# US 2013/0153487 A1 · Fuel water separator filter with water drain > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153487 A1 - Document ID: US20130153487A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/715,003 - Filed: 2012-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc. - Inventors: Brian J. TERRY; Carey A. CURT; Mark J. JOHNSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153487A1 ## CPC - B01D 36/005: {Liquid level sensing means, e.g. for water in gasoil-filters} - B01D 36/006: {Purge means} - F02M 37/28: with means activated by the presence of water, e.g. alarms or means for automatic drainage - F02M 37/32: characterised by filters or filter arrangements - B01D 17/0214: {with removal of one of the phases} - B01D 17/045: {with coalescers} - B01D 27/148: {arranged concentrically or coaxially} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF ## Abstract A fuel water separator (FWS) filter that is configured to permit water to be drained from the water sump of the FWS filter without shutting off fuel flow to the FWS filter. A check valve is positioned between the water sump and the filter element. When the FWS filter is under vacuum (e.g. as in operation), the check valve can be closed to allow water to drain from the sump. The check valve can close automatically by floating on accumulated water in the sump until the water rises to a level where the check valve is closed. The check valve can also close by opening the drain valve of the FWS filter, which causes a differential pressure between the sump and the vacuum created in the filter element chamber, which forces the check valve to close. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fuel water separator filter, comprising: a filter housing defining a filter element chamber and a water sump, the filter element chamber is separated from the water sump by a wall; a passageway in the wall that fluidly connects the filter element chamber and the water sump; a valve that controls flow through the fluid passageway, the valve having a first, open position that permits fluid flow from the filter element chamber into the water sump and a second, closed position preventing fluid flow between the filter element chamber and the water sump; and the filter housing further includes a drain valve in communication with the water sump to permit draining of water from the water sump. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fuel water separator filter of claim 1, further comprising a filter element disposed in the filter element chamber, the filter element is configured to separate water from fuel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fuel water separator filter of claim 2, wherein the filter element comprises an outer stage filter that is configured to coalesce water from fuel, an inner stage filter that is surrounded by the outer stage filter, and a space between the outer stage filter and the inner stage filter; and the passageway is located in the wall at a position in communication with the space. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fuel water separator filter of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a ball and a cage disposed in the water sump, the ball is movably disposed within the cage and the cage guides the ball between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fuel water separator filter of claim 4, wherein the wall includes a first surface that faces the water sump and a second surface that faces the filter element chamber, and the cage is fixed to the first surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fuel water separator filter of claim 1, wherein the fuel water separator filter is a spin-on filter that is configured for detachable connection to a filter head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fuel water separator filter of claim 1, further comprising a water sensor disposed in the water sump that is configured to detect water. ### Claim 8 A filter, comprising: a filter housing defining a filter element chamber and a water sump, the filter element chamber is separated from the water sump by a wall; a passageway in the wall that fluidly connects the filter element chamber and the water sump; a valve that controls flow through the fluid passageway, the valve having a first, open position that permits flow of water from the filter element chamber into the water sump and a second, closed position preventing flow of water between the filter element chamber and the water sump; and the filter housing further includes a drain valve in communication with the water sump to permit draining of water from the water sump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The filter of claim 8, further comprising a filter element disposed in the filter element chamber, the filter element is configured to separate water from a fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The filter of claim 9, wherein the filter element comprises an outer stage filter that is configured to coalesce water from the fluid, an inner stage filter that is surrounded by the outer stage filter, and a space between the outer stage filter and the inner stage filter; and the passageway is located in the wall at a position in communication with the space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The filter of claim 8, wherein the valve comprises a ball and a cage disposed in the water sump, the ball is movably disposed within the cage and the cage guides the ball between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The filter of claim 11, wherein the wall includes a first surface that faces the water sump and a second surface that faces the filter element chamber, and the cage is fixed to the first surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The filter of claim 8, wherein the filter is a spin-on filter that is configured for detachable connection to a filter head. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The filter of claim 8, further comprising a water sensor disposed in the water sump that is configured to detect water. ### Claim 15 A fuel water separator filter, comprising: a filter housing defining a filter element chamber and a water sump; a filter element disposed in the filter element chamber, the filter element is configured to separate water from fuel and to remove particulate contaminants from the fuel; a drain valve in communication with the water sump to permit draining of water from the water sump; and the filter is configured to permit water to be drained from the water sump via the drain valve without shutting off fuel flow to the filter and while the filter element filters the fuel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fuel water separator filter of claim 15, wherein the filter element chamber is separated from the water sump by a wall; a passageway in the wall fluidly connects the filter element chamber and the water sump; and a valve controls flow through the fluid passageway, the valve having a first, open position that permits fluid flow from the filter element chamber into the water sump and a second, closed position preventing fluid flow between the filter element chamber and the water sump. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fuel water separator filter of claim 16, wherein the filter element comprises an outer stage filter that is configured to coalesce water from fuel, an inner stage filter that is surrounded by the outer stage filter, and a space between the outer stage filter and the inner stage filter; and the passageway is located in the wall at a position in communication with the space. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The fuel water separator filter of claim 16, wherein the valve comprises a ball and a cage disposed in the water sump, the ball is movably disposed within the cage and the cage guides the ball between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The fuel water separator filter of claim 18, wherein the wall includes a first surface that faces the water sump and a second surface that faces the filter element chamber, and the cage is fixed to the first surface.