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, and more specifically to a fuel filter comprising a plurality of folds and a tubular passage that is centrally positioned therein.

Background of the invention:
[0002] CN 211422811 U describes a fuel filter with an exhaust function. The fuel filter comprises an upper end cover, a lower end cover, an oil suction pipe, a filter paper layer and a water separation layer, the oil suction pipe, the water separation layer and the filter paper layer are sequentially nested from inside to outside and are respectively positioned between the upper end cover and the lower end cover. The upper end cover is provided with an exhaust hole and an oil suction port which are respectively communicated with the oil suction pipe. An upper end cover boss is arranged at the bottom of the upper end cover. Compared with the prior art, the water separation layer is additionally arranged on the fuel filter under the condition that the peripheral size is not increased, the overall structure is compact, and a good water removal effect is achieved on the premise that high dust containing capacity is guaranteed. Besides, residual air in the device is exhausted through the exhaust hole, and normal work of the exhaust hole is guaranteed through the boss arranged at the bottom of the upper end cover, so that the situation that the engine cannot be normally started due to air accumulation is effectively avoided.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0003] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a fuel filter comprising a plurality of fuel channels defined in the fuel filter and a tubular passage that is centrally positioned in the fuel filter therein in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel filter 100. The fuel filter 100 comprises a first fuel channel 110 comprising a first mesh 120 that is positioned on an outer surface 130 of the first fuel channel 110 and adapted to filter fuel from outside the first fuel channel 110 into the first fuel channel 110 via the first mesh 120 that is positioned on the outer surface 130 of the first fuel channel 110. A second fuel channel 140 comprises a second mesh 150 that is positioned on an outer surface 160 of the second fuel channel 140 and adapted to filter fuel from outside the second fuel channel 140 into the second fuel channel 140 via the second mesh 150 that is positioned on the outer surface 160 of the second fuel channel 140. A first connecting channel 170 is in flow communication between the first fuel channel 110 and the second fuel channel 140, and is adapted to control a flow of fuel from the second fuel channel 140 to the first fuel channel 110. A third fuel channel 180 comprises a third mesh 185 that is positioned on an outer surface 190 of the third fuel channel 180 and adapted to filter fuel from outside the third fuel channel 180 into the third fuel channel 180 via the third mesh 185 that is positioned on the outer surface 190 of the third fuel channel 180. A second connecting channel 195 is in flow communication between the second fuel channel 140 and the third fuel channel 180, and is adapted to control a flow of fuel from the third fuel channel 180 to the second fuel channel 140. A tubular passage 155 is in flow communication with the first fuel channel 110, the second fuel channel 140, and the third fuel channel 180 and channels fuel that flows through the first fuel channel 110, the second fuel channel 140, and the third fuel channel 180 to an inlet of a high-pressure fuel pump.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a fuel filter 100 comprising a plurality of fuel channels defined in the fuel filter 100 and a tubular passage 155 that is centrally positioned in the fuel filter 100 therein in one embodiment of the invention. The fuel filter 100 comprises a first fuel channel 110 that comprises a first mesh 120 that is positioned on an outer surface of the first fuel channel 110. The first mesh 120 that is positioned on the outer surface 130 of the first fuel channel 110 filters dirty fuel that is present outside the first channel 110 through the first mesh 120 and into the first fuel channel 110.

[0007] The fuel filter 100 comprises a second fuel channel 140 that comprises a second mesh 150 that is positioned on an outer surface 160 of the second fuel channel 140. The second mesh 150 that is positioned on the outer surface 160 of the second fuel channel 140 filters dirty fuel that is present outside the second fuel channel 140 through the second mesh 150 and into the second fuel channel 140. A first connecting channel 170 is in flow communication between the first fuel channel 110 and the second fuel channel 140 and is adapted to regulate a flow of fuel from the second fuel channel 140 to the first fuel channel 110. In an exemplary embodiment, a third fuel channel 180 comprises a third mesh 185 that is positioned on an outer surface 190 of the third fuel channel 180. The third mesh 185 that is positioned on the outer surface 190 of the third fuel channel 180 filters dirty fuel that is present outside the third fuel channel 180 through the third mesh 185 and into the third fuel channel 180. A second connecting channel 195 is in flow communication between the second fuel channel 140 and the third fuel channel 180 and is adapted to regulate a flow of fuel from the third fuel channel 180 to the second fuel channel 140. In an exemplary embodiment, a tubular passage 155 is in flow communication with the first fuel channel 110, the second fuel channel 140, and the third fuel channel 180 respectively. The tubular passage 155 channels fuel that flows through the first fuel channel 110, the second fuel channel 140, and the third fuel channel 180 to an inlet of a high-pressure fuel pump as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the first fuel channel 110 comprises a first plastic obstruction 125 that is positioned within the first fuel channel 110. The first plastic obstruction 125 that is positioned within the first fuel channel 110 comprises a first plurality of protrusions 135 that each extend from the first plastic obstruction 125. Each of the first plurality of protrusions 135 that each extend from the first plastic obstruction 125 is secured to the first mesh 120 such that fuel from outside the first fuel channel 110 is channeled through a spacing defined between each of the first plurality of protrusions 135 and enters into the first fuel channel 110 via the first mesh 120 that is positioned on the outer surface 130 of the first fuel channel 110. Once the fuel is channeled through the spacing defined between each of the first plurality of protrusions 135 and enters into the first fuel channel 110 via the first mesh 120 that is positioned on the outer surface 130 of the first fuel channel 110, the fuel is channeled through a first plurality of openings 145 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 and in flow communication with the first fuel channel 110. The fuel that is channeled through the first plurality of openings 145 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 and in flow communication with the first fuel channel 110 is therein delivered to an inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the second fuel channel 140 comprises a second plastic obstruction 147 that is positioned within the second fuel channel 140. The second plastic obstruction 147 that is positioned within the second fuel channel 140 comprises a second plurality of protrusions 155 that each extend from the second plastic obstruction 147. Each of the second plurality of protrusions 155 that each extend from the second plastic obstruction 147 is secured to the second mesh 150 such that fuel from outside the second fuel channel 140 is channeled through a spacing defined between each of the second plurality of protrusions 155 and enters into the second fuel channel 140 via the second mesh 150 that is positioned on the outer surface 160 of the second fuel channel 140. Once the fuel is channeled through the spacing defined between each of the second plurality of protrusions 155 and enters into the second fuel channel 140 via the second mesh 150 that is positioned on the outer surface 160 of the second fuel channel 140, the fuel is channeled through the second plurality of openings 165 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 and in flow communication with the second fuel channel 140. The fuel that is channeled through the second plurality of openings 165 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 and in flow communication with the second fuel channel 140 is therein delivered to the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the third fuel channel 180 comprises a third plastic obstruction 175 that is positioned within the third fuel channel 180. The third plastic obstruction 175 that is positioned within the third fuel channel 180 comprises a third plurality of protrusions 195 that each extend from the third plastic obstruction 175. Each of the third plurality of protrusions 195 that each extend from the third plastic obstruction 175 is secured to the third mesh 185 such that fuel from outside the third fuel channel 180 is channeled through a spacing defined between each of the third plurality of protrusions 195 and enters into the third fuel channel 180 via the third mesh 185 that is positioned on the outer surface 190 of the third fuel channel 180. Once the fuel is channeled through the spacing defined between each of the third plurality of protrusions 195 and enters into the third fuel channel 180 via the third mesh 185 that is positioned on the outer surface 190 of the third fuel channel 180, the fuel is channeled through the third plurality of openings 199 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 and in flow communication with the third fuel channel 180. The fuel that is channeled through the third plurality of openings 199 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 and in flow communication with the third fuel channel 180 is therein delivered to the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular passage 155 comprises a first pillar 166 secured to the tubular passage 155 such that the first plurality of openings 145 are defined between the tubular passage 155 and the first pillar 166, and wherein a base of the first pillar 166 is secured to the tubular passage 155. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the tubular passage 155 comprises the first pillar secured to the tubular passage 155 such that the first plurality of openings 145 are defined between the tubular passage 155 and the first pillar 166, and wherein a plurality of legs of the first pillar 166 extend along a sidewall of the tubular passage 155 and wherein a base portion of the first pillar 166 is secured to a solid portion of the tubular passage 155. In the exemplary embodiment, the tubular passage 155 comprises a second pillar 159 is secured to the tubular passage 155 such that the second plurality of openings 165 are defined between the tubular passage 155 and the second pillar, and wherein a base of the second pillar 159 secured to the third fuel filter 100. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the tubular passage 155 comprises the second pillar 159 is secured to the tubular passage 155 such that the second plurality of openings are defined between the tubular passage 155 and the second pillar, and wherein a plurality of legs of the second pillar 159 extend along a sidewall of the tubular passage 155 and wherein a base portion of the second pillar 159 is secured to a solid portion of the tubular passage 155. In the exemplary embodiment, the tubular passage 155 comprises a third pillar 198 secured to the tubular passage 155 such that the third plurality of openings 197 are defined between the tubular passage 155 and the third pillar 198, and wherein a base of the third pillar 198 is secured to a solid block 161. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the tubular passage 155 comprises the third pillar 198 secured to the solid block 161 such that the third plurality of openings 197 are defined between the tubular passage 155 and the third pillar 198, and wherein a plurality of legs of the third pillar 198 extend along a sidewall of the solid block 161 and wherein a base portion of the third pillar 198 is secured to a solid portion of the solid block 161.

[0012] A working of the fuel filter 100 is described as an example. Fuel that is present outside the first mesh 120 of the first fuel channel 110, fuel that is present outside the second mesh 150 of the second fuel channel 140, and fuel that is present outside the third mesh 185 of the third fuel channel 180 flow into the first fuel channel 110 via the first mesh 120, the second fuel channel 140 via the second mesh 150, and the third fuel channel 180 via the third mesh 185 respectively. The fuel that flows into the first fuel channel 110 via the first mesh 120 is channeled via the first plurality of openings 145 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 between the tubular passage 155 and the first pillar 166 and delivered to the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump. The fuel that flows into the second fuel channel 140 via the second mesh 150 is channeled via the second plurality of openings 165 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 between the tubular passage 155 and the second pillar 159 and delivered to the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump. Similarly, the fuel that flows into the third fuel channel 180 via the third mesh 185 is channeled via the third plurality of openings 197 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 between the tubular passage 155 and the third pillar 198 and delivered to the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump. Therefore, by channeling pressurized fuel from the first cooling channel 110, the second cooling channel 140, and the third cooling channel 180 to the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump via the first plurality of openings 145 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 between the tubular passage 155 and the first pillar 166, via the second plurality of openings 165 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 between the tubular passage 155 and the second pillar 159, and via the third plurality of openings 197 that are defined in the tubular passage 155 between the tubular passage 155 and the third pillar 198 respectively, an efficiency of the fuel filter 100 may be substantially increased in comparison with a current state of the art fuel filter 100.

[0013] It should be understood that the 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.
, Claims:We claim:

1. A fuel filter (100), said fuel filter (100) comprising:
a first fuel channel (110) comprising a first mesh (120) that is positioned on an outer surface (130) of the first fuel channel (110) and adapted to filter fuel from outside the first fuel channel (110) into the first fuel channel (110) via said first mesh (120) that is positioned on the outer surface (130) of the first fuel channel (110);
a second fuel channel (140) comprising a second mesh (150) that is positioned on an outer surface (160) of the second fuel channel (140) and adapted to filter fuel from outside the second fuel channel (140) into the second fuel channel (140) via said second mesh (150) that is positioned on the outer surface (160) of the second fuel channel (140);
a first connecting channel (170) in flow communication between the first fuel channel (110) and the second fuel channel (140) and is adapted to control a flow of fuel from the second fuel channel (140) to the first fuel channel (110);
a third fuel channel (180) comprising a third mesh (185) that is positioned on an outer surface (190) of the third fuel channel (180) and adapted to filter fuel from outside the third fuel channel (180) into the third fuel channel (180) via said third mesh (185) that is positioned on the outer surface (190) of the third fuel channel (180);
a second connecting channel (195) in flow communication between the second fuel channel (140) and the third fuel channel (180) and is adapted to control a flow of fuel from the third fuel channel (180) to the second fuel channel (140); and
a tubular passage (155) in flow communication with the first fuel channel (110), the second fuel channel (140), and the third fuel channel (180) and channels fuel that flows through the first fuel channel (110), the second fuel channel (140), and the third fuel channel (180) to an inlet of a high-pressure fuel pump.
2. The fuel filter (100) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the first fuel channel (110) comprises a first plastic obstruction (125) positioned within the first fuel channel (110), the first plastic obstruction (125) positioned within the first fuel channel (110) comprising a first plurality of protrusions (135) that each extend from the first plastic obstruction (125), each of said first plurality of protrusions (135) secured to said first mesh (120) such that fuel from outside the first fuel channel (110) is channeled through a spacing defined between each of said first plurality of protrusions (135) and channeled through a first plurality of openings (145) defined in the tubular passage (155) and in flow communication with the first fuel channel (110) and delivered to the inlet of said high-pressure fuel pump.

3. The fuel filter (100) in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the second fuel channel (140) comprises a second plastic obstruction (147) positioned within the second fuel channel (140), the second plastic obstruction (147) positioned within the second fuel channel (140) comprising a second plurality of protrusions (155) that each extend from the second plastic obstruction (147), each of said second plurality of protrusions (155) secured to said second mesh (150) such that fuel from outside the second fuel channel (140) is channeled through a spacing defined between each of said second plurality of protrusions (155) and channeled through a second plurality of openings (165) defined in the tubular passage (155) and in flow communication with the second fuel channel (140) and delivered to the inlet of said high-pressure fuel pump.

4. The fuel filter (100) in accordance with Claim 3, wherein the third fuel channel (180) comprises a third plastic obstruction (175) positioned within the third fuel channel (180), the third plastic obstruction (175) positioned within the third fuel channel (180) comprising a third plurality of protrusions (195) that each extend from the third plastic obstruction (175), each of said third plurality of protrusions (195) secured to said third mesh 185 (185) such that fuel from outside the third fuel channel (180) is channeled through a spacing defined between each of said third plurality of protrusions (195) and channeled through a third plurality of openings (197) defined in the tubular passage (155) and in flow communication with the third fuel channel (180) and delivered to the inlet of said high-pressure fuel pump.

5. The fuel filter (100) in accordance with Claim 4, wherein the tubular passage (155) comprises a first pillar (166) secured to the tubular passage (155) such that the first plurality of openings (145) are defined between the tubular passage (155) and the first pillar (166), and wherein a base of said first pillar (166) secured to a base of the tubular passage (155).

6. The fuel filter (100) in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the tubular passage (155) comprises a second pillar (159) secured to the tubular passage (155) such that the second plurality of openings (165) are defined between the tubular passage (155) and the second pillar (159), and wherein a base of said second pillar (159) secured to the tubular passage (155).

7. The fuel filter (100) in accordance with Claim 6, wherein the tubular passage (155) comprises a third pillar (198) secured to the tubular passage (155) such that the third plurality of openings (199) are defined between the tubular passage (155) and the third pillar (198), and wherein a base of said third pillar (198) secured to a solid block (161).