US 11,745,125 B2
Fuel filter passage for downward fuel flow direction
Jon T. Immel, Chillicothe, IL (US); Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Mapleton, IL (US); Jeffrey R. Ries, Metamora, IL (US); Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Bedford, TX (US); Brian J. Sutton, Edwards, IL (US); and Quinton Marcus Burcar, Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/102,631.
Prior Publication US 2022/0161163 A1, May 26, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 29/33 (2006.01); F02M 37/32 (2019.01); F02M 37/24 (2019.01); B01D 17/02 (2006.01); B01D 17/04 (2006.01); B01D 35/30 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 29/33 (2013.01) [B01D 17/0214 (2013.01); B01D 17/045 (2013.01); B01D 35/30 (2013.01); F02M 37/24 (2019.01); F02M 37/32 (2019.01); B01D 2201/316 (2013.01); B01D 2201/347 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter element that includes at least a partially annular configuration and that defines a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, the filter element comprising:
an annular filter media defining a central passage;
a center tube that is disposed in the central passage of the annular filter media that defines a central reservoir, and having a cylindrical wall that includes a solid wall and an apertured wall, and the apertured wall including therein a plurality of apertures that are in fluid communication with the central reservoir, and the annular filter media surrounds the center tube, the plurality of apertures and the central reservoir;
a central fluid supply tube that is disposed in the central reservoir of the center tube, defining a supply passage that is not in direct fluid communication with the central reservoir, and that defines a fully circular flow flux,
a top open end joined to the center tube disposed along the longitudinal axis, the top open end including an opening allowing fluid to flow from the central reservoir to the outside of the filter element;
a bottom end joined to the center tube opposite the top open end disposed along the longitudinal axis; and
the central fluid supply tube includes a platform that extends radially outward to the cylindrical wall and wherein the standpipe is directly connected to the center tube at a location that is axially between the bottom end and the platform.