Filter element with air-bleed conduit
AssigneeMANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology US LLC
InventorsWillie L. Stamey, Jr., Mark A. Roll, Gregory K. Rhyne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filter element includes a first end cap, a second end cap, and a ring of filter media disposed between the first end cap and the second end cap. The ring of filter media circumscribes a central cavity. The filter element also includes an air-bleed conduit axially extending through the central cavity. The air-bleed conduit includes a first portion integrally formed with the first end cap and a second portion integrally formed with the second end cap. The second portion is configured to fluidly connect to the first portion.
Claims20
A filter element comprising:
- a first end cap;
- a second end cap;
- a ring of filter media disposed between the first end cap and the second end cap, the ring of filter media defining a central cavity;
- and
- an air-bleed conduit axially extending through the central cavity and including a first portion integrally formed with the first end cap and a second portion integrally formed with the second end cap, said second portion configured to connect to the first portion thereby forming a conduit for transmitting fluid.
A filter assembly comprising:
- a filter housing defining an internal chamber between a first end and a second end;
- and
- a filter element disposed within the internal chamber of the filter housing, the filter element comprising:
- a first end cap opposing the first end of the filter housing;
- a second end cap opposing the second end of the filter housing;
- a ring of filter media axially extending between the first end cap and the second end cap;
- a male portion of an air-bleed conduit having a first proximal end integrally formed with the first end cap to define an inlet formed through the first end cap;
- and
- a female portion of the air-bleed conduit fluidly connected to the male portion and having a second proximal end integrally formed with the second end cap to define an outer opening formed through the second end cap.
A method of manufacturing a filter element comprising:
- integrally forming a first end cap with a first portion of an air-bleed conduit, the first portion axially extending from an inlet formed through the first end cap to a first distal end defining a first distal opening;
- integrally forming a second end cap with a second portion of the air-bleed conduit, the second portion axially extending from an outer opening formed through the second end cap to a second distal end defining an inner opening;
- providing a ring of filter media circumscribing a central cavity and extending axially between a first end a second end;
- affixing one of the second end cap to the second end of the filter media or the first end cap to the first end of the filter media;
- connecting the first portion and the second portion of the air-bleed conduit together thereby forming a fluid tight connection;
- and
- affixing the other one of the first end cap to the first end of the filter media or the second end cap to the second end of the filter media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.