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US 7,396,376 B2Granted
Seal arrangement for filter element; filter element assembly; and, methods
AssigneeDonaldson Company, Inc.
InventorsKevin Schrage, Troy Murphy, Donald Raymond Mork
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filter element arrangement is provided which includes a media pack comprising Z-filter media, a preform and an overmold sealing a portion of the interface between the preform and the media pack, and also forming an air cleaner seal for the filter element. The overmold preferably comprises molded, foamed, polyurethane. A variety of media pack shapes can be used.
Claims22
A filter element comprising:
- (a) a media pack including opposite inlet and outlet ends;
- the media pack defining:
- (i) a set of inlet flutes open at the inlet end of the media pack to passage of air to be filtered therein;
- the inlet flutes being closed at a location at or near the outlet end of the media pack;
- (ii) a set of outlet flutes closed to passage of air to be filtered therein at a location at or near the inlet end of the media pack and open to passage of filtered air therefrom at the outlet end of the media pack;
- and
- (iii) the media pack being closed to flow of unfiltered air into the inlet end and then outwardly from the opposite outlet end without filtering;
- (b) a preform positioned adjacent a first one end of the inlet and outlet ends of the media pack;
- (i) the preform having a housing seal support section projecting outwardly from a first one of the inlet and outlet ends of the media pack;
- (c) an overmold formed of a sealing material having:
- (i) a first portion sealing an interface between the preform and the first end of the media pack at which the preform is positioned;
- and,
- (ii) a second portion oriented to form an air cleaner seal having a radially directed seal portion providing a radial seal between the filter element and an air cleaner, in use;
- (iii) the first and second portions of the overmold being integral with one another.
11 more elements
An air cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air cleaner housing;
- and
- (b) a serviceable filter element comprising:
- (i) a media pack including opposite inlet and outlet ends;
- the media pack defining:
- (A) a set of inlet flutes open at the inlet end of the media pack to passage of air to be filtered therein;
- the inlet flutes being closed at a location at or near the outlet end of the media pack;
- (B) a set of outlet flutes closed to passage of air to be filtered therein at or near the inlet end of the media pack and open to passage of filtered air therefrom at the outlet end of the media pack;
- and
- (C) the media pack being closed to flow of unfiltered air into the inlet end and then outwardly from the opposite outlet end without filtering;
- (ii) a preform positioned adjacent a first one end of the inlet and outlet ends of the media pack;
- (A) the preform having a housing seal support section projecting outwardly from a first one of the inlet and outlet ends of the media pack;
- (iii) an overmold formed of a sealing material having:
- (A) a first portion sealing an interface between the preform and the first end of the media pack at which the preform is positioned;
- and,
- (B) a second portion oriented to form an air cleaner seal having a radially directed seal portion providing a radial seal between the filter element and an air cleaner, in use;
- (C) the first and second portions of the overmold being integral with one another.
- (c) the filter element being removably sealed to the air cleaner by a radial seal between the second portion of the overmold and the air cleaner.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.