Claims:We Claim:
1. A fuel filter (100) for a vehicle, the fuel filter comprising a filter cover (101) , a filter housing (102) , a filter cartridge (103) , and at least a drain plug (108), characterized in that fuel filter:
the filter cover (101) comprising at least a locking feature (105) and a flange (104);
the filter housing (102) comprising at least a mating feature (106) adapted to interact with the flange (104) ;
a floating element (107) placed near the operative bottom of the filter housing (102).

2. A fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, where the locking feature (105) and flange (104) are placed on opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the filter cover (101).

3. A fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, where the locking feature (105) and the flange (104) placed on opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of filter cover (101) are used to seal the filter cover (101) with the filter housing (102).

4. A fuel filter (100) as claimed in claim 1, where the filter housing (102) can either be a translucent polymer or polymer having a transparent window.

5. A fuel filter as claimed in claim 1, where the specific gravity of the floating element (107) is more than that of the fuel but less than that of water.
, 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 disclosure relates to a fuel filter used in automobiles.

Background of the invention
[0002] Conventional fuel filters used in vehicles comprise a filter cover sealed with a filter housing using a face sealing. The face sealing is achieved with help of guide shank made up of steel inserted in the filter housing. The filter cartridge comprising an accordion-folded element is provided around the guide shank. Raw fuel enters the filter cartridge through an inlet provided in the filter cover and the filtered fuel comes out through the guide shank. Conventional fuel filters use a water sensor along with a drain plug to indicate the level of water and remove it. The face sealing achieved through the guide shank requires very high torque. The differential pressure in the guide shank is also high due to frictional losses in the guide shank.

[0003] Patent Application US5736040A titled filter assembly including a reinforced radial seal discloses a filter arrangement formed with a housing and a center tube connected with the housing. In the filter arrangement, a metal-free filter cartridge is arranged which includes an accordion-folded, annular filter element. The filter cartridge is provided with end plates on the axial end faces of the annular filter element, at least one of the end plates having an elastic construction, and each elastic end plate is provided with a flexible supporting ring which is arranged directly adjacent a radial seal formed by the elastic end plate.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0004] Fig. 1 depicts a fuel filter for an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of our invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0005] Figure 1 depicts a fuel filter (100) for a vehicle. The fuel filter (100) comprises a filter cover (101), a filter housing (102), a filter cartridge (103), and at least a drain plug (108). The filter cover (101) comprises at least a locking feature (105) and a flange (104). The locking feature (105) and flange (104) are placed on opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the filter cover (101). The filter housing (102) comprises at least a mating feature (106) adapted to interact with the flange (104). A floating element (107) is placed near the operative bottom of the filter housing (102). The specific gravity of the floating element (107) is more than that of the fuel but less than that of water.

[0006] The filter housing (102) comprises a bowl at its operative bottom. The bowl at the operative bottom of the filter housing leads to the drain plug (108). In an embodiment the filter housing (102) is made up of a translucent polymer, for example plastic. In another embodiment the filter housing (102) is made up of a polymer having a transparent window.

[0007] The locking feature (105) and the flange (104) placed on opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of filter cover (101) are used to seal the filter cover (101) with the filter housing (102). A screw (109) is driven through the flange (104) and the mating feature (106) to seal the filter cover (101) and the filter housing (102). An O-ring (110) is also used between the surface of the filter cover (101) and the filter housing (102) to achieve radial sealing.

[0008] The fuel enters into the filter (100) through an inlet in the filter cover (101). In an embodiment the fuel cartridge (103) comprises a center tube. This center tube comprises a mesh. The fuel is filtered by the filter cartridge (103) and the filtered fuel flows out through the center tube of the filter cartridge (103). In another embodiment the fuel cartridge (103) comprises a hollow space for outflow of filtered fuel.

[0009] The water content in the fuel is collected at the operative bottom of the filter housing (102) which comprises a bowl. As the water level in the operative bottom of the filter housing (102) rises, the floating element (107) provided at the operative bottom of the filter housing (102) starts floating. Since the specific gravity of the floating element (107) is more than that of the fuel but less than that of water, the floating element (107) floats above water and below fuel. The floating element (107) gives a visual indication of the water level at the operative bottom of the filter housing (102).

[0010] In an embodiment of the above invention discussed above where the filter housing (102) is made of translucent polymer, the position of the floating element (107) seen through translucent polymer gives an indication of the water level at the bottom of the filter housing (102). In an another embodiment of the present invention as discussed above the position of the floating element (107) is seen through the transparent window provided on the filter housing (102) to give an indication of the water level at the operative bottom of the filter housing (102). Once the water level at the operative bottom of the filter housing (102) in known, the knob of the drain plug (108) opened to drain the water from fuel filter.

[0011] This idea to develop a fuel filter (100) with a plastic housing, floating ring (107) and the modified filter cover (101) in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure enhances the efficiency of the fuel filter (100) and reduces costs. The radial sealing of the filter cover (101) and the filter housing (102) doesn’t need the high torque required for sealing in conventional fuel filters having a metal housing. Due to the absence of center bolt used in face sealing of metal housing, frictional losses in the center tube or the hollow space of the filter cartridge (103) are reduced. Hence clean fuel easily flows towards outlet without any restriction in center tube of filter cartridge (103) thereby reducing the differential pressure across filter. This leads to a high flow rate. By using a translucent polymer or a transparent window and a floating element (107) in the filter housing (102) we can visualize the water collection volume, thereby eliminating the need for a separate water in fuel sensor. Weight of the fuel filter (100) can also be brought down by using plastic housing.

[0012] 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 fuel filter for a vehicle are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of this invention is limited only by the claims.