Field of the invention
The present disclosure relates to a filter cartridge for a fuel pump. Background of the invention
Diesel filters in addition to addition to filtering out contaminants are also used to separate water contained in the diesel fuel. Since water is heavier than diesel, it collects in the water accumulation chamber of the diesel filter. After filtration, the lighter diesel fuel flows to the interior of the filter towards the outlet. However still certain quantities of water remain in the fuel that enter the fuel pump causing damage to the components of the fuel pump. Fuel Pumps used in internal combustion engines of the vehicles are fuel lubricated. There is a need to prevent the corrosion of internal components of the fuel pump due to excess water amount.
Patent document US7655140B2 "Automatic water drain for suction fuel water separators" discloses a fuel water separator system includes a fuel tank for storing fuel and a fuel water separator fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for separating water from the fuel. A fuel pump has a suction side that is fluidly coupled to the fuel water separator for pumping fuel from the fuel water separator. The fuel pump has a high pressure side where the fuel has a higher pressure than at the suction side.

A water pump, such as a venture or a jet pump, is fluidly coupled between the fuel water separator and the fuel tank for pumping the water from the fuel water separator into the fuel tank. The water pump is fluidly coupled to the high pressure side of the fuel pump to receive the fuel at the higher pressure to drive the water pump.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0004] An embodiment of the invention is described with
reference to the following accompanying drawings:
[0005] Fig. 1 depicts a fuel pump.
[0006] Fig. 2 depicts a filter cartridge for a fuel pump.
Detailed description of the drawings
[0007] Figure 1 depicts a fuel pump (100) for an internal combustion
engine. The fuel pump (100) comprises at least an inlet connector (101) for ingress of fuel. The inlet connector (101) is characterized to accommodate a filter cartridge (102). In an embodiment the inlet connector (101) is a separate component tightened on to the fuel pump (100). In another embodiment, the inlet connector (101) is a part of the fuel pump (100).
[0008] Figure 2 depicts a filter cartridge (102) for a fuel pump (100).
The fuel pump (100) comprises at least an inlet connector (101) for ingress

of fuel. The filter cartridge (102) is inserted inside the inlet connector
(101) of the fuel pump (100). The filter cartridge (102) includes a filter element (103) comprising a hygroscopic material. The filter cartridge
(102) is press fitted inside the inlet connector (101) of the fuel pump (100). The filter element (103) comprises a substrate coated with hygroscopic material using a swelling induced gelation method.
[0009] In an embodiment the filter element (103) is the shape of a
cylindrical tube that affixes to the inner walls of the inlet connector (101). The cylindrical tube is the substrate coated with hygroscopic material. In another embodiment the filter element (103) comprises at least two vertical plates placed along the axis of the flow of fuel in the inlet connecter of the fuel pump (100). These plates are the substrate coated with hygroscopic material.
[0010] The filter cartridge (102) is inserted inside the inlet connector
(101) of the fuel pump (100). Fuel from the low pressure circuit of the internal combustion engine enters into the inlet connector (101) of the fuel pump (100). It passes through the filter cartridge (102) placed inside the inlet connector (101). The filter element (103) of the inlet comprises a hygroscopic material that absorbs water content from the fuel. For example, the hygroscopic material used can be but is not limited to a hydrogel. A hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers that hold a large amount of water. This property of hydrogels

comes from the chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains that comprise the hydrogel.
[0011] The hygroscopic materials are coated on the substrate of the
filter using one of the methods known to the person skilled in the art. One such method is the swelling induced gelation method. Using this method a layer of hygroscopic coating of desired thickness is formed on the substrate of the filter element (103).
[0012] The filter element (103) comprising the hygroscopic material
absorbs water from the fuel. After a prolonged period of use the filter element (103) swells up and needs replacement to ensure efficient working of the fuel pump (100). The filter cartridge (102) disclosed in the present invention can be easily removed from the inlet connector (101) of the fuel pump (100) and replaced with a new one.
[0013] This idea to develop filter cartridge (102) for a fuel pump
(100) is aimed at enhancing the robustness of the fuel pumps. Fuel pumps (100) used in internal combustion engines of the vehicles are fuel lubricated. Even a small amount of water in the fuel can cause corrosion to the internal components of the fuel pump (100). The use of a filter cartridge (102) having filter element (103) made of hygroscopic material will increase the life of the fuel pump (100). Clean diesel fuel will be sent to pump which will in turn avoid any failures with respect to corrosion of internal components of the pump. This is very important in cases where

the fuel and water separator doesn’t work properly or is not provided at all in the low pressure circuit.
[0014] It must be understood that the embodiments explained in the
above detailed description are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Any modification to the filter cartridge (102) for a fuel pump (100) are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of this invention is limited only by the claims.

We Claim:
1. A fuel pump (100) for an internal combustion engine, the fuel pump (100) comprising at least an inlet connector (101) for ingress of fuel, the inlet connector (101) characterized to accommodate a filter cartridge (102).
2. A filter cartridge (102) for a fuel pump (100), the fuel pump (100) comprising at least an inlet connector (101) for ingress of fuel, where the filter cartridge (102) is inserted inside the inlet connector (101) of the fuel pump (100), where the filter cartridge (102) includes a filter element (103) comprising a hygroscopic material.
3. The filter cartridge (102) as claimed in claim 1, where the filter cartridge (102) is press fitted inside the inlet connector (101) of the fuel pump (100).
4. The filter cartridge (102) as claimed in claim 1, where the filter element (103) comprises a substrate coated with hygroscopic material using a swelling induced gelation method.