In-tank fuel filter improved to resist electrification

A fuel filter apparatus arranged and constructed to be utilized within a fuel tank, comprising:

• a fuel pump,
• a fuel filter element, and
• a generally cylindrical filter case having an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall, wherein a first space is defined within the inner peripheral wall and a second space is defined between the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, the fuel pump is disposed within the first space and the fuel filter element is disposed within second space and wherein at least the portion of the filter case that surrounds the fuel pump and contacts fuel in the fuel tank has a bulk resistivity of about 108 to 1010 Ω·cm.

An apparatus comprising:

• a pressure regulator,
• a filter case having a top surface and a side surface defined when the filter case is disposed in a substantially vertical direction, the filter case further comprising a fuel discharge port constructed and arranged to return excess fuel discharged by the pressure regulator to the top surface of the filter case, wherein the filter case is made of a substantially non-conductive material, and
• a fuel filter element disposed within the filter case.

A method of reducing static electricity on a fuel filter case disposed within a fuel reservoir when the fuel level within the fuel reservoir is below a top surface of the fuel filter case comprising:

• directing excess fuel discharged from a fuel pressure regulator to the top surface of the fuel filter case, whereby static electricity on the fuel filter case can discharge to the excess fuel disposed on the top surface of the fuel filter case.

A method of reducing static electricity on a fuel filter case disposed within a fuel reservoir when the fuel level within the fuel reservoir is below a top surface of the fuel filter case, the method comprising:

• directing pressurized fuel to flow radially through a filter element disposed within the fuel filter case,
• directing excess fuel discharged from a fuel pressure regulator to the top surface of the fuel filter case, whereby static electricity on the fuel filter case can discharge to the excess fuel disposed on the top surface of the fuel filter case, and
• directing excess fuel disposed on the top surface of the fuel filter case to flow along a side surface of the filter case before returning to the fuel reservoir.