Air cleaner; replaceable filter cartridges; and, methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9353657-B2
Application number	US-201414506864-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 6, 2014
Priority date	Oct 28, 2002
Publication date	May 31, 2016
Grant date	May 31, 2016

Abstract

The disclosure concern air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. An optional mechanical interlock, operated with a non-threaded, movement of the cartridge, is provided between the primary filter cartridge and the housing. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) first and second, opposite, end caps;
(i) the first end cap comprising a molded-in-place portion having an air flow exit aperture therethrough; and,
(ii) the first end cap having a housing seal member integrally molded with the molded-in-place portion of the first end cap;

(b) pleated filter media extending between the first and second end caps;
(i) the pleated filter media having a tapered outer perimeter in extension between the first and second end caps, with a larger perimeter adjacent the first end cap; and,
(ii) the second end cap comprising a molded-in-place portion having an end of the pleated media embedded therein; and,

(c) a preform comprising:
(i) a portion embedded in the molded-in-place portion of the second end cap;
(ii) an inner portion surrounded by the pleated media and extending toward the first end cap;
(iii) a central portion extending from the inner portion in a direction across the open interior surrounded by the media; and,
(iv) a receiver recess formed by a portion of the preform projecting toward the first end cap from the central portion and the first end cap.

2. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the preform includes a perforated portion: extending in a direction across an end of the pleated media, adjacent the second end, from the inner portion; and, embedded in the molded-in-place portion of the second end cap.

3. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the preform includes a conical extension that extends from the first end cap to the second end cap.

4. An air filter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the conical extension of the preform is positioned surrounding the media.

5. An air filter cartridge according to claim 3 including:
(a) an imperforate shield surrounding the media and extending a distance of at least 10% of a distance between the first and second end caps.

6. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
(a) the imperforate shield does not extend over a distance of more than 40% of a distance between the first and second end caps.

7. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
(a) the imperforate shield in positioned adjacent the first end cap.

8. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
(a) the imperforate shield comprises a portion of the preform.

9. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the receiver recess has a non-circular shape in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the open filter interior and a direction between the first end cap and the second end cap.

10. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the receiver recess defines an open receiver facing a direction away from the first end cap.

11. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 including:
(a) a first member of a non-continuously threaded rotational engagement mechanism positioned adjacent to, and spaced from, the first end cap.

12. An air filter cartridge according to claim 11 wherein:
(a) the first member of a non-continuously threaded rotational engagement mechanism comprises a plurality of spaced, radial, projections surrounding the media.

13. An air filter cartridge according to claim 12 wherein:
(a) the seal member comprises an axial seal member.

14. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the seal member comprises an axial seal member.

15. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the molded-in-place portion of the first end cap has a hardness, Shore A, of no greater than 22.

16. An air filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein:
(a) the molded-in-place portion of the second end cap has a hardness, Shore A, of no greater than 22.

17. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the filter cartridge includes a liner extending between the first and second end caps at a conical angle of at least 1°.

18. An air filter cartridge according to claim 17 wherein:
(a) the filter cartridge includes a liner extending between the first and second end caps at a conical angle within the range of 1° to 4°.

19. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) first and second, opposite, end caps;
(i) the first end cap comprising a molded-in-place portion having an air flow exit aperture therethrough; and,
(ii) the first end cap having a housing seal member integrally molded with the molded-in-place portion of the first end cap;

(b) pleated filter media extending between the first and second end caps;
(i) the pleated filter media having a tapered outer perimeter in extension between the first and second end caps, with a larger perimeter adjacent the first end cap; and,
(ii) the second end cap comprising a molded-in-place portion having an end of the pleated media embedded therein; and,

(c) a preform comprising:
(i) a portion embedded in the molded-in-place portion of the second end cap;
(ii) an inner portion surrounded by the pleated media and projecting toward the first end cap;
(iii) a receiver recess defined by a portion of the preform projecting toward the first end cap; and,
(iv) a liner portion extending at a conical angle from the first end cap to the second end cap;
(v) the preform comprising a single member formed from plastic.

20. An air filter cartridge according to claim 19 wherein:
(a) the liner portion comprises an outer liner.

Assignees

• Donaldson Co Inc

Inventors

• Scott James
• Finnerty Carolyn
• Gieseke Steven
• Iddings Douglas
• Juliar William
• Lavallee Gregory

Classifications

• B01D46/0004

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

• B01D2271/02

  Gaskets, sealings · CPC title

• F01M13/0033 Primary

  Breather inlet-air filters · CPC title

• B01D46/521

  using folded, pleated material · CPC title

• F02M35/02483

  Cylindrical, conical, oval, spherical or the like filter elements; wounded filter elements · CPC title