# US 10,479,702 B2 · Cleaning module, filter element and filter system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,702 B2 - Document ID: US10479702B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/443,007 - Filed: 2017-02-27 - Published: 2017-08-31 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-25 - Assignees: Mann+Hummel GmbH - Applicants: Mann+Hummel GmbH - Inventors: Lars Spelter; Idriss Razgani; Christoph Baumann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479702B2 ## CPC - F02M 37/34: by the filter structure, e.g. honeycomb, mesh or fibrous - B01D 17/0202: {by ab- or adsorption} - B01D 17/08: {Thickening liquid suspensions by filtration} - B01D 35/005: {Filters specially adapted for use in internal-combustion engine lubrication or fuel systems} - C02F 1/283: {using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them} - C02F 1/285: {using synthetic organic sorbents} - F02M 35/0218: {acting by absorption or adsorption; trapping or removing vapours or liquids, e.g. originating from fuel} - F02M 35/024: using filters, e.g. moistened (F02M35/026 takes precedence; cleaning of the filtering material F02M35/08) - F02M 35/09: Clogging indicators {; Diagnosis or testing of air cleaners (sensors therefore F02M35/10373)} - F02M 37/24: characterised by water separating means - C02F 2101/32: Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil - F02M 35/02441: {Materials or structure of filter elements, e.g. foams} - 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) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) ## Abstract A cleaning module (10) for cleaning a media flow of a first medium contaminated with a second medium that has a housing (12) having an inlet (18) and an outlet (20, 21) and a replaceable filter element (30) arranged within the housing (12). In this arrangement, a flow direction (32) of the media flow is directed through the filter element (30) in the specified installed state against the force of gravity. The filter element (30) has an absorptive and/or adsorptive material (34) for picking up at least a portion of the second medium in the first medium. A filter element for the cleaning module (10) and a filter system (100) having the cleaning module (10) are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter system for filtering a media flow comprising: a filter system housing having a connecting part projecting outwardly from the filter system housing; a first and second medium having a separating device for the first medium arranged in the filter system housing; and a cleaning module for cleaning a media flow of a first medium contaminated with a second medium for the absorptive and/or adsorptive pickup of a portion of the second medium in the separated-out first medium, wherein the cleaning module is a cartridge having a base portion which rests on and is detachably joined to the connecting part of the filter system housing, the cleaning module removable from the filter system housing for maintenance, the cleaning module including: a cleaning module housing having an inlet for the media arranged at the base portion; and an outlet for the media flow arranged at an upper portion of the cleaning module housing; and a replaceable filter element arranged within the cleaning module housing, wherein a flow direction of the media flow is directed through the filter element in the specified installed state against the force of gravity, wherein the filter element has an absorptive and/or adsorptive material configured for picking up at least a portion of the second medium in the first medium, wherein media flow enters the inlet at the base portion of the cleaning module from the connecting part of the filter system housing, the media flow flowing upwardly in the cleaning module against gravity to the outlet of the cleaning module, wherein media flow pressure in the cleaning module is limited by and only sufficient to raise the media flow against gravity from the inlet to the outlet of the cleaning module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first housing part; and a second housing part, wherein the first and the second housing parts form a detachable, media-tight sealed joint with each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The filter system according to claim 2, wherein the filter element is detachably mounted onto the first or second housing part. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The filter system according to claim 2, wherein the inlet is arranged on the cleaning module first housing part, and the outlet on the cleaning module second housing part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The filter system according to claim 2, wherein the inlet and the outlet are arranged on the cleaning module first housing part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material is provided as a loose, granulated fill material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material is provided in sintered and/or foamed form. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material has activated charcoal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material has a swellable plastic comprising PE, PP or PVC. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The filter system according to claim 9, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material comprises a fill material made of plastic tubules arranged together with a nonwoven fabric. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein an indicator for displaying the loading of the filter element with the second medium is provided. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The filter system filter element according to claim 1, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material is provided as a loose, granulated fill material and/or is provided in sintered form and/or is provided as a foam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The filter system filter element according to claim 1, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material has activated charcoal and/or has a swellable plastic comprising PE, PP or PVC. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The filter system cleaning module filter element according to claim 13, wherein the absorptive and/or adsorptive material includes a fill material made of plastic tubules arranged together with a nonwoven fabric. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The filter system according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning module is configured for the absorptive and/or adsorptive material cleans of a fuel portion in separated water. ### Claim 16 A filter system for filtering a media flow comprising: a filter system housing; a first and second medium having a separating device for the first medium arranged in the filter system housing; and a cleaning module for cleaning a media flow of a first medium contaminated with a second medium for the absorptive and/or adsorptive pickup of a portion of the second medium in the separated-out first medium wherein the cleaning module is arranged on the bottom of the filter system housing and is joined to the filter system housing in a media tight manner; wherein the cleaning module housing is cylindrical; wherein the cleaning module has a replaceable filter element positioned within the cleaning module housing and the filter element is shaped as a hollow cylinder with a central cavity, and wherein the filter element made of absorptive and/or adsorptive material; wherein the outer side of the filter element central cavity has a media tight seal, and wherein a top opening of the filter element central cavity represents the inlet of the cleaning module; wherein the media tight seal prevents media flow from going directly into the absorptive and/or adsorptive material of the filter element when it enters the cleaning module through the filter element central cavity under the force of gravity and thus the media flow is downward to a bottom of the cleaning module housing and enters the filter element absorptive and/or adsorptive material from below in order to flow through the filter element absorptive and/or adsorptive material upward against the flow of gravity and the media is then discharged to the outside via an outlet arranged on the top edge of the cleaning module so that the media flow goes through the absorptive and/or adsorptive material only in a sleeve of the hollow cylinder upward from below and does not go directly out of the filter element central cavity into the absorptive an/or adsorptive material; and wherein media flow pressure in the cleaning module is limited by and only sufficient to raise the media flow against gravity from the bottom of the cleaning module housing to the outlet of the cleaning module.