Abstract:
A filtered flow-through fitting with an associated system and method are disclosed. The filtered flow-through fitting may include a fitting having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, a securing mechanism for securing the fitting within a cavity, and a filter extending outwardly from the first opening. The filtered flow-through fitting and associated system and method provide the benefits of allowing an engine component to be quickly and easily replaced, while providing additional protection to the engine&#39;s fluid systems by providing an additional layer of particulate matter filtration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to flow-through fittings for fluid systems and more particularly relates to filtered flow-through fittings.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Fluid systems, especially in engine applications, are often highly susceptible to particle contamination. Particle contamination may clog or impede fluid flow within the system. In some instances, particle contamination may negatively affect system performance, increase toxin emissions, or even permanently damage engine components. Additionally, particle contamination may be difficult and expensive to repair. Often such repairs include flushing the fluid system, a complete replacement of the system fluid, or replacement of system components.  
         [0005]     One common source of fluid system particle contamination is the replacement of engine components. For example, a fuel-water separator may collect particulate matter within the module. When the module is replaced, the particles are often stirred up and released into the entire fuel system. In some cases, the particles may clog fuel lines, fuel pumps, or fuel injection systems. Additionally, the particles can increase toxin emissions in the engine exhaust.  
         [0006]     Engine components, such as fuel-water separators, oil filters, gas filters, and the like are often connected to the engine fluid systems by banjo bolts or other flow-through fittings. These flow-through fittings typically include two or more openings and a channel that connects the openings and allows fluid to flow through the fitting. These flow-through fittings often provide for egress between the engine component and the fluid system.  
         [0007]     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a filtered flow-through fitting. Beneficially, a filtered flow-through fitting would allow the engine component to be quickly and easily replaced, while providing additional protection to the engine&#39;s fluid systems by providing an additional layer of particulate matter filtration  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available flow-through fittings. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a filtered flow-through fitting that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting is provided with a fitting body having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, a securing mechanism connected with the fitting body for securing the fitting within a cavity, and a filter coupled to the fitting body and extending outwardly from the first opening. In one embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting further comprises a passageway between the first opening and the second opening for fluid egress.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the fitting further comprises a head coupled to the fitting body to facilitate securing the filtered flow-through fitting within the cavity by the securing mechanism. Additionally, the securing mechanism may further comprise threads on one of the fitting surfaces, the threads configured to secure to mating threads in the cavity.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the filter further comprises a particle screen formed of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of wire mesh, synthetic mesh, natural fiber mesh, and corrugated fiber layers. Additionally, the filter may further comprise a structural support frame supporting the filter. In certain embodiments, the filter is further configured with a cylindrical cross-section, and has a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the fitting, and wherein the filter is elongated with respect to the filter diameter, and has a length sufficient to extend into the interior of the cavity, and to be received by the cavity ahead of the fitting.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting may include a fitting having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, a threaded exterior configured to mate with a connecting mechanism of an opening in a cavity and a filter extending outwardly from the first opening and received by the cavity.  
         [0013]     In certain embodiments, the filter may include a particle screen formed of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of wire mesh, polymer, and corrugated fibers. Additionally, the filter may be fixedly coupled to the fitting. In one embodiment, the filter is configured to block the flow of a particle with an outer diameter greater than three hundred micrometers.  
         [0014]     In further embodiments, the filtered flow-through fitting may include a banjo bolt having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, a treaded exterior for securing the fitting within an engine cavity configured with mated threading, and a screen fixedly coupled to the first opening, extending longitudinally from the first opening, and received by the engine cavity.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the screen is further configured with a cylindrical cross-section, with a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the banjo bolt, to be elongated with respect to the filter diameter, with a length sufficient to extend into the interior of the cavity, and to be received by the engine cavity ahead of the fitting. In a further embodiment, the filter may include a fixedly attached structural support frame. Additionally, the screen may comprise a material selected from a group of material consisting of woven wire mesh and extruded synthetic mesh.  
         [0016]     Alternatively, the filtered flow-through may include a fitting body having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, a securing mechanism connected with the fitting body for securing the fitting within a cavity, and a filter coupled to the fitting body and extending inwardly from the first opening.  
         [0017]     A system of the present invention is also presented for filtering fluid. In one embodiment, the system includes a cavity within an engine component configured to receive a filtered flow-through fitting and pass fluid through the filtered flow-through fitting, a filtered flow-through fitting having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, a threaded exterior for securing the fitting within the cavity, and a filter extending outwardly from the first opening and received by the cavity, and an engine fluid system coupled to the engine component by the filtered flow-through fitting.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, the engine fluid system is coupled to the flow-through fitting by a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit may be selected from a group of conduit consisting of hose, pipe, and tube. In certain embodiments, the fluid system is selected from a group of fluid systems comprising an engine coolant system, an engine oil system, a fuel system, an engine exhaust system, a break fluid system, a transmission fluid system, a clutch fluid system, and a washer fluid system. In various embodiments, the system may additionally include features or components of the filtered flow-through fitting as described in the paragraphs above.  
         [0019]     A method of the present invention is also presented for providing filtered fluid coupling between an engine component and an engine fluid system using a filtered flow-through fitting. The method in the disclosed embodiments substantially includes the steps necessary to carry out the functions presented above with respect to the operation of the described apparatus and system. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a fitting having a first opening and a second opening connected in fluid communication, providing a securing mechanism for securing the fitting within a cavity, providing a filter extending outwardly from the first opening, coupling the first opening of the flow-through fitting to an engine component, and coupling the second opening of the flow-through fitting to an engine fluid system.  
         [0020]     The method also may include providing a structural support frame to support the filter structure. Additionally, the method may also include providing a fluid conduit comprising a circular enclosure for coupling the engine fluid system to the filtered flow-through fitting. In certain embodiments, the method includes providing engine fluid filtration for an engine fluid selected from a group of fluids consisting of engine coolant, engine oil, fuel, break-fluid, transmission fluid, clutch fluid, and engine exhaust. In addition, the method may include blocking the flow of a particle with an outer diameter grater than three hundred micrometers  
         [0021]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0022]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0023]     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective phantom view illustrating one embodiment of a filtered flow-through fitting;  
         [0026]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a filtered flow-through fitting, wherein the filter extends through the fitting body;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a filtered banjo bolt;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a filtered flow-through fitting incorporating a polymer filter and structural support on the filter;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of a system for filtering fluid including a side view of the filtered flow-through fitting of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for providing filtered fluid coupling between an engine component and an engine fluid system using a filtered flow-through fitting.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0032]     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of filter material, securing mechanisms, and flow-through fittings to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1A  depicts one embodiment of a filtered flow-through fitting  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting  100  includes a fitting  102  having a first opening  104  and a second opening  106  connected in fluid communication by a channel  108 . Additionally, the filtered flow-through fitting  100  is shown including a securing mechanism  110  and a filter  112 .  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting  100  includes a fitting  102 . As used herein, the term “fitting” includes a connecting, coupling, angled, or other like accessory used for fluid transfer, fluid routing, coupling, and the like. For example, the term fitting may be compatibly used in terms such as pipe fittings, conduit fittings, filter fittings, engine fittings, valve fittings, and the like.  
         [0035]     In one embodiment, the fitting  102  is made of plastic. For example, the fitting  102  may be an injection molded plastic tubing connector. Alternatively, the fitting  102  is made of metal such as steel, copper, iron, aluminum, alloy, or the like. For example, the fitting  102  may be a stainless steel threaded bolt. In this example, the threaded bolt includes a first opening  104  and a second opening  106  connected in fluid communication by a channel  108 . In such an example, the fitting  102  is configured for the flow-through of fluid. One example of such a flow-through fitting  102  is a banjo bolt used in hydraulic systems.  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting  100  includes a securing mechanism  110  for securing the fitting  102  within a cavity. As used herein, the term “cavity” refers to an unfilled space within a mass. For example, a cavity may include a port, an opening, a circular enclosure, a hole, an opening at the end of a hose or pipe, and the like. Specifically, the term cavity may refer to an opening in an engine component, hydraulic line, or the like configured to receive a fitting  102 .  
         [0037]     The securing mechanism  110  may include barbs on the outer surface of the fitting  102 , treads, a clamp, a ridge, or other mechanism for securing the fitting  102  in a receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the securing mechanism  110  includes threads on one of the surfaces of the fitting  102 , the threads configured to secure to mating threads in a receiving cavity. Alternatively, the securing mechanism includes precise physical dimensions on the outer surface of the fitting suitable for forced fit or friction fit securing of the fitting  102  within the cavity. As used herein, a securing mechanism  110  does not necessarily need to be integrally formed on the fitting. Conversely, the securing mechanism  110  may be a separate component of the fitting  102 .  
         [0038]     In one embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting  100  includes a filter  112  extending outwardly from the first opening  104 . Alternatively, the filter  112  may extend inwardly from the first opening  104 , such that the filter structure is contained within the fitting body  102 . In one embodiment, the filter  112  may be a particle screen formed of wire mesh, synthetic mesh, natural fiber mesh, or corrugated fiber layers. For example, the filter  112  may include a cylindrical screen formed of metal wire mesh. The wire mesh may be welded, soldered, or otherwise attached along the length of the cylindrical screen structure and at the end of the screen. Additionally, the filter  112  may be fixedly attached to the fitting  102 . In such an example, the filter  112  may block the flow of a particle with an outer diameter greater than three hundred micrometers. Alternative embodiments including corrugated fiber layers and screens with a finer mesh may block the flow of particles with smaller outer diameters.  
         [0039]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a filtered flow-through fitting  120 , wherein a filter  132  extends through the fitting body  122 . The fitting  120  includes a fitting body  122 , and a first opening  124  and a second opening  126  connected in fluid communication by a channel  128 . Additionally, the fitting  120  includes a securing mechanism  130  coupled to the fitting body  122  for securing the fitting within a cavity. In one embodiment, the described elements of the fitting  120  may be embodied in similar structure as those described with relation to  FIG. 1A .  
         [0040]     The filter  132  may be coupled to the first opening  124  and extend through the fitting body  122 . In one embodiment, the filter  132  extends the full length of the channel  128 . Alternatively, the filter  132  may extend partially into the interior of the channel  128 . The filter  132  may include a screen with a hollow or vacant core. Alternatively, the filter  132  may include loosely packed filtration particles such as activated charcoal or the like, wherein the filtration particles are packed within the interior of the channel  128 . The filter  132  may comprise one of the filter materials described with relation to the filter  112  of  FIG. 1A .  
         [0041]     In another embodiment, the filter  132  may extend partially into the interior of the channel  128  and extend outwardly from the first opening such that a portion of the filter  132  is contained within the fitting body  122  and a portion of the filter extends outwardly from the fitting body  122 . In certain embodiments, the filter  132  may include a planar screen positioned within the channel  128  at a position at or between the first opening  124  and the second opening  126 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a filtered banjo bolt  200  incorporating a threaded securing mechanism  206 . In one embodiment, the threads  206  mate with a connecting mechanism of an opening in a cavity. Additionally, the filtered banjo bolt  200  may include a head  208  configured to facilitate securing the filtered banjo bolt  200  or other filtered flow-through fitting  100  by the securing mechanism  206 . In certain embodiments, the second opening  204  may be positioned on the side of the banjo bolt to allow fluid to be transferred to a banjo collar coupled to the banjo bolt  200 . A more detailed description of the banjo collar and the coupling between the banjo collar and the filtered banjo bolt  200  is given in the description of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0043]     In one example of an implementation of the filtered banjo bolt  200 , a fuel/water separator module may include a threaded fluid outlet port configured to receive a threaded banjo bolt. In such an example, the threaded banjo bolt may be replaced by a filtered banjo bolt  200  which is configured for fluid egress. In one embodiment, the threaded exterior  206  of the filtered banjo bolt  200  may mate with the threads on the fluid outlet port of the fuel/water separator module, and secure the filtered banjo bolt  200  within the fuel/water separator module. Alternative embodiments which include alternate filtered flow-through fittings  100  and different securing mechanisms  106  for securing the filtered flow-through fitting  100  in various openings or cavities may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art of fluid dynamics and fluid system design.  
         [0044]     In one embodiment, the filter  210  extends outwardly from the first opening  202  and may be received by a cavity or opening. In certain embodiments, the filter  210  may extend longitudinally from the first opening  202  and may be received ahead of the fitting portion of the filtered banjo bolt  200  by an engine cavity. The filter  210  may be configured with a cylindrical cross-section, with a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the body of the banjo bolt, to be elongated with respect to the filter diameter, and with a length sufficient to extend into the interior of the cavity.  
         [0045]     Standard banjo bolts that do not include a filter  210  often suffer from clogging, restricted fluid flow, and contamination. The specific filter dimensions described above may be beneficial in reducing clogs and contamination while improving fluid flow rates. The filter  210  may have a cylindrical cross-section to provide a large surface area available for fluid transfer while allowing the filter  210  to pass through the threaded opening in the cavity ahead of the banjo bolt body. Allowing the filter  210  to extend within the cavity may significantly reduce clogging.  
         [0046]     In certain embodiments, some characteristics of the filter  210  may be optimized to increase fluid flow rates and reduce clogging. For example, the hole size of the filter  210  may be optimized to improve flow rate, the length of screen extending within the cavity may be increased to reduce clogging, the screen material and thicknesses may be optimized to reduce surface tension, and the like.  
         [0047]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a filtered flow-through fitting  300  incorporating a polymer filter  308  and a structural support frame  310 . In one embodiment, the filtered flow-through fitting  300  may additionally include a first opening  304  and a second opening  306  connected in fluid communication, a threaded exterior for securing the fitting  302  within an engine cavity configured with mated threads, and in certain embodiments, the filter  308  comprises a screen. The screen  308  may be fixedly coupled to the first opening  304 , and extend longitudinally from the first opening  304 .  
         [0048]     In one embodiment, the structural support frame  310  may be fixedly coupled to the screen. Alternatively, the structural support frame  310  may not be in physical contact with the screen  308 , but provide structural protection. In another embodiment, the structural support frame  310  may also be fixedly coupled to the first opening  304  or to the fitting body  302 . The structural support frame  310  may be fabricated from metal, polymer, or other material with suitable structural integrity. For example, the structural support frame  310  may include an injection molded polymer frame comprising an end portion and leg portions running the length of the screen  308 . In one embodiment, the structural support frame  310  may be fused to the screen  308  using adhesive, ultrasonic polymer welding, or other suitable means.  
         [0049]     In certain embodiments, the screen  308  may include a woven wire mesh or an extruded synthetic mesh. Alternatively, the screen  308  may include an injection molded, cast, or otherwise manufactured mesh. The mesh may include holes of variable sizes, wherein the hole sizes are dependent on the particle size that is to be blocked. Additionally, the mesh may include various hole shapes depending on the weave, strand overlay, or extrusion method used in manufacturing. Indeed, it is not required that the mesh be woven. The mesh may include strands of polymer or wire that are overlain and fused.  
         [0050]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a system  400  for filtering fluid. In one embodiment, the system  400  includes a cavity within an engine component  402  configured to receive a filtered flow-through fitting  410 , and pass fluid through the filtered flow-through fitting  410 . Additionally, the system may include a filtered flow-through fitting  410  having a first opening  412  and a second opening  416  connected in fluid communication. The fitting  410  may additionally include threads  408  for securing the fitting within the engine component  402  and a filter  414  that extends into the engine component  402 . In one embodiment, the system  400  may also include an engine fluid system  422 .  
         [0051]     One example of a system  400  for filtering fluid includes the connection of a fuel/water separator to an engine fuel system. In one embodiment, the fuel/water separator may be the engine component  402 , and the engine fuel system may be the engine fluid system  422 . In such an example, the fuel/water separator may include an opening  404  configured with threads  406  for receiving a filtered banjo bolt  410 . The threads  408  of the filtered banjo bolt  410  may mate with the threads  406  of the engine component opening  404 . In one embodiment, the filter  414  is fixedly attached to the first opening  412  of the filtered banjo bolt  410 . In this example, the engine component  402  may receive the filter  414  ahead of the body of the filtered banjo bolt  410 .  
         [0052]     In such an example, the engine fluid system  422  connects to the engine component  402  through a fluid conduit  420 . In one embodiment, the fluid conduit  420  may additionally attach to a banjo collar  418 . In this example, the banjo collar  418  may be inserted between the outer wall of the engine component  402  and the head of the filtered banjo bolt  410 . The banjo collar  418  may include an assembly of gaskets, washers, or the like to seal the fluid within the collar  418  and conduit  420 . In one embodiment, the conduit  420  may include a fuel line, hose, or the like. The banjo collar  418  may then receive the fluid that egresses from the second opening  416  of the filtered banjo bolt  410 .  
         [0053]     In this example, the fuel/water separator may be maintained, cleaned, replaced, or otherwise disturbed without contaminating the fuel system. Additionally, contaminants may collect around the base of the filter due to the force of gravity, but the upper portions of the filter may remain substantially unobstructed. Therefore, the fluid flow rates may be improved and clogging or congestion within the flow-through fitting  410  and conduit  420  may be reduced.  
         [0054]     The schematic flow chart diagrams set forth below are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a method  500  for providing filtered fluid coupling between an engine component  402  and an engine fluid system  422  using a filtered flow-through fitting  100 . In one embodiment, the method  500  starts  502  by providing  504  a fitting  102 . Additionally, the method  500  includes providing  506  a securing mechanism  110 , and providing  508  a filter  112 . In one embodiment, the method  500  may include providing  510   a  structural support frame  310 . Then, the engine component  402  is coupled  512  to the first opening  104  of the filtered flow-through fitting  100 .  
         [0056]     In one embodiment, the method  500  may additionally include providing  514   a  fluid conduit  420 . The engine fluid system  422  is then coupled  516  to the second opening  106  of the filtered flow-through fitting  100 . In one embodiment, the coupling  516  may be provided by a banjo collar  418  and the fluid conduit  420 . Then filtered flow-through fitting  100  filters  518  the engine fluid that flows between the engine component  402  and the engine fluid system  422  and the method  500  ends  520 .  
         [0057]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.