Top cap for a filter cartridge and method for manufacturing

Abstract

A top cap for a filter cartridge, comprising a first part (2) for accommodating a filter medium (6) of the filter cartridge (5); a second part (3) for positioning the top cap (1) in a non-circular opening (9) of a holder plate (8) of the filter vessel (7); and a tubular intermediate part (4) between the first part (2) and the second part (3), characterized in that the tubular intermediate part (4) is configured, when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9), to allow a rotation of the top cap (1) relative to the holder plate (8) through a specified angle of rotation about an axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part (4).

Description

[0001] Top cap for a filter cartridge and method for manufacturing and mounting such a top cap .

[0002] The present invention relates to a top cap for a filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, such a filter cartridge , such a filter vessel , a method for manufacturing such a top cap, a method for manufacturing such a filter vessel and a method for mounting such a top cap or such a filter cartridge in a holder plate of such a filter vessel .

[0003] More specifically, the invention relates to a top cap for a filter cartridge for the filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, comprising a first part for accommodating a filter medium of the filter cartridge for filtering the component from the fluid stream; a second part for positioning the top cap in a noncircular opening of a holder plate of the filter vessel , the second part having a profile contour corresponding to the non-circular opening such that the second part can only be inserted through the non-circular opening when the profile contour and a contour of the non- circular opening are in a mutually rotationally aligned position; and a tubular intermediate part , a first end of which is connected to the first part and a second end, opposite the first end, of which is connected to the second part , to form a tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part and the second part . Such top caps are already known from the state of the art .

[0004] Attaching a filter cartridge in a holder plate of a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream typically requires a suitable seal between the top cap of the filter cartridge and the holder plate , in combination with a secure connection between the top cap of the filter cartridge and the holder plate . In this case , the connection should be capable of maintaining the filter cartridge in place , relative to the filter vessel , at a dynamic fluid flow of , for example, compressed gas .

[0005] In already existing filter installations , the connection is provided by a removable elastomeric O-ring for sealing between the top cap of the filter cartridge and the holder plate , which removable elastomeric O-ring is pressed axially against the holder plate by means of a threaded mechanism when the filter cartridge is mounted in the holder plate . This threaded mechanism is secured by additional mechanical components such as threaded rods , brackets , and holders .

[0006] However , there is a risk that the removable elastomeric O- ring may become loose or no longer be in the correct position during and / or after mounting the filter cartridge in the holder plate .

[0007] This will compromise the seal between the top cap and the holder plate and / or the strength of the connection between the top cap and the holder plate . Furthermore , the removable elastomeric O-ring may become damaged . In addition, the threaded mechanism may be damaged in case of incorrect manipulation of the filter cartridge during mounting thereof in the filter vessel .

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a solution to one or more of the above-mentioned and / or other disadvantages .

[0009] More specifically, the current invention aims to make the connection between the filter cartridge and the holder plate structurally less complex, and therefore faster to assemble and maintain . At the same time , this connection must also be robust and less prone to errors during assembly and maintenance , and therefore safer .

[0010] A further aim of the present invention is to achieve a maximum sealing fit between the filter cartridge and the holder plate , but at the same time to require an as low as possible torsional force for mounting the filter cartridge in the holder plate , such that the filter cartridge can easily be manually attached in the holder plate .

[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to a top cap for a filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, comprising a first part for accommodating a filter medium of the filter cartridge for filtering the component from the fluid stream; a second part for positioning the top cap in a noncircular opening of a holder plate of the filter vessel , the second part having a profile contour corresponding to the non-circular opening such that the second part can only be inserted through the non-circular opening when the profile contour and a contour of the non- circular opening are in a mutually rotationally aligned position; and a tubular intermediate part , a first end of which is connected to the first part and a second end, opposite the first end, of which is connected to the second part , to form a tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part and the second part , characterized in that the tubular intermediate part is configured, when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening , to allow a rotation of the top cap relative to the holder plate through a specified angle of rotation about an axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part ; the top cap is provided with one or more lifting means which are configured such that , when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non- circular opening and when subsequently the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation, the first part is moved in a direction of the axis of rotation towards the holder plate ; and a side of the first part which faces the holder plate when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening, is provided with a sealing means around the tubular intermediate part such that a space between the sealing means , the side of the first part , the holder plate and the tubular intermediate part is sealed by the sealing means only when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening and when subsequently the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0012] The fluid stream can be , for example , a gas stream and more specifically a stream of compressed air, while the component can be , for example , atomized liquid droplets and more specifically oil and / or water droplets .

[0013] The second part of the top cap is maintained positionally with respect to the first part behind the holder plate by rotating the top cap with respect to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening .

[0014] Such a top cap according to the invention can be structurally less complex and quicker to mount in the holder plate than already known top caps due to a possible absence of a threaded mechanism for the connection between the top cap and the holder plate of the filter vessel , and thus eliminating the need for any additional mechanical components in the filter cartridge that are required for such a threaded mechanism, without the connection between the top cap and the holder plate of the filter vessel having to sacrifice strength .

[0015] Since the top cap according to the invention does not require a threaded rod in the filter cartridge , the risk of such a threaded rod being damaged in the event of incorrect manipulation of the filter cartridge when mounting the filter cartridge in the filter vessel can also be eliminated, whereby a connection between the filter cartridge and the holder plate by means of the top cap will also be less prone to errors when mounting the filter cartridge in the filter vessel .

[0016] The fact that the second part of the top cap has a profile contour that corresponds to a non-circular opening of the holder plate and can only be inserted through the noncircular opening when the profile contour and the noncircular opening are in a mutually rotationally aligned position, also removes a degree of freedom during mounting of the top cap in the holder plate , which will also improve a susceptibility to errors and therefore a security of a connection between the filter cartridge and the holder plate by means of the top cap .

[0017] Since the sealing means is configured such that the space between the sealing means , the side of the first part , the holder plate , and the tubular intermediate part is only sealed when the top cap has rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation, the torque required for mounting the top cap in the holder plate is not increased by any interactional tangential shear forces between the sealing means , on the one hand, and the holder plate or the side of the first part , on the other, as long as the top cap has not yet rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation . This allows this required torque during mounting of the top cap in the holder plate to be minimized for as long as possible . Moreover, the ris k of damage to the sealing means is also reduced .

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the top cap according to the invention, the lifting means comprise at least one inclined guide surface of the second part , wherein, when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate , such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening, the inclined guide surface is at least partially positioned at a perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation, which is greater than a smallest perpendicular distance between the contour of the non-circular opening of the holder plate and the axis of rotation; is directed towards the holder plate and is oriented at a specified tilt angle relative to the holder plate ; and is configured to contact the holder plate for at least a part of a period in which the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation . The inclined guide surface has a simple geometry and can therefore easily be applied to the second part of the top cap using a standard production technique .

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the top cap according to the invention, the second part is provided with guide means , configured, on the one hand, to simultaneous ly guide the second part axially along said axis of rotation in the non-circular opening of the holder plate and, on the other hand, to bring the profile contour of the second part and the contour of the non-circular opening into the mutually rotationally aligned position .

[0020] Preferably, the guide means comprise at least one inclined guide profile , which guide profile extends from a point of the profile contour perpendicularly farthest removed from the axis of rotation in a direction towards a point of the axis of rotation that is located further from the tubular intermediate part in the direction of the axis of rotation than the point perpendicularly farthest removed from the axis of rotation .

[0021] Such guide means ensure in a simple way an automatic, correct , rotational alignment of the profile contour of the second part of the top cap and the contour of the non- circular opening of the holder plate of a filter vessel , as the second part is inserted through the circular opening .

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the top cap according to the invention, the top cap is provided with blocking means for preventing further rotation of the top cap relative to the holder plate when the second part has been inserted through the non-circular opening of the holder plate , such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the noncircular opening and when subsequently the top cap has been rotated relative to the holder plate through an angle equal to the specified angle of rotation or only a fraction of the specified angle of rotation greater than the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0023] The blocking means prevent the top cap from rotating any further relative to the holder plate while the space between the sealing means , the side of the first part , the holder plate , and the tubular intermediate part is already sufficiently sealed . This prevents excessive force between the sealing means and the side of the first part , and / or between the sealing means and the holder plate , thereby reducing the risk of damage to the sealing means .

[0024] Preferably, the blocking means herein comprises at least one lip , the lip proj ecting from an outer surface of the tubular intermediate part and the lip comprising an abutment surface , which abutment surface faces away from the outer surface and is configured to contact the contour of the non-circular opening of the holder plate when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non- circular opening and when subsequently the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the angle about said axis of rotation . Such a lip has a simple geometry and can therefore in a simple manner be practically implemented on the outer surface of the tubular intermediate part .

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the top cap according to the invention, the sealing means is connected to said side of the first part as a permanent sealing means .

[0026] By forming the sealing means as a permanent sealing means , connected to said side of the first part , the sealing means will be more firmly attached to the top cap and will be less likely to loosen and / or end up in an incorrect position than a conventional removable elastomeric O-ring .

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the top cap according to the invention, the sealing means is a D-ring , the D-ring having a flat side , configured to be connected to said side of the first part .

[0028] At the flat side , the sealing means can be attached more firmly to said side of the first part of the top cap and is therefore less likely to come loose and / or end up in an incorrect position than a conventional removable elastomeric O-ring .

[0029] Alternatively, the sealing means is a U-ring or V-ring, comprising an annular base having a base side , configured to be connected to said side of the first part ; an outer ring , extending from an outer side of the base in a direction away from the base side and configured to contact the holder plate when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening and when subsequently the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation; and an inner ring , extending from an inner side of the base in a direction away from the base side and configured to contact the holder plate when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening and when subsequently the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0030] On the base side , the sealing means can be secured to the first part of the top cap .

[0031] Proj ecting ends of the outer ring and the inner ring , respectively, will contact the holder plate when the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation, and in that way can form a double seal with the holder plate .

[0032] Preferably, the outer ring and / or the inner ring are flexible lips .

[0033] The advantage of such flexible lips is that the contact surface of the flexible lips with the holder plate increases with further compression of the sealing means between the first part of the top cap and the holder plate , thus obtaining a better seal between the sealing means and the holder plate .

[0034] The present invention also relates to a filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, comprising a filter medium for filtering the component from the fluid stream, characterised in that the filter cartridge further comprises a top cap according to any one of the embodiments described above , wherein the filter medium is accommodated in the first part of the top cap .

[0035] It goes without saying that such a filter cartridge enj oys the same advantages as those for a top cap according to any one of the embodiments described above .

[0036] Furthermore , the present invention relates to a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, characterized in that the filter vessel comprises a holder plate and the filter vessel is configured to comprise a filter cartridge according to the invention by mounting the top cap of the filter cartridge in a non-circular opening of the holder plate , whereby the second part of the top cap has the corresponding profile contour .

[0037] It goes without saying that such a filter vessel is required to achieve the advantages of a top cap according to any one of the embodiments described above or a filter cartridge according to the invention . The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a top cap according to any one of the embodiments described above , wherein the method comprises the following steps : providing the first part , the second part and the tubular intermediate part ; and connecting the first end of the tubular intermediate part to the first part and connecting the second end of the tubular intermediate part to the second part to form the tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part and the second part , characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps : providing the second part with one or more lifting means ; and providing the sealing means on said side of the first part around the tubular intermediate part such that the space between the sealing means , the side of the first part , the holder plate and the tubular intermediate part is only sealed when the second part has been inserted through said non-circular opening of the holder plate such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening and when subsequently the top cap has been rotated relative to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0038] It goes without saying that a top cap , resulting from this method, enj oys the same advantages as a top cap according to any one of the embodiments described above . Preferably, the sealing means is permanently bonded to said side of the first part using an overmoulding process technique .

[0039] This will make the sealing means less likely to loosen and / or end up in an incorrect position than a conventional removable elastomeric O-ring .

[0040] Furthermore , the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a filter vessel according to the invention, characterized in that the filter vessel is provided with the holder plate , the holder plate being provided with the noncircular opening with which the second part of the top cap has the corresponding profile contour .

[0041] It goes without saying that a filter vessel resulting from this method enj oys the same advantages as a filter vessel according to the invention .

[0042] Preferably, the non-circular opening in the holder plate of a filter vessel is provided by means of a plasma cutting technique .

[0043] Since the plasma used in this type of plasma technology is very hot and locally concentrated, plasma technology is extremely suitable for creating curved or angular shapes in the holder plate . More specifically, using plasma cutting technology, a noncircular opening in the holder plate can be provided quickly, accurately and cost-effectively .

[0044] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for mounting a top cap according to any one of the embodiments described above or a filter cartridge according to the invention in a holder plate of a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, characterized in that the holder plate comprises a non-circular opening with which the second part of the top cap has the corresponding profile contour , comprising the following steps : inserting the second part of the top cap through the non-circular opening such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening; and subsequently rotating the top cap relative to the holder plate through a specified angle of rotation about the axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part .

[0045] The second part of the top cap is maintained positionally with respect to the first part behind the holder plate by rotating the top cap with respect to the holder plate through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation when the second part is inserted through said non-circular opening such that the tubular intermediate part is located in the non-circular opening .

[0046] Such a method for mounting a top cap or filter cartridge into a holder plate of a filter vessel may be simpler and faster than previously known methods due to a possible absence of a threaded mechanism for the connection between the top cap and the holder plate of the filter vessel and thus eliminating the need for any additional mechanical parts in the filter cartridge , required for such a threaded mechanism, without compromising the strength of the connection between the top cap and the holder plate of the filter vessel .

[0047] Since this method according to the invention does not require a threaded rod in the filter cartridge , the risk of such a threaded rod becoming damaged in the event of incorrect manipulation of the filter cartridge when mounting the filter cartridge in the filter vessel is also eliminated, whereby a connection between the filter cartridge and the holder plate by means of the top cap will therefore also be less prone to errors when mounting the filter cartridge in the filter vessel .

[0048] The fact that the second part of the top cap according to the invention has a profile contour that corresponds to a non-circular opening of the holder plate and can only be inserted through the non-circular opening when the profile contour and the contour of the non-circular opening are in a mutually rotationally aligned position, also removes a degree of freedom during mounting of the top cap in the holder plate , which will also improve the susceptibility to errors and thus the safety of a connection between the filter cartridge and the holder plate by means of the top cap .

[0049] Since the space between the sealing means , the side of the first part, the holder plate , and the tubular intermediate part is only sealed when the top cap has rotated through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation relative to the holder plate , the required torque for fitting the top cap into the holder plate is not increased by any interactional tangential shear forces between, on the one hand, the sealing means and, on the other hand, the holder plate or the side of the first part , as long as the top cap has not yet rotated through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation relative to the holder plate . This allows this required torque during mounting the top cap into the holder plate to be minimized for as long as possible . Furthermore , the risk of damage to the sealing means is also reduced .

[0050] With the aim of better demonstrating the features of the invention, a number of preferred embodiments of a top cap for a filter cartridge , a filter cartridge , a filter vessel , a method for manufacturing a top cap for a filter cartridge , a method for manufacturing a filter vessel and a method for mounting a top cap or filter cartridge in a holder plate of a filter vessel according to the invention are described hereinafter , by way of example but without any limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which

[0051] Figure 1 shows a top cap for a f ilter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream according to the invention;

[0052] Figure 2 shows a filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a partial cross-section of a filter vessel according to the invention for separating a component from a fluid stream;

[0053] Figure 4 shows in more detail a bottom view of part of a holder plate in the filter vessel shown as F4 in Figure 3 ;

[0054] Figure 5 shows a top view of the top cap according to the invention in Figure 1 ;

[0055] Figure 6 shows a side view of the top cap according to the invention in Figure 1 ;

[0056] Figure 7a shows in more detail a partial cross-section of the top cap along line VI I-VII in Figure 1 ;

[0057] Figure 7b shows a partial cross-section of a first alternative embodiment for the top cap in Figure 1 ;

[0058] Figure 7 c shows a partial cross-section of a second alternative embodiment for the top cap in Figure 1 ;

[0059] Figure 7d shows a partial cross-section of a third alternative embodiment for the top cap in Figure 1 ;

[0060] Figure 8 shows in top view a first step of a method for mounting the top cap in Figure 1 into the holder plate of the filter vessel in Figure 3 ;

[0061] Figure 9 shows a second step of the method for mounting the top cap in Figure 1 into the holder plate of the filter vessel in Figure 3 , according to a cross-section of a tubular intermediate part of the top cap when this tubular intermediate part is located in an opening of the holder plate .

[0062] Figure 1 shows a top cap 1 for a filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream. The top cap 1 comprises a first part 2 for accommodating a filter medium of the filter cartridge for filtering the component from the fluid stream.

[0063] Furthermore , the top cap 1 comprises a second part 3 for positioning the top cap 1 in a non-circular opening of a holder plate of the filter vessel .

[0064] Furthermore , the top cap 1 comprises a tubular intermediate part 4 . A first end of the tubular intermediate part 4 is connected to the first part 2 and a second end of the tubular intermediate part 4 is connected to the second part 3 to form a tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part 2 and the second part 3 .

[0065] Figure 2 shows a filter cartridge 5 for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream according to the invention .

[0066] The filter cartridge 5 comprises a filter medium 6 for filtering the component from the fluid stream.

[0067] Furthermore , the filter cartridge 5 comprises a top cap 1 as shown in Figure 1 , wherein the filter medium 6 is accommodated in the first part 2 of the top cap 1 .

[0068] Figure 3 shows a partial cross-section of a filter vessel 7 according to the invention for separating a component from a fluid stream . The filter vessel 7 comprises a holder plate 8 , wherein the filter vessel 7 is configured to comprise the filter cartridge 5 in Figure 2 by mounting the top cap 1 of the filter cartridge 5 in a non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 , with which the second part 3 of the top cap 1 has a corresponding profile contour .

[0069] In a method for manufacturing the filter vessel 7 , the filter vessel 7 is therefore provided with the holder plate 8 , wherein the holder plate 8 is provided with the non-circular opening 9 with which the second part 3 of the top cap 1 has the corresponding profile contour .

[0070] Preferably, in this method, the non-circular opening 9 in the holder plate 8 of the filter vessel 7 is provided by means of a plasma cutting technique .

[0071] Figure 4 shows in more detail a bottom view of a part of a holder plate 8 in the filter vessel 7 , shown as F4 in Figure 3 .

[0072] In this bottom view, an outline 10 of the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 is clearly shown .

[0073] Figure 5 shows a top view of the top cap 1 according to the invention in Figure 1 .

[0074] In this top view, it can be seen that the second part 3 of the top cap 1 has a profile contour 11 corresponding to the non-circular opening 9 , such that the second part 3 can only be inserted through the non-circular opening 9 when the profile contour 5 and the contour 10 of the non-circular opening 9 are in a mutually rotationally aligned position .

[0075] The tubular intermediate part 4 is configured, when the second part 3 is inserted through said non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 , to allow a rotation of the top cap 1 relative to the holder plate 8 through a specified angle of rotation about an axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part 4 .

[0076] The second part 3 of the top cap 1 is then held positionally with respect to the first part 2 behind the holder plate 8 by rotating the top cap 1 with respect to the holder plate

[0077] 8 through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation when the second part 3 is inserted through said non-circular opening 9 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 .

[0078] Figure 6 shows a side view of the top cap 1 according to the invention in Figure 1 .

[0079] The top cap 1 is provided with one or more lifting means 12 , configured such that , when the second part 3 is inserted through the non-circular opening 9 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening

[0080] 9 and when subsequently the top cap 1 is rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through the specified angle of rotation about the axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part 4 , the first part 2 is moved in a direction of the axis of rotation towards the holder plate 8 . Furthermore , a side 13 of the first part 2 , which faces the holder plate 8 when the second part 3 has been inserted through said non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 , is provided with a sealing means 14a around the tubular intermediate part 4 , such that a space between the sealing means 14a, the side 13 of the first part 2 , the holder plate 8 and the tubular intermediate part 4 is sealed by the sealing means 14a only when the second part 3 has been inserted through the non-circular opening 9 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non- circular opening 9 and when subsequently the top cap 1 is rotated with respect to the holder plate 8 through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0081] Preferably, and also in this case , the lifting means 12 comprise at least one inclined guide surface 15 on the second part 3 of the top cap 1 . When the second part 3 is inserted through said non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 , the inclined guide surface 15 is positioned at least partially at a perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation which is greater than a smallest perpendicular distance between the contour 10 of the non- circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 and the axis of rotation, directed towards the holder plate 8 and oriented at a specified tilt angle with respect to the holder plate 8 , and configured to contact the holder plate 8 for at least a part of a period in which the top cap 1 is rotated with respect to the holder plate 8 through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0082] Furthermore , preferably and also in this case , the second part 3 is provided with guide means 16 , configured such that , on the one hand, the second part 3 is axially guided along said axis of rotation in the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 and, on the other hand, the profile contour 11 of the second part 3 and the contour 10 of the non- circular opening 9 are brought into the mutually rotationally aligned position .

[0083] More preferably, the guide means 16 comprise at least one inclined guide profile 17 , which guide profile 17 extends from a point on the profile outline 11 that is perpendicularly farthest from the axis of rotation in a direction towards a point of the axis of rotation that is located further from the tubular intermediate part 4 in the direction of the axis of rotation than the point perpendicularly farthest from the axis of rotation . In this case , the top cap 1 comprises three such guide profiles 17 .

[0084] Furthermore , the top cap 1 is preferably and also in this case provided with blocking means 18 for preventing further rotation of the top cap 1 relative to the holder plate 8 when the second part 3 has been inserted through said noncircular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 and when subsequently the top cap 1 has been rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through an angle equal to the specified angle of rotation or only a fraction of the specified angle of rotation greater than the specified angle of rotation about the axis of rotation .

[0085] Here , the blocking means 18 more preferably comprise at least one lip 19 , wherein the lip 19 proj ects from an outer surface of the tubular intermediate part 4 and the lip 19 comprises an abutment surface 20 , the abutment surface 20 being directed away from the outer surface and being configured to contact the contour 10 of the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 when the second part 3 is inserted through said non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non- circular opening 9 and when subsequently the top cap 1 is rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through the angle about said axis of rotation .

[0086] A method for manufacturing the top cap 1 can be summarized as follows : providing the first part 2 , the second part 3 and the tubular intermediate part 4 ; connecting the first end of the tubular intermediate part 4 to the first part 2 and connecting the second end of the tubular intermediate part 4 to the second part 3 to form the tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part 2 and the second part 3 ; providing the second part 3 with one or more lifting means 12 ; and providing the sealing means 14a on said side 13 of the first part 2 around the tubular intermediate part 4 such that the space between the sealing means 14a, the side 13 of the first part 2 , the holder plate 8 and the tubular intermediate part 4 is only sealed when the second part 3 has been inserted through said noncircular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the noncircular opening 9 and when subsequently the top cap 1 has been rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0087] Figure 7a shows in more detail a partial cross-section of the top cap 1 along the line VII-VII in Figure 1 .

[0088] In this partial cross-section, a connection of the sealing means 14a and said side 13 of the first part 2 is clearly shown .

[0089] Preferably, the sealing means 14a is connected to said side 13 of the first part 2 as a permanent sealing means . According to a preferred embodiment of a method for manufacturing the top cap 1 , this is preferably achieved by means of an overmoulding process technique .

[0090] Figure 7b shows a partial cross-section of a first alternative embodiment for the top cap 1 in Figure 1 , similar to the partial cross-section in Figure 7a .

[0091] In this first alternative embodiment , the top cap is provided with a first alternative sealing means 14b . Here , the first alternative sealing means 14b is a D-ring, the D-ring having a flat side 21 , configured to be connected to said side 13 of the first part 2 of the top cap . Figure 7c shows a partial cross-section of a second alternative embodiment for the top cap 1 in Figure 1 , similar to the partial cross-section in Figure 7a .

[0092] In this second alternative embodiment , the top cap is provided with a second alternative sealing means 14 c . Herein, the second alternative sealing means 14c is a V-ring comprising an annular base 22 having a base side 23 , configured to be connected to said side 13 of the first part 2 , an outer ring 24 , proj ecting from an outer side of the base 22 in a direction away from the base side 23 and configured to contact the holder plate 8 when the second part 3 is inserted through said non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 and when subsequently the top cap is rotated with respect to the holder plate 8 through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation, and an inner ring 25 , proj ecting from an inner side of the base 22 in a direction away from the base side 23 and configured to contact the holder plate 8 when the second part 3 is inserted through said non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 in such a way that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 and when subsequently the top cap is rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .

[0093] It is not excluded within the scope of the invention that the second alternative sealing means is not a V-ring but a U-ring, in which the outer ring and the inner ring do not form an acute angle with each other at the annular base .

[0094] Figure 7d shows a partial cross-section of a third alternative embodiment for the top cap 1 in Figure 1 , similar to the partial cross-section in Figure 7a .

[0095] In this third alternative embodiment , the top cap is provided with a third alternative sealing means 14d .

[0096] This third alternative sealing means 14d is similar to the second alternative sealing means 14c in Figure 7c , except that , in the third alternative sealing means 14d, the outer ring 24 and the inner ring 25 are flexible lips .

[0097] It is not excluded within the scope of the invention that only one of the outer ring 24 and the inner ring 25 is a flexible lip .

[0098] A method for mounting the top cap 1 or the filter cartridge 5 into the holder plate 8 of the filter vessel 7 comprises the following steps : a first step , comprising inserting the second part 3 of the top cap 1 through the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 such that the tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 ; and subsequently a second step, comprising rotating the top cap 1 relative to the holder plate 8 through a specified angle of rotation about the axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part 4 . Figure 8 shows in top view the first step of the method for mounting the top cap 1 in the holder plate 8 of the filter vessel 7 .

[0099] As regards the top cap 1 , only the guide means 16 are shown in a simplified form in this top view so as not to make the figure unnecessarily complex .

[0100] During inserting the second part 3 of the top cap 1 through the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 , the second part 3 will be guided axially according to said axis of rotation into the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 by means of the guide means 16 , on the one hand, and the profile contour 11 of the second part 3 and the contour 10 of the non-circular opening 9 will be brought into the mutually rotationally aligned position, on the other hand .

[0101] After the second part 3 of the top cap 1 has been inserted through the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 , the top cap 1 is then, in the second step of the method for mounting the top cap 1 in the holder plate 8 of the filter vessel 7 , rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through a specified angle of rotation about the axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part 4 . As a result , the second part 3 , viewed from the first part 2 , is held behind the holder plate 8 . In this case , the angle of rotation is 60 ° .

[0102] Figure 9 shows the second step of the method for mounting the top cap 1 in the holder plate 8 of the filter vessel 7 according to a cross-section of the tubular intermediate part 4 when this tubular intermediate part 4 is located in the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 .

[0103] It can be seen that the blocking means 18 , in this case formed as a number of lips 19 proj ecting from the outer surface of the tubular intermediate part 4 , make contact with their abutment surface 20 with the contour 10 of the non-circular opening 9 of the holder plate 8 when the top cap 1 is rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through said angle about said axis of rotation .

[0104] In this way, the blocking means 18 prevent further rotation of the top cap 1 relative to the holder plate 8 when the top cap 1 has been rotated relative to the holder plate 8 through said angle .

[0105] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the drawings , but a top cap for a filter cartridge , a filter cartridge, a filter vessel , a method for manufacturing a top cap for a filter cartridge , a method for manufacturing a filter vessel and a method for mounting a top cap or filter cartridge in a holder plate of a filter vessel according to the invention can be realized in all kinds of variants without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims .

Claims

Claims1.- A top cap for a filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, comprising a first part (2) for accommodating a filter medium (6) of the filter cartridge (5) for filtering the component from the fluid stream; a second part (3) for positioning the top cap (1) in a non-circular opening (9) of a holder plate (8) of the filter vessel (7) , the second part (3) having a profile contour (11) corresponding to the non-circular opening (9) such that the second part (3) can only be inserted through the non-circular opening (9) when the profile contour (11) and a contour (10) of the non-circular opening (9) are in a mutually rotationally aligned position; and a tubular intermediate part (4) , a first end of which is connected to the first part (2) and a second end, opposite the first end, of which is connected to the second part (3) , to form a tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part (2) and the second part (3) , characterized in that the tubular intermediate part (4) is configured, when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9) , to allow a rotation of the top cap (1) relative to the holder plate (8) through a specified angle of rotation about an axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part (4) ;the top cap (1) is provided with one or more lifting means (12) which are configured such that, when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9) and when subsequently the top cap (1) is rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation, the first part (2) is moved in a direction of the axis of rotation towards the holder plate ( 8 ) ; and a side (13) of the first part (2) which faces the holder plate (8) when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non- circular opening (9) , is provided with a sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) around the tubular intermediate part (4) such that a space between the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) , the side (13) of the first part (2) , the holder plate (8) and the tubular intermediate part (4) is sealed by the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) only when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9) and when subsequently the top cap (1) is rotated with respect to the holder plate (8) through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation.2.- The top cap according to claim 1, characterised in that the lifting means (12) comprise at least one inclined guide surface (15) of the second part (3) , wherein, when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9)of the holder plate (8) , such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9) , the inclined guide surface (15) is at least partially positioned at a perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation, which is greater than a smallest perpendicular distance between the contour (10) of the non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) and the axis of rotation; is directed towards the holder plate (8) and is oriented at a specified tilt angle relative to the holder plate ( 8 ) ; and is configured to contact the holder plate (8) for at least a part of a period in which the top cap (1) is rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation.3.- The top cap according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that the second part (3) is provided with guide means (16) , configured, on the one hand, to simultaneously guide the second part (3) axially along said axis of rotation in the non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) and, on the other hand, to bring the profile contour (11) of the second part (3) and the contour (10) of the non-circular opening (9) into the mutually rotationally aligned position.4.- The top cap according to claim 3, characterised in that the guide means (16) comprise at least one inclined guide profile (17) , which guide profile (17) extends from a point of the profile contour (11) perpendicularly farthest removed from the axis of rotation in a direction towards a point of the axis of rotation that is located further from the tubularintermediate part (4) in the direction of the axis of rotation than the point perpendicularly farthest removed from the axis of rotation.5.- The top cap according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the top cap (1) is provided with blocking means (18) for preventing further rotation of the top cap (1) relative to the holder plate (8) when the second part (3) has been inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening(9) , and when subsequently the top cap (1) has been rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through an angle equal to the specified angle of rotation or only a fraction of the specified angle of rotation greater than the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation.6.- The top cap according to claim 5, characterised in that the blocking means (18) comprise at least one lip (19) , the lip (19) projecting from an outer surface of the tubular intermediate part (4) and the lip (19) comprising an abutment surface (20) , which abutment surface (20) faces away from the outer surface and is configured to contact the contour(10) of the non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) when the second part (3) is inserted through said non- circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9) and when subsequently the top cap (1) is rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through the angle about said axis of rotation.7 The top cap according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) is connected to said side (13) of the first part (2) as a permanent sealing means.8.- The top cap according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7 , characterised in that the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) is a D-ring, the D-ring having a flat side (21) , configured to be connected to said side (13) of the first part ( 2 ) .9.- The top cap according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) is a U-ring or V-ring, comprising an annular base (22) having a base side (23) , configured to be connected to said side (13) of the first part (2) ; an outer ring (24) , extending from an outer side of the base (22) in a direction away from the base side (23) and configured to contact the holder plate (8) when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the noncircular opening (9) and when subsequently the top cap (1) is rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation; and an inner ring (25) , extending from an inner side of the base (22) in a direction away from the base side (23) and configured to contact the holder plate (8) when the second part (3) is inserted through said non-circularopening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the noncircular opening (9) and when subsequently the top cap (1) is rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation .10.- The top cap according to claim 9, characterised in that the outer ring (24) and / or the inner ring (25) are flexible lips .11.- A filter cartridge for a filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, comprising a filter medium (6) for filtering the component from the fluid stream, characterized in that the filter cartridge (5) further comprises a top cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the filter medium (6) is accommodated in the first part (2) of the top cap (1) .12.- A filter vessel for separating a component from a fluid stream, characterised in that the filter vessel (7) comprises a holder plate (8) and the filter vessel (7) is configured to comprise a filter cartridge (5) according to claim 11 by mounting the top cap (1) of the filter cartridge (5) in a non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) , whereby the second part (3) of the top cap (1) has the corresponding profile contour (11) .13.- A method for manufacturing a top cap according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the method comprises the following steps:providing the first part (2) , the second part (3) and the tubular intermediate part (4) ; and connecting the first end of the tubular intermediate part (4) to the first part (2) and connecting the second end of the tubular intermediate part (4) to the second part (3) to form the tubular fluid flow guide system between the first part (2) and the second part (3) , characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps: providing the second part (3) with one or more lifting means (12) ; and providing the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) on said side (13) of the first part (2) around the tubular intermediate part (4) such that the space between the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) , the side (13) of the first part (2) , the holder plate (8) and the tubular intermediate part (4) is only sealed when the second part (3) has been inserted through said non-circular opening (9) of the holder plate (8) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the noncircular opening (9) and when subsequently the top cap (1) has been rotated relative to the holder plate (8) through the specified angle of rotation about said axis of rotation.14.- The method according to claim 13, characterised in that the sealing means (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) is permanently connected to said side (13) of the first part (2) using an overmoulding process technique.15.- A method for manufacturing a filter vessel according to claim 12, characterized in that the filter vessel (7) is provided with the holder plate (8) , the holder plate (8) being provided with the non-circular opening (9) with which the second part (3) of the top cap (1) has the corresponding profile contour (11) .16.- The method according to claim 15, characterised in that the non-circular opening (9) in the holder plate (8) of the filter vessel (7) is provided by means of a plasma cutting technique .17.- A method for mounting a top cap according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10 or a filter cartridge according to claim 11 in a holder plate (8) of a filter vessel (7) for separating a component from a fluid stream, characterized in that the holder plate (8) comprises a non-circular opening (9) with which the second part (3) of the top cap (1) has the corresponding profile contour (11) , comprising the following steps: inserting the second part (3) of the top cap (1) through the non-circular opening (9) such that the tubular intermediate part (4) is located in the non-circular opening (9) ; and subsequently rotating the top cap (1) relative to the holder plate (8) through a specified angle of rotation about the axis of rotation of the tubular intermediate part ( 4 ) .

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