# US 7,611,451 B2 · Centrifuge assembly with open-ended canister and closure caps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,451 B2 - Document ID: US7611451B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/327,565 - Filed: 2006-01-06 - Published: 2006-07-13 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-01-11 - Assignees: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc. - Inventors: Jared Gwin; Hendrik N. Amirkhanian; Erica C. Clark - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611451B2 ## CPC - B04B 5/005: {Centrifugal separators or filters for fluid circulation systems, e.g. for lubricant oil circulation systems} - B04B 7/02: Casings; Lids (shock absorbers, vibration dampers F16F) - F01M 2001/1035: {comprising centrifugal filters} - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) - F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING ## Abstract A filtration centrifuge according to a typical embodiment of the present invention includes a housing canister, a rotor assembly, a rotor shaft, a top cap, and a bottom cap. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the rotor assembly mounts into the canister without the use of a rotor shaft. The canister is open at both ends and the manner of connection between the top and bottom of the canister and the top and bottom caps includes all possible combinations of internal threads, external threads, and a bayonet connection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filtration centrifuge comprising a housing canister having a sidewall that defines a first open end, a second open end, and a hollow interior; a rotor assembly supported within said hollow interior and being constructed and arranged for rotary motion relative to said housing canister for processing a flow of fluid delivered to said rotor assembly; a first cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said first open end, removal of said first cap from said housing canister restoring said first open end to an open condition; and a second cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said second open end, removal of said second cap from said housing canister restoring said second open end to an open condition, one of said first and second caps defining a flow passageway for said flow of fluid, wherein said rotor assembly is accessible from said first open end and is accessible from said second open end, wherein said first open end is constructed and arranged with a bayonet connection and said first cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that the first cap assembles to said first open end with an insert-then turn motion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filtration centrifuge of claim 1 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with an externally-threaded connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The filtration centrifuge of claim 1 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with an internally-threaded connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The filtration centrifuge of claim 1 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with a bayonet connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end with an insert-then turn motion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The filtration centrifuge of claim 1 which further includes a rotor shaft constructed and arranged for supporting said rotor assembly relative to said housing canister. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The filtration centrifuge of claim 1 which further includes a mounting back plate integrally joined to said housing canister. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The filtration centrifuge of claim 6 wherein said mounting back plate defines a plurality of mounting holes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The filtration centrifuge of claim 7 wherein said mounting back plate further defines a fluid inlet and a drain opening. ### Claim 9 A filtration centrifuge comprising a housing canister having a sidewall that defines a first open end, a second open end, and a hollow interior; a rotor assembly supported within said hollow interior and being constructed and arranged for rotary motion relative to said housing canister for processing a flow of fluid delivered to said rotor assembly; a first cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said first open end, removal of said first cap from said housing canister restoring said first open end to an open condition; and a second cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said second open end, removal of said second cap from said housing canister restoring said second open end to an open condition, one of said first and second caps defining a flow passageway for said flow of fluid, wherein said rotor assembly is accessible from said first open end and is accessible from said second open end, wherein said first open end is constructed and arranged with an externally-threaded connection and said first cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that the first cap assembles to said first open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The filtration centrifuge of claim 9 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with a bayonet connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end with an insert-then turn motion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The filtration centrifuge of claim 9 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with an internally-threaded connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The filtration centrifuge of claim 9 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with an externally-threaded connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The filtration centrifuge of claim 9 which further includes a rotor shaft constructed and arranged for supporting said rotor assembly relative to said housing canister. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The filtration centrifuge of claim 9 which further includes a mounting back plate integrally joined to said housing canister, wherein said mounting back plate defines a plurality of mounting holes, a fluid inlet and a drain opening. ### Claim 15 A filtration centrifuge comprising a housing canister having a sidewall that defines a first open end, a second open end, and a hollow interior; a rotor assembly supported within said hollow interior and being constructed and arranged for rotary motion relative to said housing canister for processing a flow of fluid delivered to said rotor assembly; a first cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said first open end, removal of said first cap from said housing canister restoring said first open end to an open condition; and a second cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said second open end, removal of said second cap from said housing canister restoring said second open end to an open condition, one of said first and second caps defining a flow passageway for said flow of fluid, wherein said rotor assembly is accessible from said first open end and is accessible from said second open end, wherein said first open end is constructed and arranged with an internally-threaded connection and said first cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that the first cap assembles to said first open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The filtration centrifuge of claim 15 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with an externally-threaded connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The filtration centrifuge of claim 15 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with a bayonet connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end with an insert-then turn motion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The filtration centrifuge of claim 15 wherein said second open end is constructed and arranged with an internally-threaded connection and said second cap is constructed and arranged with a cooperating assembly structure such that said second cap assembles to said second open end by threaded engagement. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The filtration centrifuge of claim 15 which further includes a rotor shaft constructed and arranged for supporting said rotor assembly relative to said housing canister. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The filtration centrifuge of claim 15 which further includes a mounting back plate integrally joined to said housing canister, wherein said mounting back plate defines a plurality of mounting holes, a fluid inlet and a drain opening. ### Claim 21 A filtration centrifuge comprising a housing canister having a sidewall that defines a first open end, a second open end, and a hollow interior; a rotor assembly supported within said hollow interior and being constructed and arranged for rotary motion relative to said housing canister for processing a flow of fluid delivered to said rotor assembly; a first cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said first open end, removal of said first cap from said housing canister restoring said first open end to an open condition; a second cap constructed and arranged to removably assemble to said housing canister to close off said second open end, removal of said second cap from said housing canister restoring said second open end to an open condition, one of said first and second caps defining a flow passageway for said flow of fluid, wherein said rotor assembly is accessible from said first open end and is accessible from said second open end; and a mounting back plate integrally joined to said housing canister, wherein said mounting back plate defines a plurality of mounting holes, a fluid inlet and a drain opening.