NON-CYLINDRICAL FILTER ELEMENTS, AND METHODS

• US 20060174598A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Adamek, Daniel E., Mills, Jarren B., Dejong, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,520,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/499
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2271/02 Gaskets, sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2271/027 Radial sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/10 Multiple layers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/206 Special forms, e.g. adapted to a certain housing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/1607 the material being fibrous B01D39/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0005 Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames B01D46/2422 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/58 connected in parallel

Abstract

A filter element that has at least two, planar, non-curved filtration panels. In a preferred embodiment, the filter element has three panels, providing a generally triangular filter element. The outlet aperture, from the filter element, generally follows the configuration of the filter. That is, a filter element having three filtration panels will have a generally three-sided outlet aperture. The outlet aperture preferably is not a true polygon, but rather, includes rounded or curved sides and/or corners. The filter element includes an outlet sealing configuration that may provide both axial and radial sealing to outlet ductwork.

Claims

1. A filter element comprising:

(a) at least two generally planar filtration panels;

(b) a support structure supporting the at least two planar filtration panels, and together with the at least two planar filtration panels, defining an interior; and

(c) a non-circular aperture axially positioned in relation to the at least two generally planar filtration panels.

2. The filter element of claim 1, comprising:

(a) an inlet being the at least two filtration panels; and

(b) an outlet defined by the non-circular aperture.

3. The filter element of claim 2, wherein:

(a) the support structure defines the non-circular aperture.

4. The filter element of claim 3, wherein:

(a) the non-circular aperture has an inner perimeter surface and an outer perimeter surface.

5. The filter element of claim 4 further comprising:

(a) a stop on the inner perimeter surface.

6. The filter element of claim 4, the inner perimeter surface comprising:

(a) a chamfered surface.

7. The filter element of claim 3, wherein the non-circular aperture comprises a seal.

8. The filter element of claim 7, wherein the seal is within a channel.

9. The filter element of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the at least two generally planar filtration panels consist of three generally planar filtration panels; and

(b) the non-circular aperture is a tri-oval or tri-lobal aperture.

10. The filter element of any of claims 1-9, wherein:

(a) the at least two generally planar filtration panels comprises a multiple layers of filtration material.

11. The filter element of claim 10, wherein:

(a) the multiple layers of filtration material includes at least one layer of HEPA media.

12. The filter element of claim 10 or 11, wherein:

(a) the multiple layers of filtration materials includes at least one layer of rigid filtration material configured for absorption of a chemical contaminant.

13. The filter element of claim 12, wherein:

(a) the multiple layers of filtration materials includes at least two layers of rigid filtration material configured for absorption, the at least two layers being different.

14. A filter element comprising:

(a) three generally planar filtration panels;

(b) a support structure supporting the three generally planar filtration panels, the support structure;

(i) together with the three generally planar filtration panels, defining an interior; and

(ii) comprising a non-circular aperture axially positioned in relation to the three generally planar filtration panels;

(c) the filter element further comprising a seal around the non-circular aperture.

15. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the non-circular aperture is a tri-oval or tri-lobal aperture.

16. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the seal comprises a seal recessed in a channel.