Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to a fuel filter dehydrator apparatus for a fuel system which coalesces and retains residual water within the fuel filter. The device comprises a plurality of fuel filter dehydrator elements and a container for housing the filter elements. The container defines a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet for directing fuel through the filter dehydrator elements. Each of the filter dehydrator elements comprises a rigid, porous tube having a water retaining cellulose fiber sheet and water coalescing fiberglass layer wrapped therearound. The fiberglass coalesces water droplets in the fuel passing through the element and then releases the coalesced water to the cellulose fiber sheet. As the cellulose sheet becomes water saturated, its fluid permeability sharply decreases, automatically shutting off fuel flow therethrough. Residence of water in the fiberglass layer substantially adds to the water retaining capacity of each fuel filter dehydrator element. Additional layers of water retaining cellulose and water coalescing fiberglass are provided so that with rising pressure drop on the outer sheet of cellulose, an increase of the compressive loading on underlying layers of fiberglass and cellulose is provided. The compression of subsequent layers of fiberglass provides for the rapid release of water to the underlying layers of cellulose, thus amplifying the fuel shut off feature.

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First Claim