Abstract: A fluid filter for spin-on mounting to a base includes an outer shell defining a hollow interior and a nutplate secured to the outer shell by forming an upper edge portion of the outer shell onto the nutplate. A filtering element is positioned within the hollow interior and the base provides fluid-in and fluid-out passageways for the fluid filter. To provide a face seal against the base and concurrently a radial seal against the formed edge, a retainer and gasket assembly is used. The retainer has a base portion which rests on the nutplate and an inclined portion which extends upwardly and inwardly. An elastomeric gasket with a unique cross sectional shape has a flat portion which rests on the inclined portion. With axial compression of the gasket by the base, the gasket compresses against the retainer and expands radially into sealing contact with the formed edge.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a centrifuge housing and a rotor. The housing defines an inner chamber, and the rotor is provided in the chamber. An indicator is provided on the housing. The indicator is constructed and arranged to indicate rotor movement. A rotor sensor is operatively coupled to the indicator, and the rotor sensor is constructed and arranged to sense rotor movement.

Abstract: A cover encloses a filter cartridge in an outer housing. The cover has an unfiltered fluid inlet channel and a concentric filtered fluid outlet channel. The filter cartridge includes a filter media with a central passage. An upper endplate is provided on the upper end of the filter media, and the upper endplate has oblong openings defined therein. A separate seal retainer is attached to the upper endplate. The retainer has an outer body portion and a concentric inner body portion extending from the outer body portion. The outer body portion has a lower outwardly opening channel, and the inner body portion has an upper outwardly opening channel. An outer seal is provided in the lower channel to seal the filter cartridge with the housing. An inner seal is provided in upper channel to seal the inlet channel from the outlet channel in the cover.

Abstract: A fluid filter has a filter element for filtering fluid. A nutplate having a threaded mounting portion is adapted to threadedly engage an externally threaded filter head. An inner seal retainer is positioned between the nutplate and the filtering element in order to define a hollow interior. The inner seal retainer has at least one stiff hollow web extending in a radial direction adapted to provide a space for transmitting fluid between the nutplate and the filter element. An inner radial seal is attached to the inner seal retainer for sealing the filter element with the filter head.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a stand pipe that is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid. A vane assembly is adapted to receive fluid from the stand pipe. The vane assembly includes a liner and a plurality of vanes. The liner defines an inner cavity and the vanes extends within this inner cavity. Each of the vanes has a radially outer edge portion and integrally formed with the liner and an opposite free edge. The vanes are oriented in a parallel relationship with the stand pipe, and the free edges of the vanes define a stand pipe passage in which the stand pipe is received.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cartridge (1) to be inserted in the filter feed trough of a filter for fluid flowing in a hydraulic motor or apparatus and for cooperating with a center tube (2) of said filter, said cartridge having a filter medium (3) and at least one end flange (4) joined to said filter medium, characterized in that said end flange (4) is extended by a projecting part (5) defining a cavity for lodging a gasket (7), and in that said gasket has at least one pressurizing duct from the inside of said cavity. The invention also relates to a corresponding filter cartridge (1)/gasket (7) assembly wherein said gasket has at least three lobes defining three fluid receiving areas.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment filter and method is provided for filtering engine exhaust. Varying cell size is provided to spread trapped contaminant particulate along a distribution pattern reducing heat concentration and the risk of melting during regeneration, to minimize hot-spot meltdown otherwise caused by high density concentration of trapped particulate during regeneration. Cell size is varied by varying volume and/or height and/or width and/or length. Tapering of cells is also provided to change the cross-sectional area from the upstream to the downstream end.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A disposable liner is positioned within the centrifuge shell. A hollow rotor hub is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a unitary separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes. In one embodiment the vane module and a liner shell are formed as a unitary component.

Abstract: A maintaining device for a filter medium having a stack of filtration disks presenting a central aperture, characterized in that it comprises a first flange with at least one central opening, a second flange and at least one perforated first central element intended to operate together with said central aperture of said stack of filtration disks, said first central element being integral at one its extremities with said second flange and being provided at its other extremity with ratchets intended to operate together with said central opening of said first flange.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment filter is provided with localized and efficient heating for regeneration. Electrical and/or thermal conductors are wound with filter media sheets into a filter roll and/or conductors are provided at axial ends of the filter roll and/or microwave radiation is used for localized hot zone heating. Regeneration is provided at lateral slices of the filter roll lying in a plane extending transversely and radially relative to the filter roll axis.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge includes a filter element 24 and an end plate 25 bonded to an end thereof The end plate includes at least two electrical contacts 52, 53 and a key way 67 that includes a relief section 75. Upon proper installation of the filter cartridge into the housing of a filter assembly, a key 41 attached to a centerpost 33 of the housing is received in the relief section of the end plate and the electrical contacts thereof make contact with corresponding electrical contacts in the housing causing a data component 49 to be energized. The data component may include a sensor, data chip, or resistor assembled to an exposed surface of the endplate.

Abstract: A centrifuge for processing a flow of oil in order to remove particulate matter includes a mounting base defining a drain passageway, a drain conduit connected to the mounting base, a unitary housing connected to the mounting base, and a cone-stack subassembly which is positioned in and cooperates with the unitary housing. The mounting base is constructed and arranged to mount directly to a portion of a vehicle engine (or other equipment) and the drain conduit provides a return path to sump for oil from a remote engine (or equipment) location. The unitary housing is an injection molded plastic component including both a main body portion and an integral oil fill port. The oil fill port is substantially cylindrical with a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation for the rotor portion of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge includes an end plate 106 having a data component 107 electrically coupled to an pair of concentric circuit rings 108, 109. The data component may include a sensor, data chip, or resistor and is configured to provide filtration information to a remote station when the filter cartridge is positioned within the housing of a filtration assembly such that the circuit rings connect with electrical contacts in the housing.

Abstract: An abrasive particle detention system includes a fluid circulation system, a probe assembly, a monitoring circuit, and an operator indicator. The probe assembly includes an orifice from which a stream of fluid emerges, and a probe having a face upon which the stream at least partially impinges. The probe face includes an insulative substrate and a conductive film formed on the substrate. Abrasive particles in the fluid stream abrade the conductive film, changing its electrical resistance. A monitoring circuit is utilized to observe these changes, and when they correspondence to a concentration above a pre-selected level, an operation indicator is triggered. The system may include an electronic controller coupled to the monitoring circuit, which can account for variables such as temperature, viscosity, and/or pressure in the fluid circulation system.

Abstract: A muffler hanger system includes a U-shaped bracket having a pair of legs securable to a support, and a bight extending between the legs, and a band extending around the muffler and the bight and supporting the muffler from the bight.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning fluid. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is an apparatus which comprises two filters and an electrically actuatable switching valve. Fluid provided to the apparatus may be routed to either filter by the switching valve. A controller positions the valve to provide fluid to a particular filter based on a measurement of pressure downstream of the filter, provided that the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined level. Further, the invention includes proximity switches by which the controller can determine the coupling or uncoupling of a filter from the body. Various fuel heaters are provided for heating the fuel.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a shaft and a center tube. The shaft has a single flow passage from which fluid is supplied and has one or more fluid ports defined therein. The center tube has two sets of openings defined therein. A portion of the fluid in the centrifuge is directed to bypass the cleaning operation and is directly used to drive the centrifuge. The remaining fluid flows through the centrifuge and particulate matter is removed from the liquid. The fluid is then discharged through the nozzles in order to rotate the centrifuge.

Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction system for engine exhaust injects a source of ammonia, preferably an aqueous urea solution, or other ammonia solution, to preferably evaporate, decompose and hydrolyze to produce ammonia to react with and reduce NOx in the exhaust. A turbulence generator between the injector and a downstream catalyst enhances ammonia mixing upstream of the catalyst. A perforated reflector between the injector and the catalyst passes the exhaust through the perforations and reflects exhaust back toward the injector, to generate the turbulence to achieve enhanced ammonia mixing. A low pressure generator creates a low pressure evaporative diffusion enhancement zone at the injector accelerating evaporation rate and accelerating ammonia diffusion and mixing with the exhaust.

Abstract: A high temperature composite ceramic filter having particular use as a diesel engine exhaust filter. An aqueous slurry containing short ceramic fibers, organic fibers and a water soluble thermoplastic binder is formed into a sheet and dried. The dried sheet is then fabricated into a three-dimensional green filter structure and a binder, either a liquid solution of a thermosetting resin or a colloidal solution of a ceramic material, is applied to the filter structure to increase the temperature stability of the green structure. The filter structure is then fired at an elevated temperature sufficient to remove the organic constituents and is subsequently coated with silicon carbide by a chemical vapor deposition process to provide a composite ceramic filter having high temperature resistance, durability and improved performance.