# US 10,245,532 B2 · Filter center tube with standpipe and flow fins

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- Number: US 10,245,532 B2
- Document ID: US10245532B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/478,339
- Filed: 2017-04-04
- Published: 2017-12-21
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-17
- Assignees: Caterpillar Inc.
- Applicants: Caterpillar Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries; Bryant Morris; Samuel D. Oanes
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245532B2

## CPC

- F02M 37/32: characterised by filters or filter arrangements
- B01D 27/08: Construction of the casing
- B01D 29/33: arranged for inward flow filtration
- B01D 29/925: {containing liquid displacement elements or cores}
- B01D 36/001: {Filters in combination with devices for the removal of gas, air purge systems}
- B01D 36/003: {Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids (B01D35/185 takes precedence)}
- B01D 36/006: {Purge means}
- B01D 2201/0415: Details of supporting structures
- B01D 2201/291: End caps
- B01D 2201/295: with projections extending in a radial outward direction, e.g. for use as a guide, spacing means
- B01D 2201/316: Standpipes
- F02M 37/24: characterised by water separating means
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

A center tube for use with a filter element comprises a unitary body having a standpipe that defines a length along the longitudinal axis and a central flow passage and a plurality of radially extending flow fins attached to the standpipe, the flow fins spaced axially from one another along the standpipe to define radial flow channels, wherein each of the fins further defines a first aperture between the fin and the standpipe, the apertures together defining a first outer axial flow passage and the standpipe defines a rectangular shape.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A filter element that has a generally cylindrical configuration and that defines a longitudinal axis and a radial direction, the filter element comprising:
a center tube having a length along the longitudinal axis, the center tube including:
a standpipe that defines a length along the longitudinal axis and a central flow passage that extends the majority of the length of the center tube along the longitudinal axis;
a plurality of radially extending flow fins attached to and extending from the standpipe, the flow fins spaced away axially from one another to define radial flow channels, wherein each of the fins further defines an aperture between the fin and the standpipe, the aperture together defining an outer axial flow passage that extends along the standpipe, wherein the standpipe further defines at least one radial flow passage that is in fluid communication with the outer axial flow passage and the central flow passage, wherein the standpipe and the outer axial flow passage are not in fluid communication with one another along a majority of the length of the standpipe; and
an annular filter media surrounding the center tube and the central flow passage and contacting the flow fins;
a first open end joined to the center tube disposed along the longitudinal axis, the open end including an opening allowing fluid to flow from the central flow passage to the outside of the filter element; and
a second end joined to the center tube opposite the open end disposed along the longitudinal axis, the second end including a first end cap.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1 further comprising a second end cap that is joined to the center tube and is configured to allow flow from the central flow passage to the outside of the filter element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1 wherein the radial flow passage defined by the standpipe is in fluid communication with a radial flow channel at least partially defined by a flow fin that is in fluid communication with the outer axial flow passage.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The filter element of claim 2 wherein the first end cap is closed preventing fluid flow out of the filter element through the second end of the filter element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The filter element of claim 1 wherein the standpipe defines a cross-section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is non-circular.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The filter element of claim 5 wherein the cross-section is rectangularly shaped with an inner perimeter that defines the flow area of the central flow passage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The filter element of claim 6 wherein the plurality of fins define a flow area of the outer axial flow passage that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is at least half of the flow area of the central flow passage.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The filter element of claim 7 wherein the plurality of fins each define a second aperture that defines a second outer axial flow passage that is similarly configured as the first axial flow passage, having the same flow area, wherein the total flow area of the outer axial flow passages is approximately the same as the flow area of the central flow passage.

### Claim 9

A filter system comprising:
a canister that includes an open end and a closed end;
a base that includes an inlet channel for allowing fluid into the canister filter system and an outlet channel for allowing fluid out from the canister filter system and attachment structure for allowing the attachment of the canister;
a drain that penetrates through the closed end of the canister and that includes attachment structure, and
a filter element that includes a generally cylindrical configuration and that defines a longitudinal axis, and a radial direction, the filter element comprising:
a center tube having a length along the longitudinal axis, the center tube including:
a standpipe that defines a length along the longitudinal axis and a central flow passage that extends the majority of the length of the center tube along the longitudinal axis;
a plurality of radially extending flow fins attached to and extending from the standpipe, the flow fins spaced axially from one another along the standpipe to define radial flow channels, wherein each of the fins further defines first and second apertures between the fins and the standpipe, the apertures together defining first and second outer axial flow passages that extend along the standpipe, wherein the standpipe further defines at least one radial flow passage that is in fluid communication with the outer axial flow passages and the central flow passage; and
an annular filter media surrounding the center tube and the central flow passage and contacting the flow fins; and
a closed end joined to the center tube opposite the open end disposed along the longitudinal axis, the closed end including an end cap, wherein the fins define a flow area for the first and second outer axial flow passages that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the standpipe defines a flow area for the central flow passage that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the flow area of the first and second outer axial flow passages combined is approximately the same as the flow area of the central flow passage.