Automatic draining system to drain fluid from a filter

A method for automatically draining a first fluid from a first fluid collection cavity having a first fluid filter using an automatic draining system, the method comprising:

• moving a floating valve that has a density less than the first fluid and greater than a second fluid to a floating position by filling a floating valve compartment with the first fluid;
• energizing a solenoid valve to allow the first fluid to enter the first fluid filter of the first fluid collection cavity via a solenoid opening, wherein the solenoid valve is energized when the amount of the first fluid upstream the solenoid valve reaches a first level;
• and
• filtering the first fluid in the first fluid filter;
• draining the first fluid out of the first fluid filter first fluid collection cavity via a drainage outlet when the first fluid contained within the first fluid collection cavity approaches a top end of the first fluid collection cavity.

A combined fluid filter system and automatic draining system comprising:

• a combined fluid filter system comprising:
• a fluid filter for separating a first fluid from a second fluid;
• an automatic draining system comprising:
• a floating valve housed within a floating valve compartment having a floating valve opening, the floating valve having a density less than the first fluid and a density greater than the second fluid, wherein the floating valve is in a floating position when the floating valve compartment is filed with the first fluid allowing the first fluid to pass through the floating valve opening, and the floating valve is in a sealing position when the floating valve compartment is not filled with the first fluid, thereby preventing the first fluid and the second fluid from passing through the floating valve opening;
• a solenoid valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the floating valve compartment via the floating valve opening, the solenoid valve having a solenoid opening that is open when the solenoid valve is energized and is closed when the solenoid valve is de-energized;
• and
• a first fluid collection cavity downstream of and in fluid communication with the solenoid valve via the solenoid valve opening, wherein the first fluid collection cavity includes a drainage outlet for removing the first fluid contained within the first fluid cavity, the drainage outlet including an opening near a top end of the first fluid collection cavity configured to allow the first fluid to enter the drainage outlet when the first fluid approaches the top end of the first fluid collection cavity;
• and
• a filter media disposed within the first fluid collection cavity, wherein the filter media filters the first liquid prior to the first liquid exiting the automatic draining system;
• wherein the automatic draining system is irremovably attached to the fuel filter system.