delivery as needed to some or all of the fuel injectors. A great many different combinations and extensions of these two basic strategies for fuel delivery and fuel pressurization have been proposed over the years.
It is also generally desirable in fuel systems to limit debris in the flow of fuel to prevent damage or performance degradation, especially respecting pumps and fuel injectors. To this end, most fuel systems are equipped with various filtration apparatuses for trapping particles that are introduced into the fuel supply or produced by operation of the fuel system components. Multiple pumps, including a fuel transfer pump and at least one high-pressure pump, as well as multiple filters are typically employed, requiring lines, fittings, housings, and other equipment for supporting and packaging the components for service. Engineers are continually seeking new and improved ways to limit debris whilst maintaining efficient serviceability of fuel system components. United States Patent Application Publication No. 20160333834 illustrates one example fuel supply system employing a plurality of fuel injection pumps.
In one aspect, a fuel filter module for an engine includes a primary filter, a secondary filter, and a module housing having a primary filter receptacle receiving the primary filter, and a secondary filter receptacle receiving the secondary filter. The module housing has formed therein a primary-side fuel passage, a secondary-side fuel passage, a cross passage connecting between the primary-side fuel passage and the secondary-side fuel passage, and a drain port. The fuel filter module further includes a drain valve movable between a closed position blocking the drain port, and an open position, and a service valve assembly at least partially within the cross passage and adjustable from a closed configuration blocking the primary-side fuel passage from the secondary-side fuel passage, to an open configuration.
In another aspect, a filter module includes a module housing having a primary filter receptacle, and a secondary filter receptacle, and having formed therein a supply inlet, a filtered outlet, and a drain port. The module housing further has formed therein a primary-side passage fluidly connected to the primary filter receptacle, a secondary-side passage fluidly connected to the secondary filter receptacle, and a cross passage. The filter module further includes a service valve assembly at least partially within the cross passage and adjustable from a closed configuration blocking the primary-side fuel passage from the secondary-side fuel passage, to an open configuration.
In still another aspect, a module housing for a fuel filter module includes a one-piece housing body having an upper side, a lower side, and a plurality of transverse bolt holes extending horizontally through the one-piece housing body. The one-piece housing body includes a primary filter receptacle, and a secondary filter receptacle each formed in the upper side, a fuel supply inlet, a filtered fuel outlet, and a drain port formed in the lower side. The one-piece housing body further having formed therein a primary-side fuel passage fluidly connected to the primary filter receptacle and extending to an outgoing pump port formed in the lower side, a filtered fuel outlet, an incoming pump port formed in the lower side, and a secondary-side fuel passage fluidly connected to the secondary filter receptacle and to one of the outgoing pump port or the filtered fuel outlet. The one-piece housing body further has formed therein a cross passage extending between the primary-side fuel passage and the secondary-side fuel passage and structured to fluidly connect the primary-side fuel passage to the secondary-side fuel passage.
Referring to
Fuel filter module 26 includes a primary filter 34, and a secondary filter 36 each coupled to module housing 32. The terms “primary” and “secondary” can be understood to refer to the ordering of fuel filtering with respect to a flow of fuel from fuel supply 24 to high-pressure pump 18. Thus, fuel may be filtered first by primary filter 34, and second by secondary filter 36. In some embodiments primary filter 34 may provide fuel filtration in a first stage that filters out particles having a relatively larger particle size, and secondary filter 36 may provide fuel filtration in a second stage that filters out particles having a relatively smaller particle size, however, the present disclosure is not thereby limited and the respective filters could have similar filtration fineness or efficacy.
Referring also now to
Fuel filter module 26 also includes a drain valve 50 movable between a closed position blocking a drain port 48 formed in module housing 32, and an open position. In the illustrated embodiment module housing 32 includes a collection bowl 82, and drain port 48 is formed in collection bowl 82. It can also be seen from
Referring also now to
Module housing 32 further has formed therein a fuel supply inlet 58 connecting to a fuel supply passage 59. As can be seen in
Referring now to
With continued reference to the drawings generally but focusing now on
In an embodiment guide sleeve 122 is part of a collar 126 that is threaded engaged with module housing 32. Collar 126 may include a nut or the like 128, such as a hex nut, that can be engaged with a tool for securing collar 126 to module housing 132. Service valve assembly 52 may further include an adjustment knob 130 attached to valve pin 102 and located outside module housing 32. A user can manually, or with the assistance of a tool, rotate knob 130 to cause locating pin 120 to be engaged by way of angled groove 124 and translate valve pin 102 axially between the first position and the second position. In other embodiments, a different adjustment strategy could be used, such as a groove formed on valve pin 102 and a stationary locating pin formed as part of or attached to module housing 32. In such an iteration rotation of the valve pin could cause the groove on the valve pin to engage with the locating pin fixed relative to module housing 32 and achieve a similar effect.
Referring to the drawings generally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that fuel filter module servicing, typically entailing filter replacement, is desirable from time to time. When it is determined that replacement of one, and typically both, of primary filter 34 and secondary filter 36 is desired, a user can turn off fuel system 16 to halt the flow of fuel from fuel tank 24 to high-pressure pump 18, and proceed to twist valve pin 102 via knob 130 to open fluid communication between primary-side fuel passage 42 and secondary-side fuel passages 44 and 45. Fuel from primary filter 34 may freely drain into collection bowl 82, but until such time as service valve assembly 52 is opened fuel in secondary filter 36 and secondary filter receptacle 40 cannot drain. With service valve assembly 52 opened drain valve 50 can likewise be opened to collect the expelled fuel, water, and debris. Primary filter 34 and secondary filter 36 can then be swapped for fresh filters, for example cartridge filters as noted herein. Optionally filter module 26 can be flushed with clean fuel, and then drain valve 50 and service valve assembly 52 closed in anticipation of recharging fuel system 16 with fuel.
The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
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