Patents Assigned to Fleetguard, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5904357
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a fluid filter assembly which is constructed and arranged to threadedly mount onto an engine block mounting base includes an inner seal and an outer seal. The fluid filter assembly includes an outer shell, a filtering element located within the outer shell and defining therewith an annular clearance space. The fluid filter assembly further includes a nutplate which is anchored to the outer shell and which includes an internally-threaded center aperture for threaded engagement onto the engine block mounting base. The inner seal is positioned between the nutplate and the filtering element and cooperates with the nutplate in order to provide a plurality of flow paths between the inner seal and the nutplate from the engine mounting base to the annular clearance space. The outer seal is positioned between the engine block mounting base and the nutplate and includes a pair of spaced-apart ribs which provide a sealing interface against the engine block mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Caner Demirdogen, Alan S. Bounnakhom, Paul D. Miller, Mike B. Lanius
  • Patent number: 5868932
    Abstract: A filter and filtering cartridge with a removable center tube, for the filtering of fluids. The invention relates to a filter for circulating fluid of the type consisting of a filtering cartridge inserted in an outer shell, with the outer shell being intended to be removably connected to a base. The outer shell cooperates with an independent and removable center tube. A filtering cartridge is mounted in the outer shell around the independent and removable center tube which extends longitudinally inside said outer shell over at least a substantial part of the length of the outer shell. The filtering cartridge is longitudinally restrained inside said outer shell in part by the removable center tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Guichaoua, Denis Douchet
  • Patent number: 5855772
    Abstract: A fuel filter constructed and arranged with a heater and designed for fuel-water separation includes a unitary housing (casting) which has an open top to be closed by a threaded lid and a closed base which in combination with a surrounding sidewall defines an interior space. A fuel filter cartridge including a filter element, centertube, and top and bottom endplates is disposed in the interior space such that there is a water collection space between the bottom endplate and the closed base of the housing. The lid includes a plurality of snap-fit fingers arranged in an annular array for press-on attachment to the top endplate. A heater ring is provided within the housing and is positioned around the filter cartridge. The heater ring provides both a flow path for entering fuel and a plurality of positive-temperature-coefficient stones which assist in the heating of the fuel. Control of the heater ring is provided by a heater connector and thermostat combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Miller, Keith Lilly, Bill Hedgecough, A. Caner Demirdogen, Zemin Jiang
  • Patent number: 5846417
    Abstract: A self-closing centerpost for a fluid filter includes a centerpost body which is constructed and arranged with a hollow interior so as to provide a fluid passageway. The fluid filter is designed for fuel and the hollow centerpost body includes an outer wall which defines a pair of flow apertures. These flow apertures are in flow communication with the fluid passageway in order to deliver fluid to the outlet port of the fluid filter. A control valve is positioned within the hollow interior and is designed with a pair of oppositely-disposed blocking portions which are disposed over the flow apertures when the flow control valve is in its normally closed (spring-biased) condition. In this closed condition, fuel is unable to enter the hollow centerpost body and is thus unable to be delivered to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Zemin Jiang, Charles Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5795477
    Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The incoming liquid flow exits the centertube through a pair of oil inlets and from there is directed into the stacked array of cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 5772873
    Abstract: A coolant filter for use in filtering a coolant solution which flows through the coolant filter includes a filter housing assembly which is made up of an outer housing which is crimped to a nutplate which defines an internally threaded flow outlet. A generally cylindrical filter element is positioned inside of the filter housing assembly and a first endplate is bonded to the end of the filter element which is adjacent to the nutplate. A second endplate is bonded to the opposite end of the filter element and helps to define an interior space within the filter element. A supply of supplemental coolant additive is contained within an osmotic film enclosure which is positioned within the interior space. The osmotic film enclosure provides a slow release mechanism for controlling the rate of release of the supplemental coolant additive into the coolant solution. In one embodiment of the present invention, the slow release mechanism includes a diffusion tube which defines a diffusion orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Douglas Hudgens, Charles L. Matheson
  • Patent number: 5753117
    Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly includes a substantially cylindrical filter element including a pair of oppositely disposed filter element ends. A first endplate is bonded to one of the filter element ends so as to close the end and prevent fluid leakage therethrough. A second endplate is bonded to the opposite filter element end so as to close the opposite end and prevent fluid leakage therethrough. The second endplate includes an outer annular wall which is sized so as to create a noticeable distance of separation between the second endplate outer wall and the outer surface of the filter element and thereby define an annular clearance space therebetween. The outer wall of the second endplate is annular and substantially concentric with the filter element and provides a lip or free edge for the snap-on assembly of a closing lid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventor: Zemin Jiang
  • Patent number: 5695637
    Abstract: A combined full flow and bypass oil filter for internal combustion engines includes a generally cylindrical filter body and a generally cylindrical filter head which is threadedly attached to the filter body. The filter head includes an inlet and an outlet and the flow path between the inlet and outlet extends through the filter body. Disposed within the filter body is a generally cylindrical and hollow full flow filtering element and a generally cylindrical and hollow bypass filtering element. The incoming flow of lubricating oil passes through the outer diameter surfaces of the full flow and bypass filtering elements and exits from these filtering elements through their hollow interiors. Concentrically positioned in the exiting flow path of the full flow filter is a Venturi nozzle which creates a low pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Zemin Jiang, Ted S. Loftis, Dwight S. Suiter, Erika B. Motlow, Mike B. Lanius, Sargeon Billy Hedgecough
  • Patent number: 5669366
    Abstract: A closed crankcase ventilation system which relies on a vacuum assist from the turbocharger inlet to suction blow-by gases from the crankcase. The system includes a coalescer/filter which is operative to filter any oil particles which may be entrained in the blow-by gases before they are released into the turbocharger inlet. A pop off valve is also included in order to prevent the engine crankcase from becoming over pressurized as a result of back pressure caused by either a plugged coalescer/filter or some catastrophic engine malfunction. Further included is a vacuum limiting valve which prohibits the vacuum assist produced by the air inlet to the turbocharger from producing too low of an absolute pressure, thereby preventing an imbalance in pressure across the seals of the turbocharger. The system further includes a bypass valve which also prevents the crankcase from becoming over pressurized by routing the flow of blow-by gases around the coalescer/filter if the pressure in the crankcase becomes too great.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Beach, Peter K. Herman, Alan Bounnakhom, David M. Ruch, John M. Partridge, J. E. Parlow
  • Patent number: 5662799
    Abstract: A coolant filter for use in filtering a coolant solution which flows through the coolant filter includes a filter housing assembly which is made up of an outer housing which is crimped to a nutplate which defines an internally threaded flow outlet. A generally cylindrical filter element is positioned inside of the filter housing assembly and a first endplate is bonded to the end of the filter element which is adjacent to the nutplate. An endplate member is provided for attachment to the opposite end of the filter element and is configured in such a way so as to define an interior chamber where supplemental coolant additive pellets are stored. A closing plate is applied across the open end of the interior chamber so as to create an enclosed chamber for the supplemental coolant additive pellets. A slow release mechanism is provided for controlling the rate of release of the supplemental coolant additive from the enclosed chamber into the coolant solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Douglas Hudgens, Charles L. Matheson
  • Patent number: 5656166
    Abstract: A substantially cylindrical, unitized filter element for separating contaminant material from a flowing media includes an outer, substantially cylindrical wall portion which is fabricated by a two step process involving both a compacting step followed by a sintering step. The result of these processing steps is to create a rigid, porous filtering matrix. The filter element also includes an inner, substantially cylindrical wall portion which is also constructed through a two step process of a granular material which has been compacted and sintered into a rigid and porous filtering matrix. Disposed between the two cylindrical wall portions is a substantially cylindrical structural support member which is fabricated from a non-restrictive material and a material which is compatible with the material selected for the inner and outer wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Staffan B. Linnersten, Anatolie Hobet
  • Patent number: 5647712
    Abstract: A threaded fastener which is constructed to be turned in one direction by a square socket drive includes a threaded stem and an integral modified head arranged with four raised projections which are circumferentially spaced. Each of the four raised projections includes a substantially flat wall portion and a curved and inclined ramp portion. The four flat wall portions effectively define a square center region which is compatibly sized to receive a one-half inch square socket drive. Rotation of the square socket drive in a counterclockwise direction causes the sides of the square socket drive to engage the flat wall portions so as to turn the threaded fastener in a counterclockwise direction. Any attempt to rotate the square socket drive in a clockwise direction causes the sides of the square socket drive to ride up along the ramp portions and ride out of engagement with the modified head of the threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Caner Demirdogen, Paul D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5637217
    Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The incoming liquid flow exits the centertube through a pair of oil inlets and from there is directed into the stacked array of cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 5575912
    Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The stacked array of truncated cones is sandwiched between a top plate positioned adjacent to the top portion of the centrifuge bowl and a bottom plate which is positioned closer to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 5556440
    Abstract: A filter seal for a substantially cylindrical air filter includes an integrally molded, polyurethane member which is configured with two primary portions. One portion is an annular body which is formed with an annular receiving channel, like a potting shell, which in turn is sized so as to receive one end of a corresponding filter element. The other portion is an annular sealing lip which is disposed in spaced relation to the receiving channel. This sealing lip includes a specific geometry providing both a ribbed, radial-sealing surface and a convex, axial-sealing surface. The radial-sealing surface provides sealing contact with a generally cylindrical outlet portion of the housing in which the filter element is placed in tension while axial sealing is achieved by compression of the axial-sealing surface against a generally planar surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Mullins, Zemin Jiang, Art P. Piccirilli
  • Patent number: 5556542
    Abstract: A snap-together, all-plastic filter assembly for filtering fluids includes a generally cylindrical injection molded plastic outer shell which has a closed base and an open opposite end and which defines a hollow interior which receives a filtering element and an integral injection molded plastic endplate/centertube member. The outer shell is injection molded with a pair of concentric, generally cylindrical, inner annular walls which are integral with the closed based and extend part way toward the open end of the outer shell. The filtering element which has a hollow interior fits down within the outermost of the two concentric annular walls and the centertube of the endplate/centertube member extends through the center of the filtering element and snaps in place by means of snap-fit projections which snap into snap-fit pockets disposed within the inner most of the two concentric annular walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Berman, Donald W. Beach
  • Patent number: D402734
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhakar B. Rao, Edwin A. Castellanos
  • Patent number: D403741
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhakar B. Rao, Edwin A. Castellanos
  • Patent number: D406315
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhakar B. Rao, Edwin A. Castellanos
  • Patent number: D406316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhakar B. Rao, Edwin A. Castellanos