Abstract: A gaseous cleaner element comprising a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet with a gas stream formed therebetween. An immobilized mass of sorption material formed in a desired shape is mounted in the housing, the gas stream passing therethrough. A particulate filter layer is mounted in the housing adjacent to the mass, the gas stream passing therethrough. The particulate filter layer is mounted upstream of the sorption material mass. The air cleaner element can be used as a replacement to existing filter elements to provide sorption and particulate filtering to air circulation systems such as cabin air filter systems.

Abstract: In an oil reservoir tank having a tank body and a tank cover, an air/oil separator includes a filter media pack, arranged radially symmetrically about an axis, a bottom end cap secured to one end of the filter media pack, and a top end cap and flange member. The top end cap and flange member is made of a moldable material and has a top end cap portion and a flange portion. The other end of the filter media pack is embedded in top end cap portion. The flange portion extends radially outwardly from the axis for mounting the separator between the tank body and the tank cover. The top end cap and flange member is formed of a sealing material. The top end cap and flange member is a single unitary member forming both flange and the end cap, which eliminates separate flange and trough members which must be welded or brazed together. In addition the flange portion of the top end cap and flange member eliminates the need for additional separate sealing members, such as O-rings.

Abstract: An air/oil separator has a filter media pack arranged radially symmetrically about an axis. A bottom end cap is secured to one end of the filter media pack. A top end cap and flange assembly includes a flange and trough member having a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the axis providing a flange for mounting the separator such that the separator is suspended from the flange portion. The flange and trough member also has a trough portion providing an inverted trough within which is a hardenable material secured to the other end of the filter media pack. The flange and trough member is a single unitary member forming both flange and the trough, which eliminates separate flange and trough members which must be welded or brazed together.

Abstract: A filter of the type used to filter gases or liquids has molded plastic end caps on each end of the filter element with the ends of the filter element molded into the end caps. To prevent the end of the filter element from being exposed through the exterior surface of one of the end caps, a spacer is located between the end of the filter element and the exterior surface of the end cap. The spacer allows the plastic material of the end cap to permeate the spacer to form a thin layer of plastic on the end of the filter element. This prevents thin spots in the end cap which could result in leakage through the end cap.

Abstract: An air cleaner including a housing and a filter element. The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet, and includes a body having an open end, and a removable end cap adapted to close the open end of the body. The filter element is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. The filter element is securely attached to the end cap to be removable from the housing when the end cap is removed from the body. The permanent attachment of the filter element to the housing end cap in accordance results in a more reliable filter because the proper sized filter element is always present and securely positioned in the housing when the housing is closed.

Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The housing includes a body having an open end and an end cap adapted to close the open end of the body. A filter element is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. A bayonet connection is formed in the body and the end cap for attaching the end cap to the body. The bayonet connection eliminates the need for the clamps or tie rods used in the prior art. The air cleaner also has a positioning guide for maintaining the filter element in a substantially axial position when the end cap is attached.

Abstract: An air/oil separator or other filtering assembly includes a filter media pack having first and second ends. A flange member is located at the first end of the media pack. The flange member includes a flange for mounting the filtering assembly. A retainer member is located at the second end of the media pack. A layer of perforated material is attached to the flange member. The perforated material is located adjacent to the first end of the media pack. Hardenable material permeates the first end of the media pack and permeates the perforated material to mechanically interlock the flange member to the media pack. A similar mechanical interlock is provided between the media pack and the retainer member. These mechanical interlocks eliminate the interior straps which had previously been used to secure the flange member to the retainer member.

Abstract: A disposable two-stage air cleaner includes a housing forming an air inlet, a separation chamber, a dirt collection chamber, and an air outlet. A filter element is located between the separation chamber and the air outlet. The air inlet moves the air in a circular pattern in the separation chamber, whereby dirt is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force. An air scavenging system is employed in which air laden with dirt from the first-stage separation chamber is scooped into the dirt collection chamber and air from the dirt collection chamber is allowed to recirculate into the separation chamber after the air flow has been slowed so that the dirt falls from the air stream. The air cleaner thus provides performance which is equal to or better than reusable air cleaners of the prior art.