Fluid filter, fluid filter assembly, and mounting method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A filter element comprising:
- a tubular ring of filter media;
an end cap having axially opposed outer and inner faces, the end cap secured to an end of the tubular ring of filter media, the end cap including a fluid flow port passing through the axially opposed outer and inner faces, the end cap fluidly communicating the inner face with the outer face;
a valve member proximate the flow port, the valve member having a relaxed condition and a deformed condition, wherein in the relaxed condition a radially outer peripheral edge of the valve member extends beyond a radially outer peripheral edge of the flow port such that fluid flow through the flow port is preventedwherein in the deformed condition the outer peripheral edge of the valve member is radially inward of the outer peripheral edge of flow port.
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Abstract
A filter and filter element is provided that incorporates a valve member for preventing priming fluid from contaminating a clean fluid side of the filter or filter element. The filter may incorporate a replaceable filter element or be replaceable itself. The valve member is preferably formed as an annular flange of a grommet mounted to an end cap of the filter element. The annular flange sealingly engages with the end cap and closes a clean fluid outlet port in a relaxed state and opens the clean fluid outlet port in a deformed state.
91 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A filter element comprising:
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a tubular ring of filter media; an end cap having axially opposed outer and inner faces, the end cap secured to an end of the tubular ring of filter media, the end cap including a fluid flow port passing through the axially opposed outer and inner faces, the end cap fluidly communicating the inner face with the outer face; a valve member proximate the flow port, the valve member having a relaxed condition and a deformed condition, wherein in the relaxed condition a radially outer peripheral edge of the valve member extends beyond a radially outer peripheral edge of the flow port such that fluid flow through the flow port is prevented wherein in the deformed condition the outer peripheral edge of the valve member is radially inward of the outer peripheral edge of flow port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A filter assembly comprising:
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a filter base comprising; clean and dirty fluid ports; and a valve actuator; a filter removably mounted to the filter base comprising; an end cap defining a flow port comprising a dirty fluid inlet and a clean fluid outlet, the dirty fluid inlet in fluid communication with the dirty fluid port and the clean fluid outlet in fluid communication with the clean fluid port when the filter is mounted to the filter base; a tubular ring of filter media coupled to the end cap; and a valve member coupled to the end cap and proximate to the flow port, the valve member having a relaxed condition, when the filter is removed from the filter base, in which the valve member closes the clean fluid outlet by extending across the clean fluid outlet such that a radially outer peripheral edge of the valve member is in sealing engagement with a surface of the end cap in a first position and extends beyond a radially peripheral edge of the flow port in the relaxed condition, and having a deformed condition, in which the valve member opens the clean fluid outlet such that the valve member is in a second position different than the first position and not in sealing engagement with the surface of the end cap, such that the outer peripheral edge of the valve member is radially inward of the outer peripheral edge of flow port in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification