Filter device

• US 9,810,373 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2015
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2008
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Mahle International GmbH (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Mahle International GmbH (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Inventors: Braunheim, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): STELLING, LUCAS A
• Application Number:
  US14/710,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20150300565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/02 Separation of non-miscible liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0217 by centrifugal force
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/045 with coalescers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/10 with stationary filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/0415 Details of supporting structures
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/305 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/44 Cartridge types
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/00 Cartridge filters of the throw-away type
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/14 having more than one filtering element
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/146 connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/148 arranged concentrically or coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/114 arranged for inward flow filtration B01D29/15, B01D29/33 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/58 arranged concentrically or coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/908 provoking a tangential stream
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/005 Filters specially adapted for use in internal-combustion engine lubrication or fuel systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/001 Filters in combination with devices for the removal of gas, air purge systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/003 Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids B01D35/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/10 Lubricating systems characterised by the provision therein of lubricant venting or purifying means, e.g. of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/03 Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means filters B01D
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/24 : characterised by water separating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/32 : characterised by filters or filter arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 39/06 : by filtration filters in general B01D; magnetic separators B03C1/00; centrifugal separators or filters B04B5/005

Abstract

A filter device may include a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing. The filter element may be configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end of the filter element. A water separator may be disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged axially spaced from the same. The water separator may have a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the filter element configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow.

Claims

1. A filter device, comprising:

a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing, the filter element defining a raw end and a pure end disposed radially inwards of the raw end with respect to the longitudinal axis, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end to the pure end of the filter element; and

a water separator fluidly connected to the pure end of the filter element and arranged coaxial to the filter element, the water separator disposed at an axial end of the filter element and arranged spaced apart axially outward from the same along the longitudinal axis downstream of the pure end, wherein the water separator includes a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the longitudinal axis configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow,

wherein a flow channel is disposed axially between the filter element and the water separator and guides the fluid flow radially outwards from the pure end of the filter element to the raw end of the water separator.

2. The filter device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs distributed about a periphery of the water separator, wherein the plurality of ribs are disposed at the raw end of the water separator radially outside of the diaphragm.

3. The filter device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs extend axially from a water collection chamber into the raw end of the water separator.

4. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element.

5. The filter device according to claim 1, further comprising a tube projecting from the water separator in the axial direction and configured to serve as a receiving mandrel for retaining the filter element.

6. The filter device according to claim 5, further comprising an inner skirt disposed between the tube and the filter element and configured to support the filter element.

7. The filter device according to claim 1, further comprising a lower end disk coupled to the axial end of the filter element, wherein the lower end disc is arranged axially between the filter element and the water separator and circumferentially surrounds the water separator.

8. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is formed as at least one of a hydrophobic sieve and a hydrophobic mesh.

9. The filter device according to claim 5, wherein the tube and the water separator are welded together.

10. The filter device according to claim 6, further comprising a coalescing material disposed at the pure end of the filter element and on an outer side of the inner skirt.

11. The filter device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one flow guide element disposed at the pure end of the filter element and configured to deflect the fluid flow in any circumferential direction.

12. A filter device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a filter housing;

a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing, the filter element defining a raw end and a pure end disposed radially inwards of the raw end with respect to the longitudinal axis, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end to the pure end of the filter element;

a water separator disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged coaxial to the filter element, the water separator including an axially extending hydrophobic and annular diaphragm configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter element; and

wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element.

13. The filter device according to claim 12, further comprising a tube projecting axially from the water separator and arranged coaxially with the filter element, the tube configured to serve as a retaining mandrel for retaining the filter element.

14. The filter device according to claim 13, further comprising an inner skirt extending axially long the filter element and arranged radially between the tube and the filter element;

and

a coalescing material arranged on a radially outer side of the inner skirt with respect to the longitudinal axis.

15. The filter device according to claim 12, further comprising a coalescing material disposed at the pure end of the filter element, wherein the coalescing material includes at least one of a porous material and a wire mesh.

16. The filter device according to claim 12, wherein the filter element defines an upper axial end face opposite a lower axial end face, wherein the water separator is in fluid communication with the pure end of the filter element and arranged spaced axially outward from the lower axial end face in a direction away the filter element.

17. The filter device according to claim 12, further comprising at least one flow guide element disposed at the pure end of the filter element and configured to deflect the fluid flow in any circumferential direction.

18. A filter device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a filter housing;

a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing, the filter element extending axially along the longitudinal axis between an upper end and an axially opposite lower end, and defining a raw end and a radially inner pure end, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end to the pure end of the filter element;

a water separator disposed in the filter housing at the lower end of the filter element and fluidly connected to the pure end of the filter element, the water separator including an axially extending hydrophobic and annular diaphragm configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter element; and

wherein the water separator is arranged at a distance axially outward from the lower end of the filter element, and wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element.

19. The filter device according to claim 18, further comprising a plurality of ribs distributed about the water separator in a circumferential direction, wherein the plurality of ribs are disposed at a raw end of the water separator radially outside of the diaphragm.