Claims:We claim:
1. A fuel filter (100), comprising
a container (112) housing a filter member (106) between a filtered area (108) and an unfiltered area (104);
a lid (114) for said container (112), comprising at least one inlet passage (102) to said unfiltered area (104) and at least one outlet passage (118) from said filtered area (108), and
at least one hole (110) in said filtered area (108) to allow venting of air, characterized in that,
an air vent membrane (120) positioned on said at least one hole (110).

2. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air vent membrane (120) is an oleophobic membrane.

3. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air vent membrane (120) is annular.

4. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a retainer (116) holds said air vent membrane (120) in desired position.

5. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lid (114) is removable from said container (112).

6. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first member (122) holds said filter member (106) inside said container (112), and said at least one hole (110) is provided on said first member (122).

7. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1 is placed between a fuel tank and a fuel pump.

8. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1 is placed at delivery side of a fuel pump.

9. The fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fuel is any one selected from a group comprising diesel, gasoline and ethanol
, Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel filter for a vehicle.

Background of the invention:
[0002] According to a patent literature, US 2010/0126920, a fuel filter is disclosed. The invention concerns a fuel filter, in particular for diesel fuels that comprises a housing and a filter medium. The filter medium is arranged by means of a filter medium holder in the housing, wherein the filter medium holder comprises a venting bore. Through the venting bore gases that collect in the upper area of the fuel filter can pass from the crude chamber into the clean chamber. For avoiding that contaminants can escape through a clean outlet from the fuel filter and damage components downstream, a clean medium is provided that retains such contaminants.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0003] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a side cut-section view of a fuel filter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of the fuel filter, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a side cut-section view of a fuel filter, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel filter 100 comprises a container 112 housing a filter member 106 between a filtered area 108 and an unfiltered area 104. A lid 114 for the container 112 is provided, which comprises an inlet passage 102 to the unfiltered area 104 and an outlet passage 118 in fluid communication with the filtered area 108. The fuel filter 100 further comprises at least one hole 110 in the filtered area 108, to allow venting of air which is accumulated above the fuel, from the filtered area 108. The fuel filter 100 is characterized by, an air vent membrane 120 positioned on the at least one hole 110.

[0007] In accordance to an embodiment, a first member 122 holds the filter member 106 in a fixed position thereby forming the unfiltered area 104 and the filtered area 108. A second member (not shown) holds the filter member 106 from the opposite end. The at least one hole 110 is formed on the first member 122, in a manner that the at least one hole 110 is exposed to the filtered area 108. The air vent membrane 120 is positioned over the hole 110. The air vent membrane 120 is annular.

[0008] In another embodiment, a retainer 116 holds the air vent membrane 120 on the at least one hole 110. The retainer 116 is assembled in air-tight manner over around a flange of the first member 122. The lid 114 is then fit over the retainer 116.

[0009] The air vent membrane 120 comprises an oleophobic membrane. The oleophobic membrane allows only air to pass through and blocks oil and fuel.

[0010] The dotted arrow shown passing through the inlet passage 102 into the unfiltered area 104 shows the flow direction of fuel. The dotted arrow shown in the filtered area 108 directing towards the outlet passage 118 shows the direction of delivery. The dotted arrow shown within the filter member 106 represents the direction of fluid flow from the unfiltered area 104 to the filtered area 108.

[0011] Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of the fuel filter, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A total of six numbers of inlet passages 102 are shown. However, the same must not be understood in limiting sense as the number of inlet passages 102 may be more or less than six.

[0012] The fuel filter 100 is placed between a fuel tank and a fuel pump. The fuel filter 100 is placed at delivery side of the fuel pump. The fuel is any one selected from a group comprising diesel, gasoline and ethanol.

[0013] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, an air management in diesel fuel filter 100 is provided for but not limited to suction side of the fuel pump. The present invention provides a solution to avoid stalling of engine due to air-lock in the fuel filter 100. The air vent membrane 120 or the oleiophobic membranes are placed on the top of holes 110, which stops the flow of fuel from dirty/unfiltered area 104 to the clean/filtered area 108. After vehicle stop or idle condition, the air present inside the filtered area 108 flows to the unfiltered area 104 through the air vent membrane 120, and increases the fuel level inside the filtered area 108. Thus, the level of fuel at the filtered area 108 is increased and the engine starting is made easier. The engine starting condition is improved.

[0014] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.