Air cleaner; replaceable filter cartridges; and, methods
AssigneeDonaldson Company, Inc.
InventorsJames R. Scott, Carolyn J. Finnerty, Steven Scott Gieseke, Douglas Lee Iddings, William M. Juliar, Gregory LaVallee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure concern air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. An optional mechanical interlock, operated with a non-threaded, movement of the cartridge, is provided between the primary filter cartridge and the housing. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.
Claims18
A filter cartridge comprising:
- (a) first and second, opposite, end caps;
- (i) the first end cap being a molded-in-place end cap having an air flow exit aperture therethrough;
- (ii) the first end cap having a housing seal comprising an integrally molded portion of the first, molded, end cap;
- (iii) the first end cap comprising foamed polyurethane having an as-molded density of no greater than 28 lbs/cu·ft.;
- (b) filter media embedded in, and extending between, the first and second end caps;
- (i) the filter media defines a conical shape in extension between the first and second end caps with a larger diameter adjacent the first end cap;
- (c) an outer framework having a sidewall structure circumscribing the media at least at a location adjacent the first end cap;
- (i) the outer framework including an imperforate shield section adjacent the first end cap and extending an axial distance of at least 10% and not more than 40% of a distance between the first end cap and the second end cap;
- and
- (ii) the outer framework including a dust shield positioned and oriented as a circular, radially outwardly projecting, ring.
An air cleaner assembly comprising:
- (a) a housing having a sidewall and first and second opposite ends;
- (i) the first end being closed and having an axial outlet tube therein;
- (ii) the housing including a dust drop tube adjacent the first end;
- (iii) the housing sidewall second end being an open end;
- and
- (iv) the housing having an end cover removeably mounted to close the housing second end;
- (A) the end cover having a precleaner comprising a shield having a spiral ramp on an outer surface thereof;
- (b) the housing including an air flow inlet positioned to direct air into the precleaner;
- and,
- (c) a conical, removable and replaceable, primary filter cartridge positioned within the housing with:
- (a) a larger diameter end of the primary filter cartridge sealed to the housing;
- and,
- (b) a narrow end of the primary filter cartridge surrounded by the precleaner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.