# US 12,214,307 B2 · Air cleaner assemblies and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,307 B2 - Document ID: US12214307B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/324,782 - Filed: 2023-05-26 - Published: 2023-12-07 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-05 - Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Applicants: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Inventors: Steven K. Campbell; David J. Burton; Benny K. Nelson; Timothy J. Wessels; Daniel E. Adamek; Robert D. Johnston - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214307B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/0006: {Filter elements or cartridges installed in a drawer-like manner} - B01D 46/0004: {Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads} - B01D 46/10: Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces - B01D 46/2411: {Filter cartridges} - B01D 46/525: {which comprises flutes} - B01D 46/64: arranged concentrically or coaxially - F02M 35/024: using filters, e.g. moistened (F02M35/026 takes precedence; cleaning of the filtering material F02M35/08) - B01D 50/20: Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00 - B01D 2201/28: Position of the filtering element - B01D 2201/29: Filter cartridge constructions - B01D 2265/025: making use of ramps or cams - B01D 2265/028: Snap, latch or clip connecting means - B01D 2267/40: Different types of filters - B01D 2271/022: Axial sealings - 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) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF ## Abstract An air cleaner assembly is disclosed. In one aspect, the air cleaner assembly includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and including an access opening between the inlet and outlet. The air cleaner also includes a filter cartridge received within the housing and covering the access opening. The air cleaner also includes a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is movable between an unlocked position in which the filter cartridge can be installed and removed from the housing and a locked position in which the filter cartridge is secured within the housing. The filter cartridge and lock mechanism include interacting features allowing the lock mechanism to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the filter cartridge is installed within the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A side-load air filter cartridge comprising: a) a media pack configured for installation into a side opening of an air cleaner housing, the media pack extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, the media pack defining an outer perimeter; b) a first seal arrangement operatively positioned with respect to the media pack and being located proximate the media pack first end, the first seal arrangement defining a first seal surface, a portion of which is arranged at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis; c) a second seal arrangement operatively positioned with respect to the media pack and being located proximate the media pack second end, the second seal arrangement defining a second seal surface; and d) a circumferential shell surrounding the media pack outer perimeter, wherein at least a portion of the first and second seal arrangements are disposed about the circumferential shell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second seal arrangements includes an axial sealing member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second seal arrangements includes a radial sealing member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a) a connection member configured to interact with a lock mechanism of the air cleaner housing to enable the lock mechanism to secure the media pack within the air cleaner housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 4, wherein the connection member is located proximate the first end of the media pack. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 4, wherein the connection member has an axis of symmetry aligned with an axis of symmetry of the media pack. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) An air cleaner assembly comprising: a) a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and including an access opening between the inlet and the outlet; b) the filter cartridge of claim 4 received within the housing, the filter cartridge covering the access opening; and c) the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism being movable between an unlocked position in which the filter cartridge can be installed and removed from the housing and a locked position in which the filter cartridge is secured within the housing; d) wherein the filter cartridge and the lock mechanism include interacting features enabling the lock mechanism to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the filter cartridge is installed within the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second seal arrangements is injection molded onto the circumferential shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein the media pack is fluted media. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a) a handle for installing and removing the media pack from the air cleaner housing, the handle being external to the media pack outer perimeter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 10, wherein the handle extends in a direction parallel to the media pack longitudinal axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 10, wherein the handle is integrally formed with the circumferential shell. ### Claim 13 A side-load air filter cartridge comprising: a) a media pack configured for installation into a side opening of an air cleaner housing, the media pack extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, the media pack defining an outer perimeter; b) a first seal arrangement operatively positioned with respect to the media pack and being located proximate the media pack first end, the first seal arrangement defining a first seal surface, a portion of which is arranged at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis; and c) a second seal arrangement operatively positioned with respect to the media pack and being located proximate the media pack second end, the second seal arrangement defining a second seal surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 13, wherein one or both of the first and second seal arrangements includes an axial sealing member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 13, wherein one or both of the first and second seal arrangements includes a radial sealing member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 13, further comprising: a) a connection member configured to interact with a lock mechanism of the air cleaner housing to enable the lock mechanism to secure the media pack within the air cleaner housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 16, wherein the connection member is located proximate the first end of the media pack. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 16, wherein the connection member has an axis of symmetry aligned with an axis of symmetry of the media pack. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The side-load air filter cartridge of claim 16, further comprising: a) a handle for installing and removing the media pack from the air cleaner housing, the handle being external to the media pack outer perimeter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) An air cleaner assembly comprising: a) a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and including an access opening between the inlet and outlet; b) the filter cartridge of claim 16 received within the housing, the filter cartridge covering the access opening; and c) the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism being movable between an unlocked position in which the filter cartridge can be installed and removed from the housing and a locked position in which the filter cartridge is secured within the housing; d) wherein the filter cartridge and the lock mechanism include interacting features enabling the lock mechanism to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the filter cartridge is installed within the housing.