Concentric Gas Filter Sealing Between Inner and Outer Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas filter systems lack effective sealing between two filter elements, which are used jointly, leading to potential leaks and inefficiencies in gas filtration.

Innovation Solution

A gas filter system design where the first and third end caps of the outer filter element are sealed against each other radially, and the second and fourth end caps of the inner filter element are sealed against each other radially, with sealing sections made from polyurethane foam and rigid plastic components, ensuring secure containment of the gas flow through concentrically arranged filter media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If two filter elements are arranged concentrically in a common housing, then the filtration capacity and efficiency are improved, but the sealing between filter elements becomes complex and prone to leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent sealing sections: a first sealing section between the outer filter element and housing, and a second sealing section between the inner filter element and housing. This segmentation allows each sealing section to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall sealing architecture, resolving the complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary component that provides a common sealing surface for both filter elements. By introducing the housing as a mediator with integrated sealing sections, the patent simplifies the sealing arrangement between the two filter elements and ensures reliable containment without complex direct sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the inner filter element is closed at one end cap, then the gas flow path is defined, but the sealing between end caps becomes critical and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow path definitionVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged with the housing structure itself. The housing includes integrated sealing sections that combine the sealing function with the structural support function, eliminating the need for separate complex sealing mechanisms between end caps while maintaining clear gas flow path definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4342561B1Gas filter system
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP4342561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4342561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4342561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention refers to a gas filter system (10) comprising - an outer filter element (20) having a first filter medium (22) arranged between a first end cap (24) and a second end cap (26); and - an inner filter element (30) having a second filter medium (32) arranged between a third end cap (34) and a fourth end cap (36); the first, second and third end caps (24, 26, 34) being open; the inner filter element (30) being closed at the fourth end cap (36); the first filter medium (22) being arrangeable to surround the second filter medium (32), such that the first end cap (24) of the outer filter element (20) surrounds the third end cap (34) of the inner filter element (30), the first and third end caps (24, 34) being sealed against each other, and such that the second end cap (26) of the outer filter element (20) surrounds the fourth end cap (34) of the inner filter element (30), the second and fourth end caps (26, 36) being sealed against each other.