# US 2006/0048489 A1 · Removable air filter system for compressors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2006/0048489 A1 - Document ID: US20060048489A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/221,581 - Filed: 2005-09-08 - Published: 2006-03-09 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-08 - Assignees: Black & Decker Inc. - Inventors: Mark Etter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20060048489A1 ## CPC - F04B 39/16: Filtration; Moisture separation - B01D 46/0004: {Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads} - B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)} - B01D 46/10: Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces - B01D 46/88: Replacing filter elements - F02M 35/02: Air cleaners - F04B 35/06: Mobile combinations - F04B 41/02: having reservoirs - B01D 2267/30: Same type of filters - B01D 2275/205: Rectangular shape - F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F) - 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 A compressor including a shroud for at least partially encompassing a component included in a compressor. A recess suitable for accepting at least two differently sized air filters having a similar geometric shaped is formed in the shroud. The compressor/filter system may utilize commonly available air filters which are designed for an unrelated device, but which are suitable for the purpose of filtering air for compressors. A fluid connection may extend between the enclosure forming the recess in the shroud and an inlet included in a compressor pump for pressuring air to a higher pressure. A securing mechanism, such as a panel door, may be implemented for securing an individual air filter in the path of air being drawn into the fluid connection for pressurization by the pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compressor, comprising: a pump including an inlet for receiving air to be pressurized from a first pressure to a second, higher pressure; a housing defining a recess configured to receive an air filter, the housing including a fluid connection extending between a wall forming the recess and the pump inlet, the housing being additionally configured to couple with the compressor; and a securing mechanism for securing the received filter in engagement with the wall including the fluid connection with the pump inlet, wherein the housing and securing mechanism are capable of accepting an air filter not specifically configured for utilization with the compressor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is a louvered plastic door. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is a pair of generally opposing bent tabs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compressor of claim 1, wherein the housing and securing mechanism are capable of accepting an air filter designed for utilization in an internal combustion engine of between 3 hp to 10 hp (three horse power to ten horse power). ### Claim 5 A compressor, comprising: a pump including an inlet for receiving air to be pressurized from a first pressure to a second, higher pressure; a shroud defining a recess configured to individually receive at least two differently sized air filters having a similar geometrical shape, the shroud including a fluid connection extending between a wall forming the recess and the pump inlet; and a securing mechanism for securing an individual air filter included in the at least two differently sized air filters in engagement with the wall including the fluid connection with the pump inlet, wherein the shroud is constructed to at least partially encompass a component included in the compressor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein the securing mechanism is a louvered plastic door. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein shroud and securing mechanism are capable of accepting a generally rectangular shaped filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein the securing mechanism is a pair of generally opposing bent tabs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein the side of the recess, including the fluid connection with the pump, is tapered towards the fluid connection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein the side of the recess, including the fluid connection with the pump, defines stepped recesses for accepting at least two different filters, individually, included in the at least two differently sized air filters having a similar geometrical shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein the securing mechanism is a plastic door. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The compressor of claim 5, wherein the shroud is capable of accepting a generally rectangular filter configured for utilization for a small combustion engine. ### Claim 13 A compressor, comprising: a pump including an inlet for receiving air to be pressurized from a first pressure to a second, higher pressure; a shroud defining a generally rectilinear recess extending inwardly from an outer surface of the shroud, the recess being configured to receive an individual air filter included in at least two differently sized air filters, the shroud including a fluid connection extending between a wall forming the interior side of the generally rectilinear recess and the pump inlet; the shroud being additionally configured to at least partially encompass the compressor; and a removable panel door, the removable panel door for securing an open side of the generally rectilinear recess, the removable panel door including a lock for fixing the panel door to the shroud, wherein the panel door is configured to dispose an individual air filter included in the at least two differently sized air filters having a similar geometrical shape against the interior side of the recess including the fluid connection. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The compressor of claim 13, wherein the removable panel door defines apertures therein for permitting air to enter the recess. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The compressor of claim 13, wherein the side of the recess, including the fluid connection with the pump, is tapered towards the fluid connection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The compressor of claim 13, wherein the side of the recess, including the fluid connection with the pump, defines stepped recesses for accepting at least two different filters included in the at least two differently sized air filters having a similar geometrical shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The compressor of claim 13, wherein the panel door is formed of plastic. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The compressor of claim 13, wherein the shroud is configured to accept a generally rectangular filter configured for utilization for a small combustion engine.