Assemblies; components and filter features thereof; and, methods of use and assembly
Air cleaner assemblies, components therefor, and features thereof are described. Also described are methods of assembly and use. In depicted examples, the air cleaner assemblies and components optionally use advantageous housing seal features. Also, an advantageous resonator/sonic choke arrangement, which is optional and which can be used without the advantageous housing seal, is described. Methods of assembly and use are described.
1. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) media having first and second ends; the media surrounding and defining an open filter interior;
(b) a first, open, end cap positioned at the first end of the media;
(i) the first open end cap including a molded-in-place end cap portion with the media first end embedded therein and a central aperture therethrough;
(c) a closed end cap positioned at the second end of the media; and,
(d) a housing seal arrangement positioned on the first end cap; the housing seal arrangement comprising:
(i) a first radially directed seal surface having at least two outwardly curved seal surface sections alternating with at least two radially inwardly extending, non-straight, seal surface sections, to define a plurality of spaced radially outwardly directed lobes, separated by inwardly curved sections, in the seal surface, in extension in a direction completely around the central aperture therethrough;
(ii) the housing seal arrangement including a seal support structure embedded in the first end cap and including a seal support having outwardly curved sections, in extension in a direction completely around the central aperture through the first, open, end cap;
(iii) the first radially directed surface comprising a molded-in-place portion of the first end cap positioned on, and radially supported by, the seal support; and
(iv) the first radially directed seal surface comprising a radially outwardly directed first radially directed seal surface spaced from the central aperture.
2. An air cleaner cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first radially directed seal surface comprises 3-8 outwardly curved seal surface sections alternating with 3-8 inwardly curved seal surface sections.
3. An air filter cartridge according to any claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing seal arrangement, on the first end cap, includes a second radially directed seal arrangement having a second seal surface.
4. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the seal support structure includes:
(i) a central hub;
(ii) an outer support ring surrounding, and spaced from, the central hub; and,
(iii) an open grid arrangement securing the central hub and outer support ring together.
5. An air filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein:
(a) the open grid arrangement comprises a plurality of ribs extending at an angle of at least 0.5°, in a direction away from the media and in extension toward the outer support.
6. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
(a) the open grid arrangement comprises a plurality of ribs extending at an angle of at least 1°, in a direction away from the media in extension toward the outer support.
7. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the media comprises a cylindrical extension of media.
8. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the media comprises a conical extension of media.
9. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) each outwardly directed lobe in the radially outwardly directed housing seal surface has a radius of curvature smaller than each inwardly curved section in the same housing seal surface.
10. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) media having first and second end of the media surrounding and defining an open filter interior;
(b) a first, open, end cap positioned at the first end of the media end and having a central aperture therethrough;
(c) a housing seal arrangement positioned on the first end cap; the housing seal arrangement comprising:
(i) a first radially directed seal surface having at least two outwardly curved seal surface sections alternating with at least two radially inwardly extending, non-straight, curved seal surface sections, in a direction of extension completely around a portion of the first, open, end cap;
(ii) the housing arrangement including a seal support structure embedded in the first end cap and including a seal support comprising outwardly curved sections, in extension in a direction completely around a portion of the first end cap having the central aperture therethrough; and,
(iii) the housing seal arrangement including a seal support structure embedded in the first end cap and including a seal support comprising outwardly curved sections, in extension in a direction completely around a portion of the first end cap having the central aperture therethrough; and,
(d) the first open end cap surrounding a central aperture and having a first member of a cartridge-to-outlet tube rotational alignment arrangement thereon comprising a radially inwardly projecting radial projection arrangement.
11. An air cartridge according to claim 10 wherein:
(a) the radial projection arrangement comprises a plurality of radial projections.
12. An air filter cartridge according to claim 11 wherein:
(a) the radial projection arrangement comprises a plurality of non-circular radial projections.
13. An air filter cartridge according claim 12 wherein:
(a) the radial projection arrangement comprises a plurality of u-shaped radial projections.
14. An air filter cartridge according to claim 13 wherein:
(a) each u-shaped radial projection is oriented with a central portion of the u-shape directed away from the second end of the media.
15. An air filter cartridge according to claim 11 wherein:
(a) the first radially directed seal surface is an outwardly directed seal surface.
16. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) media having first and second ends; the media surrounding and defining an open filter interior;
(b) a first, open, end cap positioned at the first end of the media; and,
(c) a housing seal arrangement positioned on the first end cap; the housing seal arrangement comprising: a first, non-circular, radially directed seal arrangement having a first seal surface; and, a second radially directed seal arrangement having a second seal surface;
(i) the first seal surface being spaced radially inwardly from the second seal surface; the first radially directed seal surface being a radially outwardly directed radial seal surface.
17. An air filter cartridge according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the first end cap includes a molded-in-place portion having the first end of the media embedded therein; and,
(b) the first seal surface and the second seal surface each comprise a surface portion of the molded-in-place portion.
18. An air filter cartridge according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the second radially directed seal surface is an outwardly directed radial seal surface positioned around an outer perimeter of the first end cap.
19. An air filter cartridge according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the first end cap includes a receiving groove therein; and,
(b) the first seal surface comprises a surface portion of the receiving groove.