Air filter having fluted filter media

A method of installing a filter element into an air cleaner;

• the air cleaner including a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• the sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of the flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• the housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• and the access cover being capable of being removed without removing the filter element;
• the method comprising:
• (a) removing the access cover to expose the access opening;
• (b) orienting the filter element through the access opening;
• (c) urging the seal member toward a sealing surface in the housing to form a seal between the filter element and the housing;
• (d) placing the access cover over the access opening;
• (i) wherein the filter element is operably installed to allow air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• and
• (e) orienting a projection on the access cover to extend into a recess defined by the filter element.

An air cleaner comprising:

• (a) a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• (i) said sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• (ii) said housing sidewall includes a slide mount;
• (b) a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of said flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• (i) the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• (ii) said housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• (c) an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• (i) said slide mount includes a ramp extending from the opening toward a closed portion of the housing to urge the filter element toward sealing engagement with the housing.

An air cleaner comprising:

• (a) a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• (i) said sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• (b) a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of said flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• (i) the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• (ii) said housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• (c) an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• and
• (i) the access cover includes a ledge extending toward the internal volume of the housing;
• and
• (A) the ledge supporting the filter element when the filter element is operably installed in the housing.

An air cleaner comprising:

• (a) a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• (i) said sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• (b) a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of said flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• (i) the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• (ii) said housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• (iii) the filter element includes a frame construction;
• the frame construction having an extension projecting axially from the second flow face;
• the seal member being supported by the extension of the frame construction;
• the seal member forming a radial seal with the housing when the filter element is operably installed in the housing;
• and
• (c) an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end.

An air cleaner comprising:

• (a) a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• (i) said sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• (b) a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of said flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• (i) the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• (ii) said housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• (c) an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• and
• (i) said access cover includes a projection;
• the projection extending within a recess defined by the filter element;
• (A) said recess in the filter element being adjacent to the seal member.

An air cleaner comprising:

• (a) a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• (i) said sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• (b) a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of said flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• (i) the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• (ii) said housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• (c) an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• and
• (d) one of said housing and said access cover includes a window to provide visual inspection of the internal volume of the housing.

A method of installing a filter element into an air cleaner;

• the air cleaner including a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• the sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of the flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• the housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• the method comprising:
• (a) removing the access cover to expose the access opening;
• (b) orienting the filter element through the access opening;
• (c) urging the seal member toward a sealing surface in the housing to form a seal between the filter element and the housing;
• and
• (d) placing the access cover over the access opening;
• (i) the filter element includes a band and the step of placing the access cover over the access opening includes engaging a ledge on the access cover with a portion of the band;
• (ii) wherein the filter element is operably installed to allow air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing.

A method of installing a filter element into an air cleaner;

• the air cleaner including a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• the sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of the flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• the housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• the method comprising:
• (a) removing the access cover to expose the access opening;
• (b) orienting the filter element through the access opening;
• (c) urging the seal member toward a sealing surface in the housing to form a seal between the filter element and the housing;
• and
• (d) placing the access cover over the access opening;
• (i) while placing the access cover over the access opening, orienting a projection on the access cover to extend into a recess defined by the filter element;
• and
• (ii) wherein the filter element is operably installed to allow air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing.

A method of installing a filter element into an air cleaner;

• the air cleaner including a housing having an inlet end, an opposite outlet end, and a sidewall extending between the inlet end and outlet end;
• the sidewall defining an access opening to provide for entry into an internal volume of the housing;
• the access opening being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• a filter element having a seal member operably installed and sealed in the housing;
• the filter element having first and second opposite flow faces;
• the filter element including media having a plurality of flutes;
• each of the flutes having an upstream portion adjacent to the first flow face and a downstream portion adjacent to the second flow face;
• selected ones of the flutes being open at the upstream portion and closed at the downstream portion;
• and selected ones of the flutes being closed at the upstream portion and open at the downstream portion;
• the filter element being operably installed to provide air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• the housing being constructed and arranged to accept the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall;
• an access cover removably positioned over the access opening;
• the access cover being between the inlet end and the outlet end;
• the method comprising:
• (a) removing the access cover to expose the access opening;
• (b) orienting the filter element through the access opening;
• (c) urging the seal member toward a sealing surface in the housing to form a seal between the filter element and the housing;
• (d) placing the access cover over the access opening;
• (i) wherein the filter element is operably installed to allow air to pass through the inlet end of the housing, through the first flow face, through the second flow face, and out through the outlet end of the housing;
• and
• (e) removing the filter element through the access opening in the sidewall by exerting a pull force to the element in a direction about 70-110 degrees relative to the second flow face.