U.S. patent application number 16/178096 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-07 for filter with shielded internal gasket.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hendrik N. Amirkhanian, Ismail C. Bagci, Charles W. Hawkins.
Application Number | 20190070536 16/178096 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49001690 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190070536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawkins; Charles W. ; et
al. |
March 7, 2019 |
Filter with Shielded Internal Gasket
Abstract
A spin-on fluid filter with improved attachment and sealing with
the filter head. The filter has a gasket positioned at the end of
threads used to connect the filter to a filter head. The described
design protects the gasket from excessive engine heat, cat or tear
damage during installation, and the roll out effect of installation
torque. In addition, the described attachment provides gasket
protection and uniform compression of the gasket. The gasket can be
any type that provides a seal which keeps external threads on the
filter and the filter head dry.
Inventors: |
Hawkins; Charles W.;
(Sparta, TN) ; Bagci; Ismail C.; (Cookeville,
TN) ; Amirkhanian; Hendrik N.; (Cookeville,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cummins Filtration IP, Inc. |
Columbus |
IN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
Columbus
IN
|
Family ID: |
49001690 |
Appl. No.: |
16/178096 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13774540 |
Feb 22, 2013 |
10118114 |
|
|
16178096 |
|
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61602323 |
Feb 23, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 27/08 20130101;
B01D 35/306 20130101; B01D 2201/4092 20130101; B01D 2201/304
20130101; B01D 35/30 20130101; B01D 2201/291 20130101; B01D 46/0004
20130101; B01D 2201/34 20130101; B01D 2201/29 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 35/30 20060101
B01D035/30; B01D 27/08 20060101 B01D027/08 |
Claims
1. A fluid filter, comprising: a housing shell having a closed end
and an open end and defining an interior space; a filtration media
disposed within the interior space of the housing shell and
configured to filter a fluid; a nutplate secured to the open end of
the housing shell, the nutplate including an axially extending
continuous rim on a radial outer edge thereof, the axially
extending continuous rim including interior facing threads formed
on an internal surface thereof, the interior facing threads
configured to secure the fluid filter to a filter head, the
nutplate further including a groove formed therein adjacent to and
radially inward of a base of the internal surface; a first
circumferential gasket disposed on the nutplate adjacent to the
base of the internal surface and radially inward of the internal
surface, the first circumferential gasket configured to form a seal
with the filter head such that, when the fluid filter is secured to
the filter head and the seal is formed with the filter head, the
first circumferential gasket prevents leakage of fluid to an
outside of the fluid filter, wherein the first circumferential
gasket is disposed in the groove and faces axially upward away from
the closed end of the housing.
2. The fluid filter of claim 1, further comprising a second
circumferential gasket disposed radially inwardly of the first
circumferential gasket, the second circumferential gasket facing
radially inward and positioned so as to sealingly engage an outlet
tube of the filter head.
3. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the second circumferential
gasket is disposed on a plate that is disposed between the nutplate
and an end of the filtration media.
4. The fluid filter of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of
fluid inlet openings defined between the first circumferential
gasket and the second circumferential gasket, the plurality of
fluid inlet openings providing fluid communication between an
exterior of the fluid filter and the interior space of the
shell.
5. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the second circumferential
gasket is disposed on the nutplate.
6. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the first circumferential
gasket is tapered.
7. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the first circumferential
gasket is rectangular.
8. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the first circumferential
gasket comprises an o-ring.
9. The fluid filter of claim 2, further comprising a seal member
disposed on an exterior surface of the rim, the seal member forming
a seal between the rim and an interior surface of the housing
shell.
10. The fluid filter of claim 9, wherein the seal member is
radially and axially displaced from the first circumferential
gasket.
11. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the first circumferential
gasket does not entirely fill the groove such that there is a space
between a side of the gasket and a surface forming the groove.
12. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the groove is formed
between a surface of the axially extending continuous rim and a
circumferential flange that projects axially from an upper surface
of the nutplate.
13. The fluid filter of claim 2, wherein the groove is formed by a
recess formed in an upper surface of the nutplate.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure describes a spin-on filter with improved
attachment and sealing with an attachment structure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional spin-on filters are provided with an external
gasket that is disposed at or near the end of the filter that is
intended to seal with a filter head on which the filter is mounted.
However, the location of the gasket renders it susceptible to
tearing or extrusion during installation of the filter. In
addition, in some circumstances, the gasket can be exposed to
excessive engine heat.
SUMMARY
[0003] A filter is described that is attachable to an attachment
structure, such as a filter head. The filter is designed to provide
a protected shield for an internally disposed gasket which
insulates the gasket from engine heat, contamination from threads
during service, and installation damage.
[0004] In one particular embodiment, the filter is a spin-on filter
that is attachable to a filter head of an engine and that filters
oil or other engine fluid. However, the concepts described herein
can be applied to other types of filters, attachable to other
attachment structures and that filter other fluids.
[0005] The spin-on filter includes a threaded nutplate that threads
onto suitably arranged threads on the head. The gasket is securely
positioned within the attachment region of the nutplate of the
filter which helps to maintain gasket retention during
installation.
[0006] In one embodiment, a recessed surface on the filter head
helps to provide protection from water, dirt and road debris during
operation. A radial seal, for example an o-ring or foam style seal,
can also be utilized to provide added dust and debris
protection.
[0007] The engine filter head has external threads and a sealing
surface at the end of the threads. In one embodiment, small radial
rings can be provided on the sealing surface to provide a more
robust sealing surface with no machining required. In one
embodiment, the contact surface can be slightly recessed to allow
the filter, when properly installed, to be slightly below the
mounting surface and provide protection from water, dirt and road
debris.
[0008] The disclosed design also protects the gasket from excessive
engine heat, cut or tear damage during installation, and the roll
out effect of installation torque. In addition, the described
attachment provides gasket protection and uniform compression of
the gasket. The gasket can be, for example, a rectangular gasket,
have a tapered face, an o-ring, an irregular gasket, and other
shapes and designs that provide a seal which keeps external threads
on the filter and the filter head dry.
[0009] An adaptor can also be attached to the head using the same
threads and sealing surface as the filter but incorporating a
threaded center spud to allow the use of a conventional spin-on
filter. This would seal below the threads in the same manner as
described above as well as provide a seal for the center spud.
DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a filter
described herein attached to a filter head.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional, isometric view of a
portion of the filter and the filter head during attachment, as the
filter is being threaded onto the filter head.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional, isometric view of a
portion of the filter and the filter head during attachment, with
the end of the filter about to enter the recess in the filter
head.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional, isometric view of a
portion of another embodiment of a filter attached to the filter
head, where the filter uses a tapered gasket and the filter head
uses a corresponding tapered end.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the entire filter of
FIG. 1 with the filter completely installed on the head.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, isometric view of another
embodiment of a filter.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the nutplate of the filter of
FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates an adaptor attached to a head and a
filter attached to the adaptor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, a filter 10 is shown
attached a filter head 12. The filter head 12 can be disposed
within an engine or other location for receiving the filter 10. In
one embodiment, the filter 10 is a lube filter that filters oil
used by the engine. However, the filter 10 can be other types of
filters used to filter other types of engine fluids, such as fuel
or hydraulic fluids. In addition, the filter 10 can be used in
non-engine applications and can be used to filter other types of
fluid, including water or air.
[0019] The filter 10 includes an outer shell 14 of metal or
plastic. The shell 14 includes a closed end 15a (FIG. 5) and an
open end 15b that is closed by a nutplate 16. The interior of the
shell 14 is provided with filtration media 18 for filtering a
fluid, for example oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, or other fluid, that
enters the filter 10 so as to be filtered. As would be understood
by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the nutplate 16 has one
or more inlet openings 19 (see FIG. 2) that allow fluid to be
filtered to enter the filter from an inlet region 20. After being
filtered, the filtered fluid flows out through a central outlet 22.
Further details on the general construction and operation of a
spin-on type of filter can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,736
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0020] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the nutplate 16
includes a central opening 24 that is provided with a
circumferential gasket 26 for sealing; with an outlet tube 28 of
the filter head 12. The gasket 26 prevents mixing of unfiltered
fluid with the filtered fluid. The gasket 26 is circumferentially
continuous and faces radially inward.
[0021] The nutplate 16 also includes an axially extending
continuous rim 30 on the radial outer edge thereof. Internal
threads 32 are formed on the internal surface of the rim 30. The
outer surface of the rim 30 is provided with a groove 34 into which
the end of the shell 14 is deformed for connecting the shell and
the nutplate 16. A seal 36 disposed in a sealing groove on the rim
30 seals between the shell and the nutplate.
[0022] A gasket seal 40 is disposed within a groove 42 formed at
the base of the threads 32. The groove 42 is formed between an
inner surface of the rim 30 and a circumferential flange 44 that is
formed on and projects upwardly from the upper surface of the
nutplate. Alternatively, the groove 42 could be formed by a recess
formed in the top surface of the nutplate or by other means. The
gasket seal 40 provides a seal between the filter 10 and the filter
head 12 to prevent fluid leakage to the outside of the filter. In
use, the seal is circumferentially continuous and faces axially
upwardly in a direction away from the closed end of the shell and
toward the filter head.
[0023] The filter head 12 includes an externally threaded flange 50
that is configured to engage with the threads 32 on the rim 30 for
securing the filter 10 to the filter head 12. The base 52 of the
flange 50 is configured to engage with and compress the gasket 40,
in particular, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 52 of the
flange 50 includes one or more, for example three, radially spaced
circumferential rings or flanges 54 on the bottom surface thereof
and projecting downwardly from the bottom surface. The rings 54
help provide a more robust sealing surface.
[0024] When the filter 10 is threaded onto the filter head 12, the
base 52 of the flange 50 engages and seals with the gasket 40. The
flange 50 axially compresses the gasket 40 during installation to
enhance the seal. To limit compression of the gasket 40, the filter
head 12 is provided with a circumferential recess 56 that in use
receives the end of the rim 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The end
of the rim 30 bottoming out in the recess 56 acts as a stop to
limit over tightening of the filter 10 and over-compression of the
gasket 40. In addition, the recess 56 allows the end of the rim 30
to be slightly recessed below the mounting surface of the filter
head to provide protection from water, dirt and road debris.
[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the gasket 40 is
rectangular in cross-section. However, the gasket can be an o-ring,
an irregular gasket, or have other shapes and designs that one
finds suitable for providing the intended sealing function and any
other functions of the gasket 40.
[0026] The gasket 40 can fill substantially the entire area of the
groove 42, or a small space can be provided between a side of the
gasket 40 and the flange 44 or the inner surface of the rim 30 to
allow expansion of the gasket 40 during compression.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the base 52 of
the flange 50 can have a tapered or angled surface 60 that extends
from a flat portion 62 containing one or more of the downwardly
projecting annular rings 54. The gasket includes a corresponding
tapered or angled surface 64 that engages with the surface 60, and
a flat portion 66 that engages with the flat portion 62.
[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of a filter 100
that is to be attached to a filter head (not shown). This
embodiment differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, in
that the sealing gasket for sealing with the outlet tube of the
filter head is supported by a separate plate structure that is
disposed between the filter and the nutplate, rather than being
supported directly by the nutplate.
[0029] The filter 100 includes an outer shell 114 having a closed
end 115a and an open end 115b that is closed by a nutplate 116. The
interior of the shell 114 is provided with filtration media 118 for
filtering a fluid, for example oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, or other
fluid, that enters the filter 100 so as to be filtered.
[0030] A plate 117 is disposed between the nutplate 116 and the end
of the filtration media 118 that has one or more inlet openings 119
that allow fluid to be filtered to enter the filter. After being
filtered, the filtered fluid flows out through a central outlet
defined by the plate 117.
[0031] The plate 117 includes a central opening defining the
central outlet that is provided with a circumferential gasket 126
for sealing with an outlet tube of the filter head. The gasket 126
faces radially inward and prevents mixing of unfiltered fluid with
the filtered fluid.
[0032] The nutplate 116 also includes an axially extending
continuous rim 130 on the radial outer edge thereof. Internal
threads 132 are formed on the internal surface of the rim 130. The
outer surface of the rim 130 is provided with a groove 134 into
which the end of the shell 114 is deformed for connecting the shell
and the nutplate 116. A seal 136 disposed in a sealing groove on
the rim 130 seals between the shell and the nutplate.
[0033] A gasket seal 140 is disposed within a groove 142 formed in
the nutplate 116 at the base of the threads 132. The groove 142 is
formed between an inner surface of the rim 130 and a
circumferential flange 144 that is formed on and projects upwardly
from the nutplate 116. The gasket seal 140, which faces axially
upward in a direction away from the closed end of the shell,
provides a seal between the filter 100 and the filter head to
prevent fluid leakage to the outside of the filter.
[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the gasket 140
is rectangular in cross-section. However, the gasket can be an
o-ring, an irregular gasket, or have other shapes and designs that
one finds suitable for providing the intended sealing function and
any other functions of the gasket 140. As shown in FIG. 6, the
gasket 140 does not till the entire space of the groove 142.
Instead, in this embodiment, a space is left between the outer
perimeter of the gasket 140 and the inner surface of the rim 130 to
allow expansion of the gasket 140 during compression.
[0035] The filter 100 also includes an additional seal 146 disposed
at the top of the shell 114 to seal between the shell and the
nutplate 116.
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates an adaptor 150 that is attached to a head
152 that can be used to attach the filter 100 to the head 152. The
adaptor 150 includes threads 156 that engage with threads on the
head 152, with an upper end 158 of the adaptor 150 extending into a
circumferential recess 160 in the head 152. A seal 162 can be
provided at the upper end 158 to seal with the head.
[0037] The adaptor 150 also includes a threaded intermediate
section 164 that engages with the threads 132 of the filter 100,
and the gasket seal 140 of the filter engages with a bottom surface
166 of the intermediate section. A center outlet spud or outlet
tube 168 extends downwardly from the intermediate section 164 in a
direction away from the head 152. The gasket 126 of the filter
seals with the spud 168. A sealing gasket 170 is also provided
between outlet passage in the head 152 and an interior surface of
the intermediate section 164 to seal incoming fluid to be filtered
from the filtered fluid.
[0038] Any of the individual features described with respect to
FIGS. 1-5, 6-7 and 8 can be used individually or in any combination
with other features in FIGS. 1-5, 6-7 and 8, and the features in
FIGS. 1-5 can be used in any combination with the features
described in FIGS. 6-7 and 8.
[0039] The invention may be embodied in other forms without
departing from the spirit or novel characteristics thereof. The
embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the
invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description; and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *