Filtration arrangement utilizing pleated construction and method

• US 6,994,742 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donaldson Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Barris, Marty A., Gogins, Mark A., Weik, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Greene, Jason M.
• Application Number:
  US10/838,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20040200354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 553/853, 554/82, 554/86, 554/87, 554/95, 554/98, 555/02, 555/27, 555/28, 553/851, 555/10, 555/21, 442/36, 952/73
• US Class Current: 55/487
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/025 comprising nanofibres apparatus incorporating such gas filtering material see B01D46/546
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/0654 Support layers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/10 Filtering material manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2239/1233 Fibre diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2271/027 Radial sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/60 for the intake of internal combustion engines or turbines intake systems for vehicles comprising filters F02M35/024
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/1623 of synthetic origin
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0001 Making filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0005 Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames B01D46/2422 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/121 V-type arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2411 Filter cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/546 using nano- or microfibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/71 with pressurised gas, e.g. pulsed air
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 6/90 of polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 6/92 of polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/728 by electro-spinning electro-spinning methods and apparatus D01D5/0007
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/2351 Atmospheric particulate matter [PM], e.g. carbon smoke microparticles, smog, aerosol particles, dust

Abstract

Filter arrangements include a barrier media, usually pleated, treated with a deposit of fine fibers. The media is particularly advantageous at high temperature (greater than 140° F.) systems. Such systems may include engine systems and fluid compressor systems. Filter arrangements may take the form of tubular, radially sealing elements; tubular, axial sealing elements; forward flow air cleaners; reverse flow air cleaners; and panel filters.

Claims

1. A filter element comprising:

(a) a media pack comprising;

(i) a construction of a media composite;

said construction including a substrate having a plurality of pleats having a length extending from said first end to said second end, the substrate comprising a filter medium having an efficiency when tested with particles having a diameter of 0.01 to 1 μ

m;

(ii) said construction having a tubular shape and defining an open interior having a first and a second opposite ends; and

(iii) said substrate at least partially covered by a single layer, said layer comprising a polymeric fine fiber comprising a fiber with a diameter of about 0.01 to 0.5 microns such that after test exposure for a test period of 16 hours to test conditions of 140°

F. air and a relative humidity of 100% retains greater than 30% of the fiber unchanged for filtration purposes, the fine fiber comprising a crosslinked polyvinylalcohol;

(b) a first end cap and a second end cap;

(i) said media pack being secured to said first end cap at said first end of said media pack;

(ii) said media pack being secured to said second end cap at said second end of said media pack;

(iii) at least one of said first and second end caps including a sealing portion;

said sealing portion comprising a material compressible in a direction toward said media pack.

2. The element of claim 1 wherein the polymeric fiber comprises a polyvinylalcohol having a degree of hydrolysis of about 87-99.9%.

3. The element of claim 2 wherein the polyvinylalcohol is crosslinked with about 1 to 40 wt. % of a crosslinking agent.

4. The element of claim 1 wherein the polymeric fiber comprises a super hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol.

5. The element of claim 2 wherein the crosslinked polyvinylalcohol is crosslinked using a polyacrylic acid having a molecular weight of about 1000 to 3000.

6. The element of claim 2 wherein the crosslinked polyvinylalcohol is crosslinked using a melamine-formaldehyde resin having a molecular weight of about 1000 to 3000.

7. The element of claim 1 wherein the polymeric fiber also comprises a resinous additive comprising an oligomer having a molecular weight of about 500 to 3000 and an aromatic character wherein the additive is miscible with the polymer but forms a hydrophobic coating on the fiber.

8. The element of claim 7 wherein the resinous additive comprises an alkyl phenolic aromatic character wherein the additive forms a hydrophobic coating on the fiber.

9. The element of claim 7 wherein the additive comprises an oligomer comprising tertiary butyl phenol.

10. The element of claim 7 wherein the resin comprises an oligomer comprising bis-phenol A.

11. The element of claim 7 wherein the resin comprises an oligomer comprising dihydroxy biphenyl.

12. The element of claim 7 wherein the additive comprises a blend of the resinous additive and a fluoropolymer.

13. The element of claim 7 wherein the additive comprises a fluorocarbon surfactant.

14. The element of claim 7 wherein the additive comprises a nonionic surfactant.

15. The element of claim 7 wherein the polymeric fine fiber comprises a polyurethane polymer.