FLUID FILTER CARTRIDGE AND HOUSING

• US 20080245720A1
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Patel, Mahesh Z., Hutchinson, Howard D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/236
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/12 Pleated filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/24 Tools used for the removal of filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/291 End caps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/34 Seals or gaskets for filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/111 Making filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/213 having a concertina shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0001 Making filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2411 Filter cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/522 with specific folds, e.g. having different lengths

Abstract

A filter housing and filter cartridge engagement structure comprising a housing having at least one ramp adapted to engage lugs of the at least one filter cartridge.

Claims

1. A filter housing comprising:

a first structure having an interior space for housing at least one filter cartridge, at least one fluid inlet, and at least one fluid outlet; and

a second structure, positioned in the first structure, for mounting at least one filter cartridge inside the first structure, wherein the second structure comprises at least one ramp adapted to engage lugs of the at least one filter cartridge.

2. The filter housing of claim 1 further comprising a porous spindle connected to the second structure and adapted to support a filter cartridge during installation and removal.

3. The filter housing of claim 1 wherein the second structure mounts at least three filter cartridge inside the first structure.

4. The filter housing of claim 1 wherein the second structure mounts at least seven filter cartridge inside the first structure.

5. The filter housing of claim 1 further comprising at least one filter cartridge positioned in the filter housing, the filter cartridge comprising:

a core element having an inner diameter, two ends, and apertures formed therein;

a diamond patterned tubular pleated filter element having an inner and an outer diameter positioned about the core element, wherein the ratio of the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the diamond patterned tubular pleated filter element is about 1.5 to about 2.5.

6. A filter cartridge sealing mechanism comprising:

a plug base capable of being positioned in a filter cartridge housing comprising at least two ramps; and

an open end cap connected to a filter cartridge, the open end cap comprising sealing structure positioned thereon, and at least two lugs adapted to engage the at least two ramps.

7. The filter cartridge sealing mechanism of claim 6 wherein the plug base further comprises a sealing surface positioned thereon.

8. The filter cartridge sealing mechanism of claim 6 wherein the open end cap further comprises a sealing structure groove formed thereon for positioning the sealing structure therein.

9. The filter cartridge sealing mechanism of claim 8 wherein when the end cap with the sealing structure positioned thereon is inserted into the plug base capable of being positioned in a filter cartridge housing, the at least two lugs of the open end cap aligns with the at least two ramps such that, as the high flow filter cartridge is turned, the ramp pulls the filter cartridge axially into the plug base.

10. The filter cartridge sealing mechanism of claim 9 wherein once the ramp has pulled the filter cartridge axially into the plug base to the extent that the sealing structure is in operative engagement with the plug base, a leak proof seal between the open end cap and the plug base is established.

11. The filter cartridge sealing mechanism of claim 10 wherein as the open end cap is turned to disengage from the plug base, the sealing structure binds to a sealing structure sealing surface of the plug base while substantially simultaneously traversing relative to the surface of the sealing structure groove formed on the open end cap.

12. The filter cartridge sealing mechanism of claim 11 wherein as the open end cap is turned to disengage, the sealing structure travels axially thereby reducing the torque needed for effectuating disengagement of the open end cap from the plug base.

13. A filter cartridge comprising:

a core element having an inner diameter, two ends, and apertures formed therein;

a filter element having an inner and an outer diameter positioned about the core element;

an open end cap for transferring fluid into or out of the core element positioned at one end of the core element, wherein the open end cap comprises one or more lugs configured to engage a filter cartridge housing;

a closed end cap positioned at the opposite end of the core element from the open end cap, wherein the closed end cap comprises a handle for positioning the open end cap in a filtration housing.

14. The filter cartridge of claim 13 wherein the ratio of the outer diameter to the inner diameter is about 1.5 to about 2.5.