# US 11,305,221 B2 · Air filter system, air filter element for use in same, and method for servicing same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,221 B2 - Document ID: US11305221B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/497,103 - Filed: 2018-03-23 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-24 - Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Applicants: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Inventors: Kristof Decoster; Bart Catoor; Mathijs Verstraete - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305221B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)} - B01D 46/4227: {Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools} - B01D 46/525: {which comprises flutes} - B01D 2265/024: Mounting aids - B01D 2265/028: Snap, latch or clip connecting means - B01D 2271/027: Radial sealings - 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 The present disclosure is directed towards filter elements whose overall length can be adjusted such that the filter element can be installed through an opening in an air cleaner opening having a relatively smaller dimension than the maximum dimension of the filter element. In one aspect, the filter element can include a radial seal member disposed on a positionable coupling element circumscribing at least a portion of a filter medium pack. The filter element has a first axial length when the positionable coupling element is in an extended position and has a second axial length when the positionable coupling element is in a collapsed position, wherein the first axial length is greater than the second axial length. In some examples, the filter element includes two positionable coupling elements. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air filter element comprising: a filter medium pack comprising a filter medium, said filter medium pack having an air inlet side and an air outlet side; a first coupling element arranged on said air inlet side and a second coupling element arranged on said air outlet side; wherein sealing means configured to cooperate with a sealing surface of an air filter system housing are provided on at least one of said first coupling element and said second coupling element; and wherein said air filter element is configured to allow relative movement of said first coupling element and said second coupling element between a shortened position and an extended position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, further comprising a reversibly deformable collar arranged between said air outlet side of said filter medium pack and said second coupling element, said reversibly deformable collar having a first diameter at said air outlet side and a second diameter at said second coupling element, said second diameter being greater than said first diameter wherein folding a first part of said reversibly deformable collar having a greater diameter over a second part of said reversibly deformable collar having a smaller diameter enables said relative movement of said first coupling element and said second coupling element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, further comprising a reversibly deformable collar arranged between said air outlet side of said filter medium pack and said second coupling element, said reversibly deformable collar having a first diameter at said air outlet side and a second diameter at said second coupling element, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter; wherein folding a first part of said reversibly deformable collar having a smaller diameter under a second part of said reversibly deformable collar having a greater diameter enables said relative movement of said first coupling element and said second coupling element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, further comprising a bellows arranged between said first coupling element and said second coupling element, said bellows enabling said relative movement of said first coupling element and said second coupling element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The air filter element of claim 4, further comprising a main body between said first coupling element and said second coupling element, wherein said bellows is arranged between said first coupling element and said main body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The air filter element of claim 4, further comprising a main body between said first coupling element and said second coupling element, wherein said bellows is arranged between said second coupling element and said main body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The air filter element of claim 4, further comprising a main body between said first coupling element and said second coupling element, wherein said bellows is arranged between axially separated parts of said main body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, further comprising a telescopic arrangement arranged between said first coupling element and said second coupling element, said telescopic arrangement enabling said relative movement of said first coupling element and said second coupling element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprises a radial seal arranged on said second coupling element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, further comprising guiding means configured to cooperate with the air filter system housing so as to at least partially bring the air filter element from its shortened position into the extended position during the insertion of the air filter element into the air filter system housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The air filter element of claim 10, further comprising gripping means arranged for transmitting a manual force to a part of said air filter element, that is not brought into its extended position by said guiding means, so as to fully bring the air filter element into the extended position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The air filter element of claim 1, further comprising latching means configured to cooperate with said air filter system housing so as to latch said air filter element in said extended position when said air filter element is installed in said air filter system housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) An air filter system comprising a housing and the removable air filter element of claim 10; wherein said housing comprises a sealing surface configured to engage with said sealing means so as to provide a sealed fluid communication between said air outlet side of said air filter element and a clean air channel of said air filter system; and wherein said housing is configured to cooperate with said guiding means to bring said air filter element from said shortened position into said extended position during the insertion of said air filter element into the air filter system housing and/or with a latching means of said air filter element to latch said air filter element in said extended position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method of servicing an air filter system having a service opening, the method comprising: inserting the air filter element of claim 1, initially in said shortened position, through said service opening; extending said air filter element to its extended position during or after said inserting; and operating a latching means to latch said air filter element in said extended position when it is fully inserted in said air filter system. ### Claim 15 A filter element comprising: a) a filter medium pack including a filter medium, said filter medium pack having an air inlet side and an air outlet side; b) a radial seal member disposed on a positionable coupling element circumscribing at least a portion of the filter medium pack; c) wherein the filter element has a first axial length when the positionable coupling element is in an extended sealing position and has a second axial length when the positionable coupling element is in a collapsed position, wherein the first axial length is greater than the second axial length, wherein the radial seal member faces in a first radial direction in both the extended and collapsed positions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The filter element of claim 15, wherein the filter element further comprises a second radial seal member disposed on a second positionable coupling element circumscribing at least a portion of the filter medium. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The filter element of claim 15, wherein the radial seal member includes one or more radially extending lip seals. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The filter element of claim 15, wherein further comprising: a) an operable latch member for moving the positionable coupling element from the collapsed position to the extended sealing position. ### Claim 19 A filter element comprising: a filter medium pack including a filter medium, said filter medium pack having an air inlet side and an air outlet side; a radial seal member disposed on a positionable coupling element circumscribing at least a portion of the filter medium pack; wherein the filter element has a first axial length when the positionable coupling element is in an extended sealing position and has a second axial length when the positionable coupling element is in a collapsed position, wherein the first axial length is greater than the second axial length; a radially protruding tab arranged on the positionable coupling element, the radially protruding tab being for engaging with a portion of an air cleaner housing to move the positionable coupling element from the collapsed position to the extended sealing position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The filter element of claim 19, wherein the radially protruding tab includes a pair of radially protruding tabs.