Patent ID: 6270659
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A fuel filter comprising:a housing defining a chamber having upper and lower ends, an inlet for un-filtered fuel, an outlet for filtered fuel, an outlet for un-filtered fuel and air including an integral flow passageway integral with a wall of the housing that defines a flow inlet aperture facing the upper end of the chamber, and a standpipe on the bottom of the chamber for connecting the outlet for filtered liquid to a tubular filter cartridge;a tubular filter cartridge disposed in the housing having upper and lower ends and radially inner and outer surfaces, an upper end cap disposed adjacent the upper end of the chamber for closing the upper end of the tubular filter cartridge, wherein the upper end cap includes an air vent tube positioned adjacent the radially outer surface of the filter cartridge, wherein the air vent tube includes a flow inlet aperture positioned adjacent the upper end of the chamber and extends downwardly to an exit opening received within the integral flow passageway through the flow inlet aperture to fluidly connect the upper end of the chamber to the integral flow passageway, and an annular lower end cap for closing the lower end of the tubular filter cartridge and receiving the standpipe;whereby air collecting at the upper end of the chamber is directed to the outlet for unfiltered fuel and air via the air vent tube and integral flow passageway.