# US 11,298,642 B2 · Assemblies; components and filter features thereof; and, methods of use and assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,642 B2 - Document ID: US11298642B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/690,753 - Filed: 2019-11-21 - Published: 2020-05-21 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-21 - Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Applicants: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Inventors: Steven K. Campbell; Richard Patrick Manahan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298642B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)} - B01D 46/2414: {End caps including additional functions or special forms} - B01D 46/0046: {provoking a tangential stream (B01D46/0045 takes precedence)} - B01D 46/2411: {Filter cartridges} - B01D 46/4227: {Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools} - B01D 2265/024: Mounting aids - B01D 2265/026: with means for avoiding false mounting - B01D 2265/028: Snap, latch or clip connecting means - B01D 2265/06: Details of supporting structures for filtering material, e.g. cores - 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 is disclosed, along with related methods. In one aspect, the air cleaner assembly has a housing including a housing body and a removable cover that together define an interior volume for holding a filter cartridge. The housing can include a first part of a first connection arrangement. The air filter cartridge can include a second part of the first connection arrangement. In one aspect, the first and second parts can be secured together place the air filter cartridge in a latched position by moving the air filter cartridge in a first direction. In one aspect, the first and second parts can be disconnected from each other to place the air filter cartridge in an unlatched position by moving the air filter cartridge in the first direction. The air cleaner assembly can include a second connection arrangement securing the air filter cartridge to the housing cover such that the housing body and housing cover are secured together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter cartridge comprising: a) a filtration media arrangement extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and defining an interior volume; b) a support tube operatively coupled to the filtration media arrangement and extending into the interior volume; and c) a first part of a connection arrangement for connecting the filter cartridge to a structure including a second part of the connection arrangement, the first part being at least partially defined by the support tube and including a plurality of spaced apart, circumferentially arranged latches, the latches being deflectable in a direction toward or away from the longitudinal axis, and being located at least partially within the interior volume. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of latches are entirely located within the interior volume. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of latches each include a latch arm and latch portion extending from the latch arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of latches are integrally formed in the support tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of latches are located proximate an open first end cap located at the filtration media arrangement first end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge further includes a guide pin for aligning the plurality of latches with the second part of the connection arrangement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The filter cartridge of claim 6, wherein the guide pin is integrally formed in on the support tube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, further including: a) a biasing spring for biasing the filter cartridge in a first direction opposite an insertion direction of the filter cartridge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The filter cartridge of claim 8, wherein the biasing spring is located proximate an end cap located at the filtration media arrangement second end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the filtration media arrangement is an air filtration media. ### Claim 11 A filter cartridge comprising: a filtration media arrangement extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; a support operatively coupled to the filtration media arrangement and a first part of a connection arrangement for connecting the filter cartridge to a structure including a second part of the connection arrangement, the first part being at least partially defined by the support and including a plurality of spaced apart, circumferentially arranged latches, the latches being deflectable in a direction toward or away from the longitudinal axis; and a guide pin for aligning the plurality of latches with the second part of the connection arrangement, wherein the guide pin includes a plurality of guide pins. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The filter cartridge of claim 11, wherein the guide pin is integrally formed on a support tube of the filter cartridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The filter cartridge of claim 11, further including a biasing spring for biasing the filter cartridge in a first direction opposite an insertion direction of the filter cartridge. ### Claim 14 A filter cartridge comprising: a filtration media arrangement extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; a support operatively coupled to the filtration media arrangement and a first part of a connection arrangement for connecting the filter cartridge to a structure including a second part of the connection arrangement, the first part being at least partially defined by the support and including a plurality of spaced apart, circumferentially arranged latches, the latches being deflectable in a direction toward or away from the longitudinal axis; a guide pin for aligning the plurality of latches with the second part of the connection arrangement, wherein the guide pin extends at an oblique angle to a radial line extending through the filtration media arrangement longitudinal axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The filter cartridge of claim 14, wherein the guide pin is integrally formed on a support tube of the filter cartridge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The filter cartridge of claim 14, further including a biasing spring for biasing the filter cartridge in a first direction opposite an insertion direction of the filter cartridge. ### Claim 17 A filter cartridge comprising: a filtration media arrangement extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; a support operatively coupled to the filtration media arrangement a first part of a connection arrangement for connecting the filter cartridge to a structure including a second part of the connection arrangement, the first part being at least partially defined by the support and including a plurality of spaced apart, circumferentially arranged latches, the latches being deflectable in a direction toward or away from the longitudinal axis; and a biasing spring for biasing the filter cartridge in a first direction opposite an insertion direction of the filter cartridge, wherein the biasing spring is located proximate an end cap located at the filtration media arrangement second end; wherein the end cap includes threads for engaging with a threaded member associated with the structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The filter cartridge of claim 17, wherein the plurality of latches are located proximate an open first end cap located at the filtration media arrangement first end.