IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,101,003
Granted Patent B2
US 8,101,003 · App. 12/692,114 · Granted Jan 24, 2012

Filter elements; air cleaner; assembly; and, methods

Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,101,003
App. No.
12/692,114
Granted
Jan 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A filter cartridge, a safety element and fluid cleaner assembly are described. The fluid cleaner assembly generally includes a housing having a cover and a primary fluid cleaner section. The filter cartridge generally comprises z-filter media, arranged in a straight through configuration. Preferred cartridges include a seal gasket positioned to extend continuously around at outer perimeter of the straight through flow construction. The fluid cleaner assembly can have a precleaner positioned therein. Preferred features are described. Methods of assembly and use are also provided.

Claims (72)

1. An air filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media construction having an inlet flow end and an outlet flow end comprising flutes extending in a direction between the inlet end and the outlet end and configured to provide straight through flow;

(i) the media construction having a cross-sectional configuration including a pair of spaced opposite curved ends;

(b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media construction; the shell having a seal support;

(i) the media construction being secured within the shell;

(ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough;

(c) structure provided between the sidewall to contain the media construction between the sidewall;

(d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;

(i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures;

(ii) the seal arrangement and seal support forming an axial seal member extending completely peripherally around the media construction and oriented to form an axial seal with a portion of a housing, when the air filter cartridge is operably positioned in a housing; the seal member including first and second opposite sides and an outer annular surface; the first and second opposite sides of the seal member being compressible axially toward one another to seal the air filter cartridge to the housing; and

(e) wherein the shell is secured to the media construction by the seal arrangement.

2. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises z-filter media.

3. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises z-filter media; and

(b) the seal support extends radially outwardly from the sidewall.

4. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the media construction is racetrack shaped; and

(b) the shell is racetrack shaped.

5. An air filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media construction having an inlet flow end and an outlet flow end comprising flutes extending in a direction between the inlet end and the outlet end and configured to provide straight through flow;

(i) the media construction having a cross-sectional configuration including a pair of spaced opposite curved ends;

(b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media construction; the shell having a seal support;

(i) the media construction being secured within the shell;

(ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough;

(c) structure provided between the sidewall to contain the media construction between the sidewall;

(d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;

(i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures;

(ii) the seal arrangement and seal support forming an axial seal member extending completely peripherally around the media construction and oriented to form an axial seal with a portion of a housing, when the air filter cartridge is operably positioned in a housing; the seal member including first and second opposite sides and an outer annular surface; the first and second opposite sides of the seal member being compressible axially toward one another to seal the air filter cartridge to the housing; and

(e) wherein the seal arrangement is molded directly to the media construction.

6. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises coiled z-filter media.

7. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises z-filter media; and

(b) the seal support extends radially outwardly from the sidewall.

8. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) the media construction is racetrack shaped; and

(b) the shell is racetrack shaped.

9. An air filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media construction having an inlet flow end and an outlet flow end comprising flutes extending in a direction between the inlet end and the outlet end and configured to provide straight through flow;

(i) the media construction having a cross-sectional configuration including a pair of spaced opposite curved ends;

(b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media construction; the shell having a seal support;

the media construction being secured within the shell;

(ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough;

(c) structure provided between the sidewall to contain the media construction between the sidewall;

(d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;

(i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures;

(ii) the seal arrangement and seal support forming an axial seal member extending completely peripherally around the media construction and oriented to form an axial seal with a portion of a housing, when the air filter cartridge is operably positioned in a housing; the seal member including first and second opposite sides and an outer annular surface; the first and second opposite sides of the seal member being compressible axially toward one another to seal the air filter cartridge to the housing; and

(e) wherein said structure comprises grid work extending over the outlet flow face; and the grid work and the seal support are at opposite ends of the shell.

10. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) the grid work is an integral part of the shell.

11. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises z-filter media.

12. An air filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media construction having an inlet flow end and an outlet flow end comprising flutes extending in a direction between the inlet end and the outlet end and configured to provide straight through flow;

(i) the media construction having a cross-sectional configuration including a pair of spaced opposite curved ends;

(b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media construction; the shell having a seal support;

(i) the media construction being secured within the shell;

(ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough;

(c) structure provided between the sidewall to contain the media construction between the sidewall;

(d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;

(i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures;

(ii) the seal arrangement and seal support forming an axial seal member extending completely peripherally around the media construction and oriented to form an axial seal with a portion of a housing, when the air filter cartridge is operably positioned in a housing; the seal member including first and second opposite sides and an outer annular surface; the first and second opposite sides of the seal member being compressible axially toward one another to seal the air filter cartridge to the housing; and

(e) wherein the shell is adjacent the inlet flow end of the media construction; and the shell extends to the outlet flow end of the media construction.

13. An air filter cartridge according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises coiled z-filter media.

14. An air filter cartridge according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) the media construction comprises z-filter media; and

(b) the seal support extends radially outwardly from the sidewall.

15. An air filter cartridge according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) the media construction is racetrack shaped; and

(b) the shell is racetrack shaped.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 10587766
Provisional Application 60556133 · Mar 24, 2004
Related Publication 20100115897A1 · May 13, 2010