Abstract: A filter cartridge endplate (12) is described herein that has an integrated flow structure. For example, the integrated flow structure has concentric flow portions disposed at a center of the endplate (12), where a separator (10) is built into the endplate (12) that separates fluid flow. The endplate (12) includes a plate with a major surface, it separator (10) that protrudes axially away from the major surface. The separator (10) includes a first flow portion (14) and a second flow portion (16), where the first flow portion (14) is disposed radially inward relative to the second flow portion (16). The first flow portion (14) includes a channel (22) and the second flow portion includes a channel (24). The respective channels (22,24) are configured to allow axial fluid flow relative to the plate, and configured to allow fluid flow that is localized toward the center of the plate (12).

Abstract: A fuel water separator filter that is configured as a filter-in-filter construction with multiple water separating layers to separate water from the fuel. The fuel water separator filter is configured for use on a suction side of a fuel pump, and includes a neck with a radially outward facing seal that in use seals with the filter housing. The filter housing is formed with an isolated water sump that in use is isolated from water that is stripped from the fuel by the first stage of the outer filter.

Abstract: A filtration system having an undulated interlocking housing-endplate interface geometry is described. In the filtration system, a filter element endplate and a filter housing component (e.g., a shell housing, a filter mounting head, etc.) meet at an interface. The filter housing component includes an undulating or repeating pattern that meshes with a matching undulating or repeating pattern on the endplate of the filter element. The undulating or repeating pattern prevents the filter element from freely rotating with respect to the filter housing component of the filtration system.

Abstract: A filter element including a first endplate, a second endplate, filter media fitted between the first endplate and the second endplate, the first endplate including an opening that allows a working fluid to flow into or out of the filter media, the filter media allowing the working fluid to be filtered through the filter media and a seal member having an oval profile disposed on the first endplate and configured to seal with a filter housing, the seal member including an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter including a plurality of outwardly curved surfaces.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator includes a housing. The housing includes an inlet structured to receive a blowby gas stream from a crankcase. a cleaned air outlet, and a liquid outlet. A cover is disposed downstream from the inlet and upstream from the liquid outlet. The cover includes a baffle disposed over the blowby gas stream flow path from the inlet. The blowby gas stream impacts the baffle and separates liquid and aerosol contained in the blowby gas stream. A flange extends substantially axially downward from a side of the baffle. The flange is tapered substantially axially downward forming an inner surface. The inner surface is structured to route the separated liquid toward the liquid outlet. The inner surface biases separated liquid away from shedding toward the cleaned air outlet.

Abstract: Inertial particle separators having an axially translating or a deformable poppet component are described. The poppet component axially translates to accommodate a wide range of flowrates through the inertial particle separator. In some arrangements, the poppet component is biased by a spring towards a closed or restricted position. The variable flowrate and constriction provided by the poppet maintains a substantially constant pressure drop and separation efficiency during operation across a wide range of flowrates through the separators.

Abstract: A filter monitoring system and method are described. The filter monitoring system includes a remote telematics system, and a data link between the remote telematics system and an onboard telematics system. The remote telematics system is configured to receive, via the data link, an indication of a pressure drop across a filter cartridge of the filtration system from the onboard telematics system, determine a first value indicative of a remaining filter life of the filter cartridge of the filtration system, determine a second value indicative of a remaining filter life of the filter cartridge that is determined in a different manner than the first value, compare the first value to the second value to determine which value indicates a least amount of life remaining for the filter cartridge, and transmit an indication of the least amount of life remaining for the filter cartridge based on the comparison.

Abstract: A filter system including a designated filter cartridge having a geometric projection, a flow restriction valve that controls fluid flow out of the filter system, and a priming pump configured to prime the filter. The flow restriction valve includes an opening keyed to the geometric projection such that the geometric projection engages the opening and actuates the flow restriction valve. The flow restriction valve includes at least one fluid flow check valve configured to allow the priming pump to prime the filter system.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter element having at least a portion of a filter media thereof encased in a polymeric layer comprises providing a filter media, and providing abase layer. A polymeric layer is deposited on the base layer so as to form a wrapping layer. A face of the filter media is positioned on the polymeric layer within a predetermined time. The wrapping layer is wrapped around at least a portion of the filter media. Another method of forming a filter element having at least a portion of a filter media thereof encased in a polymeric layer comprises providing a filter media. A polymeric layer is spray deposited in a mold cavity of a mold. A first face of the filter media is positioned on the polymeric layer within a predetermined time. The filter media is removed from the mold cavity with the polymeric layer attached thereto.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly includes a filter housing extending axially along a longitudinal axis and a cover. The filter housing includes at least one sidewall (e.g., an annular sidewall) extending between a first housing end and a second housing end and a retainer formed proximate at least one of the first housing end and the second housing end. The cover is removably coupled to at least one of the first housing end and the second housing. The cover includes a handle assembly having a latch configured to releasably engage the retainer of the filter housing. The filter element includes filter media and is axially insertable into the filter housing when the cover is removed from the filter housing.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the negative impact of a filtration system on the fuel economy of an internal combustion engine. A filter monitoring controller receives engine operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. The filter monitoring controller determines an amount of power generated by the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the engine operating parameters. The filter monitoring controller determines a filter hydraulic power consumption of a filtration system providing a fluid to the internal combustion engine. The filter monitoring controller determines a fuel economy impact of the filtration system on the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the filter hydraulic power consumption of the filtration system. The filter monitoring controller compares the fuel economy impact of the filtration system to a threshold fuel economy impact to determine whether a filter element of the filtration system requires servicing.

Abstract: A nonwoven web comprising a layer of polymeric fibers, wherein, based on the total number of polymeric fibers, at least 10% the polymeric fibers in said layer are coarse fibers having a fiber diameter of 4 ?m or more, and at least 10% of the polymeric fibers in said layer are fine fibers having a fiber diameter of 2 ?m or less. Also described herein is a method for making the nonwoven web, comprising melt-blowing a polymer mixture comprising two immiscible or partially miscible polymers.

Abstract: An attachment and retaining mechanism is described for removably attaching a rotating filter element to a rotating shaft. The rotating filter element includes a filter media that is driven by a drive mechanism that rotates the rotating shaft. The filter element is removably attached to the rotating shaft such that the filter element and filtration system can be periodically replaced and/or serviced. In some arrangements, the drive shaft includes a D-shaped section that interacts with a mating section of the filter element sleeve of the rotating filter element. In other arrangements, the drive shaft includes at least one flat drive surface.

Abstract: Filtration systems having a tangential air cleaner having a coiled media filter element and a cyclonic pre-cleaner are described. An outer wall of the filter element acts as a pre-cleaner sleeve of the housing to generate a cyclonic flow of the intake air prior to the intake air being filtered by the filter element. The housing cover includes geometry that redirects the cyclonic low from a tangential path to an axial, straight-through flow directed through an inlet flow face of the filter element. Various embodiments of such filtration systems offer increased filter performance and capacity compared to similarly sized cylindrical pleated filter elements having a radial flow filtering path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining, using service component authenticity detection contained in a sensor module, whether an authorized or genuine service component element is installed in an automotive system are described. The authorized service component determination may be based on close-range communication technology such as radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology. An antenna in the sensor module may read the tag information from installed service component elements in a nearby service component and send any detected information into a filtration monitoring system. The filtration monitoring system or a remote diagnostic system analyzes the returned data (or absence thereof) to determine if a genuine (i.e., authorized, OEM approved, etc.) service component element is installed or not.

Abstract: A water drain assembly for draining water from a filter assembly comprises a conduit, a water canister, and a venturi. The conduit fluidly connects a bottom portion of the filter assembly to a bottom portion of the water canister. The venturi comprises a first venturi inlet that allows fluid to flow from the fuel tank and into the venturi, a second venturi inlet that allows fluid to flow from the water canister and into the venturi, and a venturi outlet that allows fluid to flow from the venturi and into the filter assembly. The second venturi may comprise a capillary.

Abstract: An electronic system providing unique identification of a genuine filter system assembly to the engine control unit (“ECU”). A resistor is made to be an integrated part of the filtration system hardware such that when connected through a wired connection, the ECU detects a particular voltage signal and identifies the system as a genuine filter. The resistor could be integrated in any part of the filter system such that it could be used to recognize the filter or the cartridge. The resistor connection could be made via male/female pins, conducting wires, plates, conductive plastic material or other mechanisms.

Abstract: Filter housings that have housing wall surface irregularities are described. The surface irregularities are positioned on the inner walls of the housings and/or axial ends of the housing walls. The surface irregularities may be, for example, grooves, ribs, bumps, and the like. The surface irregularities provide an engine integrity protection (EIP) feature by preventing non-approved replacement filter elements from forming seals against alternative sealing surfaces of the housing wall inner surfaces or axial ends.

Abstract: An inertial gas-liquid impactor separator includes flow director guidance structure directing and guiding flow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet along a flow path from upstream to downstream. The flow director guidance structure may include a flow controller controlling and directing flow.

Abstract: A retrofit no filter no run insert for existing filtration systems manufactured without a no filter no run engine integrity protection feature. The insert is beneficial for a manufacturer that initially does not require the benefit of a no filter no run engine integrity protection feature but later requires such a feature. The insert can be installed into the existing filtration system without any modification to the existing filtration system head. The no filter no run insert prevents the equipment supplied by the filtration system (e.g., an internal combustion engine) from being operated without a filter element. Further, the no filter no run insert prevents the equipment supplied by the filtration system from being operated with an unauthorized or non-genuine replacement filter element. The no filter no run insert safeguards against damage to downstream components of the filtration system and malfunctions of equipment in which the filtration system is used.