U.S. patent application number 13/851805 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for fluid filter system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Advanced Filtration Systems, Inc., Caterpillar, Inc., Donaldson Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dennis M. Deedrich, Richard J. Eisenmenger, John R. Hacker, David B. Harder, Randall W. Heibenthal, Jeffrey R. Ries, Christopher J. Salvador.
Application Number | 20130206678 13/851805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44774167 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130206678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ries; Jeffrey R. ; et
al. |
August 15, 2013 |
FLUID FILTER SYSTEM
Abstract
An endcap including a first plate member including a radial
inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal
axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial
inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting
axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The
endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the
flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged
with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second
portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the
flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed
radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal
member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least
a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of
the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal
axis opposite the first direction.
Inventors: |
Ries; Jeffrey R.; (Metamora,
IL) ; Salvador; Christopher J.; (Peoria, IL) ;
Heibenthal; Randall W.; (Mahomet, IL) ; Deedrich;
Dennis M.; (Champaign, IL) ; Harder; David B.;
(Burnsville, MN) ; Hacker; John R.; (Minneapolis,
MN) ; Eisenmenger; Richard J.; (Philo, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar, Inc.;
Advanced Filtration Systems, Inc.;
Donaldson Company, Inc.; |
|
|
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar, Inc.
Peoria
IL
Donaldson Company, Inc.
Bloomington
MN
Advanced Filtration Systems, Inc.
Champaign
IL
|
Family ID: |
44774167 |
Appl. No.: |
13/851805 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12896590 |
Oct 1, 2010 |
8419938 |
|
|
13851805 |
|
|
|
|
11984503 |
Nov 19, 2007 |
8272516 |
|
|
12896590 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/435 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B01D 2201/304 20130101; B01D 2201/34 20130101; B01D 2201/295
20130101; B01D 29/21 20130101; B01D 35/30 20130101; B01D 27/08
20130101; B01D 29/15 20130101; B01D 2201/291 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/435 |
International
Class: |
B01D 27/08 20060101
B01D027/08 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A filter assembly for a container filter system configured to
be received by a base, the filter assembly comprising: a sleeve
defining an interior space and a sleeve axis; a filter medium
surrounding the sleeve; and a first endcap attached to the sleeve;
the first encap including: an annular sidewall oriented
substantially perpendicular to the first member and covering a
portion of filter medium; an outer wall spaced aparat from and
encircling the first member; a plurality of arms extending from the
sidewall to the outer wall, the arms and the sidewall and the outer
wall defining apertures in the first endcap; a firs seal member
encircling the perimeter of the endcap and including first, second
and third sealing surfaces, the first sealing surface configured to
receive a first radially sealing surface of the base when the base
receives the container, the second sealing surface configured to
receive a container sealing surface and the third sealing surface
configured to receive an axial sealing surface of the base; and a
second seal member disposed on the top surface of the endcap and
substantially extending above a plane containing the first
seal.
13. The filter assembly of claim 12, each arm further comprising a
fin portion having a first and second bottom surfaces that together
form a first reflex angle, the fin portion contiguous to the
sidewall.
14. The filter assembly of claim 13, wherein the reflex angle is
less than about 270.degree..
15. The filter assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of arms
are evenly spaced around the sidewall.
16. The filter assembly of claim 12 further comprising a ledge
perpendicular to the outer wall, wherein at least a portion of the
ledge is received inside the first seal member.
17. (canceled)
18. The filter assembly of claim 12, wherein the second seal member
includes a series of dovetails, and the flange includes a series of
dovetail recesses that mate with the dovetails of the second seal
member.
19. The filter assembly of claim 18, wherein the second seal is
positioned on the endcap to fully receive a second radial sealing
interface of the base when the first seal member receives the axial
sealing surface of the base.
20. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/984,503 filed on Nov. 19, 2007, still
pending.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to filters and, more
particularly, to fluid filter systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Cartridge style fluid filters, such as, for example, fuel or
lubricant filters associated with an engine, typically include a
replaceable filter element contained within a canister that is
threadingly engaged to the engine. Unfiltered fluid, e.g., fuel or
lubricant, is received by the filter via an inlet port,
particulates are removed from the unfiltered fluid via the filter
element, and filtered fluid is delivered to the engine via an
outlet port. The filter element often includes a generally
cylindrical filter medium, e.g., fabric or other porous material,
supported within the canister via one or more endcaps, such that
unfiltered fluid flows through the filter medium in a generally
radial direction. An endcap typically supports and/or positions the
filter medium within the canister and with respect to the inlet and
outlet ports. Fluid filters usually also include one or more seals
that sealingly separate the inlet and outlet ports to reduce or
eliminate unfiltered fluid from bypassing the filter medium.
[0004] Typically, the filter elements of such fluid filters are
frequently replaced to reduce pressure drop across the filter
medium, avoid deterioration of the seals, and/or otherwise attempt
to ensure the fluid filter operates as desired. To replace a filter
element, the canister is usually unthreaded from the engine, the
seals between the inlet and outlet flows are unseated, the old
filter element is removed from the canister, a new filter element
is inserted, and the canister is rethreaded on the engine. An
operator replacing a filter cartridge might prime the canister with
fluid to avoid and/or reduce entrapped air within the fluid system.
This priming fluid is often previously used and/or unfiltered fluid
and priming the canister may require great care to avoid priming
fluid from being placed on the downstream side, i.e., the filtered
fluid side, of the filter medium. Additionally, proper reseating of
the seals, either the old seals or new seals, during filter
cartridge replacement is desirable to provide sufficient sealing
between the inlet and outlet ports and, thus, to reduce unfiltered
fluid from bypassing the filter medium. Unfiltered and/or priming
fluid downstream of the filter medium, either from insufficient
sealing and/or from operator priming, may result in damage to one
or more engine components during operation.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,140 ("the '140 patent") issued to
Steger, Jr. et al. discloses a filter assembly including an outer
seal that forms a seal between an outer shell and a filter base and
an inner seal that forms a seal between an endcap and the filter
base. The filter assembly is threadingly attached to the filter
base via a nutplate that compresses the outer seal against the
filter base. The filter assembly also includes a filter element
wherein unfiltered fluid flows from an unfiltered fluid passageway
to a radial space between the outer shell and the filter element,
unfiltered fluid flows through the filter element into an inner
passageway, and the resulting filtered fluid flows into a filtered
fluid passageway.
[0006] The '140 patent may provide a seal between the filter
assembly and the filter base with the outer seal and may provide a
seal to minimize fluid leakage at a connection between the filtered
fluid passageway and the inner passage with the inner seal. The
'140 patent may, however, require numerous components to achieve
these seals, complicating the assembly and alignment that may
require precise manufacturing tolerances thereof and/or potential
reduce the sufficiency of the seal. Additionally, reconnecting the
filter assembly of the '140 patent to the filter base, and the
seating of the inner and outer seals, may require a unique nutplate
with specialized geometry to ensure proper alignment thereof with
the filter base and proper resealing and reconnection of the filter
assembly.
[0007] The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more
of the shortcomings set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
endcap. The endcap includes a first plate member including a radial
inner portion, a radial outer portion, and defining a longitudinal
axis. The endcap also includes a flange disposed between the radial
inner and outer portions of the first plate member and projecting
axially along the longitudinal axis in a first direction. The
endcap also includes a first seal member disposed adjacent the
flange. The first seal includes a first portion thereof engaged
with an axial facing surface of the first plate member and a second
portion thereof engaged with a radially facing surface of the
flange. The endcap further includes a second plate member disposed
radially outward of the radial outer portion and a second seal
member disposed adjacent the second plate member including at least
a portion thereof axially spaced from the axially facing surface of
the first plate member in a second direction along the longitudinal
axis opposite the first direction.
[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an
apparatus for sealingly connecting a filter medium to a filter
system including a base, a container, and an outlet. The endcap
includes a body including a substantially ring shaped first wall
portion having radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and a
longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a first seal member
configured to establish a first radially facing seal interface with
respect to a first radially facing surface associated with the
outlet and having at least a portion thereof disposed a first axial
distance from the filter medium. The apparatus also includes a
second seal member configured to establish a radially facing seal
interface with respect to a second radially facing surface
associated with the base and being disposed a second axial distance
from the filter medium. The second axial distance is less than the
first axial distance.
[0010] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter defining a
longitudinal axis. The filter assembly also includes a first seal
member configured to establish a first radially facing seal
interface. At least a portion of the first seal member is axially
spaced from the filter a first distance. The filter assembly
further includes a second seal member configured to establish a
second radially facing seal interface radially outward of the first
radially facing seal interface. The second seal member is axially
spaced from the filter a second axial distance. The second axial
distance is less than the first axial distance.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to
a filter system. The filter system includes a base having an inlet
port, an outlet port, and a longitudinal axis. The outlet port is
disposed radially inward of the inlet port with respect to the
longitudinal axis. The filter system also includes a container
threadingly connected to the base. The filter system also includes
a filter medium disposed radially within the container with respect
to the longitudinal axis. The filter system further includes an
endcap including a first wall member having a substantially ring
shape and at least one aperture disposed radially outward of the
first wall member. The filter system also includes a first seal
member connected to the endcap and configured to be radially
compressed against at least a portion of the base. The filter
system further includes a second seal member connected to the
endcap and configured to be radially compressed against the outlet
port.
[0012] In yet another aspect; the present disclosure is directed to
a filter element comprising a sleeve defining an interior space and
a sleeve axis, a filter medium surrounding the sleeve, and an
endcap attached to the sleeve. The endcap may include a first
member extending across the filter medium, a sidewall substantially
perpendicular to the first member and extending in a first
direction, an outer wall spaced apart from the first member and
substantially parallel to the sleeve axis, and a plurality of arms
extending from the sidewall to the outer wall. The outer wall may
extend in a second direction away from the filter medium and
opposite to the first direction. The arms and the sidewall and the
outer wall may define apertures in the endcap. Each arm may include
a fin portion extending in the first direction and having first and
second bottom surfaces that together form a first reflex angle.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to
a filter assembly for a container filter system configured to be
received by a base. The filter assembly may comprise a sleeve that
defines an interior space and a sleeve axis, a filter medium
surrounding the sleeve, and a first endcap. The first endcap may be
attached to the sleeve and may include an annular first member
covering the top of the filter medium, an annular sidewall oriented
substantially perpendicular to the first member and covering a
portion of filter medium, an outer wall spaced apart from and
encircling the first member, a plurality of arms extending from the
sidewall to the outer wall, and first and second seal members. The
arms and the sidewall and the outer wall may define apertures in
the first endcap. The first seal member may encircle the perimeter
of the endcap and may include first, second and third sealing
surfaces. The first surface configured to receive a first radially
sealing surface of the base when the base receives the container.
The second sealing surface may be configured to receive a container
sealing surface and the third sealing surface may be configured to
receive an axial sealing surface of the base. The second seal
member may be disposed on the top surface of the endcap and
substantially extend above a plane containing the first seal.
[0014] In an embodiment a method is disclosed of installing a
filter in a fluid filter system comprising a base, a canister, the
filter comprising a first endcap having a second bottom surface and
including first and second annular seals, a sleeve and filter
medium. The method comprises guiding the filter into the container
by positioning the second bottom surface of the endcap proximal to
an inside wall of the container, sliding the filter into the
container until the first seal contacts the container, fastening
the container onto the base until the base engages the top of the
endcap and a first radial seal is established between the base and
the second seal, and after the first radial seal is established,
continuing to fasten the container onto the base until a second
radial seal is established by the first seal between the endcap and
the base, and a first axial seal is established between the first
seal and the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional illustration of an
exemplary fluid filter in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary endcap
of the fluid filter of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an
endcap of the fluid filter in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of
the endcap of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is cut away view of the endcap of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an
endcap of a fluid filter in accordance with the present disclosure;
and
[0021] FIG. 7 is cut away view of the endcap of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary fluid filter system 10.
Fluid filter system 10 may include a base 12, a container 14, a
filter assembly 16, and a longitudinal axis 18. Filter system 10
may be one of several components within a fluid system (not shown)
and may be configured to receive unfiltered fluid from one or more
upstream components of the fluid system, trap particles suspended
within the unfiltered fluid, i.e., filter the fluid, and provide
filtered fluid to one or more downstream components of the fluid
system. The fluid system may include any type of fluid system,
e.g., a fuel delivery system, a lubricating system, and/or a
coolant system, and may or may not be operatively associated with
an engine (not shown). Additionally, fluid filter system 10 may be
configured to filter any type of fluid, such as, for example,
gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, water, coolant, and/or any
other type of fluid. It is contemplated that the fluid of the fluid
system may or may not be pressurized and, if so, may be at any
pressure.
[0023] Base 12 may include an outer wall 20 and a mounting portion
22. Outer wall 20 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may
include internal threads 21 configured to threadingly engage
external threads 31 included on container 14. Mounting portion 22
may be configured to connect fluid filter system 10 to, for
example, an engine, via one or more bolt holes (not referenced).
Base 12 may further define an inlet port 24 and an outlet port 26.
Inlet port 24 may be configured to receive unfiltered fluid from
one or more upstream components of the fluid system and may be
configured to direct the unfiltered fluid toward filter assembly
16. Specifically, inlet port 24 may include a generally annular
space within base 12 and with respect to longitudinal axis 18.
Outlet port 26 may be configured to receive filtered fluid from
filter assembly 16 and configured to direct the filtered fluid
toward one or more downstream components of the fluid system.
Specifically, outlet port 26 may include a generally cylindrical
space with respect to longitudinal axis 18 and may be disposed
radially within inlet port 24. It is contemplated that inlet and
outlet ports 24, 26 may each define a space within base 12 having
any shape and/or contour, e.g., multifaceted.
[0024] Container 14 may include an outer wall 28 and an endwall 30.
Outer wall 28 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may
include external threads 31 configured to threadingly engage
internal threads 21 included on base 12. Endwall 30 may be disposed
at an end of outer wall 28 opposite external threads 31. Outer wall
28 and endwall 30 may generally define an internal cavity
configured to contain filter assembly 16. It is contemplated that
internal threads 21 and external threads 31 may each, respectively,
extend in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. It is
also contemplated that container 14 may include any conventional
drain port (not referenced) that may be configured to facilitate
draining of fluid from container 14 and/or may include any
conventional relief valve (not shown) to limit a pressure of the
fluid of the fluid system. It is understood that the engagement
between internal threads 21 and external threads 31 and the
resulting frictional engagement therebetween are well known in the
art and, thus, are not further described.
[0025] Filter assembly 16 may include a first endcap 32 and a
filter medium 34. First endcap 32 may be disposed adjacent base 12
and may be configured to support filter medium 34 within, and with
respect to, container 14 and to provide seals between base 12 and
container 14 and between inlet port 24 and outlet port 26,
respectively. Filter medium 34 may be configured to trap
particulates and/or other particles suspended within a fluid and
may include a generally cylindrical shape disposed about and
extending along longitudinal axis 18. Filter assembly 16 may also
include a sleeve 36 and a second endcap 38. Sleeve 36 may include a
generally cylindrical tube disposed radially within or radially
outside of filter medium 34 and may include one or more
perforations 37 therein configured to allow fluid to flow
therethrough, e.g, from filter medium 34 to an interior space 40
(as illustrated in FIG. 1). A first end of sleeve 36, disposed
adjacent base 12, may be engaged with, i.e., contact, first endcap
32 and a second end of sleeve 36, disposed adjacent end wall 30 of
container 14, may be engaged with, i.e., contact, second endcap 38.
Second endcap 38 may be disposed adjacent end wall 30 of container
14 and may be configured to support filter medium 34 within, and
with respect to, container 14. It is contemplated that second
endcap 38 may engage an interior surface of outer wall 28 and/or
end wall 30 of container 14. It is also contemplated that filter
medium 34 may include any filter material and/or medium known in
the art, such as, for example, fabric or other porous material, and
may or may not be pleated. It is also contemplated that first and
second endcaps 32, 38 and sleeve 36 may be made from any suitable
material, such as, for example, a polymer or other plastic, and may
be injection molded. It is further contemplated that perforations
37 may include any shape, size, and/or quantity and that sleeve 36
may be selectively omitted.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, first endcap 32 may include
an outer seal member 42 configured to provide a fluid seal between
base 12 and container 14 and an inner seal member 44 configured to
provide a fluid seal between inlet port 24 and outlet port 26.
Specifically, first endcap 32 may include a body having a generally
ring shaped first wall 46, a generally cylindrically shaped second
wall 48 disposed adjacent a radially outer portion, e.g., an outer
edge, of first wall 46, and a generally cylindrically shaped third
wall 50 disposed adjacent a radially inner portion, e.g., an inner
edge, of first wall 46. First wall 46 may include a plate shape
generally perpendicular to axis 18. Second and third walls 48, 50
may generally extend along, i.e., may be generally parallel to,
longitudinal axis 18 in a direction A, e.g., toward end wall 30 of
container 14. First endcap 32 may also include a generally
cylindrical flange 52 disposed between the inner and outer portions
of first wall 46 and generally extending along longitudinal axis 18
in a direction B substantially opposite direction A, e.g., away
from end wall 30 of container 14. First endcap 32 may also include
a generally cylindrically shaped fourth wall 54 disposed radially
outward from first wall 46 via a plurality of arms 56 (as more
clearly shown in FIG. 2) and generally extending along longitudinal
axis 18 in direction A. Arms 56 may include any shape, length,
and/or quantity and may define apertures 57, including any shape,
length, and/or quantity, between adjacent ones thereof. First
endcap 32 may also include a generally ring shaped fifth wall 58
generally extending radially outward from a first end of fourth
wall 54 in a direction generally perpendicular to axis 18. A second
end of fourth wall 54 may be configured to fit within a groove 60
formed within an inner surface of base 12. It is contemplated that
groove 60 may be substantially complimentary in shape to the
circumferential shape of fourth wall 54. It is also contemplated
that an axial end of outlet port 26, disposed adjacent endcap 32,
may contact first wall 46 at a location radially within flange 52,
i.e., radially closer to axis 18, and may include a chamfer, a
fillet, a taper on an inner and/or outer surface, and/or include
any other shape configured to permit inner seal member 44 to move
past the axial end of outlet port 26 when, for example, an operator
replaces filter assembly 16 as will be described in more detail
below. It is further contemplated that endcap 32 may or may not be
fixedly connected to filter medium 34 and/or may include any
apparatus configured to establish fluid seals with respect to base
12 and outlet port 26, such as, for example, an adaptor configured
to interconnect a top-plate and/or another endcap to base 12 via a
threaded connection.
[0027] Outer seal member 42 may be disposed adjacent and configured
to surround the radially outermost edge of fifth wall 58 and may be
integral with fifth wall 58 and, thus, first endcap 32.
Specifically, outer seal member 42 may be configured to provide a
fluid seal with respect to base 12 and container 14 and, thus an
external environment, as a result of being compressed between an
axially facing surface of base 12 and an axially facing surface of
container 14. An axial facing surface may, for example, include a
surface that is not predominantly parallel to axis 18, e.g., a
surface that may be generally perpendicular to axis 18. Outer seal
member 42 may include a circumferential outer surface having first
and second portions thereof respectively configured to establish
axially facing seal interfaces with respect to, for example, the
axially facing surface of base 12 and the axial facing surface of
container 14. In addition, base 12 may include a depression (not
referenced) on an interior surface thereof configured to be
complimentary to the shape of outer seal member 42.
[0028] Inner seal member 44 may be disposed radially inward of
flange 52 and radially outward of outlet port 26 and may be
integral with flange 52 and, thus, first endcap 32. Specifically,
inner seal member 44 may be configured to provide a fluid seal
between inlet and outlet ports 24, 26 as a result of being
compressed between a radially facing inner surface of flange 52 and
a radially facing outer surface of outlet port 26. A radially
facing surface may, for example, include a surface that is not
predominantly perpendicular to axis 18, e.g., a surface that may be
generally parallel to axis 18. Inner seal member 44 may include a
circumferential outer surface having first and second portions
thereof respectively configured to engage an axially facing surface
of first wall 46 and a radially facing surface of flange 52. In
addition, the circumferential outer surface of inner seal member 44
may include a third portion thereof configured to establish a
radially facing seal interface with respect to outlet port 26. It
is contemplated that flange 52 may at least partially surround at
least a portion of outlet port 26 and inner seal member 44,
respectively, such that inner seal member 44 may be compressed
therebetween and flange 52 may help maintain the radially facing
seal interface established by inner seal member 44 by resisting
movement of inner seal member 44 radially outward and away from
outlet port 26 that may be cause by, for example, forces generated
by fluid communicated from inlet port 24 impinging inner seal
member 44.
[0029] At least a portion of inner seal member 44 may axially
extend along longitudinal axis 18, in direction B, an axial
distance greater than outer seal member 42 may axially extend along
longitudinal axis 18, in direction B. That is, at least a portion
of inner seal member 44 may extend a first axial distance C along
longitudinal axis 18 from a first end of filter medium 34
(represented as line D in FIG. 1), outer seal member 42 may extend
a second axial distance E along longitudinal axis 18 from the first
end of filter medium 34 (line D), and first axial distance C may be
greater than second axial distance E. Additionally, at least a
portion of inner seal member 44 may extend a first axial distance F
along longitudinal axis 18 from an axial end surface of container
14 (represented as line G in FIG. 1), outer seal member 42 may
extend a second axial distance H along longitudinal axis 18 from
the axial end surface of container 14 (line G), and first axial
distance F may be greater than second axial distance H. As such,
the axial relation between outer and inner seal members 42, 44 and
the body of first endcap 32 might improve and/or assist in
directing fluid flow from inlet port 24 toward openings 57 and then
toward filter medium 34 while maintaining suitable sealing between
inlet and outlet ports 24, 26.
[0030] It is contemplated that both outer and inner seal members
42, 44 may be generally cylindrically shaped about longitudinal
axis 18 and may include any cross sectional shape, e.g., outer seal
member 42 may include a substantially oval or round shape and/or
inner seal member 44 may include a substantially square or
rectangular shape. It is also contemplated that outer seal member
42 may be compressed as a function of the axial distance between
the axially facing end surfaces of base 12 and container 14 when
threadingly engaged and that inner seal member 44 may be compressed
as a function of the radial distance between the radially facing
inner surface of flange 52 and the radially facing outer surface of
outlet port 26. It is also contemplated that outer seal member 42
may establish axially facing seal interfaces, e.g., a seal
interface that substantially blocks fluid from flowing along an
axial facing surface, with respect to base 12 and/or container 14
as well as a radially facing seal interface, e.g., a seal interface
that substantially blocks fluid from flowing along a radially
facing surface, with respect to base 12 and that inner seal member
44 may establish radially facing seal interfaces with respect to
flange 52 and/or outlet port 26 as well as being void of any
axially facing seal interfaces. It is further contemplated that
inner seal member 44 may be radially compressed and may be axially
expanded, displaced, or skewed as a result of being radially
compressed, but might not be axially compressed, i.e., void of
axial compression. It is further contemplated that outer seal
member 42 may be axially compressed with respect to base 12 at any
radial location with respect to inner seal member 44. As such,
radially compressing inner seal member 42 might reduce
manufacturing and/or assembling tolerances regarding the length and
circumferential dimension of outlet port 26 and/or endcap 32 while
maintaining suitable sealing between inlet and outlet ports 24,
26.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, first endcap 32 may include a plurality
of first recesses 62 formed within fifth wall 58. First recesses 62
may include apertures through which outer seal member 42 may
extend. First endcap 32 may also include a plurality of second
recesses 64 formed within flange 52. Second recesses 64 may include
cavities within which inner seal member 44 may extend. Outer and
inner seal members 42, 44 may respectively extend into first and
second recesses 62, 64 during a method of making first endcap 32.
Specifically, first endcap 32 may be formed by injecting molten
material into one or more first molds and allowing the molten
material to solidify, i.e., formed via one or more injection
molding processes. The shape and contour of the first molds may
provide one or more features of the first endcap 32, such as,
first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth walls 46, 48, 50, 54,
58, flange 52, projections 56, and/or first and/or second recesses
62, 64. Within the first molds and/or within one or more additional
molds, outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may be formed by
injecting molten material into the additional molds and allowing
the molten material to solidify, i.e., via one or more injection
molding processes, to form outer and inner seal members 42, 44
respectively adjacent fifth wall 58 and flange 52. As such, the
molten material of outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may
respectively flow into first and second recesses 62, 64 and may
integrally connect and form a connection with outer and inner seal
members 42, 44 and the remainder of first endcap 32, respectively.
It is contemplated that first and second recesses 62, 64 may
include apertures, cavities, any quantity, any shape, and/or may or
may not be evenly spaced about longitudinal axis 18. It is also
contemplated that endcap 32 may or may not fully solidify before
outer and inner seal members 42, 44 are formed.
[0032] With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, first endcap 32 may
also include an anti-prefill device 66 configured to reduce and/or
prevent unfiltered fluid from flowing into interior space 40 during
a priming process. Device 66 may include a plurality of wall
portions 68 each having a first end attached to first wall 46 and
extending therefrom in direction B. First wall portions 68 may
define a plurality of apertures 70 spaced between adjacent ones of
wall portions 68. That is, wall portions 68 may establish a first
radially facing wall having apertures 70 therein. Device 66 may
also include a cap portion 74 attached to wall portions 68 at ends
thereof, opposite the ends attached to first wall 46. Device 66 may
also include a generally cylindrical wall 72 disposed radially
within wall portions 68 with respect to longitudinal axis 18. Wall
72 may be attached at one end thereof to first wall 46 and may
extend in direction B. The end of wall 72 opposite the end attached
to first wall 46 may be axially spaced any distance from an inner
surface of cap portion 74 and the radially outer surface of wall 72
may be radially spaced any distance from the inner radial surfaces
of wall portions 68. It is contemplated that when fluid filter
system 10 is assembled, device 66 may extend into and may be
radially surrounded by outlet port 26. It is also contemplated that
anti-prefill device 66 may be omitted, and first endcap 32 may
alternatively include one or more apertures configured to allow
fluid flow from interior space 40 toward outlet port 26.
[0033] An alternative embodiment of the endcap is illustrated in
FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the
endcap 32 disposed in a container 14 attached to a base 12. Such
endcap 32 may include a first wall 46 (first member), a second wall
48 (sidewall), a third wall 50, a fourth wall 54 (outer wall), a
plurality of arms 56, a fifth wall 58 (ledge), a flange 52 and
inner and outer seal members 44, 42. Similar to the embodiment in
FIGS. 1-2, the inner seal member 44 may include a circumferential
outer surface having first and second portions thereof respectively
configured to engage an axially facing surface of endcap 32 and a
radially facing surface of flange 52. FIG. 5 illustrates a cut away
view of the endcap from which the plurality of second recesses 64
formed within flange 52 may be seen. Second recesses 64 may include
endcap cavities 90 within which inner seal member 44 may extend.
Such extensions of seal member 44, regardless of shape may be
referred to as dovetails 88.
[0034] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of
the endcap 32. FIG. 6 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of
the endcap 32 disposed on a container 14 attached to a base 12.
This alternative embodiment does not include the anti-prefill
device seen on the other embodiments. Such endcap 32 may include a
first wall 46 (first member), a second wall 48 (sidewall), a third
wall 50, a fourth wall 54 (outer wall), a plurality of arms 56, a
fifth wall 58 (ledge), a flange 52, and inner and outer seal
members 44, 42. In this embodiment, the inner seal member 44 may
include a circumferential outer surface having first and second
portions thereof respectively configured to engage an axially
facing surface of endcap 32 and a radially facing surface of the
endcap 32, namely the flange 52. In this embodiment, the flange may
be part of the endcap but, unlike the first alternative embodiment,
the flange 52 is not configured to extend in a direction B upward
from the first wall 46. FIG. 7 illustrates a cut away view of the
endcap 32 from which the plurality of second recesses 64 formed
within flange 52 and the dovetails 88 may be seen.
[0035] With regard to each of these alternative embodiments shown
in FIGS. 3-7, each arm 56 may be of any width and may include a fin
portion 76 extending in direction A. The fin portion 76 may be
adjacent to second wall 48. As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the second wall
48 may have an inner edge 78 and a second wall bottom surface 80,
which may be angled or curved. The inner edge 78 and the side of
the filter medium 34 may extend in a generally parallel
relationship from the top of the side of filter medium to where the
inner edge 78 intersects the second wall bottom surface 80. The fin
portion 76 may also be entirely or partially contiguous with the
second wall 48, and may also extend in the direction A from all or
some of the underside 82 of the fifth wall 58. The fin portion 76
may have first and second bottom surfaces 84, 86 that together form
a first reflex angle a. The reflex angle may be less than about
270.degree. but more than 180.degree.. The arms 56 (including the
fin portion 76), second wall 48, fourth wall 54 and the fifth wall
58 may be separate components joined together or may be integral
with each other and, alternatively, with the first wall 46. The
arms may be evenly spaced around the second wall 48 but do not have
to be. The quantity of arms and the spacing around the sidewall may
vary.
[0036] The first bottom surface 84 of each fin portion 76 may
intersect with the second wall 48. The first bottom surface 84 may
be substantially perpendicular to the second wall 48 or may form an
acute angle with the second wall 48. It is also contemplated that a
portion of the first bottom surface 84 may be curved or non-linear
and may not intersect the second wall 48 at an angle.
[0037] In an embodiment a method is disclosed of installing a
filter 30 in a fluid filter system 10 comprising a base 12, a
canister 14, the filter 30 comprising a first endcap having a
second bottom surface 86 and including first and second annular
seals 42, 44, a sleeve 36 and filter medium 34. The method
comprises guiding the filter 16 into the container 14 by
positioning the second bottom surface 86 of the endcap 38 proximal
to an inside wall 92 of the container 14, sliding the filter 16
into the container 14 until the first seal 42 contacts the
container, fastening the container 14 onto the base 12 until the
base 12 engages the top 94 of the endcap 38 and a first radial seal
is established between the base 12 and the second seal 44, and
after the first radial seal is established, continuing to fasten
the container 14 onto the base 12 until a second radial seal is
established by the first seal 42 between the endcap 38 and the base
12, and a first axial seal is established between the first seal 42
and the container 12. An axial seal is a seal that is parallel to
the longitudinal axis. The disposition of the inner and outer seals
on the endcap helps ensure that the endcap is properly sealed
against leaks. Since the inner seal is not able to be visually seen
during sealing, it is beneficial if this seal is disposed such that
it must be fully sealed before the outer seal is fully sealed.
Disposing a portion of inner seal member 44 around the first axial
distance C (see FIG. 3) from a first end of filter medium 34
(represented as line D in FIG. 3) and disposing outer seal member
42 so that it only extends to second axial distance E from the
first end of filter medium 34 (line D), helps to ensure proper full
sealing of the inner seal 44 before full sealing of the outer seal
42.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0038] The disclosed fluid filter system may be applicable to
filter any type of fluid and may provide a seal between a flow of
unfiltered fluid and a flow of filtered fluid without requiring
numerous, complex shaped components and/or components requiring
high manufacturing tolerances. The operation of fluid filter system
10 is explained below.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, fluid filter system 10 may receive
unfiltered fluid into inlet port 24, e.g., a first flow region,
from one or more upstream components of a fluid system. The
unfiltered fluid may flow from inlet port 24 radially outward along
and may be directed by first endcap 32 to flow toward apertures 57.
The unfiltered fluid may flow through one or more of apertures 57
in, for example, a substantially axial direction through first
endcap 32, and into the radial space between container 14 and
filter medium 34. The unfiltered fluid may then flow generally
radially through filter medium 34 and filter medium 34 may trap
particles suspended within the unfiltered fluid to thereby filter
the fluid. The filtered fluid may then flow through apertures 37
and thus through sleeve 36 and into interior space 40. The filtered
fluid may also flow from interior space 40 through device 66, e.g.,
through wall 72, into the space between wall 72 and wall portions
68, and through apertures 70. The filtered fluid may further flow
into outlet port 26, e.g., a second flow region, and toward one or
more downstream components of the fluid system.
[0040] It may be desirable to replace filter assembly 16 because
filter medium 34 may be saturated with trapped particles, inner and
outer seal members 42, 44 may be deteriorated, a maintenance period
has elapsed, and/or because of any other rationale known in the
art. An operator may unthread container 14 from base 12, may
extract the old or used filter assembly 16 from within container 14
and may insert a new or unused filter assembly 16 into container
14. As such, outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may be unseated as
the old first endcap 32 is removed with the old filter assembly 16.
The operator may insert a new filter assembly 16 into container 14
and may rethread container 14 to base 12 and, as such, outer and
inner seal members 42, 44 may be seated as the new first endcap 32
aligns with base 12. It is contemplated that the operator may
remove some or all of the fluid retained within container 14 in
conjunction with and/or after removing old filter assembly 16. It
is also contemplated that operator may replace any one or more
elements of filter assembly 16, e.g., may replace just filter
medium 34 and end cap 32 instead of replacing all elements of
filter assembly 16.
[0041] The operator may prime container 14 after inserting a new
filter assembly 16 and before rethreading container 14 to base 12.
As such, the operator may fill the radial space between container
14 and filter medium 34 with fluid by, for example, pouring fluid
through apertures 57 and/or on the top surface of first endcap 32,
e.g., the surface of wall 46 facing and/or exposed to inlet port
24. The priming fluid may or may not be filtered and device 66 may
reduce and/or prevent the fluid from entering interior space 40.
Specifically, as the operator pours the priming fluid, some of the
priming fluid may flow radially outward toward apertures 57,
through apertures 57, and into the radial space between filter
medium 34 and container 14. If an operator pours an excessive
volume of priming fluid through apertures 57 and thus overfills the
radial space between container 14 and filter medium 34, if an
operator does not directly pour the priming fluid through apertures
57 but generally pours priming fluid onto first endcap 32, and/or
as a result of operator carelessness, e.g., splashing or
splattering, some of the priming fluid may flow radially inward
over flange 52 and/or be deposited radially within flange 52. Such
deposited fluid may flow toward device 66, through apertures 70,
and may be restrained from flowing into interior space 40 by
cylindrical wall 72.
[0042] It is contemplated that cylindrical wall 72 may axially
extend from first wall 46 a distance greater than a distance that
flange 52 axially extends from first wall 46 and that apertures 57
may be axially disposed closer to container 14 than flange 52. As
such, the priming fluid may flow radially outward over flange 52,
through apertures 57, and into the space between container 14 and
filter medium 34 or overflow wall 28 of container 14 rather than
overflowing cylindrical wall 72 and flowing into interior space 40.
It is also contemplated that some priming fluid may be retained
radially between flange 52 and cylindrical wall 72, which may be
trapped within outlet port 26 after container 14 and filter
assembly 16 are interconnected with base 12. The amount of such a
trapped priming fluid might be significantly less than an amount
which might otherwise flow into interior space 40 if device 66 was
omitted. It is further contemplated that the relative axial
relation between outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may
additionally assist or improve fluid flow toward apertures 57
during priming by promoting radial outward fluid to flow from inner
seal member 44 toward outer seal member 42 and resisting radial
inward fluid flow from outer seal member 42 toward inner seal
member 44.
[0043] As container 14 and filter assembly 16 are interconnected
with base 12, outer seal member 42 may form a seal between base 12
and container 14, e.g., between fluid filter system 10 and the
environment and inner seal member 44 may form a seal between inlet
port 24 and outlet port 26, e.g., between the unfiltered and
filtered fluid flows. Specifically, outer seal member 42 may be
positioned atop outer wall 28 and compressed as a function of
container 14 being threadingly engaged with base 12 and may, for
example, be compressed between container 14 and base 12 to
establish one or more axially facing seal interfaces, e.g., a face
seal against an axially facing surface of container 14 and/or base
12. It is contemplated that outer seal member 42 may be compressed
against either or both of container 14 or base 12 and that outer
seal member 42 may additionally and/or alternatively establish a
radially facing seal interface with respect to either or both of
container 14 or base 12. Additionally, inner seal member 44 may be
aligned with outlet port 26 and may move past an end thereof as
container 14 is threadingly engaged with base 12, may be compressed
as a function of the distance between the radially facing inner
surface of flange 52 and the radially facing outward surface of
outlet port 26, and may, for example, be compressed therebetween to
establish a radially facing seal interface, e.g., a face seal
against a radial surface of outlet port 26.
[0044] Because outer and inner seal members 42, 44 may be integral
with first endcap 32, container 14 and filter assembly 16 may be
sealed with respect to base 12 and fluid filter system 10 may
include a less complex fluid filter system. Additionally, because
first endcap 32 includes device 66, unfiltered fluid may be reduced
or prevented from flowing into interior space 40 during priming of
container 14 during filter replacement.
[0045] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed fluid
filter system. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of
the disclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a
true scope being indicated by the following claims and their
equivalents.
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