Dripless filter assembly and method for servicing a filtration apparatus with the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9950288-B2
Application number	US-86922907-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2007
Priority date	Oct 9, 2007
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

A fluid filter assembly of a filtration system is described. The filter assembly described includes a cover member and a filter cartridge having at least one filter element and a plate member. The plate member includes a seal surface on one side facing the cover member, and a seal surface on another side facing away from the cover member. The seal surface facing the cover member is configured to seal with the cover member, and the seal surface facing away from the cover member configured to seal with another component of the filtration system. The assembly provides a structure that can retain a seal between sealing surfaces of the cover and the filter cartridge, at least while the fluid filter assembly is being serviced, so as to at least minimize fluid dripping and leakage.

First claim

We claim:

1. A filter assembly of a filtration system comprising:
a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge including:
at least one filter element configured to filter fluid therethrough and including a filter media surrounding an inner space of the at least one filter element with two open ends, the at least one filter element also includes an end plate that seals one of the two open ends of the at least one filter element so as to direct flow from the inner space, through the filter media, to outside the at least one filter element; and
a plate member connected to the at least one filter element; and

a cover member, the cover member configured to cover the at least one filter element and the plate member when the cover member is engaged with the filter cartridge;
wherein the at least one filter element is disposed entirely on a first side of the plate member that faces the cover member when the filter cartridge is engaged with the cover member, the at least one filter element is further disposed between the plate member and the cover member, the plate member includes a first seal surface disposed on the first side of the plate member, and a second seal surface disposed on a second side of the plate member that faces away from the cover member when the filter cartridge is engaged with the cover member, the first seal surface is configured to seal with a seal surface of the cover member, and the second seal surface is configured to seal with another component of a filtration system, so as to at least minimize fluid leakage and dripping through the sealing surfaces during a servicing operation; and
wherein the filter cartridge is removable with the cover member during a service operation.

2. The filter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one retention member disposed on the plate member, the at least one retention member extends upward from the first side of the plate member and is located externally to the at least one filter element, wherein the at least one retention member is configured to connect and disconnect the filter cartridge to the cover member, to retain the filter cartridge to the cover member, and to retain a seal between the seal surfaces of the plate member and the cover member.

3. The filter assembly of claim 2 , further comprising at least one connecting structure disposed on the cover member, wherein the at least one connecting structure is configured to receive the at least one retention member, connect to the at least one retention member, and retain the seal between the seal surfaces of the plate member and the cover member.

4. The filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first seal surface and the second seal surface are disposed on the plate member proximate a perimeter of their respective sides.

5. The filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein both the first seal surface and the second seal surface are configured as overmolded structures disposed on the plate member, wherein the first and second seal surfaces are integrally molded as part of the plate member.

6. The filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first seal surface is compressible when the filter cartridge is engaged with the cover member, and the second seal surface is compressible when the filter cartridge is engaged with another component of a filtration system.

7. The filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second seal surfaces are respectively disposed in grooves located on the first side and the second side of the plate member, such that the first and second seal surfaces are disposed on opposite major surfaces of the plate member.

8. The filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plate member further comprises a locating structure, wherein the locating structure is configured to allow the at least one filter element to be properly positioned and retained on the plate member.

9. The filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover member is configured to receive fluid to be filtered through the filter assembly, and the filter cartridge is configured to filter fluid through the at least one filter element and allow filtered fluid to exit the filter assembly.

10. A filter cartridge comprising;
at least one filter element including filter media surrounding an inner space of the at least one filter element with two open ends, the at least one filter element also including an end plate that seals one of the two open ends of the at least one filter element so as to direct flow from the inner space, through the filter media, to outside the at least one filter element; and
a plate member connected to the at least one filter element,
wherein the at least one filter element is disposed entirely on a first side of the plate member, a first seal surface is disposed on the first side of the plate member, and a second seal surface is disposed on a second side of the plate member which is opposite the first side of the plate member, the first seal surface is configured to seal with a component of a filtration system, and the second seal surface is configured to seal with a different component of the filtration system.

11. The filter cartridge of claim 10 , further comprising at least one retention member disposed on the plate member, wherein the at least one retention member extends upward from the first side of the plate member and is located externally to the at least one filter element, and the at least one retention member is configured to retain the filter cartridge to a separate cover member and to retain a seal between the plate member and the cover member.

12. The filter cartridge of claim 10 , wherein the first seal surface and the second seal surface are respectively disposed in grooves located on the first side and the second side of the plate member and proximate a perimeter of their respective sides.

13. The filter cartridge of claim 10 , wherein both the first and the second seal surfaces are configured as overmolded structures disposed on the plate member, the first and second seal surfaces are integrally molded as part of the plate member, and the first and second seal surfaces are compressible when the filter cartridge is engaged to other components of the filtration system.

14. The filter cartridge of claim 10 , wherein the plate member further comprises a locating structure, wherein the locating structure is configured to allow the at least one filter element to be properly positioned and retained on the plate member.

15. A seal plate for a filter assembly comprising:
a planar member including two opposite major surfaces, wherein one of the major surfaces includes a seal member disposed proximate to a perimeter thereof, the other of the two major surfaces includes a seal member disposed proximate to a perimeter thereof, one seal member is configured to seal with a separate cover member, and the other seal member is configured to seal with a component of a filtration system; and
at least one retention member disposed on the planar member, wherein the at least one retention member extends upward from a first side of the planar member and is externally to a filter element when the filter element is connected to the planar member, and the at least one retention member is configured to connect and disconnect the seal plate to the separate cover member, retain the seal plate to the separate cover member, and to retain a seal between the planar member and the separate cover member through one of the seal members.

Assignees

• Holzmann Mark V
• Holm Christopher E
• Schwandt Brian W
• Connor Mike J
• Deweese Clint T
• Zoch Roger
• Cummins Filtration Ip Inc

Inventors

• Holzmann Mark V
• Holm Christopher E
• Schwandt Brian W
• Connor Mike J
• Deweese Clint T
• Zoch Roger

Classifications

• Y10T29/49815

  Disassembling · CPC title

• B01D46/0091

  Including arrangements for environmental or personal protection · CPC title

• B01D46/0002 Primary

  Casings; Housings; Frame constructions · CPC title

• B01D2271/02

  Gaskets, sealings · CPC title