U.S. patent application number 16/990229 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-26 for no filter no run fluid filtration system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.. Invention is credited to Shubha Agrawal, Hariprasad Mohan Bhalerao, Amit Shashikant Wankhede.
Application Number | 20200368652 16/990229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005005209 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200368652 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Agrawal; Shubha ; et
al. |
November 26, 2020 |
NO FILTER NO RUN FLUID FILTRATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A filter system including a designated filter cartridge having a
geometric projection, a flow restriction valve that controls fluid
flow out of the filter system, and a priming pump configured to
prime the filter. The flow restriction valve includes an opening
keyed to the geometric projection such that the geometric
projection engages the opening and actuates the flow restriction
valve. The flow restriction valve includes at least one fluid flow
check valve configured to allow the priming pump to prime the
filter system.
Inventors: |
Agrawal; Shubha; (Jaipur,
IN) ; Bhalerao; Hariprasad Mohan; (Pune, IN) ;
Wankhede; Amit Shashikant; (Pune, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cummins Filtration IP, Inc. |
Columbus |
IN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
Columbus
IN
|
Family ID: |
1000005005209 |
Appl. No.: |
16/990229 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15506588 |
Feb 24, 2017 |
10751651 |
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PCT/US2015/047923 |
Sep 1, 2015 |
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16990229 |
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62044653 |
Sep 2, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 35/005 20130101;
B01D 35/1576 20130101; B01D 35/1573 20130101; B01D 35/153 20130101;
B01D 35/26 20130101; B01D 36/005 20130101; F16K 15/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 35/157 20060101
B01D035/157; B01D 35/26 20060101 B01D035/26; B01D 35/153 20060101
B01D035/153; B01D 36/00 20060101 B01D036/00; B01D 35/00 20060101
B01D035/00; F16K 15/04 20060101 F16K015/04 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A flow restriction valve for a filter system comprising: a
valve body, the valve body defining an opening keyed to a geometric
projection of a filter cartridge, such that the geometric
projection engages the opening and actuates the flow restriction
valve, and at least one check valve configured to allow a priming
pump to prime the filter system.
28. The flow restriction valve of claim 27, further comprising a
ball and a first flow opening keyed to the ball such that when a
fluid pressure forces the ball against the first flow opening,
fluid flow through the first flow opening is restricted.
29. The flow restriction valve of claim 28, wherein the first flow
opening includes a sealing member configured to receive the ball
and restrict the fluid flow through the first flow opening when the
ball is received by the sealing member.
30. The flow restriction valve of claim 27, wherein each of the at
least one check valve is an umbrella valve configured to allow
fluid to flow out of the valve body and selectively form a sealing
engagement with a valve seat.
31. The flow restriction valve of claim 30, wherein the valve seat
is positioned within the valve body.
32. The flow restriction valve of claim 30, wherein the at least
one check valve comprises two check valves.
33. The flow restriction valve of claim 27, further comprising snap
fit tabs configured to form a snap fit connection with the filter
system.
34. The flow restriction valve of claim 27, further comprising a
ball retention cage coupled to the valve body by a snap fit
connection.
35. The flow restriction valve of claim 27, wherein the at least
one check valve comprises a first check valve and a second check
valve, and further comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the
fluid outlet positioned at the second check valve.
36. The flow restriction valve of claim 35, wherein the first check
valve is an umbrella valve, the umbrella valve configured to cover
a second flow opening and to prevent fluid flow into the valve body
through the second flow opening.
37. The flow restriction valve if claim 35, wherein: during normal
operation, the first check valve is configured to allow fluid to
flow out of the valve body, and during a priming operation, the
second check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow into the
valve body through the second check valve.
38. A method of installing a filter cartridge in a filter system
comprising a flow restriction valve body and a priming system body,
the method comprising: positioning the filter cartridge within a
filter housing so the flow restriction valve body is housed within
an interior volume of the filter cartridge, the flow restriction
valve body comprising a flow restriction valve, a flow check valve,
and a flow outlet positioned at the flow check valve, the flow
outlet in fluid communication with a priming system inlet; engaging
the flow restriction valve with a portion of the filter cartridge
to actuate the flow restriction valve; and priming the filter
system with the priming system body by allowing fluid to flow out
of the flow restriction valve into the priming system body but not
into the flow restriction valve through the flow check valve.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising, prior to
positioning the filter cartridge within the filter housing,
attaching the flow restriction valve body to the priming system
body so the priming system inlet is in fluid communication with the
flow outlet.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein the check valve comprises a
second check valve, and further comprising, after priming the
filter system, allowing fluid to flow out of the flow restriction
valve through a first flow check valve, the flow bypassing the
priming system body.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein the portion of the filter
cartridge is a geometric projection, the method further comprising
extending the geometric projection of the filter cartridge through
a keyed opening in the flow restriction valve to engage a ball
within the flow restriction valve.
42. The method of claim 41, further comprising, after extending the
geometric projection through the keyed opening, priming the filter
system by operating a plunger to create a flow of fluid through the
filter system.
43. The method of claim 41, wherein the geometric projection is a
first geometric projection, the method further comprising, after
positioning the filter cartridge within the filter housing,
engaging a recess of the filter cartridge with a second geometric
projection of the filter system.
44. The method of claim 41, wherein the flow restriction valve body
further comprises a fluid flow opening keyed to the ball, the
method further comprising preventing the ball from contacting the
fluid flow opening.
45. The method of claim 38, wherein the filter cartridge is an
appropriate filter cartridge, the method further comprising
designating the appropriate filter cartridge.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/044,653, filed Sep. 2, 2014,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to fluid filtration
systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In many applications, it is desirable to have a fuel
filtration system in which the flow of fuel to an engine is
prevented if no filter cartridge is installed, or if an incorrect
filter cartridge is installed. The operation of an engine with no
filter cartridge installed or with an incorrect filter cartridge
installed may result in a degradation of engine performance or
permanent damage to the engine. Tampering with a no filter no run
fluid filtration system may allow the operation of an engine with
no filter cartridge installed or with an incorrect filter cartridge
installed. Fluid filtration systems may also include a priming
mechanism configured to move fluid through the fluid filtration
system for the purposes of priming the fluid filtration system for
operation.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, some conventional fluid filtration
systems may include both a priming pump system and a flow
restriction valve configured to prevent fluid flow through the
fluid filtration system when no filter cartridge or an incorrect
filter cartridge is installed in the system. In such conventional
fluid filtration systems, the fluid filtration system may include a
flow restriction valve body 10, a priming pump valve body 20, and a
priming plunger assembly 30. The flow restriction valve body 10 and
the priming pump valve body 20 are formed as separate components.
The flow restriction valve body 10 of the pre-existing fluid
filtration systems is susceptible to tampering, which may result in
fluid flow through the fluid filtration system in the absence of a
designated filter cartridge.
SUMMARY
[0005] Various embodiments relate to a fluid filtration system
comprising a designated filter cartridge including a geometric
projection therein and a filter cartridge housing including flow
restriction valve. The geometric projection may engage the flow
restriction valve when the designated filter cartridge is installed
in the filter cartridge housing, allowing the flow of the fluid
through the fluid filtration system. The flow restriction valve
body includes at least one check valve configured to allow the
operation of a priming pump of the fluid filtration system.
[0006] According to one embodiment, the filter system includes a
filter cartridge including a geometric projection therein, a flow
restriction valve that controls fluid flow out of the filter system
and a priming pump configured to prime the filter. The flow
restriction valve includes an opening keyed to the geometric
projection such that the geometric projection engages the opening
and actuates the flow restriction valve and the flow restriction
valve includes at least one fluid flow check valve configured to
allow the priming pump to prime the filter system. The flow
restriction valve may include a ball and a fluid flow opening keyed
to the ball such that, when a fluid pressure forces the ball
against the fluid flow opening, fluid flow through the fluid flow
opening is restricted. The flow restriction valve may further
include a valve seal positioned between the valve ball and the
fluid flow opening. The geometric projection may extend through the
opening and prevents the ball from contacting the fluid flow
opening, and the flow restriction valve is configured such that
substantially no fluid flows through the flow restriction valve in
the absence of the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge may be a
designated filter cartridge specifically configured for use with
the filter system
[0007] The at least one fluid flow check valve may be an umbrella
valve. Each umbrella valve may include a plurality of fluid flow
openings. The flow restriction valve may include at least two fluid
flow check valves, such as three fluid flow check valves. The fluid
flow check valve may include a valve seat.
[0008] The priming pump may include a plunger. The priming pump may
be incapable of priming the filter in the absence of the flow
restriction valve. A sealing element may be disposed between the
priming pump and the flow restriction valve
[0009] The flow restriction valve may be connected to the filter
system by a snap fit connection. The flow restriction valve may
include a valve ball retention cage. The valve ball retention cage
may be connected to the filter system by a snap fit connection. The
flow restriction valve may include a flow outlet at a fluid flow
check valve that is aligned with an inlet of the priming pump.
[0010] The filter system may include a filter housing. The filter
housing may define a filter cartridge space in which the filter
cartridge is disposed.
[0011] According to another embodiment, a flow restriction valve
for a filter system includes a valve body and at least one fluid
flow check valve. The valve body defines an opening keyed to a
geometric projection of a filter cartridge, such that the geometric
projection engages the opening and actuates the flow restriction
valve. The at least one fluid flow check valve is configured to
allow a priming pump to prime the filter system. The flow
restriction valve may include a ball and a fluid flow opening keyed
to the ball such that, when a fluid pressure forces the ball
against the fluid flow opening, fluid flow through the fluid flow
opening is restricted.
[0012] According to another embodiment, a filter system includes a
filter cartridge including a geometric projection therein, a flow
restriction valve that controls fluid flow out of the filter
system, the flow restriction valve including an opening keyed to
the geometric projection such that the geometric projection engages
the opening and actuates the flow restriction valve, a priming pump
configured to prime the filter, and a means for designating an
appropriate filter cartridge. The flow restriction valve includes
at least one fluid flow check valve configured to allow the priming
pump to prime the filter system.
[0013] The means for designating the appropriate filter cartridge
may prevent the installation of non-appropriate filter cartridges
in the filter system. The priming pump may be incapable of priming
the filter in the absence of the flow restriction valve. The system
may include a filter housing, the filter housing defining a filter
cartridge space in which the filter cartridge is disposed. The
means for designating the appropriate filter cartridge may be
disposed on the filter housing.
[0014] These and other features, together with the organization and
manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals
throughout the several drawings described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a conventional fluid
filtration system including a flow restriction valve and a priming
pump.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a flow restriction valve
body including three check valves configured to allow the operation
of a priming pump.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flow restriction valve
body of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the flow restriction valve
body of FIG. 2 installed in a fluid filtration system.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flow restriction valve
body.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the flow restriction valve
body of FIG. 5 including three check valves configured to allow the
operation of a priming pump.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the flow restriction valve
body of FIG. 5.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of a fluid filtration system
including the flow restriction valve body of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the fluid filtration
system of FIG. 8, including a fluid flow path when the fluid
filtration system is in normal operation.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the fluid filtration
system of FIG. 8, including a fluid flow path when the priming pump
is in operation.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of a flow restriction valve
body installed in a fluid filtration system priming pump.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the flow restriction
valve body of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Various exemplary embodiments relate to a fluid filtration
system, for example a fuel filter system, that incorporates a
filter cartridge and a filter cartridge housing a flow restriction
valve for the purpose of preventing fluid flow through the system
in the absence of a filter cartridge or where an incorrect filter
cartridge is installed in the filter cartridge housing. The fluid
filtration system also incorporates a priming pump system
configured to prime the fluid filtration system. The fluid
filtration system may be employed in any appropriate vehicle or
engine application. According to one embodiment, the fluid
filtration system may be employed in a diesel engine
application.
[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid filtration
system is a "no filter, no run" system. A "no filter, no run"
filter system is a system designed such that fluid flow through the
system is prevented altogether or permitted in an amount
insufficient to allow engine operation when no filter cartridge or
an incorrect filter cartridge is installed in the system.
[0029] The priming pump system of the fluid filtration system may
be configured to move the fluid to be filtered through the fluid
filtration system. For example, the priming pump system may remove
air that is trapped in the fluid filtration system by moving the
fluid to be filtered through the fluid filtration system, such as
after replacement of a filter cartridge. The priming pump system
may be configured to operate when the fluid filtration system is
not in normal operation. The priming pump system may include a
plunger and a plurality of fluid flow check valves. The plunger may
be operated by a user to create a flow of fluid through the priming
pump system, and thereby through the fluid filtration system. As
utilized herein, a fluid flow check valve allows fluid flow in only
a single flow direction. The plurality of fluid flow check valves
may be configured such that a first fluid flow check valve allows
fluid flow in a first direction when the plunger is moved in a
first direction, and a second fluid flow check valve allows fluid
flow in a second direction when the plunger is moved in a second
direction.
[0030] A fluid filtration system is provided that includes a `no
filter, no run` flow restriction valve body that incorporates at
least one fluid flow check valve configured to allow the operation
of a priming pump system. The combination of the flow restriction
valve body and the fluid flow check valves of the priming pump
system in a single component may prevent tampering with the flow
restriction valve body. The inclusion of the fluid flow check
valves in the flow restriction valve body may ensure that tampering
with the flow restriction valve body will also impact the fluid
flow check valves. For example, tampering with the flow restriction
valve body by removing it from the fluid filtration system would
also remove the fluid flow check valves, disabling the priming pump
system. A disabled priming pump system may prevent the passage of
fluid through the fluid filtration system by trapping air in the
fluid filtration system. For example, a disabled priming pump
system may trap air in the fuel filtration system and prevent fuel
flow to an engine, thereby preventing operation of the engine.
[0031] A flow restriction valve body 100 that includes a plurality
of fluid flow check valves 140, 150, and 160 is depicted in FIGS. 2
and 3. The flow restriction valve body 100 may include a flow
restriction valve 104, a flow restriction valve ball 120, and a
flow restriction valve ball retention cage 102. The valve ball 120
may be of appropriate size to block fluid flow through a flow
restriction valve fluid flow opening 110 by contacting a valve seat
gasket 130. The valve ball 120 may be prevented from blocking the
fluid flow opening 110 by a pin or projection of a designated
filter cartridge installed in the fluid filtration system, allowing
fluid to flow through the fluid flow opening 110.
[0032] The flow restriction valve body may additionally include
fluid flow check valves. In particular implementations, the fluid
check valves may be umbrella valves. The fluid flow restriction
valve 104 of FIGS. 2 and 3 includes three umbrella valves 140, 150,
and 160 in a particular implementation, each configured to allow
fluid to flow out of the flow restriction valve body 100. In
alternative implementations, it is possible to include only two
such valves. Each of the umbrella valves 140, 150, and 160 are
configured to cover umbrella valve fluid flow openings 142, 152,
and 162, such that fluid may flow out of the flow restriction valve
104 through the fluid flow openings 142, 152, and 162 but not into
the flow restriction valve 104. Umbrella valve seats 158 and 168
may be configured to fit within the flow restriction valve 104 and
seal against the umbrella valves 150 and 160.
[0033] The flow restriction valve 104 may include snap fit tabs
105. The snap fit tabs 105 may be configured to attach the flow
restriction valve body 100 to a priming system body 106 by engaging
the slots 107 in the priming system body, as shown in FIG. 4. The
valve ball retention cage 102 may be attached to the flow
restriction valve 104 by a snap fit connection. However, it is
possible that, instead of a snap fit connection, other connection
mechanisms such as screws and welding may be used in particular
implementations.
[0034] A sealing element 170 may be present in a groove of the flow
restriction valve 104. The sealing element 170 may be an o-ring,
such as an elastomeric o-ring, configured to seal against the
priming system body 106 when the flow restriction valve body is
installed in the fluid filtration system. Additional sealing
elements 180 and 190 may be configured to form a seal between the
flow restriction valve 104 and the priming system body 106 when the
flow restriction valve body is installed in the fluid filtration
system. The sealing element 180 may be an o-ring, such as an
elastomeric o-ring. The seals formed by the sealing elements 170,
180, and 190 may be fluid tight seals.
[0035] The flow restriction valve 104 may include a fluid flow
outlet 182 at umbrella valve 150. The fluid flow outlet 182 may be
configured to align with a fluid flow inlet 184 of the priming
system body 106 when the fluid restriction valve 104 is installed
in the fluid filtration system. The priming system body 106 may
also include a fluid flow outlet 194 configured to align with a
fluid flow inlet 192 of the flow restriction valve 104 when the
flow restriction valve body 100 is installed in the fluid
filtration system. The flow restriction valve 104 may include an
additional fluid flow outlet 164 at umbrella valve 160.
[0036] An alternative flow restriction valve body 200 that includes
a plurality of fluid flow check valves 240, 250, and 260 is
depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The flow restriction valve body 200 may
include a flow restriction valve 204, a flow restriction valve ball
220, and a flow restriction valve ball retention cage 202. The
valve ball 220 may be of appropriate size to block fluid flow
through a flow restriction valve fluid flow opening 210 by
contacting a valve seat gasket 230. The valve ball 220 may be
prevented from blocking the fluid flow opening 210 by a pin or
projection of a designated filter cartridge installed in the fluid
filtration system, allowing fluid to flow through the fluid flow
opening 210.
[0037] The flow restriction valve body may additionally include
fluid flow check valves. The fluid check valves may be umbrella
valves. Fluid flow restriction valve 204 includes three umbrella
valves 240, 250, and 260, each configured to allow fluid to flow
out of the flow restriction valve body 2100. Each of the umbrella
valves 240, 250, and 260 are configured to cover umbrella valve
fluid flow openings 242, 252, and 262, such that fluid may flow out
of the flow restriction valve 204 through the fluid flow openings
242, 252, and 262 but not into the flow restriction valve 204. As
shown in FIG. 7, the umbrella valve 240 may be configured to cover
the three fluid flow openings 242. Umbrella valve seats 258 and 268
may be configured to fit within the flow restriction valve 204 and
seal against the umbrella valves 250 and 260.
[0038] The valve ball retention cage 202 may include snap fit tabs
205. The snap fit tabs 205 may be configured to attach the valve
ball retention cage 202 to a priming system body 206 by engaging
the slots 207 in the priming system body, as shown in FIG. 7. The
valve ball retention cage 202 may be attached to the flow
restriction valve 204 by a snap fit connection, thereby connecting
the flow restriction valve body 200 to the priming system body 206.
However, it is possible that, instead of a snap fit connection,
other connection mechanisms such as screws and welding may be used
in particular implementations.
[0039] A sealing element 270 may be present in a groove of the flow
restriction valve 204. The sealing element 270 may be an o-ring,
such as an elastomeric o-ring, configured to seal against the
priming system body 206 when the flow restriction valve body is
installed in the fluid filtration system. Additional sealing
elements 280 and 290 may be configured to form a seal between the
flow restriction valve 204 and the priming system body 206 when the
flow restriction valve body is installed in the fluid filtration
system. The sealing element 280 may be an o-ring, such as an
elastomeric o-ring. The seals formed by the sealing elements 270,
280, and 290 may be fluid tight seals.
[0040] The flow restriction valve 204 may include a fluid flow
outlet 282 at umbrella valve 250. The fluid flow outlet 282 may be
configured to align with a fluid flow inlet 284 of the priming
system body 206 when the fluid restriction valve 204 is installed
in the fluid filtration system. The priming system body 206 may
also include a fluid flow outlet configured to align with a fluid
flow inlet 292 of the flow restriction valve 204 when the flow
restriction valve body 200 is installed in the fluid filtration
system. The flow restriction valve 204 may include an additional
fluid flow outlet 264 at umbrella valve 260.
[0041] A cross section of a fluid filtration system including flow
restriction valve body 100 is shown in FIG. 8. The fluid filtration
system includes a fluid inlet 16 and a fluid outlet 14. A
projection 22, such as a pin, of a correct filter cartridge 24 is
configured to engage the valve ball 120 so that the flow
restriction valve is in an open configuration and allows fluid flow
therethrough.
[0042] The fluid flow path of the fluid in the fluid filtration
system of FIG. 8 in normal operation is depicted in FIG. 9. The
unfiltered fluid 50 enters the fluid filtration system through
inlet 16 and passes through the filter cartridge 24. The filtered
fluid 60 then passes through the umbrella valve 140 of the flow
restriction valve 100, and out of the fluid filtration system via
the outlet 14.
[0043] The fluid flow path of the fluid in the fluid filtration
system of FIG. 8 in priming operation is depicted in FIG. 10. The
unfiltered fluid 50 enters the fluid filtration system through
inlet 16 and passes through the filter cartridge 24. The filtered
fluid 70 then passes through the umbrella valve 150 of the flow
restriction valve 100 to the priming system body 106, and out of
the priming system body 106 into the flow restriction valve 100.
The filtered fluid 70 then passes through the umbrella valve 160
and out of the fluid filtration system via the outlet 14. The
filtered fluid may flow through the umbrella valve 150 when a
priming plunger is moved away from the fluid filtration system, and
flow through the umbrella valve 160 when a priming plunger is moved
towards the fluid filtration system.
[0044] An alternative flow restriction valve body 300 is depicted
in FIGS. 11 and 12. The flow restriction valve body 300 may include
a flow restriction valve 304, a flow restriction valve ball 320,
and a flow restriction valve ball retention cage 302. The valve
ball 320 may be of appropriate size to block fluid flow through a
flow restriction valve fluid flow opening 310 by contacting a valve
seat gasket 330. The valve ball 320 may be prevented from blocking
the fluid flow opening 310 by a pin or projection of a designated
filter cartridge installed in the fluid filtration system, allowing
fluid to flow through the fluid flow opening 310.
[0045] The flow restriction valve body may additionally include
fluid flow check valves. The fluid check valves may be umbrella
valves. Fluid flow restriction valve 304 includes two umbrella
valves 340 and 360, each configured to allow fluid to flow out of
the flow restriction valve body 300. Each of the umbrella valves
340 and 360 are configured to cover umbrella valve fluid flow
openings 342 and 362, such that fluid may flow out of the flow
restriction valve 304 through the fluid flow openings 342 and 362
but not into the flow restriction valve 304. An umbrella valve seat
368 may be configured to fit within the flow restriction valve 304
and seal against the umbrella valve 360.
[0046] The flow restriction valve 304 may include snap fit tabs
305. The snap fit tabs 305 may be configured to attach the flow
restriction valve body 300 to a priming system body 306 by engaging
slots 307 in the priming system body 306, as shown in FIG. 11. The
valve ball retention cage 302 may be attached to the flow
restriction valve 304 by a snap fit connection. However, it is
possible that, instead of a snap fit connection, other connection
mechanisms such as screws and welding may be used in particular
implementations.
[0047] A sealing element 370 may be present in a groove of the flow
restriction valve 304. The sealing element 370 may be an o-ring,
such as an elastomeric o-ring, configured to seal against the
priming system body 306 when the flow restriction valve body is
installed in the fluid filtration system. Additional sealing
element 380 may be configured to form a seal between the flow
restriction valve 304 and the priming system body 306 when the flow
restriction valve body is installed in the fluid filtration system.
The sealing element 380 may be an o-ring, such as an elastomeric
o-ring. The seals formed by the sealing elements 370 and 380 may be
fluid tight seals.
[0048] The flow restriction valve 304 may include a fluid flow
outlet configured to supply fluid to an umbrella valve 350 that is
part of the priming system body 306. The priming system body 106
may also include a fluid flow outlet configured to align with the
umbrella valve 360 of the flow restriction valve 304 when the flow
restriction valve body 300 is installed in the fluid filtration
system. The flow restriction valve 304 may include an additional
fluid flow outlet 364 to allow the fluid that passes through the
umbrella valve 360 to flow out of the flow restriction valve body
300.
[0049] The priming system body may include a fluid flow check
valve. The fluid flow check valve may be an umbrella valve 350. The
umbrella valve 350 may be configured to receive fluid from the flow
restriction valve 304.
[0050] The filter cartridge may be a designated filter cartridge,
wherein a designated filter cartridge is a filter cartridge
specifically designed for use in the filter system. The
specifically selected characteristics of a designated filter
cartridge designed for use in the filter system may be any
appropriate characteristics, such as the size, shape, porosity, and
flow characteristics of the filter cartridge.
[0051] The filter system may include a means for designating an
appropriate filter cartridge for use in the filter system. The
means for designating an appropriate filter cartridge may include a
specifically designed filter cartridge space in the filter system
is provided that allows the installation of only filter cartridges
with the appropriate size and shape. Alternatively, the means for
designating an appropriate filter cartridge may include a geometric
projection of the filter system that is configured to engage a
corresponding recess on the appropriate filter cartridge. The means
for designating an appropriate filter cartridge may also include
the opposite situation, in which a recess is provided in the filter
system that is configured to engage a corresponding geometric
projection of the appropriate filter cartridge. The means for
designating an appropriate filter cartridge may be disposed on a
filter housing of the filter system.
[0052] The flow restriction valve bodies including at least one
fluid flow check valve may discourage tampering with the flow
restriction valve body of a fluid filtration system. Additionally,
the flow restriction valve bodies described herein may be easier to
assemble and produce than pre-existing flow restriction valve
bodies and priming system valve bodies. For example, fluid
filtration systems containing the flow restriction valve bodies
described herein may have fewer parts than pre-existing fluid
filtration systems that include distinct flow restriction valve
bodies and priming system valve bodies.
[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fluid filtration
system is a fuel filter system. In a more particular embodiment,
the filter system is a diesel fuel filter system that removes
contaminants from the fuel before the fuel reaches a protected
system. In one embodiment the contaminant may include water. The
protected system may be a fuel injection pump and fuel injectors.
In another embodiment, the fluid filtration system may be applied
to filter any suitable fluid including lubricants, hydraulic oil
and air.
[0054] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" as used herein
to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such
embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or
illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not
intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily
extraordinary or superlative examples).
[0055] It is important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative
only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail
in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example,
elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple
parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or
otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or
positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any
process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to
alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications,
changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating
conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *