Fluid filter pre-filling prevention device

Abstract

An anti-prefill device (66) may be disposed at a radially central portion of an end cap (76) mounted on one axial end of an annular filter media (340) in a filtration system. The anti-pre-filling device (66) comprises: a first annular fluid receiving portion comprising an external threaded engagement surface (21) configured to threadingly engage with a central internal threaded boss of a filter base (332) of a filter system located at an axial end of an annular filter media, the first annular fluid receiving portion defines an annular groove that opens upward toward a filter base of the filtration system; and a second annular fluid blocking portion configured as a cylindrical cap overlapping a radially central tubular portion of the first annular fluid receiving portion protruding upward from a radially inner section of a radially central portion of the end cap toward the filter base, the second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented such that the groove of the cylindrical cover opens downward toward the first annular fluid receiving portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid filter, and more particularly, to a fluid filter pre-filling prevention device that prevents unfiltered fluid from being introduced into filtered liquid on the downstream side of an annular filter medium. Background Art

[0002] Cartridge fluid filters, such as fuel or lubricating oil filters associated with engines, typically include a replaceable filter element contained in a filter cartridge threadedly engaged with the engine. Unfiltered fluid (e.g., fuel or lubricating oil) is received by the filter via an inlet port, particles are removed from the unfiltered fluid via the filter element, and the filtered fluid is delivered to the engine via an outlet port. The filter element often includes a generally cylindrical filter medium, such as a fabric or other porous material, which is supported in the filter cartridge via one or more end caps so that the unfiltered fluid flows through the filter medium in a generally radial direction. The end caps typically support the filter medium and / or position the filter medium in the filter cartridge and relative to the inlet port and outlet port. Fluid filters often also include one or more seals that separate the inlet port and outlet port in a sealed manner to reduce or eliminate unfiltered fluid that bypasses the filter medium.

[0003] Typically, the filter element of such a fluid filter is frequently replaced to reduce the pressure drop on the filter medium, avoid degradation of the seal and / or otherwise try to ensure that the fluid filter operates as expected. In order to replace the filter element, the filter cartridge is often unscrewed from the engine, the seal between the inlet flow and the outlet flow is loosened, the old filter element is removed from the filter cartridge, the new filter element is inserted, and the filter cartridge is screwed back onto the engine. The operator who replaces the filter cartridge may fill the filter cartridge with fluid to avoid and / or reduce air trapped in the fluid system. This filling fluid is often a previously used and / or unfiltered fluid, and filling the filter cartridge may require great care to avoid the filling fluid being placed on the downstream side of the filter medium, that is, the filtered fluid side. In addition, during the replacement of the filter cartridge, it is expected that the seal, whether old or new, is properly reinstalled to provide sufficient sealing between the inlet port and the outlet port, and thus reduce the unfiltered fluid from bypassing the filter medium. Unfiltered and / or filled fluid downstream of the filter medium due to poor sealing and / or operator filling may cause damage to one or more engine components during operation.

[0004] Issued to Steger, Jr. et al.U.S. Patent No. 6,554,140 (the "'140 patent") discloses a filter assembly including an outer seal forming a seal between a housing and a filter base and an inner seal forming a seal between an end cap and the filter base. The filter assembly is threadably attached to the filter base via a nut plate that compresses the outer seal against the filter base. The filter assembly also includes a filter element, wherein unfiltered fluid flows from an unfiltered fluid passage to a radial space between the housing and the filter element, the unfiltered fluid flows through the filter element into the inner passage, and the resulting filtered fluid flows into the filtered fluid passage.

[0005] The '140 patent may provide a seal between the filter assembly and the filter base with an outer seal, and may provide a seal at the connection between the filtered fluid passage and the inner passage to minimize fluid leakage with an inner seal. However, the '140 patent may require many parts to achieve these seals, thereby complicating assembly and alignment, which may require precise manufacturing tolerances and / or potentially reduce the adequacy of the seal. In addition, the filter assembly of the '140 patent does not include any means for preventing a user from intentionally or accidentally introducing unfiltered fluid into the downstream side of the filter media of the filter assembly when priming the system to reduce air entrapment.

[0006] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the disadvantages set out above. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention relates to an end cap having a central radial disk portion configured to be mounted and molded to one axial end of an annular filter medium positioned around a center tube of a filter element in a filtration system, the central radial disk portion comprising: a radially outer circumferential lip extending in a first direction toward the center tube and the annular filter medium to overlap and engage with an outer periphery of the annular filter medium; and a radially inner circumferential lip extending in the first direction to seal against an inner circumferential periphery of the center tube. The end cap includes an anti-pre-filling device, which is disposed at a radially central portion of the end cap, extends from the central radial disk portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and is intended to prevent unfiltered fluid from filling into the radially inner side of the annular filter medium. The anti-prefilling device includes a first annular fluid receiving portion, the first annular fluid receiving portion including an external threaded engagement surface configured to threadably engage with a central internal threaded boss of a filter base of a filter system located at one axial end of an annular filter medium; and includes an annular groove, which is open upwardly in a second direction toward the base of the filter system, and to which a filter cartridge containing a filter element is attached; and a second annular fluid blocking portion, the second annular fluid blocking portion being configured as a cylindrical cover overlapping a radial central tubular portion of the first annular fluid receiving portion protruding from a radially inner section of a central radial disk portion in the second direction. The second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented such that the groove of the cylindrical cover is open downwardly in a first direction toward the first annular fluid receiving portion, the cover having circumferentially spaced legs around the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion, and is configured as one of the following: an annular segment of a bottom floor of the central radial disk portion forming an annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion, or formed integrally with the annular segment.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention relates to an anti-prefilling device, which is disposed at a radially central portion of an end cap and is integral with a central radial disc portion of the end cap mounted and molded to one axial end of an annular filter medium positioned around a center tube of a filter element, the end cap being configured to attach the filter element and the filter medium to a filter base of a filtration system. The central radial disc portion of the end cap includes: a radially outer circumferential lip extending in a first direction toward the center tube and the annular filter medium to overlap and engage with an outer periphery of the annular filter medium; and a radially inner circumferential lip extending in the first direction to seal against an inner circumferential periphery of the center tube. The anti-prefilling device includes a first annular fluid receiving portion, the first annular fluid receiving portion including an external threaded engagement surface configured to threadably engage with a central internal threaded boss of a filter base of a filter system located at one axial end of an annular filter medium; and includes an annular groove, which is open upward toward the filter base of the filter system, and to which a filter cartridge containing a filter element is attached; and a second annular fluid blocking portion, the second annular fluid blocking portion configured as a cylindrical cover, which overlaps a radial central tubular portion of the first annular fluid receiving portion protruding from a radial inner section of a central radial disk portion in a second direction. The second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented such that the groove of the cylindrical cover is open downward toward the first annular fluid receiving portion in a first direction, the cover has circumferentially spaced legs around the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion, and is configured as one of the following: an annular segment of a bottom floor of a central radial disk portion of an end cap forming an annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion, or is formed integrally with the annular segment.

[0009] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a filter system. The filter system includes: a filter base for connecting the filter system to a vehicle or other machine, the filter base having an inlet port for introducing unfiltered fluid, an outlet port for discharging filtered fluid, and a longitudinal axis; a filter cartridge connected to the filter base; and a filter element contained in the filter cartridge, the filter element including an annular filter medium arranged around a center tube extending between a top end cap and a bottom end cap along the longitudinal axis. The top end cap includes a central radial disk portion configured to be mounted and molded to one axial end of an annular filter medium positioned around a center tube of a filter element in the filter system, the central radial disk portion including: a radially outer circumferential lip extending in a first direction toward the center tube and the annular filter medium to overlap and engage with an outer periphery of the annular filter medium; and a radially inner circumferential lip extending in a first direction to seal against an inner circumferential periphery of the center tube. The top end cap includes an anti-prefilling device, which is arranged at a radial center portion of the top end cap, extends from a central radial disk portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and is intended to prevent unfiltered fluid from filling into the radial inner side of the annular filter medium. The anti-prefilling device includes a first annular fluid receiving portion, the first annular fluid receiving portion including an external threaded engagement surface configured to threadably engage with a central internal threaded boss of a filter base of a filter system located at one axial end of the annular filter medium; and includes an annular groove, which is upwardly open toward the base of the filter system in a second direction, and a filter cartridge accommodating a filter element is attached to the annular groove; and a second annular fluid blocking portion, the second annular fluid blocking portion being configured as a cylindrical cover that overlaps with a radial central tubular portion of the first annular fluid receiving portion that protrudes from a radial inner section of the central radial disk portion in the second direction. The second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented as a groove of a cylindrical cover that opens downwardly in a first direction toward the first annular fluid receiving portion, and the cover has circumferentially spaced legs around the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion and is constructed as one of the following: an annular segment of the bottom base plate of the central radial disk portion that forms the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion, or is formed integrally with the annular segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional isometric view of an exemplary anti-prefill device according to the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional plan view of an exemplary anti-prefill device;

[0012] Figure 3 It is integrally formed with a top end cap Figure 1 and Figure 2 A diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary anti-prefill device of the present invention, wherein the top end cap is engaged with one axial end of the center tube and surrounds the annular filter medium of the filter element;

[0013] Figure 4 It is installed in the filter cartridge connected to the filter base of the filtration system. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional isometric view of a filter element of an example anti-prefilling device;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional side elevation view of an exemplary filtration system partially shown in FIG.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 a cross-sectional isometric view of an exemplary filtration system shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 7 is with Figure 5 and Figure 6 An isometric view of a filter cartridge connected to a filter base in a filtration system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary anti-prefill device 66 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, and Figure 3 76 is a diagrammatic representation of an anti-prefill device 66 integrally formed with a top end cap 76 mounted and molded to one axial end of an annular filter medium 340. The filter element includes an annular filter medium 340 positioned around a center tube 320 and sandwiched between the top end cap 76 and the bottom end cap (at Figure 5 and Figure 6 The filter element may be received within the filter cartridge 360 ​​and physically attached to the filter base 332 by threaded engagement between the threaded sections 20, 21 of the top end cap 76 and the internal threaded bosses 34, 36 of the filter base 332, which is configured to connect the filter element to a filtration system on a vehicle or other machine.

[0018] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, top end cap 76 may be formed by injecting a resin material into a mold that is configured to include the features of top end cap 76 and is oriented so that top end cap 76 is inverted from the orientation shown in the figures, wherein the top end of annular filter medium 340 is positioned about center tube 320 and supported in an inverted position during the molding operation between radially outer circumferential lip 77 and radially inner circumferential lip 78 of top end cap 76. When the resin material is injected into the mold to form top end cap 76, the material may be integrated with and bonded to the fibers of annular filter medium 340 at the top portion of annular filter medium 340.

[0019] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, a filter system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a filter base 332 with a top plate 32 and additional functions for connecting the filter system to a vehicle or other machine. The filter base 332 may include an inlet port 310 for introducing unfiltered fluid through the top plate 32 and an outlet port 312 for discharging filtered fluid through the top plate 32. The filter system may also include a filter cartridge 360 ​​connected to the filter base 332, and the filter element may be replaceably accommodated in the filter cartridge 360, which may be removably engaged with the filter base 332 in a sealed manner. The filter element includes an annular filter medium 340 arranged around a central tube 320, the central tube extending along the longitudinal axis is located between a top end cap 76 and a bottom end cap, the bottom end cap being configured to engage with a drainage port located at the bottom end of the filter cartridge 360. The top end cap 76 may include a central radial disc portion configured to be mounted and molded to the top axial end of the annular filter medium 340 positioned around the central tube 320 of the filter element in the filter system. The central radial disc portion of the top end cover 76 may include a radially outer circumferential lip 77 and a radially inner circumferential lip 78, wherein the radially outer circumferential lip extends in a first direction toward the center tube 320 and the annular filter medium 340 to overlap and engage with the outer periphery of the annular filter medium 340, and the radially inner circumferential lip extends in the first direction to seal against the inner circumferential periphery of the center tube 320.

[0020] The top end cap 76 includes an anti-prefilling device 66, which is disposed at a radially central portion of the top end cap 76, extends from a central radial disk portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and is intended to prevent unfiltered fluid from filling into the radially inner side of the annular filter medium 340. Figures 3 to 6As shown, the anti-prefilling device 66 may include a first annular fluid receiving portion including an external threaded engagement surface 20, 21 configured to threadably engage with a central internal threaded boss 34, 36 of a filter base 332 of a filter system located at one axial end of an annular filter medium 340. The first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefilling device 66 may include an annular groove that opens upward in a second direction toward the base 332 of the filter system, to which a filter cartridge 360 ​​containing a filter element is attached when the filter system is assembled and installed on a vehicle or other machine. The second annular fluid blocking portion of the anti-prefilling device 66 may be configured as a cylindrical cover 74, 68, 69 that overlaps a radial central tubular portion 72 of the first annular fluid receiving portion that protrudes in a second direction from a radially inner section of a central radial disk portion of a top end cap 76. The second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented such that the groove of the cylindrical cover 74 opens downward in a first direction toward the first annular fluid receiving portion. The cylindrical cover 74 can be constructed with circumferentially spaced legs 69 of the cylindrical body 68 surrounding the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion, wherein the circumferentially spaced legs 69 are attached to, or integrally formed with, the annular segment 46 of the bottom base plate of the central radial disk portion forming the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion.

[0021] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the annular filter medium 340 can be positioned around the center tube 320. The center tube 320 can be perforated with a plurality of radial openings 321 to allow fluid that has radially inwardly passed through the annular filter medium 340 to pass to the outlet port 312 of the filtration system. As discussed above, the anti-prefilling device 66 can form a part of the top end cap 76 and can be integrally formed with the top end cap 76 while the top end cap 76 is molded to the top end of the annular filter medium 340 positioned around the center tube 320. The anti-prefilling device 66 can be disposed at a radially central portion of the top end cap 76. As discussed above, the anti-prefilling device 66 can be intended to prevent unfiltered fluid from filling into the radially inner side of the annular filter medium.

[0022] The openings between the circumferentially spaced legs 69 of the cylindrical covers 74, 68, 69 allow fluid to pass from the radially inner region between the radially central tubular protrusion 72 of the first annular fluid receiving portion and the cylindrical cover 68 and from the radially outer region between the cylindrical body 68 of the cylindrical cover and the radially outer cylindrical wall 20 of the first annular fluid receiving portion. Figures 1 to 6As shown, the radially outer cylindrical wall 20 of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefilling device 66 may include an external threaded portion 21, which is constructed to threadably engage with the internal thread 36 of the radial center boss 34 extending downward from the plate 32 of the filter base 332 when the filter element is assembled to the filter base 332 in a vehicle or other machine.

[0023] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the radial central tubular protrusion 72 of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefilling device 66 extends axially along the central longitudinal axis of the anti-prefilling device toward the filter base 332 of the filtering system, wherein the top end face 84 of the radial central tubular protrusion 72 is spaced a predetermined distance from the lower side of the cylindrical cover 74 of the second annular fluid blocking portion of the anti-prefilling device 66. The radial outer cylindrical wall 20 with the external threaded portion 21 of the anti-prefilling device 66 extends axially along the central longitudinal axis of the anti-prefilling device 66 toward the filter base 332 of the filtering system. The top end face 82 of the radial outer cylindrical wall 20 can be constructed to be lower than the top end face 84 of the radial central tubular protrusion 72 relative to the annular section 46 of the bottom bottom plate of the annular groove forming the first annular fluid receiving portion of the central radial disc portion. As a result of the above-mentioned construction, as Figure 2 As shown, if an attempt is made to pour fluid into the annular recess of the first annular fluid receiving portion in order to "prime" the filtration system before the filter cartridge with the anti-prefill device 66 is threadedly engaged with the filter base 332, the fluid will flow radially outward over the top end surface 82 of the outer cylindrical wall 20 before the fluid introduced into the annular recess of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefill device 66 can rise to a high enough level to flow radially inward over the higher top end surface 84 of the radial center tubular protrusion 72. The anti-prefill device 66 thereby prevents fluid that may be introduced into the annular recess of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefill device 66 (such as when an operator may attempt to prime the filtration system with fluid after replacing a filter cartridge with an annular filter medium 34) from flowing radially inward into the radial center tubular protrusion 72. Thus, the anti-prefill device 66 prevents any accidental introduction of unfiltered fluid into the radially inner side of the annular filter medium 34 from which the filtered fluid is flowing, and directs the unfiltered fluid radially outward over the top end cap and downward into the annular space 352 between the filter medium and the filter cartridge 360 ​​supporting the filter element around the outer peripheral side of the annular filter medium 340. The unfiltered fluid can then pass radially inward through the annular filter medium 340 and through the radial openings 321 in the center tube 320 of the filter element to then pass axially along the center tube 320 and through the central passage in the radial center tubular protrusion 72 before passing to the outlet 312 in the filter base 332 of the fluid filtration system.

[0024] In various exemplary embodiments of the anti-prefill device 66, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the circumferentially spaced legs 69 around the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion can be ultrasonically welded to the bottom floor of the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion. In other alternative embodiments, the anti-pre-filling device 66 can be manufactured using 3D manufacturing techniques or other additive manufacturing techniques. The anti-pre-filling device 66 itself can be integrally molded at the radial center portion of the central radial disk portion of the top end cap 76 while the top end cap 76 is molded to the top axial end of the annular filter medium 340.

[0025] The anti-prefill device 66 forms an integral part of a fluid filtration system, which may include a filter base 332 configured to connect the filtration system to a vehicle or other machine, a filter cartridge 360 ​​configured to engage with an annular portion 380 of the filter base 332 in a sealed manner, and a filter element contained in the filter cartridge 360. The filtration system may be configured to receive unfiltered fluid from one or more upstream components of a fluid system (such as a hydraulic system, a lubrication system, a cooling system, or a fuel system for heavy machinery), capture particles suspended in the unfiltered fluid, that is, filter the fluid, and provide the filtered fluid to one or more downstream components of the fluid system. The fluid system may include any type of fluid system, such as a hydraulic system, a fuel delivery system, a lubrication system, and / or a coolant system, and may be operably associated or unassociated with an engine. In addition, the fluid filtration system may be configured to filter any type of fluid, such as, for example, gasoline, diesel, hydraulic fluid, lubricating oil, water, coolant, and / or any other type of fluid. It is contemplated that the fluid of the fluid system may or may not be pressurized, and if pressurized, may be at any pressure.

[0026] In some exemplary embodiments, a filter base 332 for connecting a filtration system may include an outer wall and a mounting portion. The outer wall of the base may be generally cylindrical in shape and may be configured to receive a filter cartridge 360 ​​containing a filter element with an annular filter medium 340 sandwiched between a bottom end cap and a top end cap 76. The mounting portion of the filter base may be configured to connect the fluid filtration system to, for example, an engine via one or more bolt holes. The base may further define an inlet port 310 configured to receive unfiltered fluid and an outlet port 312 configured to discharge filtered fluid after the unfiltered fluid has radially passed through the annular filter medium 340. The inlet port 310 of the filter base 332 may be configured to receive unfiltered fluid from one or more upstream components of the fluid system and may be configured to guide the unfiltered fluid toward the annular filter medium 340. Specifically, the inlet port 310 of the filter base 332 may include a generally annular space within the base and relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter element. The outlet port 312 can be configured to receive filtered fluid from the radially inner side of the annular filter medium 340 after the filtered fluid has passed through the radially central tubular protrusion 72 of the anti-prefill device 66 and then passed from the radially inner region between the radially central tubular protrusion 72 and the cylindrical cover 68 of the first annular fluid receiving portion and the radially outer region between the cylindrical cover 68 and the radially outer cylindrical wall 20 of the first annular fluid receiving portion. The outlet port 312 of the filter base 332 of the filtration system can be configured to direct the filtered fluid toward one or more downstream components of the fluid system.

[0027] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the filter cartridge 360 ​​of the filtration system may include an outer wall and an end wall, and the outer wall may be generally cylindrical in shape and may be configured to form a sealing interface with the inner periphery of the filter base 332, for example, including an O-ring seal 350 or other interconnection. The outer wall and end wall of the filter cartridge 360 ​​may generally define an internal cavity that is configured to accommodate the filter assembly. The filter cartridge 360 ​​may include any conventional drain port that may be configured to facilitate draining the fluid from the filter cartridge and / or may include any conventional relief valve to limit the pressure of the fluid of the fluid system.

[0028] The annular filter medium 340 can be supported at opposite axial ends by a top end cap 76 and a bottom end cap configured to engage the annular filter medium 340 and the bottom end of the center tube 320. As discussed above, the top end cap 76 can be integrally formed with the anti-prefill device 66, which is disposed adjacent to the filter base 332 of the filter assembly when assembled and is configured to connect the annular filter medium 340 and the center tube 320 to the filter base 332, for example, through the threaded engagement surfaces 20, 21 of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefill device 66. The annular filter medium 340 can be configured to capture particulates and / or other particles suspended in a fluid, and can include a generally cylindrical shape disposed about the center tube 320 and extending along the longitudinal axis. It is also contemplated that the annular filter medium 340 can include any filter material and / or media known in the art, such as, for example, a fabric or other porous material, and can be pleated or non-pleated. The end caps located at the opposite axial ends of the annular filter medium 340 can be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, a polymer or other plastic or resin material, and can be injection molded in combination with the annular filter medium 340 so that the resin material of one or both end caps bonds to the end fibers of the annular filter medium 340 to form an integral filter element.

[0029] Industrial Applicability

[0030] The disclosed anti-prefill device for a fluid filtration system may be applicable to any filtration system for any type of fluid, and may provide an effective and simple device that combines the functionality of a top end cap for an annular filter medium while incorporating a structure integral to the end cap that prevents the accidental introduction of unfiltered fluid into the interior, filtered side of the annular filter medium. In various circumstances, an operator may attempt to introduce unfiltered fluid into the annular filter medium without realizing the potential problems that may result from doing so, for example, when an operator may attempt to prime the filter assembly after replacing the annular filter medium to clear any air that may become trapped in the filtration system.

[0031] refer to Figure 2The greater height from the bottom floor of the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefill device 66 to the top end face 84 of the radial central tubular protrusion 72 relative to the height from the bottom floor to the top end face 82 of the outer cylindrical wall 20 ensures that any fluid introduced into the annular groove will flow radially outward over the top end face 82 of the outer cylindrical wall 20 before it can rise to a high enough level to flow radially inward over the higher top end face 84 of the radial central tubular protrusion 72. The anti-prefill device 66 thereby prevents fluid that may be introduced into the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion of the anti-prefill device 66 (such as when an operator may attempt to prime the filter system with fluid during replacement of a filter element including the annular filter medium 34) from flowing radially inward into the radial central tubular protrusion 72. Thus, the anti-prefill device 66 prevents any accidental introduction of unfiltered fluid into the radially inner side of the annular filter medium 340 from which the filtered fluid is flowing, and directs the unfiltered fluid radially outward over the top end cap and downward around the outer peripheral side of the annular filter medium 340 between the filter medium and the filter cartridge supporting the filter element. The unfiltered fluid can then pass radially inward through the annular filter medium 340 and through the perforations in the center tube of the filter element to then pass axially along the center tube as clean filtered fluid and through the central passage in the radial center tubular protrusion 72 before passing to an outlet in the base of the fluid filtration system.

[0032] It may be desirable to replace the filter element including the annular filter media 340 because it may have become saturated with trapped particles, the seals of the filter assembly may have aged, and / or the maintenance period may have expired. The operator can remove the filter cartridge 360 ​​from its sealing engagement with the filter base 332 to then unscrew the filter element including the top end cap 76 and the bottom end cap, with the annular filter media 340 sandwiched between the end caps. The entire filter element with new end caps, anti-prefill device, and clean filter media 340 can then be replaced.

[0033] If the operator attempts to prime the new filter element with fluid to remove any air pockets before screwing its top end cap 76 back into the filter base 332, for example, by pouring the fluid onto the top surface of the top end cap, for example, the surface of the end cap that faces and / or is exposed to the inlet port of the filter base, the fluid will flow radially outward over the top surface 82 of the threaded engagement surfaces 20, 21 of the anti-prefill device 66, and will not flow radially inward over the higher top surface 84 of the radial center tubular protrusion 72 and into the clean, filtered side of the annular filter medium 340. The priming fluid may be filtered or unfiltered, and as discussed above, the anti-prefill device 66 may reduce and / or prevent the fluid from entering the interior space of the annular filter medium 34.

[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed fluid filtration system. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed methods and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An end cap (76), comprising: A central radial disc portion configured to be mounted and molded to an axial end of an annular filter medium (340) positioned around a center tube (320) of a filter element in a filter system, the central radial disc portion comprising: a radially outer circumferential lip (77) extending in a first direction toward the center tube (320) and the annular filter medium (340) and configured to overlap and engage an outer circumferential periphery of the annular filter medium, and a radially inner circumferential lip (78) extending in the first direction and configured to seal against an inner circumferential periphery of the center tube (320); and an anti-prefilling device (66), the anti-prefilling device being arranged at a radial center portion of the end cap (76), extending from the central radial disk portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and intended to prevent unfiltered fluid from filling into the radial inner side of the annular filter medium, the anti-prefilling device (66) comprising: a first annular fluid receiving portion including an external threaded engagement surface (21) configured to threadably engage a central internal threaded boss of a filter base (332) of the filter system at the axial end of the annular filter medium (340), an annular groove defined by the first annular fluid receiving portion and opening upwardly in the second direction toward the filter base (332) of the filter system, the filter base being configured to engage with a filter cartridge (360) adapted to receive the filter element, and A second annular fluid blocking portion, the second annular fluid blocking portion is constructed as a cylindrical cover (74), which overlaps with the radial central tubular portion (72) of the first annular fluid receiving portion protruding from the radial inner interval of the central radial disk portion in the second direction, and the second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented so that the groove of the cylindrical cover (74) opens downwardly toward the first annular fluid receiving portion in the first direction.

2. The end cap (76) according to claim 1, wherein: The cylindrical cover (74) of the second annular fluid blocking portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced legs (69), which are arranged around the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion and are constructed as one of the following: attached to the annular segment (46) of the central radial disk portion, or formed integrally with the annular segment.

3. The end cap (76) according to claim 2, wherein: Openings between the circumferentially spaced legs (69) allow fluid to pass from a radially inner region between the radially central tubular portion (72) of the first annular fluid receiving portion and the cylindrical cover (74) and from a radially outer region between the cylindrical cover (74) and the radially outer cylindrical wall (20) of the first annular fluid receiving portion.

4. The end cap (76) according to claim 2, wherein: The annular section (46) of the central radial disk portion forms a bottom floor of the annular groove defined by the first annular fluid receiving portion, the annular section comprising: a radially inner portion connected to said radially central tubular portion of said first annular fluid receiving portion, and A radially outer portion connected to the radially outer cylindrical wall of the anti-prefilling device, the radially outer cylindrical wall of the anti-prefilling device (66) includes an external threaded engagement surface (21) configured to threadably engage with a central internal threaded boss of a filter base (332) of the filtration system.

5. The end cap (76) according to claim 4, wherein: The radial central tubular portion of the first annular fluid receiving portion extends axially along the central longitudinal axis of the anti-prefilling device (66) toward the filter base (332) of the filtering system, wherein the top end surface of the radial central tubular portion is separated by a predetermined distance from the lower side of the cylindrical cover (74) of the second annular fluid blocking portion.

6. The end cap (76) according to claim 5, wherein: The radially outer cylindrical wall of the anti-prefilling device (66) extends axially along the central longitudinal axis of the anti-prefilling device toward the filter base (332) of the filtering system, wherein the top end surface (82) of the radially outer cylindrical wall is lower than the top end surface (84) of the radial central tubular portion relative to the bottom floor of the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion.

7. The end cap (76) according to claim 6, wherein: Fluid introduced into the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion flows radially outwardly through the top end surface (82) of the outer cylindrical wall and through the end cap (76) to the radially outer side of the annular filter medium (340).

8. The end cap (76) according to claim 2, wherein: The circumferentially spaced legs (69) surrounding the open end of the second annular fluid blocking portion are ultrasonically welded to the bottom floor of the annular groove of the first annular fluid receiving portion.

9. The end cap (76) of claim 1, wherein: The anti-prefilling device (66) is integrally formed at the radial center portion of the central radial disk portion, and the surface of the radial outer annular portion of the central radial disk portion facing the first direction is configured to be molded to the axial end of the annular filter medium (340).

10. An anti-prefilling device (66) configured to be disposed at a radially central portion of an end cap (76) adapted to be molded to an axial end of an annular filter medium (340) positioned around a center tube (320) of a filter element, the anti-prefilling device (66) comprising: a first annular fluid receiving portion including an external threaded engagement surface (21) configured to threadably engage a central internal threaded boss of a filter base of a filter system located at the axial end of the annular filter medium, the first annular fluid receiving portion defining an annular groove that opens upwardly toward the filter base of the filter system; as well as A second annular fluid blocking portion, the second annular fluid blocking portion is constructed as a cylindrical cover, which overlaps with the radial center tubular portion of the first annular fluid receiving portion protruding from the radial inner section of the radial center portion of the end cover toward the filter base, and the second annular fluid blocking portion is oriented so that the groove of the cylindrical cover opens downwardly toward the first annular fluid receiving portion.

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