Filter assembly with conformal cartridge support structure

• US 6,048,455 A
• Filed: 08/22/1997
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clarcor Engine Mobile Solutions LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Holding Corporation (Stanadyne Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Janik, Leon P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Savage, Matthew O.
• Application Number:
  US08/918,608
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 210/232, 210/233, 210/435, 210/443, 210/444, 210/455, 210/453, 210/DIG. 17, 210/437-440
• US Class Current: 210/232
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/34 Seals or gaskets for filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/06 with corrugated, folded or wound material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/08 Construction of the casing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions

Abstract

A filter assembly including a base and a disposable filter cartridge. The container of the filter cartridge has a top portion of an upper section that is received in the base and which may deform into engagement with the interior receiving surface of the base when exposed to the fuel system operating pressure. A plurality of longitudinally extending keys or protrusions protrude from the bottom surface of the base. The protrusions are selectively dimensioned and positioned to provide a unique protrusion matrix for a given filter capacity, filtering quality or filtering parameter. The protrusions form corresponding depressions in the top portion of the upper section when the fuel system is operating, locking the top portion of the upper section to the base. The base structure supports the upper section of the cartridge, controlling the extent of deformation of the upper section.

Claims

1. A filter assembly for filtering a flow of liquid at an operating pressure of greater than 50 psi, said filter assembly comprising:

a base defining a reference receptacle structure, said reference receptacle structure surrounding a central axis and having an engagement surface disposed entirely within said receptacle structure, said engagement surface comprising at least one protrusion extending outwardly from said engagement surface for at least 0.150 inches, wherein said protrusion is radially spaced apart from said central axis and does not entirely surround said central axis; and

a filter cartridge having at one end portion thereof a reference container structure configured for reception within said receptacle structure, said one end portion comprising an end surface positioned adjacent said engagement surface when said filter cartridge is mounted to said base, said container structure being at least semi-flexible wherein said container structure plastically deforms due to pressure induced forces of liquid within said cartridge, so that upon mounting said cartridge to said base, said container structure is drawn into a closer conformal relationship to said receptacle structure during operation;

wherein said end surface of said cartridge more closely conforms to said protrusion to prevent rotation of the end surface of said filter cartridge about said central axis with respect to said engagement surface.

2. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said engagement surface of said base comprises three protrusions that are circumferentially spaced about said central axis and which extend outwardly from said engagement surface, wherein said end surface of said cartridge more closely conforms to said protrusions upon introduction of liquid at said operating pressure into said cartridge.

3. The filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said end surface conforms to said protrusions to define three dimples, each of said dimples being distinct from each other of said dimples.

4. The filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a skirt portion which defines said receptacle structure.

5. The filter assembly of claim 4 wherein said engagement surface is disposed within said skirt portion, said skirt portion extending from said engagement surface, said engagement surface comprising an annular recess disposed adjacent said skirt portion.

6. The filter assembly of claim 5 wherein said base further comprises spring means for biasing said cartridge, said spring means being at least partially disposed in said recess.

7. The filter assembly of claim 6 wherein said one end portion comprises an end surface and said spring means comprises a wave spring having oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, said first surface of said wave spring bearing on said engagement surface of said base and said second surface of said wave spring bearing on said end surface of said one end portion.

8. A fuel filter assembly for filtering a flow of fuel at an operating pressure of at least 50 psi, said filter assembly comprising:

a base comprising an engagement surface and a skirt surrounding a central axis and a receptacle having an interior surface, said engagement surface being disposed entirely within said receptacle and at least one protrusion that extends outwardly from said engagement surface for at least 0.150 inches, wherein said protrusion is radially spaced apart from said central axis and does not entirely surround said central axis; and

a filter cartridge comprising an end portion configured for reception within said receptacle, said end portion having an end surface and an outer peripheral surface and being plastically deformable due to pressure induced forces of the flow of fuel;

wherein upon mounting said filter cartridge to said base and upon circulating fuel at operating pressure, said end surface and said peripheral surface of said end portion are drawn into engagement with said engagement surface of said interior surface of said base, respectively, and said end surface of said cartridge more closely conforms to said protrusion to prevent rotation of the end surface of said filter cartridge about said central axis with respect to said engagement surface.

9. The filter assembly of claim 8 wherein said engagement surface of said base comprises a plurality of protrusions that are circumferentially spaced about said central axis and which extend outwardly from said engagement surface, wherein said end surface of said cartridge conforms to said protrusions upon introduction of fuel at operating pressure into said cartridge to define a plurality of complementary dimples.

10. The filter assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said dimples is distinct from each other of said dimples.

11. The filter assembly of claim 8 wherein said engagement surface of said base comprises an annular recess disposed adjacent said skirt and said assembly further comprises spring means for biasing said cartridge, said spring means being at least partially disposed in said recess.

12. The filter assembly of claim 11 wherein said spring means comprises a wave spring having oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, said first surface of said wave spring bearing on said engagement surface of said base and said second surface of said wave spring bearing on said end surface of said end portion.

13. The filter assembly of claim 8 wherein said end portion has a thickness of 0.018 to 0.024 inches.

14. The filter assembly of claim 8 wherein said engagement surface and said end surface define a clearance of 0.010 to 0.020 inches.

15. The filter assembly of claim 8 wherein said protrusion has a diameter of 0.150 to 0.750 inches.

16. A filter assembly for filtering a flow of liquid at an operating pressure of greater than 50 psi, said filter assembly comprising:

a base defining a reference receptacle structure, an annular recess disposed within said receptacle structure;

a filter cartridge having at one end portion thereof a reference container structure configured for reception by said receptacle structure, said container structure being at least semi-flexible wherein said container structure plastically deforms due to the pressure induced forces of liquid within said cartridge, so that upon mounting said cartridge to said base, said pressure induced forces cause said container structure to be drawn into a closer conformal relationship to said receptacle structure during operation; and

spring means for providing a biasing said cartridge, said spring means being at least partially disposed in said recess.

17. A fuel filter assembly for filtering a flow of fuel at a system operating pressure of at least 50 psi, said filter assembly comprising:

a base comprising an engagement surface and a skirt defining a receptacle having an interior surface, said engagement surface of said base having an annular recess disposed adjacent said skirt;

a filter cartridge comprising an end portion configured for reception by said receptacle, said end portion having an end surface and an outer peripheral surface and being plastically deformable due to pressure induced forces of the flow of fuel; and

spring means for biasing said cartridge, said spring means being at least partially disposed in said recess;

wherein upon mounting said filter cartridge to said base and upon circulating fuel at system operating pressure, said system operating pressure causes said end surface and said peripheral surface of said end portion to be drawn into engagement with said engagement surface and said interior surface of said base, respectively.