Support structure for pleated filter media and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10413854-B2
Application number	US-201414521811-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2014
Priority date	Oct 24, 2013
Publication date	Sep 17, 2019
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019

Abstract

A support structure for an interior volume of a construction of pleated media is operably oriented in the interior volume and structurally supports the media. The support structure can pass directly through an innermost 60% of the interior volume. It can have a void volume not more than 80%. It can be inner liner-free and extend in a non-curved path. It can include a first sheet and second sheet of porous material. At least a first brace construction secures the first sheet and second sheet together and in spaced apart, opposing relation. The support structure can include a pleated construction having pleats extending in a direction non-parallel and angled to the direction of pleats of the pleated filter media. The support structure can be molded spacers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A filter element comprising:
(a) a tubular construction of pleated filter media defining an interior volume;
(b) first and second opposite end caps secured to opposite ends of the filter media; and
(c) a semi-rigid pleated screen supporting the pleated filter media and operably oriented in the interior volume, wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is oriented between and against opposing faces of the pleated filter media,
wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen has pleats extending in a direction non-parallel and angled relative to a direction of pleats of the pleated filter media; and

 wherein the filter element is free of an inner liner.

2. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the pleats of the semi-rigid pleated screen extends at an angle 80-100 degrees relative to the direction of pleats of the pleated filter media.

3. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is non-metal.

4. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen extends a complete length between the first and second end caps.

5. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen extends less than a complete length between the first and second end caps.

6. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the first end cap is an open end cap in communication with the interior volume.

7. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the second end cap is a closed end cap.

8. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the pleated filter media is non-round.

9. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein the pleated filter media is oval.

10. A method of filtering comprising:
(a) providing a filter element according to claim 1 ;
(b) directing fluid to flow through the pleated filter media and into the interior volume; and
(c) while the fluid is flowing through the pleated filter media, supporting the filter media to prevent the filter media from collapsing together by using the semi-rigid pleated screen.

11. The filter element of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen has opposite first and second ends, and the pleats of the semi-rigid pleated screen decrease in pleat depth as the semi-rigid pleated screen extends from the first end to the second end.

12. The filter element of claim 11 wherein the construction of pleated filter media defining the interior volume has opposite media ends, with one media end being larger than the other media end.

13. The filter element of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is secured to at least the second end cap.

14. The filter element of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is secured to at least the pleated media.

15. The filter element of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is secured to each of the first end cap and second end cap.

16. A filter element comprising:
(a) a tubular construction of pleated filter media defining an interior volume;
(b) first and second opposite end caps secured to opposite ends of the filter media; and
(c) a semi-rigid pleated screen supporting the pleated filter media and operably oriented in the interior volume, wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is oriented between and against opposing faces of the pleated filter media,
wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen has pleats extending in a direction non-parallel and angled relative to a direction of pleats of the pleated filter media; and
wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen extends less than a complete length between the first and second end caps.

17. The filter element according to claim 16 wherein the pleats of the semi-rigid pleated screen extends at an angle 80-100 degrees relative to the direction of pleats of the pleated filter media.

18. The filter element according to claim 16 wherein the pleated filter media is non-round.

19. A filter element comprising:
(a) a tubular construction of pleated filter media defining an interior volume;
(b) first and second opposite end caps secured to opposite ends of the filter media; and
(c) a semi-rigid pleated screen supporting the pleated filter media and operably oriented in the interior volume, wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen is oriented between and against opposing faces of the pleated filter media,
wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen has pleats extending in a direction non-parallel and angled relative to a direction of pleats of the pleated filter media; and
wherein the semi-rigid pleated screen has opposite first and second ends, and the pleats of the semi-rigid pleated screen decrease in pleat depth as the semi-rigid pleated screen extends from the first end to the second end.

20. The filter element according to claim 19 wherein the pleated filter media is non-round.

Assignees

• Donaldson Co Inc

Inventors

• Johnson Philip Edward
• Lavallee Gregory L
• Hampton Janelle M
• Adamek Daniel E
• Parsons Jonathan G
• Osendorf Richard

Classifications

• B01D2265/06

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

• B01D2201/602

  Oval · CPC title

• B01D2201/04

  Supports for the filtering elements · CPC title

• B01D46/02

  Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, having hollow filters made of flexible material · CPC title

• B01D46/0004 Primary

  Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads · CPC title