Claims:We Claim

1. A fuel filter (10), said fuel filter (10) comprising:
a fuel filter element 15, a top portion of said fuel filter element (15) secured to a fuel filter housing (19);
a top cap (12);
a filter element (14);
a bottom cap (16) secured to a bottom portion of said filter element (14); characterized in that
a plurality of projections (18), each of said plurality of projections (18) secured to a bottom portion of said bottom cap (16) and circumferentially spaced apart from each other; and
a conically shaped spring (20) positioned around said plurality of projections (18), wherein said plurality of projections (18) are adapted to withhold said conically shaped spring (20), thereby aligning a longitudinal axis of said plurality of projections (18) with respect to a longitudinal axis of said conically shaped spring (20).

2. The fuel filter (10) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said plurality of projections (18) comprises a first projection (22), a second projection (24), a third projection (26), and a fourth projection (28), each of said first projection (22), said second projection (24), said third projection (26), and said fourth projection (28) circumferentially spaced apart from each other.

, 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] This invention relates to a fuel filter spin-on and more specifically to a compression spring that is secured to a spin-on element.

Background of the invention
[0002] GB 542041 A describes a valve device particularly adapted for use in connection with a power pump on a mobile refuelling unit for transferring fuel from a bulk storage to the tanks of aeroplanes so that a connection leading to the suction side of the pump can be connected either to the bulk storage tank or to the mobile tank and at the same time a connection from the discharge side of the pump is coupled either to the mobile tank or the aeroplane tank. In the form shown in Fig. 1 the valve comprises a tapered plug held to its seating by a helical spring located by a projection on a detachable cover and having two superposed peripheral grooves extending over 90 degrees of the plug circumference or two superposed pairs of ports arranged 90 degrees apart and joined by internal passages. The upper groove or passage is adapted to connect a passage connected to the pump discharge either to a port leading to a passage and the mobile unit or to a port leading to a passage adapted to be connected to the tank of an aeroplane. The lower groove or passage is adapted to connect a passage leading to the pump suction either to a port leading through a detachable cylindrical strainer to a passage adapted to be coupled to the bulk storage tank or to a port leading to a passage connected to the tank of the mobile unit. Instead of a single valve separate valves inter-connected so as to be operable from a single handle may be used. The passages 7 and 8 are connected by a port closed by a valve normally held to its seat by a spring to serve as a relief but which may be relieved of the spring load by manipulating the head to allow liquid remaining in the discharge pipe to return to the suction side of the pump. In a modification the valve is adapted to be lifted positively from its seat by a hand actuated cam. The control device may be formed as a unit with the pump.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a fuel filter in one embodiment of the invention.
[0004] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom cap of the fuel filter spin-on in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates a fuel filter 10. The fuel filter 10 comprises a fuel filter element 15, a top portion of the fuel filter element 15 secured to a fuel filter housing 19. A top cap 12, a filter element 14, a bottom cap 16 secured to a bottom portion of the filter element 14. A plurality of projections 18, each of the plurality of projections 18 secured to a bottom portion of the bottom cap 16 and circumferentially spaced apart from each other. A conically shaped spring 20 positioned around the plurality of projections 18, wherein the plurality of projections 18 are adapted to withhold the conically shaped spring 20, thereby aligning a longitudinal axis of the plurality of projections 18 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conically shaped spring 20.

[0006] The fuel filter spin-on 10 comprises a filter element 15. A filter element 14 is secured to the top cap 12. More specifically, a top portion of the filter element 14 is secured to the top cap 12. A bottom cap 16 is secured to the filter element 14. More specifically, the bottom cap 16 is secured to a bottom portion of the filter element 14. The bottom cap 16 comprises a plurality of projections 18. More specifically, each of the plurality of projections 18 is secured to a bottom portion of the bottom cap 16 and circumferentially spaced apart from one another. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of projections 18 are coupled to the bottom portion of the bottom cap 16 using any fastening means that is known in the art. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of projections 18 is secured to the bottom portion of the bottom cap 16 by integrally molding the plurality of projections 18 on to the bottom portion of the bottom cap 16.

[0007] A conically shaped spring 20 is positioned around the plurality of projections 18. More specifically, the conically shaped spring 20 is inserted within the plurality of projections 18 such that the plurality of projections 18 inscribe the conically shaped spring 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of projections 18 are adapted to withhold the conically shaped spring 20 therein. Each of the plurality of projections 18 comprises a notch shaped portion within which the conically shaped spring 20 is inserted. Owing to the notch shaped portion of each of the plurality of projections 18, the conically shaped spring 18 is retained within the notch shaped portion of each of the plurality of projections 18. Therefore, the conically shaped spring 20 cannot be detached from within the plurality of projections 18 except by applying a tensile force by a human operator. As a consequence, a longitudinal axis of the plurality of projections 18 are aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conically shaped spring 20.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom cap 16 of the fuel filter element 15. The bottom cap 16 comprises a plurality of projections 18. Each of the plurality of projections 18 is secured to a bottom portion of the bottom cap 16 and circumferentially spaced apart from one another. In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom cap 16 comprises a first projection 22, a second projection 24, a third projection 26, and a fourth projection 28. Each of the first projection 22, the second projection 24, the third projection 26, and the fourth projection 28 are spaced apart from each other by ninety degrees. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the first projection 22, the second projection 24, the third projection 26, and the fourth projection 28 comprises a base portion that is secured to the bottom cap 16, a notched portion that is integrally formed with the base portion and that is used to secure the conically shaped spring 20 thereto, and a projected portion that is formed on the notched portion. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, any number of finite projections 18 may be secured to the base portion and withholds the conically shaped spring 20 thereto to facilitate aligning the longitudinal axis of the plurality of projections 18 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conically shaped spring 20. This helps the fuel filter element 15 with conically shaped spring 20 for easy assembly to the filter housing 19.

[0009] The advantage of the invention is the first projection 22, the second projection 24, the third projection 26, and the fourth projection 28 withholds the conically shaped spring 20 therein and prevents it from being released from the notch portion of the first projection 22, the second projection 24, the third projection 26, and the fourth projection 28.

[0010] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments with regard to dimensions of various components are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.