Cyclonic particle separator for fuel systems

1. 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.

2. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall structure is in the form of a generally truncated right circular cone, the outlet port being defined at a truncated portion of the conical sidewall structure.

3. The combination of claim 2 , wherein the inlet port is provided in the conical sidewall structure and an axis of the inlet port is oriented generally perpendicular with respect to an axis of the outlet port.

4. The combination of claim 3 , wherein the inlet port is disposed generally at a middle portion of the conical sidewall structure.

5. The combination of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall structure is in the form of a generally truncated right circular cone, the outlet port being defined at an end of the sidewall structure opposite a truncated portion of the conical sidewall structure.

6. The combination of claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle associated with the inlet port.

7. A The combination of claim 1 , wherein each of the inlet port and the outlet port is provided in the sidewall structure.

8. 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 means, extending from the base portion, for causing separation of contaminants, the base portion and the means for causing separation 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 means for causing separation 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.

9. The combination of claim 8 , wherein the means for causing separation is wall structure is in the form of a generally truncated right circular cone, the outlet port being defined at a truncated portion of the conical wall structure.

10. The combination of claim 9 , wherein the inlet port is provided in the conical wall structure and an axis of the inlet port is oriented generally perpendicular with respect to an axis of the outlet port.

11. The combination of claim 10 , wherein the inlet port is disposed generally at a middle portion of the conical wall structure.

12. The combination of claim 8 , wherein the means for causing separation is wall structure is in the form of a generally truncated right circular cone, the outlet port being defined at and end of the wall structure opposite a truncated portion of the conical wall structure.

13. The combination of claim 8 , further comprising a nozzle associated with the inlet port.

14. A method of separating contaminants from liquid fuel in an automotive fuel system, the method including:

providing a cyclonic separator in a fuel flow passage of an automotive fuel system so that the cyclonic separator is disposed between a fuel tank and an engine, and

directing fuel in the fuel flow passage into the cyclonic separator with the cyclonic separator separating contaminants from the liquid fuel.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of providing the cyclonic separator provides the cyclonic separator to include:

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, and

wherein the step of directing fuel includes directing fuel through the inlet port into the internal volume such that the sidewall structure causes the fuel 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.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the cyclonic separator provides the sidewall structure in the form of a generally truncated right circular cone.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the outlet port is defined at a truncated portion of the conical sidewall structure.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the outlet port is disposed opposite a truncated portion of the conical sidewall structure.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the inlet port is provided in the conical sidewall structure and an axis of the inlet port is oriented generally perpendicular with respect to an axis of the outlet port.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of directing fuel includes directing fuel through a nozzle at the inlet port.