# US 7,410,572 B2 · Combination particulate and acid-neutralizing filter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,410,572 B2 - Document ID: US7410572B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/585,001 - Filed: 2006-10-23 - Published: 2007-02-15 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2000-01-19 - Assignees: Baldwin Filters, Inc.; D-A Lubricant Company, Inc. - Inventors: John H. Beard; Allan Roush - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410572B2 ## CPC - B01D 37/025: {additives incorporated in the filter} - B01D 27/005: {Making filter elements not provided for elsewhere} - B01D 27/02: with cartridges made from a mass of loose {granular or fibrous} material - B01D 27/06: with corrugated, folded or wound material - B01D 27/103: {Bypass or safety valves} - B01D 27/108: {Flow control valves; Damping or calibrated passages} - B01D 27/144: {arranged concentrically or coaxially} - B01D 27/148: {arranged concentrically or coaxially} - B01D 2201/208: by venturi systems - B01D 2201/34: Seals or gaskets for filtering elements - F01M 9/02: having means for introducing additives to lubricant - F01M 11/03: Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means (filters B01D) - F01M 2001/1014: {comprising supply of additives} - Y10S 210/13: Part flow-full flow - 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) - F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract The present invention provides a filter apparatus for use in removing impurities and acids contained in a fluid that includes a particulate filter and an acid-neutralizing filter. Preferably, the particulate filter and the acid-neutralizing filter are positioned within a housing. A conduit having a pressure reduction section is arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter such that a portion of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an open end and an imperforate outer sidewall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound; and a particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the acid-neutralizing compound and the outlet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The filter apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conduit having at least one passageway for receiving fluid from the acid-neutralizing filter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the particulate filter is disposed over the at least one passageway and around the conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The filter apparatus of claim 4, wherein a seal is disposed between the particulate filter and the conduit to restrict fluid that has not passed through the particulate filter from entering the at least one passageway. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conduit has a surface for contacting the fluid, the surface having a conduit surface axial length, and the particulate filter having a particulate filter axial length that is shorter than the conduit surface axial length. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conduit includes a pressure reduction section arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The filter apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pressure reduction section includes at least one of a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, and a venturi. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media container comprises a media container end cap for disposal over the open end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media container comprises a partially closed end generally opposing the open end, the partially closed end comprising an inlet port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media container comprises at least one interior fin. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 13 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing comprising a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet; a first particulate filter contained in the housing; an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an imperforate outer side wall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound, said acid-neutralizing filter being arranged in fluidic parallel with the first particulate filter, and a second particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the acid-neutralizing compound and the outlet to prevent particles of acid-neutralizing compound from reaching the outlet; and a conduit contained in the housing, the conduit including a pressure reduction section; wherein the pressure reduction section is arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter such that a portion of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The filter apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pressure reduction section includes at least one of a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, and a venturi. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The filter apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The filter apparatus of claim 15, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of between about 0.5 inches and 1.25 inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The filter apparatus of claim 15, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of about 0.75 inches. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The filter apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one passageway passes through the wall of the pressure reduction section of the conduit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The filter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in diameter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The filter apparatus of claim 19, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is between about 0.7 to about 1.5 inches. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The filter apparatus of claim 19, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is about 1.25 inches. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The filter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of about 0.2 inches. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The filter apparatus of claim 13, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The filter apparatus of claim 13 wherein about 90% to about 97% of the fluid entering the fluid apparatus passes through the first particulate filter. ### Claim 25 A filter apparatus for use in removing impurities and acids contained in a fluid by filtration comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a particulate filter, the housing comprising a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet; an acid-neutralizing filter in fluidic parallel with the first particulate filter, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an imperforate outer side wall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound and a second particulate filter, the second particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the compound and the outlet to prevent particles of acid-neutralizing compound from reaching the outlet; and a conduit which includes a pressure reduction section in the form of a venturi, the conduit including at least one passageway through a wall of the conduit at the venturi; whereby the filter apparatus is arranged such that: (a) the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus flows into the housing; (b) less than 100% of the fluid entering the housing passes through the particulate filter; (c) wherein the fluid entering the apparatus and not passing through the particulate filter is drawn through the acid-neutralizing filter; and (d) wherein the fluid drawn through the acid-neutralizing filter flows into the conduit and mixes with the fluid filtered by the particulate filter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The filter apparatus of claim 25, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of between about 0.5 inches and 1.25 inches. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The filter apparatus of claim 25, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of about 0.75 inches. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The filter apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in diameter. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The filter apparatus of claim 28, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is between about 0.7 to about 1.5 inches. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The filter apparatus of claim 28, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is about 1.25 inches. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The filter apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of about 0.2 inches. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) The filter apparatus of claim 25, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 33 (depends on 25) The filter apparatus of claim 25 wherein about 90% to about 97% of the fluid entering the fluid apparatus passes through the first particulate filter. ### Claim 34 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid by filtration comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing comprising a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet; a first particulate filter contained in the housing, the housing and the particulate filter arranged such that from about 90% to about 97% of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the first particulate filter; an acid-neutralizing filter arranged in fluidic parallel with the first particulate filter such that about 3% to about 10% of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an imperforate outer side wall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound, and a second particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the compound and the outlet to prevent particles of acid-neutralizing compound from reaching the outlet; and a base plate comprising a threaded central passage and one or more ports. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The filter apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a conduit having a pressure reduction section and wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The filter apparatus of claim 34, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 37 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing comprising a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet; a first particulate filter contained in the housing; an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing and arranged in fluidic parallel with the first particulate filter, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an outer sidewall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound and a second particulate filter, the second particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the acid-neutralizing compound and the outlet to prevent particles of acid-neutralizing compound from reaching the outlet; and a conduit contained in the housing for connecting the first particulate filter to the outlet, the conduit including a pressure reduction section arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter such that a portion of the fluid to be filtered by the filter apparatus passes through the acid-neutralizing filter, the pressure reduction section having at least one passageway formed therein in fluidic connection with the second particulate filter, the second particulate filter being disposed around the pressure reduction section of the conduit over said at least one passageway. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The filter apparatus of claim 37, wherein the pressure reduction section includes at least one of a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, and a venturi. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The filter apparatus of claim 37, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The filter apparatus of claim 39, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of between about 0.5 inches and 1.25 inches. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The filter apparatus of claim 39, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of about 0.75 inches. ### Claim 42 (depends on 37) The filter apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in diameter. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The filter apparatus of claim 42, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is between about 0.7 to about 1.5 inches. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) The filter apparatus of claim 42, wherein the inside diameter of the upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is about 1.25 inches. ### Claim 45 (depends on 37) The filter apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of about 0.2 inches. ### Claim 46 (depends on 37) The filter apparatus of claim 37, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 47 (depends on 37) The filter apparatus of claim 37 wherein about 90% to about 97% of the fluid entering the fluid apparatus passes through the first particulate filter. ### Claim 48 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing comprising a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet; an acid-neutralizing bed contained in the housing comprising a media container having an outer side wall surrounding acid-neutralizing media particles; a first flow path for fluid running through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the first flow path running through the acid-neutralizing bed and then through a first particulate filter downstream of the acid-neutralizing bed such that acid-neutralizing media particles are prevented from reaching the outlet when fluid flows from along the first flow path from the inlet to the outlet; a second flow path for fluid running through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the second flow path running through a second particulate filter and bypassing the acid-neutralizing bed; and a conduit disposed in the second flow path for fluidically connecting the second particulate filter to the outlet and having a pressure reduction section for deriving a suctioning force from fluid flowing along the second flow path and for suctioning fluid along the first flow path, the first particulate filter being mounted around the pressure reduction section over at least one passageway formed in the pressure reduction section. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, wherein the pressure reduction section includes at least one of a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, and a venturi. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The filter apparatus of claim 50, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of between about 0.5 inches and 1.25 inches. ### Claim 52 (depends on 50) The filter apparatus of claim 50, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of about 0.75 inches. ### Claim 53 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, wherein at least one passageway passes through the wall of the pressure reduction section of the conduit. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The filter apparatus of claim 53, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in diameter. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The filter apparatus of claim 54, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is between about 0.7 to about 1.5 inches. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The filter apparatus of claim 54, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is about 1.25 inches. ### Claim 57 (depends on 53) The filter apparatus of claim 53, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of about 0.2 inches. ### Claim 58 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, wherein the acid-neutralizing particles include at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 59 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, further comprising at least one seal between the media container and the second particulate filter to prevent the acid-neutralizing media particles from reaching the fluid exit. ### Claim 60 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, wherein the first and second particulate filters each comprise a tubular filter media surrounding a perforated support. ### Claim 61 (depends on 48) The filter apparatus of claim 48, wherein when fluid is flowing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, about 90% to about 97% of the fluid passes through the second flow path and wherein about 3% to about 10% of the fluid passes through the first flow path. ### Claim 62 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids and impurities contained in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing comprising a canister and an end plate, the canister having an open end and a generally cylindrical sidewall therebetween, the end plate being secured to the open end, the end plate providing the inlet and the outlet; a first particulate filter contained in the housing; a conduit contained in the housing and disposed to fluidically connect the first particulate filter to the outlet, the conduit including a pressure reduction section; and an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing and arranged in fluidic parallel with the first particulate filter, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an outer sidewall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound and a second particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound to prevent particles of acid-neutralizing compound from reaching the outlet, the second particulate filter being disposed around the pressure reduction section over at least one passage way formed in the pressure reduction section such that the pressure reduction section creates a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein the pressure reduction section includes at least one of a thin-plate orifice, a long radius nozzle, a Dall nozzle, and a venturi. ### Claim 64 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The filter apparatus of claim 64, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of between about 0.5 inches and 1.25 inches. ### Claim 66 (depends on 64) The filter apparatus of claim 64, wherein the venturi has a throat having an internal diameter of about 0.75 inches. ### Claim 67 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in diameter. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The filter apparatus of claim 67, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is between about 0.7 to about 1.5 inches. ### Claim 69 (depends on 67) The filter apparatus of claim 67, wherein the inside diameter of an upstream end and a downstream end of the conduit is about 1.25 inches. ### Claim 70 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein the at least one passageway is four passageways each having a diameter of about 0.2 inches. ### Claim 71 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein the acid-neutralizing compound includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. ### Claim 72 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein about 90% to about 97% of the fluid entering the fluid apparatus passes through the first particulate filter. ### Claim 73 (depends on 62) The filter apparatus of claim 62, wherein the second particulate filter has a cylindrical filter element disposed concentrically around the pressure reduction section of the conduit. ### Claim 74 (depends on 73) The filter apparatus of claim 73, wherein the first particulate filter is disposed at a closed end of the housing, and the conduit fluidically connects an inner bore of the first particulate filter to the outlet. ### Claim 75 A filter apparatus for use in removing acids in a fluid comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; an acid-neutralizing filter contained in the housing, the acid-neutralizing filter comprising a media container having an outer sidewall surrounding an acid-neutralizing compound; a conduit having a surface for contacting the fluid, the surface having an axial length, and the conduit being contained in the housing; a particulate filter arranged downstream of the acid-neutralizing compound fluidically between the acid-neutralizing compound and the outlet, the particulate filter disposed around the conduit and having a particulate filter axial length that is shorter than the conduit surface axial length; and the conduit including a pressure reduction section arranged to create a pressure differential across the acid-neutralizing filter and the conduit including at least one passageway in the pressure reduction section. ### Claim 76 (depends on 75) The filter apparatus of claim 75, wherein the pressure reduction section comprises a venturi.