Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of a Fuel Filter System

A fuel filter system essentially consists of a center tube, which is screwed on to a head and rests against a bowl. A thin circular plate, called end-cap, slides inside the bowl with spline teeth. The fuel filter material is inside the bowl and rests on the end-cap. When the bowl is tightened an input torque is transferred to the center tube and on to the head. It is required to estimate the stresses of the various components when a maximum tightening torque is applied to the bowl. A non-linear large deflection contact analysis of the fuel filter system needs to be performed. A number of contacts between the different deformable bodies, i.e. head and bowl, end-cap and center tube, etc. are resolved for equilibrium.