Filter with multi-purpose end cap
AssigneeFleetguard, Inc.
InventorsKelly R. Schmitz, Jon S. Wake
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filter (10), including an inside-out reverse flow air filter, has an annular filter element (20) with an upper end cap (24) provided by a resiliently compressible trifunctional member having: (a) a wall (50) deflecting debris radially outwardly within the housing away from the central opening (26) of the hollow filter interior (22); (b) an air entrance guide throat (52) directing air to the central opening (26) with reduced restriction; and (c) a sealing surface (54) sealed to the housing and blocking air flow from the inlet (28) to the outlet (34) otherwise bypassing the filter element. In further embodiments, simplified and cost reduced sealing is provided by a configured end cap.
Claims12
A fluid filter comprising a housing having a cylindrical sidewall and extending axially along an axis, an annular filter element having a hollow interior and extending axially in said housing between first and second distally opposite axial ends, first and second end caps at said first and second axial ends, respectively, said first end cap being resiliently compressible and having a plurality of outer diameters comprising an outermost outer diameter greater than the diameter of said cylindrical sidewall of said housing, and a secondary outer diameter less than said outermost outer diameter and greater than the outer diameter of said annular filter element, said first end cap having an outermost axially facing annular surface extending radially between said outermost outer diameter and said secondary outer diameter and providing an axial seal in said housing, and a secondary axially facing annular surface extending radially inwardly from said secondary outer diameter, wherein said annular filter element is spaced radially inwardly of said cylindrical sidewall of said housing by a gap therebetween, and said secondary annular surface extends radially in said gap and wherein each of said outermost and secondary annular surfaces faces axially away from said second end cap.
A fluid filter comprising a housing having a cylindrical sidewall and extending axially along an axis, an annular filter element having a hollow interior and extending axially in said housing between first and second distally opposite axial ends, first and second end caps at said first and second axial ends, respectively, said first end cap being resiliently compressible and having first, second and third outer diameters defining a first annular surface facing radially outwardly at said first outer diameter and spaced radially inwardly of said cylindrical sidewall of said housing by a radial gap therebetween, a second annular surface facing axially and spanning between said first and second outer diameters and extending radially in said gap, a third annular surface facing radially outwardly at said second outer diameter, a fourth annular surface facing axially and spanning between said second and third outer diameters, said first end cap being axially compressed in sealing engagement in said housing at said fourth annular surface.
An inside-out reverse flow air filter comprising:
- a housing having an inlet and an outlet and extending axially along a vertical axis;
- an annular filter element having a hollow interior and extending axially along said axis;
- an annular upper end cap having a central opening for receiving incoming air flow axially downwardly into said hollow interior from said inlet;
- a closed lower end cap spanning said hollow interior, such that air in said hollow interior flows radially outwardly through said annular filter element to said outlet;
- said upper end cap being a resiliently compressible trifunctional member having:
- (a) a wall deflecting debris radially outwardly within said housing away from said central opening;
- (b) an air entrance guide throat directing air to said central opening with reduced restriction;
- and (c) a sealing surface sealed to said housing and blocking air flow from said inlet to said outlet otherwise bypassing said filter element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.