# US 12,179,135 B2 · Filter assemblies; components and 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 12,179,135 B2 - Document ID: US12179135B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/384,922 - Filed: 2023-10-30 - Published: 2024-05-23 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-26 - Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Applicants: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Inventors: Richard Osendorf; Joseph Einberger; Daniel Adamek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179135B2 ## 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 46/521: {using folded, pleated material} - B01D 46/527: {in wound arrangement} - B01D 2265/021: Anti-rotational means - B01D 2265/06: Details of supporting structures for filtering material, e.g. cores - 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 Filter assemblies, components therefor, and features thereof are described. Also described are methods of assembly and use. In depicted examples, the air cleaner assemblies and components use advantageous housing seal features. Also, methods of assembly and use are described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter cartridge comprising: (a) filter media having first and second ends; the filter media surrounding and defining a central open interior; (b) a first end piece positioned at the first end of the filter media and a second end piece positioned at the second end of the filter media; (i) the first end piece having an aperture therethrough; and (ii) the first end piece having a projection arrangement extending axially from a remaining portion of the first end piece in a direction away from the second end piece; (A) the projection arrangement extending continuously about the aperture; (B) the projection arrangement having a radially inwardly directed surface and a radially outwardly directed surface; (C) the radially inwardly directed surface comprising at least three radially projecting sections, to define a plurality of spaced radially projecting sections, separated by recesses, in the radially inwardly directed surface in a direction around the aperture; (D) the radially outwardly directed surface comprising at least three radially projecting sections, to define a plurality of spaced radially projecting sections, separated by recesses, in the radially outwardly directed surface in a direction around the aperture; (E) the radially inwardly directed surface and the radially outwardly directed surface being positioned on opposite sides of the projection arrangement; and (F) the radially projecting sections in at least one of the radially inwardly directed surface or the radially outwardly directed surface being positioned radially evenly spaced around a cartridge central axis, wherein the cartridge central axis extends through the first end piece and the second end piece. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the filter media is cylindrical in extension around a central cartridge axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the filter media is conical in extension around a central cartridge axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the filter media is pleated filter media. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein: (a) the pleated filter media comprises spacers formed by corrugations in the pleated filter media. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein: (a) the pleated filter media comprises spacers formed by folds in the pleated filter media. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) A filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein: (a) the pleated filter media includes outer pleat tips having an adhesive bead there around. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the first and second end pieces have centers eccentrically positioned with respect to one another. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) in each one of the radially inwardly directed surface and the radially outwardly directed surface, the radially projection sections are spaced from axial overlap with each of an innermost perimeter and an outermost perimeter of the filter media. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) in the radially outwardly directed surface, a radius of the radially projection sections is larger than a radius of the recesses. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A filter cartridge according to claim 10 wherein: (a) in the radially outwardly directed surface, the radius of the radially projection sections is at least two time larger than the radius of the recesses. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A filter cartridge according to claim 10 wherein: (a) in the radially outwardly directed surface, the radius of the radially projection sections is 3 to 7 times larger than the radius of the recesses. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) in the radially inwardly directed surface, a radius of the radially projection sections is larger than a radius of the recesses. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the radially projection sections in the radially outwardly directed surface and in the radially inwardly directed surface each have a circular radius; and, (b) the recesses in the radially outwardly directed surface and in the radially inwardly directed surface each have a circular radius; (i) radii of the radially projection sections in the radially outwardly directed surface each being larger than radii of the recesses in the radially outwardly directed surface; and (ii) radii of the radially projection sections in the radially inwardly directed surface each being larger than radii of the recesses in the radially outwardly directed surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the projection arrangement comprises an axially extending support and a compressible material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the compressible material is molded onto the axially extending support. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the axially extending support is embedded in the compressible material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the compressible material is configured to compress at least 10% between the radially outwardly directed surface and the axially extending support. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the compressible material is configured to compress 20-30%, inclusive, between the radially outwardly directed surface and the axially extending support. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the axially extending support is located no greater than 20 mm from the radially outwardly directed surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the axially extending support is located about 5-14 mm from the radially outwardly directed surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the compressible material is configured to compress at least 10% between the radially inwardly directed surface and the axially extending support. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) A filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the axially extending support is a preform formed from molded plastic. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A filter cartridge according to claim 23 wherein: (a) the axially extending support is secured to a structure than extends toward the second end piece. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A filter cartridge according to claim 24 wherein: (a) the structure that extend toward the second end piece extends completely from the first end piece to the second end piece, and supports the filter media. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the second end piece comprises a closed end cap. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A filter cartridge according to claim 26 wherein: (a) the closed end cap is a molded-in-place end cap. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the aperture in the first end piece is an outlet. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A filter cartridge according to claim 28 wherein: (a) the outlet is located radially inwardly from the radially inwardly directed surface. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) at least one of the radially inwardly directed surface or the radially outwardly directed surface is a radially directed seal surface. ### Claim 31 A filter cartridge comprising: (a) filter media having first and second ends; the filter media surrounding and defining a central open interior; (b) a first end piece positioned at the first end of the filter media and a second end piece positioned at the second end of the filter media; (i) the first end piece having an aperture therethrough; and (ii) the first end piece having a projection arrangement extending axially from a remaining portion of the first end piece in a direction away from the second end piece; (A) the projection arrangement extending continuously about the aperture; (B) the projection arrangement having a radially inwardly directed surface and a radially outwardly directed surface; (C) the radially inwardly directed surface comprising at least three radially projecting sections, to define a plurality of spaced radially projecting sections, separated by recesses, in the radially inwardly directed surface in a direction around the aperture; (D) the radially outwardly directed surface comprising at least three radially projecting sections, to define a plurality of spaced radially projecting sections, separated by recesses, in the radially outwardly directed surface in a direction around the aperture; (E) the radially inwardly directed surface and the radially outwardly directed surface being positioned on opposite sides of the projection arrangement; and (F) the recesses in the radially inwardly directed surface or recesses in the radially outwardly directed surface being positioned radially evenly spaced around a cartridge central axis, wherein the cartridge central axis extends through the first end piece and the second end piece.