# US 10,245,544 B2 · Air cleaner arrangements; components; and methods

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- Number: US 10,245,544 B2
- Document ID: US10245544B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/977,930
- Filed: 2015-12-22
- Published: 2016-09-29
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2007-07-20
- Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc.
- Applicants: Donaldson Company, Inc.
- Inventors: Douglas Iddings; Daniel Adamek; Thomas Miller; Johan DeWit; Michel Baseotto; Roberto Merckx; Julien Dils; Paul Coulonvaux
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245544B2

## CPC

- B01D 46/2414: {End caps including additional functions or special forms}
- B01D 46/0002: {Casings; Housings; Frame constructions}
- B01D 46/0004: {Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads}
- B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)}
- B01D 46/0012: {In-line filters}
- B01D 46/009: {Identification of filter type or position thereof, e.g. by transponders or bar codes}
- B01D 46/2411: {Filter cartridges}
- B01D 46/62: connected in series
- B01D 46/64: arranged concentrically or coaxially
- B01D 2265/021: Anti-rotational means
- B01D 2265/026: with means for avoiding false mounting
- B01D 2265/028: Snap, latch or clip connecting means
- B01D 2267/40: Different types of filters
- B01D 2271/027: Radial sealings
- B01D 2279/60: for the intake of internal combustion engines or turbines
- 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

An air cleaner assembly and components therefor are described. The components include features of an air cleaner housing; advantageous main filter cartridges; and, advantageous safety filter cartridge features. Features of the main filter cartridge are provided to engage an access cover of the assembly, and a cartridge support within the housing, in a preferred manner. Methods of assembly and use are also described.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An air filter cartridge for removable installation in a housing; the air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) a media pack comprising media surrounding an open interior; the media having first and second ends;
(b) a first end cap positioned on the media first end and extending completely across the first end of the media between media inner and outer perimeters; and,
(c) a second end cap positioned on the media second end and extending at least completely across the second end of the media between media inner and outer perimeters;
(d) a portion of one of the end caps including a radially directed surface having a serpentine shape with at least five each of alternating radially facing convex and radially facing concave portions;
(i) the radially directed surface having a serpentine shape with an outer cross dimension that is smaller than an outer cross-dimension of an outermost portion of the media pack; and,
(ii) the portion of one of the end caps including a radially directed surface having a serpentine shape comprises a wall of a receiving groove.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A main filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the receiving groove is at least 6 mm deep.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the portion of one of the end caps including a radially directed serpentine shape is a portion with a radially inwardly directed serpentine shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An air filter cartridge according claim 1 wherein:
(a) the portion of one of the end caps including a radially directed serpentine shape has an outer cross dimension that is smaller than an inner cross-dimension of the innermost portion of the media pack.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An air filter cartridge according claim 1 wherein:
(a) the portion of the end cap including a radially directed serpentine shape has a serpentine shape with 6-10 concave sections.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An air filter cartridge according claim 1 wherein:
(a) a radially outwardly directed housing radial seal member on the first end cap.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An air filter cartridge in accord with claim 1 wherein:
(a) the receiving groove has inner and outer walls; and the cartridge includes a central projection on the outer surface of the second end cap that projects further in a direction away from the first end cap than does the outer wall of the receiving groove.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A main filter cartridge according to claim 7 wherein:
(a) the central projection has a sidewall that tapers inwardly in extension toward a tip.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An air filter cartridge in accord with claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end cap has a central aperture therethrough;
(i) the first end cap having a first seal portion oriented to form a first, radially outwardly directed, releasable radial seal with a housing;
(ii) the first end cap having a second radial seal portion oriented to form a second, radially outwardly directed, seal with a housing at an opposite side of a housing joint from the first releasable radial seal; and,
(iii) the first and second, radially outwardly directed, seal portions being configured to form seals that differ from one another, in largest cross-dimension, by at least 2 mm; the first seal portion having a larger cross-dimension than any portion of the second seal portion;
(b) the end cap having the radially directed surface having a serpentine shape is the second end cap.

### Claim 10

An air cleaner assembly comprising:
(a) a housing defining an interior;
(i) the housing defining a service access end with a removable access cover positioned thereover; and,
(ii) the access cover including a central projection thereon, extending into the housing interior from the access cover;
(iii) the central projection on the access cover having a sidewall portion with a serpentine shape;
(b) a filter cartridge positioned in the housing and comprising:
(i) a media pack comprising pleated media surrounding an open interior; the media having first and second ends;
(ii) a first end cap positioned on the media first end and extending completely across the first end of the media between media inner and outer perimeters; and,
(iii) a second end cap positioned on the media second end and extending at least completely across the second end of the media between media inner and outer perimeters;
(iv) a portion of one of the end caps including a radially directed surface having a serpentine shape with at least five each of alternating radially facing convex and radially facing concave portions;
(A) the radially directed surface having a serpentine shape with an outer cross dimension that is smaller than an outer cross-dimension of an outermost portion of the media pack.