High Capacity Filter

• US 20090038276A1
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Filtration Incorporated (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Filtration Incorporated (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Scott W., Gunderson, Larry T., Heckel, Scott P., Henke, Brad
• Granted Patent: US 7,740,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/343
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/201 Conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2411 Filter cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/60 arranged concentrically or coaxially

Abstract

A filter element has first and second subelements providing increased media providing improved performance and packaging options. The first and second subelements provide first and second flow paths in parallel with each other along designated flow path portions.

Claims

1. A filter element extending axially along an axis between distally opposite first and second axial ends, and comprising a first subelement having a first flow path therethrough from a first upstream face to a first downstream face, and a second subelement having a second flow path therethrough from a second upstream face to a second downstream face, said first and second flow paths being in parallel with each other, said second flow path having an upstream portion flowing axially along said first upstream face then radially along said first axial end of said filter element then axially along said second upstream face.

2. The filter element according claim 1 wherein said first and second downstream faces face each other.

3. The filter element according to claim 2 wherein said first and second upstream faces face away from each other.

4. The filter element according to claim 3 wherein said first flow path through said first subelement is along a first direction, and said second flow path through said second subelement is along a second direction, and wherein said second direction is opposite to said first direction.

5. The filter element according to claim 4 wherein said first and second downstream faces face each other across a common gap therebetween, and said first and second flow paths merge with each other in said common gap.

6. The filter element according to claim 1 wherein said first and second downstream faces face each other across a common gap, said first and second flow paths merge with each other in said common gap, and said upstream portion of said second flow path defines a U-shape around said common gap, said U-shape having first and second legs and a bight therebetween, said first leg being radially spaced from said common gap by said first subelement therebetween, said bight being axially spaced from said common gap by said first axial end of said filter element therebetween, said second leg being radially spaced from said common gap by said second subelement therebetween.

7. A filter element extending axially along an axis between distally opposite first and second axial ends, and comprising a first subelement having a first flow path therethrough from a first upstream face to a first downstream face, and a second subelement having a second flow path therethrough from a second upstream face to a second downstream face, said first and second flow paths being in parallel with each other, an endcap assembly at one of said first and second axial ends, said endcap assembly having one or more radial guide channels therealong providing one or more radial flow passages from said first upstream face to said second upstream face.

8. The filter element according to claim 7 wherein said first and second subelements are attached to each other with a common endcap, and wherein said endcap assembly comprises said common endcap.

9. The filter element according to claim 7 wherein said endcap assembly comprises a plurality of axially extending standoffs providing a respective plurality of said radial flow passages therebetween.

10. The filter element according to claim 7 wherein said endcap assembly comprises a plurality of radially extending standoffs providing a respective plurality of axial flow passages therebetween from said first upstream face to a plurality of said radial guide channels.

11. The filter element according to claim 7 wherein said endcap assembly comprises a perforated cage extending from said first axial end.

12. The filter element according to claim 11 wherein said perforated cage comprises a sidewall extending axially and radially along a taper from said first axial end.

13. The filter element according to claim 8 wherein each of said subelements comprises pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats in a closed loop having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips, and wherein said common endcap covers said inner pleat tips of said first subelement and said outer pleat tips of said second subelement, and said common endcap has an outer perimeter less than the outer perimeter of said outer pleat tips of said first subelement, and said common endcap has an inner perimeter greater than said inner perimeter of said inner pleat tips of said second subelement.

14. The filter element according to claim 7 wherein said second flow path has an upstream portion flowing axially along said first upstream face then radially along said first axial end of said filter element then axially along said second upstream face.

15. The filter element according to claim 14 wherein said first and second upstream faces face away from each other, said first flow path through said first subelement is along a first direction, said second flow path through said second subelement is along a second direction, said second direction is opposite to said first direction, said first and second downstream faces face each other across a common gap, said first and second flow paths merge with each other in said common gap, and said upstream portion of said second flow path defines a U-shape around said common gap, said U-shape having first and second legs and a bight therebetween, said first leg being radially spaced from said common gap by said first subelement therebetween, said bight being axially spaced from said common gap by said first axial end of said filter element therebetween, said second leg being radially spaced from said common gap by said second subelement therebetween.