Air cleaner arrangements; components; and, methods
An air cleaner assembly and components therefor are described. The components include features of an air cleaner housing; advantageous main filter cartridges; and, advantageous safety filter cartridge features. Features of the main filter cartridge are provided to engage an access cover of the assembly, and a cartridge support within the housing, in a preferred manner. Methods of assembly and use are also described.
1. An air cleaner assembly comprising:
(a) a housing defining an interior and having an air flow inlet and an air flow outlet;
(i) the housing including a housing section and a housing piece; the housing includes a joint between the housing section and the housing piece;
(b) an air filter cartridge removably positioned in the housing interior; the filter cartridge comprising:
(i) a media pack comprising media surrounding an open interior; the media having first and second ends;
(ii) a first end cap positioned on the media first end;
(A) the first end cap having a central aperture therethrough;
(B) the first end cap having a radially outwardly directed seal portion oriented to form a first releasable radial seal with the housing section; and,
(C) the first end cap having a seal portion oriented to form a second radially outwardly directed releasable radial seal to the housing piece at an opposite side of the joint from the first releasable radial seal; and,
(D) no portion of the first end cap being axially pinched between housing sections to form an axial seal; and,
(iii) a second end cap positioned on the media second end; the second end cap being in a closed end cap.
2. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing comprises a cartridge receiving section and an end cover; and,
(b) the joint is positioned between the cartridge receiving section and the end cover.
3. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the end cover includes an air flow outlet therein.
4. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the seal portion oriented to form a first releasable seal is configured to form an outwardly directed radial seal around an outer periphery of the first end cap.
5. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing defines a service access end with a removable access cover positioned thereover.
6. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 5 including:
(a) a central cartridge support projecting toward the access cover from an end of the housing opposite the access cover.
7. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 6 wherein:
(a) the central cartridge support has a first end remote from the end of the housing opposite the access cover; the first end of the central cartridge support includes a receiving groove surrounding a central projection; and, the central projection extends toward the access cover.
8. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 7 wherein:
(a) the second end cap on the media secured and includes:
(i) a portion projecting into the receiving groove on the end of the central support;
(ii) a portion extending over the central projection of the central cartridge support; and,
(iii) an outer surface with a receiving groove therein.
9. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 8 wherein:
(a) the access cover includes a central projection thereon that projects into the receiving groove on the outer surface of the second end cap.
10. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 6 including:
(a) a secondary filter cartridge positioned over the central support, between the central support and the air filter cartridge.
11. An air cleaner assembly according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the media pack has a conical shape with a larger end adjacent the first end cap and a smaller end adjacent the second end cap.