Fluid filter holding mechanism

Abstract

An end cap for a filter element includes an annular plate member disposed adjacent an axial end surface of an annular filter media of the filter element. A radially outer annular flange protrudes axially from a surface of the annular plate member. The radially outer annular flange includes a winglet feature extending radially outward in a cantilevered manner from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange in a direction opposite a direction in which the filter element rotates during installation into a filter base of the filter system, wherein when the filter element is rotatably mounted into the filter base, the winglet feature deflects toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange by contacting a wedge-shaped protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner circumference of the filter base, and rebounds to its undeflected configuration after passing through the wedge-shaped protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to filters, and more particularly to a fluid filter retaining mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Cartridge fluid filters, such as fuel or lubricant filters associated with an engine, typically include a replaceable filter element that is housed within a canister that threadedly engages the engine. Unfiltered fluid, such as fuel or lubricant, is received by the filter via an inlet port; particulates 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 typically includes a generally cylindrical filter medium, such as a fabric or other porous material, that is supported within the canister via one or more end caps such that the unfiltered fluid flows through the filter medium in a generally radial direction. The end caps typically support and / or position the filter medium within the canister and relative to the inlet and outlet ports. The fluid filter typically also includes one or more seals that sealably separate the inlet and outlet ports to reduce or eliminate bypass of the unfiltered fluid around the filter medium.

[0003] Typically, the filter element of such a fluid filter is often replaced to reduce the pressure drop across the filter medium, avoid degradation of the seals, and / or otherwise attempt to ensure that the fluid filter operates as desired. To replace the filter element, the canister is typically unscrewed from the engine, the seal between the inlet and outlet flows is opened, the old filter element is removed from the canister, a new filter element is inserted, and the canister is re-screwed onto the engine. The operator replacing the filter cartridge may pre-charge the canister with fluid to avoid and / or reduce entrained air within the fluid system. This pre-charge fluid is typically previously used and / or unfiltered fluid, and pre-charging the canister may require great care to avoid placing the pre-charge fluid on the downstream side of the filter medium, i.e., the side of the already filtered fluid. Additionally, during the filter cartridge replacement process, the old or new seals need to be properly repositioned to provide adequate sealing between the inlet and outlet ports and thus reduce bypass of the unfiltered fluid around the filter medium. When reinstalling an existing canister with a new filter element, or in the case of a "spin-on" type filter cartridge where the canister and filter element are replaced as a unit, it is desirable to provide the operator with an easy way to identify that the canister or spin-on type filter cartridge with the new filter element has been threadedly engaged with the filter base on the engine to the proper amount of tightness such that the seals have been properly repositioned and a leak-proof installation has been achieved. Unfiltered and / or pre-charge fluid downstream of the filter medium due to improper sealing and / or operator pre-charging may cause damage to one or more engine components during operation.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 6,554,140 (“the ′140 patent”) issued to Steger, Jr. et al. discloses a filter assembly that includes an outer seal that forms a seal between a housing and a filter base and an inner seal that forms a seal between an end cap and the filter base. The filter assembly is threadedly attached to the filter base via a nut plate that presses the outer seal against the filter base. The filter assembly also includes a filter element, where 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 an inner passage, and the resulting filtered fluid flows into a filtered fluid passage.

[0005] The ′140 patent can provide a seal between the filter assembly and the filter base with an outer seal and can provide a seal at the connection between the filtered fluid passage and the inner passage with an inner seal to minimize fluid leakage. However, the ′140 patent may require many components to achieve these seals, complicating assembly and alignment, which may require its precise manufacturing tolerances and / or may reduce the adequacy of the seal. Additionally, an operator may have difficulty reconnecting the filter assembly of the ′140 patent to the filter base while ensuring that the filter element has been tightened by an appropriate amount and that the inner and outer seals have been properly repositioned.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome one or more of the disadvantages set forth above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention relates to an end cap for a filter element. The end cap includes an annular plate member disposed adjacent an axial end surface of an annular filter medium of the filter element. A radially outer annular flange projects axially from a surface of the annular plate member. The radially outer annular flange includes at least one fin feature that projects radially outward in a cantilever manner from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange in a direction opposite to the direction in which the filter element rotates during installation into a filter base of a filter system, where the at least one fin feature is configured to deflect toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange by contacting a wedge projection that projects radially inward from an inner circumference of the filter base when the filter element is rotatably installed into the filter base and to spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge projection.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a filter element comprising an annular filter medium and end caps, the end caps including an annular plate member disposed adjacent to an axial end surface of the annular filter medium. A radially outer annular flange projects axially from a surface of the annular plate member. The radially outer annular flange includes at least one fin feature that extends radially outwardly in a cantilever manner from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange in a direction opposite to the direction in which the filter element rotates during installation into a filter base of a filter system, wherein the at least one fin feature is configured to deflect towards the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange by contacting a wedge projection that projects radially inwardly from an inner circumference of the filter base when the filter element is rotatably installed into the filter base, and to spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge projection.

[0009] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a filter system comprising a filter base configured to connect the filter system to a vehicle or other machine, the filter base including an inlet port for introducing unfiltered fluid, an outlet port for discharging filtered fluid, a wedge projection that projects radially inwardly from an inner circumferential surface of the filter base, and a stop projection that is circumferentially spaced from the wedge projection and projects radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the filter base. A filter cartridge including an annular filter medium is connected to the filter base. A top end cap of the filter cartridge disposed at one axial end of the annular filter medium includes a radially outer annular flange that projects axially from the top end cap. The radially outer annular flange includes at least one fin feature that extends radially outwardly in a cantilever manner from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange in a direction opposite to the direction in which the filter cartridge rotates during installation of the filter base of the filter system, wherein the at least one fin feature is configured to deflect towards the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange of the filter cartridge by contacting the wedge projection when the filter cartridge is rotatably installed into the filter base, and the at least one fin feature is configured to spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge projection and before contacting the stop projection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary filter base and can, filter element, and fluid filter according to the present invention, wherein the filter element is installed in the can and attached to the filter base;

[0011] Figure 2A is Figure 1 an enlarged partial cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary fluid filter;

[0012] Figure 2B is Figure 2AAn enlarged cross-sectional schematic view of a portion, showing a fin that projects radially outward from an outer circumferential flange of a filter element end cap in a cantilever manner;

[0013] Figure 2C is Figure 1 A front cross-sectional view of a fluid filter;

[0014] Figure 3 is an isometric view of an exemplary filter element according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 is a top view showing Figure 3 the fins of the filter element starting to deflect when they engage with radially inwardly projecting wedge-shaped protrusions on the filter base during installation of the filter element;

[0016] Figure 5 is a top view showing during installation of the filter element Figure 3 the fins of the filter element fully deflected to pass over the wedge-shaped protrusions on the filter base;

[0017] Figure 6 is a top view showing the fins of the filter element after the filter element has been fully installed in the filter base and the fins have returned to their undeflected position between the radially inwardly projecting wedge-shaped protrusions and circumferentially adjacent radially inwardly projecting stop protrusions; Figure 3 of the filter element;

[0018] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an isometric top view of the filter element;

[0019] Figure 8 is Figure 7 an enlarged view of a portion;

[0020] Figure 9 is an alternative embodiment of a spin-on filter cartridge having fins that project radially outward from the filter element; and

[0021] Figure 10 is an isometric view of an exemplary filter base configured to threadedly engage with Figure 9 the spin-on filter cartridge and provided with a threaded boss for engaging with an engine or other machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 and 2A-2C shows an exemplary fluid filter system 10. The fluid filter system 10 can include a base 12, a canister 14, a filter element 16, and a central longitudinal axis 18. The filter system 10 can be one of several components within a fluid system and is configured to receive unfiltered fluid from one or more upstream components of the fluid system, trap particles suspended within the unfiltered fluid, i.e., filter the fluid, and provide the filtered fluid to one or more downstream components of the fluid system. The fluid system can include any type of fluid system, such as, for example, a fuel delivery system, a lubrication system, and / or a coolant system, and can or may not be operably associated with an engine (not shown). Additionally, the fluid filter system 10 can be configured to filter any type of fluid, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, water, coolant, and / or any other type of fluid. The fluid of the fluid system can or may not be pressurized, and if pressurized, can be at any pressure. According to some embodiments, for example Figure 1 and 2A in the embodiment shown in -2C, the canister 14 and the filter element 16 can be formed as separate components such that the canister 14 is separated from the filter element 16, and the filter element 16 is configured to be received within and removed from the canister 14 for servicing or replacement. In an alternative embodiment, for example Figure 9 in the embodiment shown in, the canister 114 and the filter element having a top cap portion 132 can be formed as a disposable cartridge 100. Such an embodiment can be configured such that the canister 114 is part of the filter element, and the assembly is coupled to a filter base 312 (see Figure 10 ) in a "spin-on" manner, and when the filter element is replaced, the entire assembly of the canister and the filter element including the filter media is disposed of in the form of a "spin-on" type cartridge. In Figure 9 the "spin-on" type cartridge, at least one fin or a plurality of fins, such as two diametrically opposed fins 162, 164, can project in a cantilevered manner from an outer circumferential surface of an annular flange that axially extends from the top cap portion 132 of the cartridge, wherein an annular plate is disposed adjacent to the filter media contained within the canister 114 of the disposable cartridge 100.

[0023] The base 12 for receiving the canister 14 can include an outer wall 20 and a mounting portion 22. The outer wall 20 can be substantially cylindrical in shape and can include an internal thread 21 that is configured to threadedly engage an external thread 31 included on the canister 14. Similarly, as Figure 10 shown, the filter base 312 for receiving Figure 9 the "spin-on" type cartridge 100 can include an outer wall 320 and a mounting portion 322, and the mounting portion 322 can be an externally threaded hollow pipe stud that is configured to threadedly engage an engine or other machine. Figure 10The inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 320 of the filter base 312 shown may include at least a pair of circumferentially spaced wedge-shaped protrusions 328 and a stop protrusion 326 that projects radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 320. Figure 9 The vanes 162, 164 of the spin-on cartridge 100 may be configured to deflect radially toward the cartridge when the cartridge 100 is threadedly engaged with the internal threads 321 of the filter base 312. The mounting portions 22, 322 may be configured to connect the fluid filter system 10 to, for example, an engine via one or more bolt holes or via the external threads of the hollow pipe stud 322. The bases 12, 312 may further define an inlet port 24, 324 and an outlet port 26, 326. The inlet ports 24, 324 may be configured to receive unfiltered fluid from one or more upstream components of the fluid system and may be configured to direct the unfiltered fluid toward the filter element 16 (or the integral filter medium within the spin-on). Specifically, the inlet ports 24, 324 may include a generally cylindrical space within the bases 12, 312 and relative to the central longitudinal axis 18 of the filter element 16 and the canister 14 (or the spin-on disposable cartridge 100). One or more outlet ports 26, 326 may be configured to receive filtered fluid from the filter element 16 and be configured to direct the filtered fluid toward one or more downstream components of the fluid system. Specifically, the outlet port 26 of the spin-on cartridge 100 or one or more outlet ports 326 may define a generally annular space, or a series of circumferentially spaced ports arranged around the inlet port 324 relative to the longitudinal axis 18, and may be disposed radially around the inlet ports 24, 324 in the bases 12, 312. In various alternative embodiments, the inlet ports 24, 324 and the outlet ports 26, 326 may each define a space within the bases 12, 312 having any shape and / or profile (e.g., faceted) and may be formed in the bases 12, 312 in combination with manifolds or fluid passages of different shapes (not shown).

[0024] Alternative embodiments of the bases 12, 312 may reverse the direction of fluid flow through the filter element 16 or through the spin-on disposable cartridge 100, where the inlet port 24, 324 is defined, for example, Figure 2A and 10wherein one or more outlet ports 26, 326 are defined in the exemplary embodiment shown, and wherein one or more inlet ports 24, 324 are defined in the exemplary embodiment shown, e.g., where one or more outlet ports 26, 326 are defined. In such an alternative embodiment, the inlet ports 24, 324 may include a generally annular space within the base 12 or an array of circumferentially spaced openings radially outward of the outlet ports relative to the longitudinal axis 18. The outlet ports 26, 326 may be configured to receive the filtered fluid from the filter element 16 or the spin-on cartridge 100 and to direct the filtered fluid to one or more downstream components of the fluid system. Specifically, one or more outlet ports 26, 326 may include a generally cylindrical space relative to the longitudinal axis 18 and may be radially centered within the generally annular inlet port or the plurality of circumferentially spaced inlet ports. In such an alternative embodiment, the unfiltered fluid will flow in a direction opposite to the Figure 2A and 2C flow arrows shown. The unfiltered fluid will enter the annular inlet port and flow axially into the center of the upper cylindrical tube 36 radially disposed within the first upper annular filter medium 34 (in some embodiments, flowing axially along the outer periphery of the inner tube 92 concentrically disposed within the upper cylindrical tube 36 rather than through the center of the inner tube 92 as Figure 2A and 2C shown). The fluid will then flow radially outward through the openings 37 in the upper cylindrical tube 36; through the first annular filter medium 34, flowing axially downward around the outer periphery of the first annular filter medium 34; through the lower annular filter medium 35 flowing radially inward; through the openings 37 in the lower cylindrical tube 33; and then flow axially upward through the central opening 74 in the intermediate barrier 72 separating the lower annular filter medium 35 from the upper annular filter medium 34; flow through the center of the inner tube 92, and exit the outlet port 26. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that further alternative embodiments of the filter element 16 may include, for example, only one annular filter medium around a single cylindrical tube rather than the upper and lower annular filter media around the upper and lower cylindrical tubes with an intermediate barrier therebetween.

[0025] The can 14 may include an outer wall 28 and a lower end wall 30. The outer wall 28 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may include an external thread 31 at the top portion along the outer periphery of the can, the external thread 31 being configured to threadedly engage an internal thread 21 formed along the inner circumferential surface of the lower portion of the outer wall 20 of the base 12. The lower end wall 30 may be provided at the end of the outer wall 28 opposite to the external thread 31, and the external thread 31 engages the can 14 with the base 12. The outer wall 28 and the end wall 30 may generally define an internal cavity configured to receive the filter element 16. Each of the internal thread 21 and the external thread 31 may extend in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, respectively. The can 14 may include any conventional discharge port (not referenced), which may be configured to facilitate the discharge of fluid from the can 14 and / or may include any conventional safety valve (not shown) to limit the fluid pressure of the fluid system. It should be understood that the engagement between the internal thread 21 and the external thread 31 and the resulting frictional engagement therebetween are well known in the art and will not be further described herein.

[0026] The filter element 16 may include a first end cap 32 and a first annular filter medium 34, the first annular filter medium 34 extending around an upper cylindrical tube 36. The first end cap 32 may include a generally annular wall 46, a radially outward flange 48, a radially inward flange 50, and a central flange; the generally annular wall 46 is disposed against the top surface of the first annular filter medium 34; the radially outward flange 48 extends downwardly perpendicular to the annular wall 46 parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18 of the filter element 16 towards the lower end wall 30 of the can 14 and overlaps the outer circumferential periphery of the first filter medium 34; the radially inward flange 50 extends downwardly perpendicular to the annular wall 46 towards the lower end wall 30 of the can 14 and overlaps the inner diameter of the top end of the upper cylindrical tube 36; the central flange extends upwardly perpendicular to the annular wall 46 from the middle region of the annular wall 46 in a direction opposite to that of the radially inward flange 50 and the radially outward flange 48.

[0027] The intermediate barrier 72 may be coupled to the bottom end of the upper cylindrical tube 36 and include an intermediate barrier hole 74 therethrough. The intermediate barrier 72 may be disposed between the upper cylindrical tube 36 surrounded by the upper annular medium 34 and the lower cylindrical tube 33 surrounded by the lower annular medium 35. The first end cap 32 may be provided adjacent to the base 12 and may be configured to support the filter medium of the filter element 16 within the can 14 and to support the filter medium relative to the can 14.

[0028] The upper annular filter medium 34 and the lower annular filter medium 35 may have different filtration characteristics from each other. According to some embodiments, one of the first filter medium 34 and the second filter medium 35 may include a coalescing medium configured to facilitate separation of a first fluid from a second fluid having characteristics different from those of the first fluid when a fluid including the first fluid and the second fluid passes through one of the first filter medium 34 and the second filter medium 35. According to some embodiments, the fluid to be filtered includes water and fuel, where the first fluid is water and the second fluid is fuel. The fuel may be diesel fuel or any fuel known to those skilled in the art. Other combinations of the first and second fluids are also contemplated.

[0029] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first filter medium 34 or the second filter medium 35 may be a coalescing medium configured to promote separation of a first fluid from a second fluid having characteristics different from those of the first fluid such that one of the first fluid and the second fluid coalesces into droplets as it passes through the coalescing medium and such that droplets of the first fluid form on the downstream surface of the coalescing medium. According to some embodiments, the other of the first filter medium 34 and the second filter medium 35 may be a barrier medium configured to separate the first fluid from the second fluid before the fluid passes through the barrier medium such that droplets of the first fluid form on the upstream surface of the barrier medium and the second fluid passes through the barrier medium. As described below, according to some embodiments, the first filter medium 34 may be a coalescing medium and the second filter medium 35 may be a barrier medium, and alternatively, according to some embodiments, the second filter medium 35 may be a coalescing medium and the first filter medium 34 may be a barrier medium. Coalescing media and / or barrier media known to those skilled in the art are contemplated.

[0030] In Figure 2A and 2C the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first filter medium 34 may include a barrier medium while the second filter medium 35 may include a coalescing medium. As Figure 1As shown by the arrow in , the filter element 16 can be configured such that the fluid 75 entering the filter element 16 through the inlet port 24 flows along the flow path 76 through the inner diameter of the inner tube 92, through the intermediate blocker orifice 74 of the intermediate blocker 72, along the inner diameter of the lower cylindrical tube 33 of the flow path 77, and flows radially outward through the opening 37 in the lower cylindrical tube 33 and radially outward along the flow path 78 through the second filter medium 35. Thereafter, the fluid enters the tank space 82 between the inner surface of the main body portion of the tank 14 and the outer surface of the second filter medium 35. In this exemplary configuration, the second filter medium 35 can include a coalescing medium that promotes the separation of the first fluid from the second fluid as the fluid passes through the second filter medium 35, such that the first fluid coalesces and forms droplets of the first fluid on the downstream surface of the second filter medium 35 (e.g., the outer surface of the second filter medium 35). Thereafter, the droplets of the first fluid in the tank space 82 can fall under the action of gravity to the bottom of the tank 14 for collection in a collection bowl. The remaining fluid, including the second fluid and any remaining first fluid after coalescence, can flow upward through the tank space 82 in a direction opposite to the direction of the droplets along the flow path 79 and flow radially inward along the flow path 81 into the first filter medium 34. In Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first filter medium 34 can be a barrier-type medium that prevents the first fluid from entering the first filter medium 34, such that droplets of the first fluid form on the upstream surface of the first filter medium (e.g., the outer surface of the first filter medium 34). For example, according to some embodiments, the first fluid can be water, and the barrier-type medium can include a hydrophobic material that repels water. Thereafter, the droplets of the first fluid in the tank space 82 can fall under the action of gravity to the bottom of the tank 14 for collection in a collection bowl. Thereafter, the second fluid separated from the first fluid passes through the first filter medium 34, enters the space between the inner tube 92 and the upper cylindrical tube 36 through the perforation 37 in the upper cylindrical tube 36, and is discharged upward through the annular outlet 26 in the filter base 12 and returned to the fluid system.

[0031] In Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner tube 92 and the intermediate blocker 72 are configured to prevent the fluid from passing through the upper first filter medium 34 without first passing through the lower second filter medium 35. In this exemplary configuration, the fluid to be filtered is forced to pass through the first filter medium 34 and the second filter medium 35 before returning to the fluid system. In this exemplary configuration, contaminants such as particulates and water are filtered from the fluid.

[0032] One or both of the first filtration medium 34 and the second filtration medium 35 may be configured to trap particulates and / or other particles suspended in a fluid and may include a generally cylindrical shape disposed about and extending along the longitudinal axis 18. The filter element 16 may also include a second end cap 38. The upper cylindrical tube 36 may include a generally cylindrical tube radially disposed within or radially disposed outside the upper filtration medium 34, and the upper cylindrical tube 36 may include one or more perforations 37 configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough, such as from the upper filtration medium 34 into an internal space defined between the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical tube 36 and the outer diameter of the inner tube 92. The first upper end of the upper cylindrical tube 36 disposed adjacent to the base 12 may engage (i.e., contact) the first end cap 32, and the second lower end of the upper cylindrical tube 36 may engage (i.e., contact) the intermediate barrier 72. The upper end of the lower cylindrical tube 33 may engage the intermediate barrier 72, and the lower end of the lower cylindrical tube 33 may engage the second end cap 38 disposed adjacent to the end wall 30 of the tank 14 and may be configured to support the lower filtration medium 35 within the tank 14 and relative to the tank 14. The second end cap 38 may engage the outer wall 28 of the tank 14 and / or the inner surface of the end wall 30, or may be at least partially spaced apart from the outer wall 28 of the tank 14 and / or the end wall 30 to allow the filtered fluid to fall to the bottom of the tank 14 for collection in a collection bowl. The filtration media 34, 35 may include any filtration material and / or media known in the art, such as a fabric or other porous material, and may or may not be pleated. The first end cap 32 and the second end cap 38, as well as the upper cylindrical tube 36 and the lower cylindrical tube 33, may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer or other plastic, and may be injection molded. The perforations 37 in the tubes may be of any shape, size, and / or number. An alternative embodiment of the filter element 16 may have only one cylindrical tube disposed at the center of a single annular filtration medium, without an intermediate barrier and with a different arrangement of inlet and outlet ports in the filter base 12 such that unfiltered fluid may be introduced through the inlet port to flow downward along the entire inner diameter of the cylindrical tube and flow radially outward through the annular filtration medium and upward along the outer perimeter of the annular filtration medium, or may be introduced through an annular inlet port to flow downward along the outer perimeter of the annular filtration medium between the tank and the filtration medium and flow radially inward through the annular filtration medium and upward through the center of the cylindrical tube disposed at the center of the annular filtration medium.

[0033] Reference Figure 2C, the base 12 may include a plate 120, and the inlet port 24 and the outlet port 26 are formed through the plate 120, for example, by a radially outer cylindrical boss 122 axially extending downward from the plate 120 toward the tank 14 and a radially inner cylindrical boss 124 extending downward from the plate 120 toward the tank 14. The inlet port 24 is formed within the radially inner cylindrical boss 124, and the outlet port 26 is formed as an annular space between the radially inner cylindrical boss 124 and the radially outer cylindrical boss 122. The upwardly projecting central flange 52 of the first end cap 32 may include an outer seal member (O-ring) 44 supported within a groove formed in the outer peripheral surface around the flange, and the outer seal member 44 is configured to provide a fluid seal between the radially outer cylindrical boss 122 of the base 12, the filter element 16, and the outlet port 26. The inner tube 92 of the filter element 16 may include an inner seal member (O-ring) 42, and the inner seal member 42 is supported within a groove formed in the outer peripheral surface around the top end of the inner tube 92 and is configured to provide a fluid seal between the radially inner cylindrical boss 124 of the base 12, the filter element 16, and the inlet port 24. The end cap 32 may or may not be fixedly connected to the filter medium 34, and / or may include any means configured to establish a fluid seal relative to the base 12 and the inlet port 24 and the outlet port 26, such as an adapter configured to interconnect the top plate and / or the other end cap to the base 12 via a threaded connection.

[0034] As best shown in Figure 2C a cross-sectional front view, the annular plate member 46 of the top end cap 32 may be configured to be mounted and molded to the top axial end surface of the annular filter medium 34, and the annular filter medium 34 is positioned around the upper cylindrical tube 36 of the filter element 16 in the filter system 10. The annular plate member 46 may include a radially inner portion, a radially outer portion, and a central axis of the annular plate member 46 defining a longitudinal axis 18. The radially inner flange 50 axially projects from the radially inner edge of the annular plate member 46 along the longitudinal axis 18 in a first direction. The central flange 52 axially projects from the annular plate member 46 along the longitudinal axis 18 in a second direction opposite to the first direction at the convergence of the radially inner portion and the radially outer portion. The radially outer flange 48 axially projects from the radially outer edge of the annular plate member 46 along the longitudinal axis 18 in the first direction.

[0035] The radially outer flange 48 of the top end cap 32 may include at least one fin feature 62, 64, as best shown in Figure 3-8 which, the fin features 62, 64 radially extend outward from the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer flange 48 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the filter element 16 rotates during the process of being installed into the filter base 12 of the filter system 10 in a cantilever manner. Similarly, Figure 9The spin-on cartridge 100 can include a single fin feature, or multiple diametrically opposed fin features 162, 164 that radially extend outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the annular flange that axially extends from the annular plate member of the top cap portion 132 of the spin-on cartridge 100. At least one fin feature 62, 64 of the top cap 32 can be configured to deflect toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 of the top cap 32 of the filter element 16 by contacting wedge protrusions 222, 228 that radially project inwardly from the inner circumference of the filter base 12 when the filter element 16 is rotatably installed into the filter base 12. Figure 4 and Figure 5 show two fin features 62, 64 that radially extend outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 and radially deflect inwardly toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 when the filter element is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, where each of these fin features 62, 64 contacts a corresponding wedge protrusion 222, 228. As Figure 4-8 shown, the counterclockwise rotation of the filter element 16 occurs when the can 14 having the filter element 16 is threadedly engaged with the base 12 and axially moved toward the filter base 12 while rotating in the clockwise direction when viewed from the can 14 toward the filter base 12. When the fin features 62, 64 have deflected and moved past the respective wedge protrusions 222, 228, as Figure 6 、 7 and 8 show, each of the fin features 62, 64 is configured to spring back to its undeflected configuration, thereby providing a tactile and audible feedback indicating that the filter element 16 is properly installed into the filter base 12. Similarly, when the spin-on cartridge 100 is threadedly engaged with the internal threads 321 of the filter base 312, each fin feature 162, 164 that radially projects outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the annular flange that axially extends from the top annular end plate of the spin-on cartridge 100 radially deflects inwardly and moves past the wedge protrusion 328, and then the fin features 162, 164 spring back to the undeflected configuration, thereby providing a tactile and audible feedback indicating that the spin-on cartridge 100 is properly installed into the filter base 312.

[0036] At the point where the fin features 62, 64 have sprung back to their undeflected positions and are circumferentially positioned between the respective wedge protrusions 222, 228 and the associated stop protrusions 224, 226, the can 14 having the filter element 16 has been threaded into the outer wall 20 of the filter base 12 far enough such that the can seal member (O-ring) 56 has sealed against the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 20 of the filter base 12. Similarly, at the point where the fin features 162, 164 of the spin-on cartridge 100 have sprung back to their undeflected positions and are circumferentially positioned between the wedge protrusion 328 and the associated stop protrusion 326, the spin-on cartridge 100 has been threaded into the outer wall 320 of the filter base 312 far enough to form a proper sealing engagement between the spin-on cartridge 100 and the filter base 312. In one exemplary embodiment, as Figure 9 and 10 shown, one or more annular seals may axially project from the top surface of the top annular end plate of the spin-on cartridge 100 and may be configured to seat against a mating annular flange extending axially from the filter base 312 when the spin-on cartridge 100 is fully engaged into the filter base 312.

[0037] At the position where the can 14 and the filter element 16 are fully engaged into the filter base 12, the upwardly projecting central flange 52 of the first end cap 32 and the outer seal member (O-ring) 44 supported within a groove formed in the outer peripheral surface around the central flange 52 provide a fluid seal between the radially outer cylindrical boss 122 of the base 12, the filter element 16, and the outlet port 26. The inner tube 92 of the filter element 16 and the inner seal member (O-ring) 42 supported within a groove formed around the outer peripheral surface at the top end of the inner tube 92 provide a fluid seal between the radially inner cylindrical boss 124 of the filter base 12, the filter element 16, and the inlet port 24. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other arrangements, types, and numbers of seals may be provided to ensure a fluid-tight connection between the can 14, the filter element 16, and the filter base 12, or between the spin-on cartridge 100 and the filter base 312.

[0038] As in Figure 2B and 3As best shown in Figure 4-6 , each fin feature 62, 64 can include a straight proximal portion that is connected to the radially outer flange 48 at an acute angle to the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer flange 48, and a curved distal portion. The curved distal portion of each fin feature curves radially inwardly from the distal end of the straight proximal portion towards the radially outer flange 48. In some exemplary embodiments, the width of each fin feature can be approximately equal to the width of the radially outer flange 48. The configuration of the fin features 62, 64 is such that when the filter element 16 is rotated and axially moved during the process of being fastened to the filter base by the threaded engagement of the can 14 and the filter base 12, each fin feature is capable of deflecting and passing over the radially inner edges of the respective wedge projections 222, 228. As Figure 4-6 best shown, the curved distal portion of each fin feature can be configured such that when the filter element is rotated in a first direction to be fastened into the filter base 12, the contact angle between the curved distal portion and the first angled surface of the respective wedge projection contacted by the fin feature is less than the contact angle between the curved distal portion and the second angled surface of the respective wedge projection contacted by the fin feature when the filter element is rotated in the opposite second direction to be loosened from the filter base 12. This configuration enables the can and the filter element to be fastened to the filter base with a force smaller than the force required to loosen the can and the filter element by reversing the direction of rotation of the filter element and forcing the fin member to deflect and move backward over the respective wedge projections. Similar features can be provided on the filter base 312 for the spin-on cartridge 100.

[0039] As Figure 6As shown, the gap 230 between the radially inner edge of each stop protrusion 224, 226 and the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer flange 48 of the top cap 32 is less than the gap between the radially inner edge of each wedge protrusion 222, 228 and the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer flange 48. The gap 230 is configured to be small enough such that the fin features 62, 64 cannot pass through the corresponding stop protrusions 224, 226. The circumferential spacing between each wedge protrusion 222, 228 and the corresponding stop protrusion disposed adjacent thereto can be selected to allow a small amount of rotational play of the filter element 16 after the fin features 62, 64 snap back to their un-deflected configuration as they rotate past the wedge protrusions in the tensioning direction. To loosen the can 14 and the filter element 16 from the base 12 and move the fin features 62, 64 outside the circumferential spacing between each wedge protrusion 222, 228 and the corresponding stop protrusion 224, 226, reversing the direction of rotation requires a greater force than the force required to fasten the can 14 and the filter element 16. However, when sufficient torque is provided to loosen the can 14 and the filter element 16 from the base 12, the curved distal portions of each fin feature 62, 64 deflect radially inwardly to allow the can and the filter element to rotate back past the wedge protrusions.

[0040] Industrial Applicability

[0041] The disclosed fluid filter system can be adapted to filter any type of fluid and can provide a seal between the unfiltered fluid stream and the filtered fluid stream while also providing tactile and audible feedback to the operator such that the operator knows when the replacement can and filter element have been properly installed in the filter base on the machine.

[0042] For example, the filter system 10 shown in Figure 2C or a filter system including a spin-on cartridge 100 can include filter bases 12, 312 configured to connect the filter system to a vehicle or other machine. The filter bases 12, 312 can include an inlet port 24, 324 for introducing unfiltered fluid and an outlet port 26, 326 for discharging the filtered fluid. The filter bases 12, 312 can also include wedge protrusions 222, 228, 328 and corresponding stop protrusions 224, 226, 326; the wedge protrusions 222, 228, 328 project radially inwardly from the inner circumference of the filter bases 12, 312 on diametrically opposite sides of the filter bases 12, 312; the stop protrusions 224, 226, 326 are circumferentially spaced from the wedge protrusions 222, 228, 328 and project radially inwardly from the inner circumference of the filter bases 12, 312.

[0043] The canister 14 of the filter system 10 can be threadedly engaged with the filter base 12, and the external threads 31 at the top end of the canister 14 are configured to threadedly engage with the internal threads 21 along the outer wall 20 of the filter base 12. The filter element 16 can be removably accommodated within the canister 14 in a cartridge-type filter system or permanently installed within the canister 14 in a "spin-on" type filter system, such as Figure 9 and 10 shown, where the entire canister and filter element are integrally assembled into a disposable canister 100 and disposed of each time the filter element is replaced.

[0044] The filter element 16 can include an annular filter medium, which in some embodiments can consist of a first annular filter medium 34 of a first type (e.g., coalescing or blocking type) and a second annular filter medium 35 of a second type. The central tube around which the annular filter medium is disposed can consist of an upper cylindrical tube 36 and a lower cylindrical tube 33 separated by an intermediate blocker 72. A bottom end cap 38 can be disposed on the first axial end surface of the filter medium 35, and a top end cap 32 can be disposed on the second axial end surface of the annular filter medium 34.

[0045] The top end cap 32 can include an annular plate member 46, which is configured to be mounted and / or molded to the second axial end surface of the annular filter medium 34, which is positioned around the upper cylindrical tube 36 of the filter element 16. The annular plate member 46 can include a radially inner portion, a radially outer portion, and a central axis of the annular plate member 46 defining a longitudinal axis 18. The radially inner flange 50 of the radially inner portion of the annular plate member 46 can axially project along the longitudinal axis 18 in a first direction from the radially inner edge of the annular plate member 46. The central flange 52 can axially project along the longitudinal axis 18 in a second direction opposite to the first direction at the convergence of the radially inner portion and the radially outer portion from the annular plate member 46. The radially outer flange 48 of the radially outer portion of the annular plate member 46 can axially project along the longitudinal axis 18 in the first direction from the radially outer edge of the annular plate member 46.

[0046] The radially outward flange 48 may include at least one fin feature 62, 64 that extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 in a cantilevered manner in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the filter element 16 during installation into the filter base 12 of the filter system 10. The at least one fin feature 62, 64 may be configured to deflect toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 of the filter element 16 by contacting the wedge protrusions 222, 228 when the filter element 16 is rotatably installed into the filter base 12. The first gap between the radially inner edge of the wedge protrusions 222, 228 and the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 may be large enough to allow the at least one fin feature 62, 64 to pass by the wedge protrusions 222, 228 when the filter element 16 contained within the can 14 is rotatably installed into the filter base 12.

[0047] The at least one fin feature 62, 64 may be configured to spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the corresponding wedge protrusions 222, 228 and before contacting the corresponding stop protrusions 224, 226, thereby providing tactile and audible feedback indicating that the filter element 16 is properly installed into the filter base 12. Similarly, as described above, the fin features 162, 164 of the spin-on cartridge 100 may project radially outward in a cantilevered manner from the outer circumferential surface of a radially outer annular flange that axially extends from the top annular end plate of the cartridge 100, and the fin features 162, 164 may be configured to spring back to the undeflected configuration after passing the wedge protrusion 328 and before contacting the stop protrusion 326, thereby providing tactile and audible feedback indicating that the spin-on cartridge 100 is properly installed into the filter base 312. The first gap between the radially inner edge of the wedge protrusion 328 and the outer circumferential surface of the spin-on cartridge 100 may be large enough to allow the at least one fin feature 162, 164 to pass by the wedge protrusion 328 when the cartridge 100 is rotatably installed into the filter base 312.

[0048] The second gap 230 (see Figure 6 ) between the radially inner edge of the stop protrusions 224, 226 and the outer circumferential surface of the radially outward flange 48 may be less than the first gap and small enough to prevent the at least one fin feature 62, 64 from passing by the corresponding stop protrusions 224, 226.

[0049] As described above, at the point where the winglet features 62, 64, 162, 164 have sprung back to their undeflected positions to produce tactile and audible feedback, they are circumferentially positioned between the respective wedge projections 222, 228, 328 and the associated stop projections 224, 226, 326. At this time, the canister 14 having the filter element 16 or the spin-on cartridge 100 has been threaded into the outer wall 20 of the filter base 12 or the outer wall 320 of the filter base 312 far enough such that the canister seal (O-ring) 56 has sealed against the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 20 of the filter base 12, or the spin-on cartridge 100 has formed a fluid-tight seal against the filter base 312. At this fully engaged position, the upwardly projecting central flange 52 of the first end cap 32 and the outer seal member (O-ring) 44 supported in a groove formed in the outer peripheral surface around the central flange 52 provide a fluid seal between the radially outer cylindrical boss 122 of the filter base 12, the filter element 16, and the annular outlet port 26. The inner tube 92 of the filter element 16 and the inner seal member (O-ring) 42 supported in a groove formed around the outer peripheral surface at the top end of the inner tube 92 provide a fluid seal between the radially inner cylindrical boss 124 of the filter base 12, the filter element 16, and the inlet port 24.

[0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed fluid filter system. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art by considering this specification and the practice of the disclosed methods and devices. This specification and the examples are only to be considered as exemplary, with the true scope being indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An end cap (32) for a filter element (16), the end cap comprising: An annular plate member (46) disposed adjacent an axial end surface of an annular filter medium (34) of the filter element (16); A radially outer annular flange (48) axially projecting from a surface of the annular plate member (46); The radially outer annular flange (48) includes at least one fin feature (62) that extends radially outward in a cantilevered manner from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange (48) in a direction opposite to a direction in which the filter element (16) rotates during installation into a filter base (12) of a filter system (10), wherein the at least one fin feature (62) is configured to deflect toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange (48) by contacting a wedge projection (222) radially inwardly projecting from an inner circumference of the filter base (12) when the filter element (16) is rotatably installed into the filter base (12), and to spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge projection (222).

2. The end cap (32) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fin feature (62) includes two fin features (62, 64) that extend radially outward from diametrically opposite sides of the radially outer annular flange (48), and wherein the spring-back of the fin features provides one or more of a tactile and an audible feedback indicating that the filter element (16) is properly installed into the filter base (12).

3. The end cap (32) according to claim 2, wherein the two fin features (62, 64) extend radially outward from diametrically opposite sides of the radially outer annular flange (48) in tangentially opposite directions with respect to each other.

4. The end cap (32) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fin feature (62, 64) includes a straight proximal portion and a curved distal portion, the straight proximal portion being connected to the radially outer annular flange (48) at an acute angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange.

5. The end cap (32) according to claim 4, wherein the curved distal portion of the at least one fin feature (62, 64) curves radially inwardly from a distal end of the straight proximal portion toward the radially outer annular flange (48).

6. The end cap (32) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fin feature (62, 64) has a width approximately equal to a width of the radially outer annular flange (48).

7. The end cap (32) according to claim 1, wherein the annular plate member (46) includes a central flange (52) axially protruding from the annular plate member (46), and the central flange (52) includes an annular sealing member (44), the annular sealing member (44) being disposed adjacent to the distal end of the central flange (52) and held in a radially outwardly facing groove formed in the outer circumferential surface of the central flange (52), the annular sealing member (44) being configured to provide a radially facing sealing interface relative to a radially facing surface associated with the outlet (26) formed in the filter base (12).

8. The end cap (32) according to claim 1, wherein the annular plate member (46) includes a radially inner annular flange (50), the radially inner annular flange (50) protruding from the annular plate member (46) and configured to axially extend within the inner diameter of the annular filter medium (34), the radially outer annular flange (48) being configured to overlap with the top end of the radially outer circumferential surface of the annular filter medium (34).

9. The end cap (32) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fin feature (62, 64) is integrally molded with the radially outer annular flange (48) of the end cap (32).

10. A filter element (16) comprising: an annular filter medium (34); an end cap (32) including an annular plate member (46) disposed adjacent to an axial end surface of the annular filter medium (34); a radially outer annular flange (48) axially protruding from a surface of the annular plate member (46); the radially outer annular flange (48) includes at least one fin feature (62, 64), the at least one fin feature radially outwardly extending in a cantilever manner from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange (48) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the filter element (16) rotates during installation into the filter base (12) of the filter system (10), wherein the at least one fin feature (62, 64) is configured to deflect towards the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange (48) by contacting a wedge protrusion (222) radially inwardly protruding from the inner circumference of the filter base (12) when the filter element (16) is rotatably installed into the filter base (12), and spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge protrusion (222).

Images