# US 2014/0190880 A1 · Three-Part End Cap and Filter Element Including Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190880 A1 - Document ID: US20140190880A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/142,077 - Filed: 2013-12-27 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: Baldwin Filters, Inc. - Inventors: Timothy L. Krull - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190880A1 ## CPC - B01D 29/114: {arranged for inward flow filtration (B01D29/15, B01D29/33 take precedence)} - B01D 29/111: {Making filtering elements} - B01D 29/21: with corrugated, folded or wound sheets - B01D 29/96: in which the filtering elements are moved between filtering operations; Particular measures for removing or replacing the filtering elements; Transport systems for filters (B01D29/09, B01D29/70 take precedence) - B01D 46/2414: {End caps including additional functions or special forms} - B01D 2201/295: with projections extending in a radial outward direction, e.g. for use as a guide, spacing means - B01D 2201/347: Radial sealings - B01D 2201/4053: using keys - B01D 2271/02: Gaskets, sealings - Y10T 29/49904: Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A multi-component end cap is provided. The multiple components combine to form one or more seal carriers where each seal carrier is formed in part by at least two different ones of the components. Methods of manufacturing an end cap having multiple components are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end cap for a filter element comprising: a first annular component; a second annular component secured to the first component, the first and second annular components defining a radially directed flow path therebetween; an outer seal defining a radially outward directed sealing surface and a secondary sealing surface; an outer seal carrier defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the second annular component, the outer seal carrier axially securing the outer seal therein and configured to expose the radially outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal, the outer seal carrier defining a first sealing surface, the secondary sealing surface of the outer seal sealingly contacting the first sealing surface of the outer seal carrier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, wherein the outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal extends radially outward further than the second annular component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, wherein the second sealing surface of the outer seal carrier is provided by the first annular component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, wherein the first and second annular components are ultrasonically welded to one another. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, further comprising: at least one axially extending lock detent extending axially outward from a top side of the first annular component; at least one housing key configured to secure the second annular component to a filter housing and prevent angular rotation between the second annular component and the filter housing; and a clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components to angularly locate the at least one axially extending lock detent relative to the at least one housing key. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The end cap of claim 5, further comprising: at least one radially outward extending ejection tab secured to the first annular component; wherein the clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components angularly locates the at least one radially outward extending ejection tab relative to the at least one housing key during assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The end cap of claim 6, wherein the clocking arrangement is positioned radially inward of the outer seal carrier. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, wherein the outer seal carrier is a U-shaped groove that has a mouth that opens in a radially outward directed direction, the U-shaped groove being formed by an axially extending flange and a radially outward extending flange of the first annular component and a radially outward extending flange of the second annular component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The end cap of claim 8, wherein the radially outward extending flange or the axially extending flange of the first annular component provides the first sealing surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The end cap of claim 8, wherein the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component is an annular flange having a first inner diameter, the axially extending flange of the first annular component being axially received within the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The end cap of claim 10, wherein the axially extending flange of the first annular component includes a stepped region defining an axial abutment, the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component axially abutting the axial abutment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, wherein: the first annular component includes a first central aperture bound by an annular disk portion; the second annular component includes a second central aperture bound by an annular disk portion; the radially directed flow path being formed between the annular disk portions of the first and second annular components. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The end cap of claim 12, wherein the outer seal carrier is formed in part between a radially outward extending flange of the first annular component and a radially outward extending flange of the second annular component, the outer seal carrier has a mouth that opens in a radially outward directed direction; the second annular component defining at least one flow passage between the annular disk portion thereof and the radially outward extending flange, the at least one flow passage in fluid communication with the radially directed flow path defined between the annular disk portions of the first and second annular components. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The end cap of claim 13, wherein: the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component is attached to the annular disk portion of the second annular component by a plurality of angularly spaced webs; the webs, the radially outward extending flange, and the annular disk portion defining the at least one flow passage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, wherein the outer seal carrier is formed in part between a radially outward extending flange of the first annular component and a radially outward extending flange of the second annular component, the outer seal carrier has a mouth that opens in a radially outward directed direction to allow for insertion of the outer seal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The end cap of claim 1, further comprising: an inner seal defining a radially inward directed sealing surface and a secondary sealing surface; a spacer positioned between the first and second annular components, an inner seal carrier defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the spacer, the inner seal carrier axially securing the inner seal therein and configured to expose the radially inward directed sealing surface of the inner seal, the inner seal carrier defining a second sealing surface, the secondary sealing surface of the inner seal sealingly contacting the second sealing surface of the inner seal carrier. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The end cap of claim 16, wherein the spacer includes an annular body and a plurality of angularly spaced apart standoffs that extend radially outward, the standoffs being axially positioned between the first and second components and separating the first annular component from the second annular component, the first annular component, second annular component and standoffs defining at least one flow passage therebetween in fluid communication with the radially directed flow path formed between the first and second annular components. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The end cap of claim 16, wherein the inner seal carrier is formed in part between a radially inward extending flange of the first annular component and an axial distal end of the spacer, the inner seal carrier has a mouth that opens in a radially inward directed direction to allow for insertion of the inner seal. ### Claim 19 A filter arrangement comprising: an end cap comprising: a first annular component; a second annular component secured to the first component, the first and second annular components defining a radially directed flow path therebetween; an outer seal defining a radially outward directed sealing surface and a secondary sealing surface; an outer seal carrier defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the second annular component, the outer seal carrier axially securing the outer seal therein and configured to expose the radially outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal, the outer seal carrier defining a first sealing surface, the secondary sealing surface of the outer seal sealingly contacting the first sealing surface of the outer seal carrier; filter media secured to an inner side of the second annular component; a housing having an annular sidewall defining an open end and a central cavity, the sidewall defining a third sealing surface that is radially inwardly directed, the radially outward directed sealing surface sealingly contacting the third sealing surface, the filter media being positioned within the central cavity of the housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The filter arrangement of claim 19, wherein the housing includes a radially outward extending thread and a key receiving groove formed in a radially inner side of the annular sidewall; the end cap further comprising: at least one axially extending lock detent extending axially outward from a top side of the first annular component; at least one housing key provided by the second annular component, the at least one housing key configured to engage the key receiving groove and prevent angular rotation between the second annular component and the filter housing; and a clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components to angularly locate the at least one axially extending lock detent relative to the at least one housing key, and prevent rotation of the at least one axially extending lock detent relative to the at least one housing key. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The filter arrangement of claim 19, wherein the housing includes a radially outward extending thread and a key receiving groove formed in a radially inner side of the annular sidewall; the end cap further comprising: at least one radially outward extending ejection tab secured to the first annular component; at least one housing key provided by the second annular component, the at least one housing key configured to engage the key receiving groove and prevent angular rotation between the second annular component and the filter housing; and a clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components to angularly locate the at least one radially outward extending ejection tab relative to the at least one housing key during assembly, and prevent rotation of the at least one radially extending ejection tab relative to the at least one housing key and radially outward extending ejection tab during rotation of the housing. ### Claim 22 A method of forming an end cap for a filter element where the end cap provides a radially directed flow path through the end cap, the method comprising: forming a first annular component; forming a second annular component that is separate and independent of the first annular component; securing the second annular component to the first annular component such that the radially directed flow path is formed between the first and second annular components. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the step of securing the second annular component to the first annular component includes forming an outer seal carrier, the outer seal carrier being defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the second annular component, the outer seal carrier defining a first sealing surface configured to cooperate with a seal.