Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18, 20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18, 20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter (10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam (58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).

Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18, 20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18, 20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter (10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam (58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).

Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18, 20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18, 20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter (10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam (58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).

Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18, 20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18, 20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter (10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam (58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).

Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18,20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18,20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter(10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam(58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).

Abstract: A transmission filter (10) includes a ring-shaped magnetic body (18) positioned therein in surrounding relationship with the filter media (14) to attract and retain magnetically susceptible particles in transmission fluid flowing through the filter (10). The preferred magnetic body (18) is integrally formed of ferrite-filled nylon, ultrasonically welded to the housing (12), and magnetically polarized only on the inboard surface (66) thereof.

Abstract: A fluid filter comprising a housing having first and second plastic cover members each having a peripheral flange and joined together to define a housing chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A filtration media is disposed in the housing chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The peripheral flange of the first cover member has a rib. The peripheral flange of the second cover member has a gutter opposed to the rib. The filtration media has an edge portion compressed between the rib and the gutter to form a marginal seal preventing fluid entering the inlet from reaching the outlet without passing through the filtration media. The edge portion of the filtration media is pierced and anchored by spikes which project from the rib and extend into the gutter. One of the cover members has a welding rib welded to the other cover member by a process of orbital frictional vibration welding to secure the cover members together.