Integrated waffle fluid filter apparatus and method
A fluid filter for use with a fluid having particulate material includes a housing having an internal surface having a set of depressions formed therein to trap particulate material in the fluid, and a filter media disposed in the housing to filter the fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid filter may be a transmission filter or an engine filter. In addition, a transmission system includes a transmission pan having an internal surface with a set of depressions formed therein, and a suction side transmission filter disposed in a transmission pan wherein the suction side transmission filter also has a filter housing having an internal surface with a set of depressions formed therein. Further, a magnet may be coupled to the depressions to aid in the capture and retention of ferromagnetic particles.
1 . A fluid filter for use with a fluid having particulate material comprising:
a housing having an internal surface having a set of depressions formed therein to trap particulate material in the fluid; and
a filter media disposed in the housing to filter the fluid.
2 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the set of depressions have a regular repeating geometry.
3 . The fluid filter of claim 2 , wherein the geometry of the set of depressions comprises a first plurality of parallel grooves.
4 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the set of depressions comprises a second plurality of parallel grooves at an angle to the first plurality.
5 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the fluid filter is a transmission filter.
6 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the fluid filter is an engine filter.
7 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , further comprising a magnet attached to the housing to attract the particulate material.
8 . The fluid filter of claim 7 , wherein the magnet is disposed on top of the set of depressions.
9 . The fluid filter of claim 7 , wherein the magnet is integral with the set of depressions.
10 . The fluid filter of claim 7 , wherein the magnet is coupled to the outside of the fluid filter housing.
11 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the internal surface comprises a sheet for placement in the fluid filter comprising:
a top surface having a series of depressions formed therein; and
a bottom surface adapted to attach the sheet to the internal surface of the fluid filter.
12 . The sheet of claim 11 , further comprising:
a magnet coupled to the sheet.
13 . The sheet of claim 11 , wherein the sheet is metallic.
14 . The sheet of claim 11 , wherein the sheet is plastic.
15 . A transmission system comprising:
a transmission pan having an internal surface with a set of depressions formed therein; and
a suction side transmission filter disposed in a transmission pan wherein the suction side transmission filter comprises a filter housing having an internal surface with a set of depressions formed therein.
16 . The transmission system of claim 15 , wherein the set of depressions have a regular repeating geometry.
17 . The transmission system of claim 15 , wherein the geometry of the set of depressions comprises a first plurality of parallel grooves.
18 . The transmission system of claim 15 , wherein the set of depressions comprises a second plurality of parallel grooves of an angle to the first plurality.
19 . The transmission system of claim 15 , wherein a magnet is coupled to the set of depressions.
20 . A method of capturing debris in a fluid filter comprising:
passing fluid over a set of depressions formed in an internal surface of a housing;
entrapping particles in the set of depressions; and
passing fluid through a filter media.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the fluid filter is a transmission filter.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the fluid filter is an engine filter.
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein a magnet is coupled to the set of depressions.
24 . A system for capturing debris in a fluid filter comprising:
means for defining a set of depressions in a bottom of the fluid filter; and
magnetic means for attracting particulates to the set of depressions.
25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the fluid filter is a transmission filter.
26 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the fluid filter is an engine filter.
27 . An engine system comprising:
an engine pan having an internal surface with a set of depressions formed therein; and
a suction side engine filter disposed in an engine pan wherein the suction side engine filter comprises a filter housing having an internal surface with a set of depressions formed therein.
28 . The engine system of claim 27 , wherein the set of depressions have a regular repeating geometry.
29 . The engine system of claim 27 , wherein the geometry of the set of depressions comprises a first plurality of parallel grooves.
30 . The engine system of claim 27 , wherein the set of depressions comprises a second plurality of parallel grooves of an angle to the first plurality.
31 . The engine system of claim 27 , wherein a magnet is coupled to the set of depressions.