Patent ID: 6207045
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
An integrated control module for connection to a source of electricity and for use in conjunction with a fuel-water separator which is constructed and arranged to separate water from fuel, said integrated control module being constructed and arranged to drain water from within said fuel-water separator which has accumulated adjacent a drain location, said integrated control module comprising:a water-in-fuel sensor having a pair of spaced-apart probes which are positioned relative to said fuel-water separator so as to be contacted by said accumulated water;a drain valve having a water-in conduit which is constructed and arranged to be positioned in said accumulated water at a location which is remote from said pair of spaced-apart probes and further including a water-out conduit constructed and arranged to route accumulated water out of said fuel-water separator;a solenoid constructed and arranged to control the flow of accumulated water from said water-in conduit to said water-out conduit, said solenoid being in a normally-closed condition which blocks any flow of accumulated water from said water-in conduit to said water-out conduit, when electrically energized said solenoid changing to an open condition which enables accumulated water flow through said drain valve from said water-in conduit out through said water-out conduit;an electrical connector having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and being constructed and arranged for connection to a source of electricity; anda control circuit having a first circuit portion and a cooperating second circuit portion, said first circuit portion being electrically connected between said positive terminal and one probe of said pair of spaced-apart probes, said second circuit portion being normally opened and electrically connected between said negative terminal and said solenoid, said second circuit portion being further electrically connected to the other probe of said pair of spaced-apart probes, wherein the connection between said second circuit portion and said other probe is for conditioning said normally open second circuit portion such that when accumulated water establishes a conductive path between the pair of spaced-apart probes for a predetermined duration of time, the normally open second circuit portion is closed, thereby coupling the negative terminal to said solenoid and causing energizing of said solenoid so as to place said solenoid in said open condition, thereby enabling the flow of accumulated water through said drain valve.