Filter assembly with pleated media V-packs, and methods
AssigneeDonaldson Company, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Eric Adamek, Michael Jon Gustafson, Jarren B. Mills, Kirk A. Schnieder, Marilyn D. Welch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A generally cylindrical filter element incorporating nonsymmetrical or asymmetrical V-pleated media. The V-pleated media provides increased filter media per given filter volume, extended filter life, and a smaller filter for equivalent filter life. A smaller filter is generally beneficial for some applications such as aircraft, due to its lower weight. Various features of the filter include asymmetric variable pleat heights applied to a cylindrical or obround filter; defined pleat spacing applied to a variable pleat height element; optimal pleat density; and optimal shape of inlet and outlet.
Claims18
A cylindrical air filter element comprising:
- (a) an extension of filter media configured and arranged in a plurality of media V-packs, each media V-pack having:
- (i) a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion having an external edge, an outermost edge, an internal edge and an innermost edge;
- (ii) the external edges of the first and second portions joined at an angle of about 4 to 26 degrees;
- (iii) the internal edges of the first and second portions joined at an angle of at least 4 degrees less than the external edge angle;
- (iv) the outermost edge of each portion being longer than the innermost edge of the respective s portion;
- (v) each of the first and second portions having a plurality of media pleats at a density extending generally parallel to the outermost edge of its respective portion;
- and
- (vi) a pleat spacing mechanism maintaining the pleat density;
- (b) the plurality of media V-packs configured to form a cylindrical arrangement.
A cylindrical air filter element comprising:
- (a) an extension of filter media configured and arranged in a plurality of media portions, each media portion having:
- (i) an external edge, an outermost edge, an internal edge and an innermost edge;
- (ii) the external edges of adjacent portions joined together at an angle;
- (iii) the internal edges of adjacent portions joined together at an angle of about 4 to 26 degrees, the angle being at least 4 degrees less than the angle of the external edges;
- (iv) the outermost edge being longer than the innermost edge;
- (v) the internal edges and innermost edges of the plurality of media portions defining an inner perimeter;
- (vi) the external edges and outermost edges of the plurality of media portions defining an outer perimeter;
- (vii) a plurality of pleats defined by the filter media extending generally parallel to the outermost edge;
- (b) the plurality of media portions configured to form a cylindrical arrangement.
A method of cleaning air for an aircraft cabin, comprising:
- (a) providing a filter element comprising:
- (i) an extension of filter media configured and arranged in a plurality of media portions, each media portion having:
- (A) an external edge, an outermost edge, an internal edge and an innermost edge;
- (B) the external edges of adjacent portions joined together at an inlet angle of about 4 to 26 degrees;
- (C) the internal edges of adjacent portions joined together at an outlet angle of about 4 to 26 degrees, the outlet angle being at least 4 degrees less than the inlet angle;
- (D) the outermost edge being longer than the innermost edge;
- (E) the internal edges and innermost edges of the plurality of media portions defining an inner perimeter;
- (F) the external edges and outermost edges of the plurality of media portions defining an outer perimeter;
- (G) a plurality of pleats defined by the filter media extending generally parallel to the outermost edge;
- (b) passing dirty air through the filter media from an inlet side of the filter media to an outlet side of the filter media;
- and
- (c) obtaining cleaned air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.