Method and apparatus for winding a filter element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10065146-B2
Application number	US-201715672049-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 8, 2017
Priority date	Dec 6, 2006
Publication date	Sep 4, 2018
Grant date	Sep 4, 2018

Abstract

A filter apparatus and method utilize a filter element, defining a longitudinal axis and an axial end thereof, and having a central winding structure and a length of fluted filter material wound about the winding structure with the flutes of the media oriented to provide for filtration of fluid passing axially through the filter element. An edge of filter media defines the axial end of the filter element when the media is wound about the winding structure. An axial end of the winding structure is disposed adjacent the axial end of the filter element. A winding feature extends substantially axially outward from the axial end of the winding structure to a distal end of the winding feature. The filter media is wrapped about the winding structure such that the axial end of the filter element is disposed substantially flush with the distal end of the winding feature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for constructing a filter element having a length of filter media wound about a winding structure, wherein, the filter element defines a longitudinal axis and axial end of the filter element, the length of filter media having two axial edges, the winding structure having two axial ends thereof, each axial end of the winding structure disposed adjacent to, and recessed axially inward from, the axial edges of the filter media, the winding structure including winding features on each axial end of the winding structure, each winding feature extending axially outward away from its respective axial end of the winding structure to a distal end of each winding feature, and the length of filter media being wrapped about the winding structure in such a manner that each axial edge of the filter media extends axially beyond a corresponding end of the winding structure and is disposed flush with or beyond the distal end of each winding feature such that no portion of the winding structure extends beyond either axial edge
the method comprising:
wrapping the length of filter media about the winding structure in such a manner that the axial end of the filter element is disposed substantially flush with or beyond the distal end of each winding feature, thereby constructing the filter element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein, one of the winding feature of the winding structure further defines a stop for positioning the winding structure transversely with respect to winding axis, and the method further comprises, using the stop of the one of the winding feature for transversely positioning the winding structure with respect to the winding axis.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, applying a winding torque to the winding feature for rotation of the winding structure about a winding axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element, for winding the length of filter media onto the winding structure.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising engaging the winding feature with a winding machine in a manner allowing the winding torque to be applied to the winding feature.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein, the winding machine includes a mandrel having a driving feature, the winding feature comprise one or more lugs forming at least one transversely oriented guide surface for operatively engaging the driving feature of the mandrel, and the method further comprises, operatively engaging the driving feature of the mandrel with the at least one transversely oriented guide surface formed by the one or more lugs of the winding feature of the winding structure.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein, the mandrel defines a drive axis lying substantially coincident with the winding axis as the length of filter media is wound onto the winding structure, the at least one transversely oriented guide surface and driving feature are cooperatively configured for sliding engagement of the at least one transversely oriented guide surface with the driving feature as the winding structure is guided in a transverse direction toward the driving axis, and the method further comprises, operatively engaging the driving feature with the at least one transversely oriented guide surface by sliding the at least one transversely oriented guide surface over the driving feature to a point where the winding axis is substantially coincident with the driving axis.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein, the winding feature of the winding structure further define a stop for engaging the driving feature to limit relative sliding motion between the winding structure and the mandrel in such a manner that the winding axis is substantially coincident with the driving axis when the stop is substantially abutting the driving feature, and the method further comprises, bringing the stop into substantial abutment with the driving feature.

8. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 1 , wherein the filter element has a length of filter media
wherein the length of filter media is fluted filter media;
wherein wrapping the length of filter media about the winding structure includes:
wrapping the length of filter media around the winding structure with flutes of the length of filter media oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, to thereby provide for filtration of a flow of fluid passing substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis through the filter element;
applying a winding torque to the winding structure to rotate the winding structure about a winding axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element, as the length of filter media is wrapped onto the winding structure; and

the winding structure defining a winding structure axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter element; and
the winding structure having a length, width and thickness thereof, with the length extending substantially along the winding structure axis, the width extending substantially orthogonally to the winding structure axis, and the thickness extending substantially orthogonally to both the winding structure axis and the width of the winding structure.

9. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 8 , wherein, the winding structure defines a body thereof having first and second longitudinally extending edges thereof joined in a transversely spaced relationship to one another and the winding structure axis.

10. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 9 , wherein the winding structure thickness has a substantially oval cross section, having a maximum sectional thickness between the first and second longitudinally extending edges and converging to a lesser sectional thickness at each of the first and second longitudinally extending edge.

11. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 10 , wherein the substantially oval cross section defines a substantially smooth outer peripheral surface having opposed central sections of large radius disposed between the first and second longitudinally extending edges, joined by straight sections to small radius sections forming outer longitudinally extending surfaces of the first and second longitudinally extending edges.

12. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 11 , further comprising joining the winding structure to the length of filter media by a layer of adhesive/sealant, to thereby preclude fluid communication between the axial ends of the filter element along the juncture of the length of filter media with the peripheral surface of the winding structure.

13. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 11 , wherein, the length of filter media defines a series of alternating peaks and valleys forming the flutes; and gripping the small radius sections of the outer peripheral surface of the winding structure with the peaks of two or more adjacent flutes of a first layer of the length of filter media lying against the small radius sections of the outer peripheral surface of the winding structure.

14. The method of constructing a filter element of claim 13 , wherein, the length of filter media defines a leading edge thereof, one of the small radius section of one of first and second longitudinally extending edges defines a leading edge of the winding structure; and
further comprising joining the leading edge of the length of filter media to the winding structure with a strip of tape in such a manner that the leading edge of the length of filter media is attached to the winding structure without being substantially wrapped around the leading edge of the winding structure.

Assignees

• Merritt Steven J
• Swanson Kyle
• Baldwin Filters Inc

Inventors

• Merritt Steven J
• Swanson Kyle

Classifications

• B01D2265/06

  Details of supporting structures for filtering material, e.g. cores · CPC title

• B01D46/0001

  Making filtering elements · CPC title

• B01D25/001

  Making filtering elements not provided for elsewhere · CPC title

• B01D25/24

  Cell-type roll filters · CPC title

• B01D46/527 Primary

  in wound arrangement · CPC title