Patent ID: 7524426

Claim:
A cyclonic separator for separating contaminants from liquid fuel in combination with a fuel flow passage of an automotive fuel system so that the cyclonic separator is disposed in the fluid flow passage between a fuel tank and an engine, the combination comprising: a cyclonic separator comprising: a body having a base portion and sidewall structure extending from the base portion, the base portion and sidewall structure defining an internal volume, an inlet port in the body communicating with the internal volume, and an outlet port in the body communicating with the internal volume, wherein the sidewall structure is constructed and arranged to cause fuel, containing a mixture of liquid fuel and contaminants, that enters the inlet port to move in a generally circular manner in the internal volume so that the contaminants separate from the liquid fuel, with the contaminants settling in the base portion and the liquid fuel moving through the outlet port, and a fuel flow passage of an automotive fuel system, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the fuel flow passage.