Fuel Filter Diverter

Abstract

A fuel filter assembly includes a housing having an end supporting a first tube. The housing defines a cavity that is enclosed by a cover opposite the end. A diverter is arranged within the cavity and includes first and second sides with the first side adjacent to the housing end. The diverter includes a wall on the first side in sealing engagement with either the first tube or the housing end. The diverter is constructed from a first material forming a base and a second material supported by the first material defining at least a portion of the first side. The second material may be overmolded onto the first material. Preferably, the first material is a plastic and the second material is an elastomer forming a gasket suitable for providing a seal between the diverter and the housing. One end of the filter media is embedded in the adhesive on the second side of the diverter.

1 . A method of manufacturing a fluid filter assembly comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a diverter base having a passageway;   b) securing a gasket onto the diverter base to form a diverter;   c) adhesively securing a filter media onto the diverter base.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step b) is performed subsequent to step a). 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein step b) includes molding the gasket onto the diverter base. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including steps of applying the adhesive onto a cover, and embedding the filter media into the adhesive on the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of installing the diverter from step b) into a housing with the gasket engaging the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the housing includes a tube in fluid communication with the passageway with at least a portion of the gasket material disposed about the tube.