Filter elements; air filter arrangements; and, methods
Filter elements are described. In an example embodiment, the filter element has a support framework and media defining a closed end and an open end. A non-circular radial seal is depicted, in an example. Variations for particular applications are described.
1. An air filter element comprising:
(a) an open filter interior having a first, closed, end and an open end opposite the first, closed, end; the open end having an air flow aperture therethrough;
(b) filter media; and,
(c) a seal arrangement including a non-circular sealing surface positioned at the open end of the filter element;
(i) the sealing surface having a non-circular shape comprising at least three, spaced, radially outwardly directed lobes with non-straight seal surface sections extending therebetween; and,
(ii) the sealing surface being configured and directed to form a radially directed seal.
2. An air filter element according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the element includes, at the open end, a portion having a sealing surface configured to form a second sealing surface.
3. An air filter element according to 2 wherein:
(a) the portion configured to form a second sealing surface is configured to form an axial seal.
4. An air filter element according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the media includes one or more layers of fine fiber thereon.
5. An air filter element according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the filter media is pleated.
6. An air filter element according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the filter media comprises at least one planar filter panel.
7. An air filter element according to claim 6 wherein:
(a) the filter media comprises at least one rectangular filter panel.
8. An air filter element according to claim 6 wherein:
(a) the filter media comprises multiple rectangular filter panels.
9. An air filter element according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the sealing surface is configured to form a radially inwardly directed sealing engagement.
10. A filter element comprising:
(a) at least one, generally planar, filter panel;
(b) a support structure supporting the at least one generally planar, filtration panel and defining a filter interior;
(i) the support structure having a first, closed, end and a second, opposite, end with an outlet aperture therein;
(ii) the generally planar filter panel being supported by the support structure: at a location between the first, closed end and the second, opposite, end; and, being oriented to direct air flow through the at least one generally planar filter panel toward a location in the filter interior between the first closed end and the second, opposite, end; and,
(iii) the outlet aperture being a non-circular outlet aperture defined by the support structure; and,
(c) a non-circular, radially inwardly directed, housing seal surface on a seal member mounted at the non-circular outlet.
11. A filter element according to claim 10 wherein:
(a) the non-circular, radially inwardly directed, housing seal surface defines a plurality of spaced radially directed lobes with non-straight seal surface sections therebetween.
12. A filter element according to claim 11 wherein:
(a) the non-circular, radially inwardly directed, housing seal surface defines at least three spaced radially directed lobes with non-straight seal surface sections therebetween.
13. A filter element according to claim 10 wherein:
(a) the non-circular, radially inwardly directed, housing seal surface defines a plurality of spaced radially directed lobes with seal surface sections therebetween.
14. A filter element according to claim 13 wherein:
(a) the at least one filter panel comprises pleated media.
15. A filter element according to claim 10 wherein:
(a) the at least one filter panel comprises at least one, generally planar, filter panel.
16. A filter element comprising:
(a) at least one filter panel;
(b) a support structure supporting the at least one planar filtration panel and defining a filter interior;
(i) the support structure having a first, closed, end and a second, opposite, end with an outlet aperture therein;
(ii) the generally planar filter panel being supported by the support structure: at a location between the first, closed, end and the second, opposite, end; and, being oriented to direct air flow through the at least one, generally planar, filter panel toward a location in the filter interior between the first closed end and the second, opposite, end; and,
(c) a seal member comprising a non-circular, radially directed, housing seal surface.
17. An air filter element according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the sealing surface is configured to form a radially inwardly directed sealing engagement.
18. An air filter element according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the filter panel comprises at least one, generally planar, panel.
19. An air filter element according to claim 18 wherein:
(a) the filter panel comprises at least one rectangular panel.
20. An air filter element according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the filter panel comprises pleated media.