Rotating coalescer with keyed drive

A coalescing filter element for a gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture in a coalescing filter assembly having a housing, the housing having an inlet receiving said gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid, said assembly including a rotary drive member coupled to a drive shaft, the rotary drive member having a first set of one or more detent surfaces, said coalescing filter element comprising:

• an annular rotating inside-out flow coalescing filter element having an endcap such that said rotary drive member is positioned between said endcap and said drive shaft when said annular rotating coalescing filter element is positioned within said housing,
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with said first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of said coalescing filter element by said rotary drive member,
• wherein designated operation of said gas-liquid rotating coalescer, including designated rotation of said coalescing filter element, requires said second set of one or more detent surfaces, including said engaged interaction with said first set of one or more detent surfaces in said interlocking mating keyed relation, whereby a coalescing filter element missing said second set of one or more detent surfaces will not affect effect said designated operation.

A gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, comprising:

• a coalescing filter assembly comprising a housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid;
• an annular rotating coalescing filter element in the housing, the filter element having an endcap;
• a drive shaft;
• a rotary drive member coupled to the drive shaft, the rotary drive member positioned between the drive shaft and the endcap when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is received in the housing;
• a first set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap of the coalescing filter element, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member,
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, and comprising a third set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member, and a fourth set of one or more detent surfaces on the coalescing filter element, the rotary drive member comprising a rotary drive shaft extending axially through the second axial endcap and axially through the hollow interior and engaging the first axial endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces being on the second endcap, the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces being on the first endcap, the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces being on the rotary drive shaft at axially spaced locations therealong, the first and second sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft extends through the second endcap, the third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft engages the first endcap, and
• wherein the axial extension of the rotary drive shaft through the hollow interior between the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces respectively engaging the second and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces on respective the endcaps provides an alignment coupler extending axially between the first and second endcaps and maintaining alignment thereof and preventing torsional twisting of the coalescer filter element therebetween.

A coalescing filter element for a gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture in a coalescing filter assembly having a housing, the housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid, the assembly including a rotary drive member coupled to a drive shaft, the rotary drive member having a first set of one or more detent surfaces, the coalescing filter element comprising:

• an annular rotating coalescing filter element having an endcap such that the rotary drive member is positioned between the endcap and the drive shaft when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is positioned within the housing;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member;
• wherein designated operation of the gas-liquid rotating coalescer, including designated rotation of the coalescing filter element, requires the second set of one or more detent surfaces, including the engaged interaction with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in the interlocking mating keyed relation, whereby a coalescing filter element missing the second set of one or more detent surfaces will not affect effect the designated operation,
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, and comprising a third set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member, and a fourth set of one or more detent surfaces on the coalescing filter element, the rotary drive member comprising a rotary drive shaft extending axially through the second axial endcap and axially through the hollow interior and engaging the first axial endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces being on the second endcap, the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces being on the first endcap, the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces being on the rotary drive shaft at axially spaced locations therealong, the first and second sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft extends through the second endcap, the third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft engages the first endcap, and
• wherein the axial extension of the rotary drive shaft through the hollow interior between the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces respectively engaging the second and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces on respective the endcaps provides an alignment coupler extending axially between the first and second endcaps and maintaining alignment thereof and preventing torsional twisting of the coalescer filter element therebetween.

A gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, comprising:

• a coalescing filter assembly comprising a housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid;
• an annular rotating coalescing filter element in the housing, the filter element having an endcap;
• a drive shaft;
• a rotary drive member coupled to the drive shaft, the rotary drive member positioned between the drive shaft and the endcap when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is received in the housing;
• a first set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap of the coalescing filter element, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member;
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, and comprising a third set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member, and a fourth set of one or more detent surfaces on the coalescing filter element, the rotary drive member comprising a rotary drive shaft extending axially through the second axial endcap and axially through the hollow interior and engaging the first axial endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces being on the second endcap, the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces being on the first endcap, the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces being on the rotary drive shaft at axially spaced locations therealong, the first and second sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft extends through the second endcap, the third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft engages the first endcap,
• wherein the each of the first, second, third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces has a polygonal shape providing the engaged interaction in the interlocking mating keyed relation, and
• wherein at least one of the first and second endcaps has a plurality of vanes extending axially into the hollow interior and extending radially outwardly from a central hub having an inner periphery providing one of the second and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging the rotary drive shaft.

A coalescing filter element for a gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture in a coalescing filter assembly having a housing, the housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid, the assembly including a rotary drive member coupled to a drive shaft, the rotary drive member having a first set of one or more detent surfaces, the coalescing filter element comprising:

• an annular rotating coalescing filter element having an endcap such that the rotary drive member is positioned between the endcap and the drive shaft when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is positioned within the housing;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member;
• wherein designated operation of the gas-liquid rotating coalescer, including designated rotation of the coalescing filter element, requires the second set of one or more detent surfaces, including the engaged interaction with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in the interlocking mating keyed relation, whereby a coalescing filter element missing the second set of one or more detent surfaces will not affect effect the designated operation;
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, and comprising a third set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member, and a fourth set of one or more detent surfaces on the coalescing filter element, the rotary drive member comprising a rotary drive shaft extending axially through the second axial endcap and axially through the hollow interior and engaging the first axial endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces being on the second endcap, the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces being on the first endcap, the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces being on the rotary drive shaft at axially spaced locations therealong, the first and second sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft extends through the second endcap, the third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft engages the first endcap,
• wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces has a polygonal shape providing the engaged interaction in the interlocking mating keyed relation, and
• wherein at least one of the first and second endcaps has a plurality of vanes extending axially into the hollow interior and extending radially outwardly from a central hub having an inner periphery providing one of the second and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging the rotary drive shaft.

A gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, comprising:

• a coalescing filter assembly comprising a housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid;
• an annular rotating coalescing filter element in the housing, the filter element having an endcap;
• a drive shaft;
• a rotary drive member coupled to the drive shaft, the rotary drive member positioned between the drive shaft and the endcap when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is received in the housing;
• a first set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap of the coalescing filter element, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member;
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, and comprising a third set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member, and a fourth set of one or more detent surfaces on the coalescing filter element, the rotary drive member comprising a rotary drive shaft extending axially through the second axial endcap and axially through the hollow interior and engaging the first axial endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces being on the second endcap, the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces being on the first endcap, the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces being on the rotary drive shaft at axially spaced locations therealong, the first and second sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft extends through the second endcap, the third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft engages the first endcap,
• wherein the each of the first, second, third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces has a polygonal shape providing the engaged interaction in the interlocking mating keyed relation, and
• wherein the first endcap has a first set of a plurality of vanes extending axially into the hollow interior toward the second endcap and extending radially outwardly from a first central hub having an inner periphery providing the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces, and the second endcap has a second set of a plurality of vanes extending axially into the hollow interior toward the first endcap and extending radially outwardly from a second central hub having an inner periphery providing the second set of one or more detent surfaces.

A coalescing filter element for a gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture in a coalescing filter assembly having a housing, the housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid, the assembly including a rotary drive member coupled to a drive shaft, the rotary drive member having a first set of one or more detent surfaces, the coalescing filter element comprising:

• an annular rotating coalescing filter element having an endcap such that the rotary drive member is positioned between the endcap and the drive shaft when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is positioned within the housing;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member;
• wherein designated operation of the gas-liquid rotating coalescer, including designated rotation of the coalescing filter element, requires the second set of one or more detent surfaces, including the engaged interaction with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in the interlocking mating keyed relation, whereby a coalescing filter element missing the second set of one or more detent surfaces will not affect effect the designated operation;
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, and comprising a third set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member, and a fourth set of one or more detent surfaces on the coalescing filter element, the rotary drive member comprising a rotary drive shaft extending axially through the second axial endcap and axially through the hollow interior and engaging the first axial endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces being on the second endcap, the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces being on the first endcap, the first and third sets of one or more detent surfaces being on the rotary drive shaft at axially spaced locations therealong, the first and second sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft extends through the second endcap, the third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces engaging each other in interlocking mating keyed relation as the rotary drive shaft engages the first endcap,
• wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth sets of one or more detent surfaces has a polygonal shape providing the engaged interaction in the interlocking mating keyed relation, and
• wherein the first endcap has a first set of a plurality of vanes extending axially into the hollow interior toward the second endcap and extending radially outwardly from a first central hub having an inner periphery providing the fourth set of one or more detent surfaces, and the second endcap has a second set of a plurality of vanes extending axially into the hollow interior toward the first endcap and extending radially outwardly from a second central hub having an inner periphery providing the second set of one or more detent surfaces.

A gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, comprising:

• a coalescing filter assembly comprising a housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid;
• an annular rotating coalescing filter element in the housing, the filter element having an endcap;
• a drive shaft;
• a rotary drive member coupled to the drive shaft, the rotary drive member positioned between the drive shaft and the endcap when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is received in the housing;
• a first set of one or more detent surfaces on the rotary drive member;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap of the coalescing filter element, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member,
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, a torsional-resistance alignment coupler extending axially between the first and second endcaps and maintaining alignment thereof and preventing torsional twisting of the coalescer filter element therebetween.

A coalescing filter element for a gas-liquid rotating coalescer separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture in a coalescing filter assembly having a housing, the housing having an inlet receiving the gas-liquid mixture, a gas outlet discharging separated gas, and a drain outlet discharging separated liquid, the assembly including a rotary drive member coupled to a drive shaft, the rotary drive member having a first set of one or more detent surfaces, the coalescing filter element comprising:

• an annular rotating coalescing filter element having an endcap such that the rotary drive member is positioned between the endcap and the drive shaft when the annular rotating coalescing filter element is positioned within the housing;
• and
• a second set of one or more detent surfaces on the endcap, the second set of one or more detent surfaces engagingly interacting with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in interlocking mating keyed relation to effect rotation of the coalescing filter element by the rotary drive member,
• wherein designated operation of the gas-liquid rotating coalescer, including designated rotation of the coalescing filter element, requires the second set of one or more detent surfaces, including the engaged interaction with the first set of one or more detent surfaces in the interlocking mating keyed relation, whereby a coalescing filter element missing the second set of one or more detent surfaces will not affect effect the designated operation, and
• wherein the coalescing filter element rotates about an axis and extends axially along the axis between first and second axial ends having respective first and second axial endcaps, the coalescing filter element having an axially extending hollow interior, a torsional-resistance alignment coupler extending axially between the first and second endcaps and maintaining alignment thereof and preventing torsional twisting of the coalescer filter element therebetween.