Laterally sealing gasket interface

A fluid filter comprising:

• a housing having a closed end and a generally open end configured to receive fluid to be filtered and exit filtered fluid;
• a filter component disposed within the housing, the filter component configured to filter fluid that enters the housing and allow the filtered fluid to exit the housing;
• a filter head generally disposed at the generally open end, the filter head configured to generally close the housing and configured to allow a flow passage of the fluid filter to be in fluid communication with a flow passage of another equipment;
• and
• a gasket interface disposed on an outer end of the filter head, the gasket interface comprising a first plate member and a second plate member, at least one support member generally disposed between the first and second plate members, the support member operatively engaged with the first plate member so as to be movable with respect to the first plate member, the support member connected to the second plate member such that the second plate member is movable with respect to the first plate member when the support member moves with respect to the first plate member;
• and a seal member disposed between the first and second plate members, the seal member is compressible in a sealing position when the support member and second plate member move toward the first plate member, such that the seal member is laterally extendable beyond an outer perimeter defined by the first and second plate members.

A filter attachment comprising:

• a filter head component configured to connect to a fluid filter, the filter head configured to allow a flow passage of the fluid filter to be in fluid communication with a flow passage of another equipment;
• a seal component including a seal member disposed between two plate members;
• the plate members are movable with respect to one another;
• the seal member including a seal engaging position and a seal releasing position;
• the seal engaging position comprising the seal member being compressible along an axis when the two plate members move toward each other, and that the seal member being expandable along another axis as a result of being compressed, the seal member having a laterally extending portion beyond outer perimeters defined by the two plate members, the seal releasing position comprising the seal member being non-compressed when the two plate members move away from each other, such that the laterally extending portion being withdrawn so as not to extend beyond the outer perimeters defined by the two plate members.

A seal component comprising:

• a seal member disposed between two plate members;
• the plate members are movable with respect to one another;
• the seal member including a seal engaging position and a seal releasing position;
• the seal engaging position comprising the seal member being compressible along an axis when the two plate members move toward each other, and that the seal member being expandable along another axis as a result of being compressed, the seal member having a laterally extending portion beyond outer perimeters defined the two plate members, the seal releasing position comprising the seal member being non-compressed when the two plate members move away from each other, such that the laterally extending portion being withdrawn so as not to extend beyond the outer perimeters defined by the two plate members.

A method of sealing a fluid filter to an engine component comprising:

• contacting an end surface of a fluid filter to an end surface of an engine component;
• securing the fluid filter to the engine component so that a flow passage of the fluid filter is arranged in a fluid enabling communication with a flow passage of the engine component;
• and
• sealing the fluid filter to the engine component, during securing the fluid filter to the engine component,
• sealing the fluid connection comprising
• compressing a seal member between two plate members along an axis defined by a direction in which the fluid filter and engine component face each other in an end to end arrangement, and
• expanding the seal member along another axis defined transversely with respect to the end to end arrangement of the fluid filter and engine component, expanding the seal member including laterally extending the seal member beyond outer perimeters defined by the two plate members, and contacting shoulder surfaces of the engine component relative to the end surface of the engine component.