Air/oil separator assemblies; components; and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9504949-B2
Application number	US-201214127081-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2012
Priority date	Jun 30, 2011
Publication date	Nov 29, 2016
Grant date	Nov 29, 2016

Abstract

According to the present disclosure, arrangements, systems, components, features and methods for separating hydrophobic fluid such as oil entrained as aerosols from gas streams, such as crankcase ventilation gas streams are described. The components specifically described include a filter cartridge with preferred features for interaction with a filter housing, and a filter housing with preferred features for convenient installation. Methods of assembly and use are also characterized.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A filter cartridge for use in gas/liquid separation; the filter cartridge comprising:
(a) an extension of filter media surrounding and defining an open filter interior;
(b) first and second end pieces;
(i) the media being positioned between the first and second end pieces;
(ii) the first end piece having a central flow aperture therethrough in gas flow communication with the open filter interior;
(iii) the first end piece includes a perimeter rim having a portion projecting at least 3 mm toward the second end piece while completely surrounding the media; and,
(iv) the second end piece has a closed external receiver therein projecting into the open filter and toward the first end piece a distance of at least 7 mm from an end of the media adjacent the second end piece;
(v) the external receiver in the second end cap comprising an eccentrically positioned receiver pocket defined by a projection tip projecting into the open filter interior and toward the first end piece, a distance of at least 10 mm from an end of the media adjacent the second end piece; and,

(c) a housing seal arrangement positioned on the first end piece at a location with at least a portion of the housing seal arrangement completely surrounding the media.

2. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing seal arrangement includes: a first seal member located at a position completely surrounding the media; and, a second seal member.

3. A filter arrangement according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the second seal member is spaced from the first seal member, in a direction away from the second end piece.

4. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end piece has an inner surface directed toward the media;
(i) the inner surface including a rib arrangement thereon; the rib arrangement pressing against an end of the media.

5. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end piece includes a receiver aperture arrangement therethrough spaced from the central flow aperture.

6. A filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
(a) the receiver aperture arrangement comprises a plurality of receiver apertures spaced from the central flow aperture.

7. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the extension of filter media surrounds a central cartridge support.

8. A filter cartridge according to claim 7 wherein:
(a) the cartridge includes a first preform comprising the second end piece and a central cartridge support; and,
(b) the first end piece is part of a second preform secured onto the first preform after media is positioned on the first preform.

9. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end piece has: an inner surface; and, a first member of a first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement;
(b) the extension of filter media surrounds a central cartridge support; and,
(c) the central cartridge support includes a first end remote from the second end piece;
(i) the first end of the central cartridge support having a second member of the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement thereon;

(d) the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement also being a rotational indexing arrangement configured such that the first end piece can only fully engage the first end of the central cartridge support, with an inner surface of the filter end piece directed toward the media, in one or more selected defined rotational orientations relative to a cartridge central axis and the central cartridge support.

10. An air filter according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement is configured so that the first end piece can only fully engage the central cartridge support in a single rotational orientation.

11. A filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the first member of the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement comprises a receiver arrangement; and,
(b) the second member of the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement comprises a projection arrangement.

12. A filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the first member of the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement comprises a plurality of receiver apertures in the first end piece;
(i) one of the receiver apertures having a greatest aperture width; and,

(b) the second member of the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement comprises a plurality of projections one of which has a width dimension too large to engage any of the plurality of receiver apertures in the first member other than the one of greatest aperture width, to provide the rotational indexing arrangement.

13. A filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the first end piece is snap-fit onto the central cartridge support; and,
(b) a member of the first cartridge projection/receiver arrangement comprises a plurality of receiver apertures that remain at least partly open, in communication with the open filter interior, after the first end piece is snap-fit on the central cartridge support.

14. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end piece includes an outer surface with a projection arrangement projecting therefrom in a direction away from the media.

15. A filter cartridge according to claim 14 wherein:
(a) the projection arrangement comprises at least one projection member that projects to a location a distance of at least 10 mm from adjacent portion of the first end piece, in a direction away from the media.

16. A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein:
(a) the projection member comprises a handle member.

17. A filter cartridge according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the handle member is a projection having an axially directed portion and a radially outwardly directed end lip.

18. A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein:
(a) the at least one projection member is arcuate and extends over a radial arc.

19. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing seal arrangement is an axially directed seal having a lower seal end directed away from the first end piece and toward the second end piece.

20. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing seal arrangement includes a first radially directed seal member.

21. A filter cartridge according to claim 20 wherein:
(a) the first radially directed seal member defines a non-circular outer perimeter.

22. A filter cartridge according to claim 20 wherein:
(a) the housing seal arrangement includes a second radially directed seal member.

23. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the cartridge includes a vertical spacer arrangement projecting radially outwardly beyond a furthest radial outward extension of first and second seal members.

24. A crankcase ventilation filter assembly comprising:
(a) a housing defining a housing interior and including: a gas flow inlet arrangement; a gas flow outlet arrangement; and a liquid drain outlet arrangement; and,
(b) a filter cartridge in accord with claim 1 operably and removably positioned in the housing interior.

25. A filter cartridge for use in gas/liquid separation; the filter cartridge comprising:
(a) an extension of filter media surrounding and defining an open filter interior;
(b) first and second end pieces;
(i) the media being positioned between the first and second end pieces;
(ii) the fi

Assignees

• Lundgren Thomas
• Kalayci Veli
• Peterson Paul
• Adamek Daniel
• Mosset Wade
• Wood Robert
• Donaldson Co Inc

Inventors

• Lundgren Thomas
• Kalayci Veli
• Peterson Paul
• Adamek Daniel
• Mosset Wade
• Wood Robert

Classifications

• B01D2271/02

  Gaskets, sealings · CPC title

• Y10T29/49876

  by snap fit · CPC title

• B01D2271/027

  Radial sealings · CPC title

• B01D2265/028

  Snap, latch or clip connecting means · CPC title

• B01D46/4227

  Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools · CPC title