Abstract: High performance filter media and manufacturing methodology provides nanofibers of diameter less than 1 ?m incorporated and processed into internal structure of a filter medium dominantly composed of coarse fibers of diameter greater than 1 ?m, to change the internal media structure.

Abstract: A high performance, high efficiency filter is provided by a multi-stage filter having combinations of tribologically different fibers, nanofibers, and layering.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating particulate matter from a fluid includes a rotor assembly positioned within a centrifuge housing including a rotor housing. A driven gear is secured to a base portion of the rotor housing. A driving gear is integrally arranged with an impulse turbine. Rotary motion is imparted to the impulse turbine by a fluid stream from a jet nozzle. An alignment carrier provides a first post and spaced therefrom a second post, the first post including the jet nozzle. The driven gear is supported by the first post and the driving gear is assembled onto the second post. As fluid exits the nozzle under high pressure, it is directed at an annular ring of impulse turbine buckets, striking each bucket tangentially as the impulse turbine rotates.

Abstract: A disposable, cone-stack, self-driven centrifuge rotor assembly for separating particulate matter out of a circulating flow of oil includes first and second rotor shell portions which are injection molded out of plastic and joined together by induction welding engaging edges so as to create an enclosing shell with a hollow interior. An injection molded, plastic support hub is assembled into a central opening in the lower half of the rotor shell and extends upwardly into the hollow interior. An injection molded, plastic alignment spool is assembled into a central opening in the upper portion of the rotor shell and extends downwardly into the hollow interior. A cone-stack subassembly, including a plurality of individual separation cones which are injection molded out of plastic, are arranged into an aligned stack and positioned within the hollow interior and cooperatively assembled between the support hub and the alignment spool.

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 disposable, cone-stack, self-driven centrifuge rotor assembly for separating particulate matter out of a circulating flow of oil includes first and second rotor shell portions which are injection molded out of plastic and joined together by induction welding engaging edges so as to create an enclosing shell with a hollow interior. An injection molded, plastic support hub is assembled into a central opening in the lower half of the rotor shell and extends upwardly into the hollow interior. An injection molded, plastic alignment spool is assembled into a central opening in the upper portion of the rotor shell and extends downwardly into the hollow interior. A cone-stack subassembly, including a plurality of individual separation cones which are injection molded out of plastic, are arranged into an aligned stack and positioned within the hollow interior and cooperatively assembled between the support hub and the alignment spool.

Abstract: A fuel filter for an engine includes a housing having an interior space and is assembled into a fuel flow path between a source of fuel and the engine. The housing includes a passageway which has an inlet aperture which is used to control the delivery of fuel to either the engine or back to the source of fuel. The housing also includes a return-fuel passageway which is in flow communication with the interior space and is adapted to couple to the source of fuel. A filter cartridge is installed within the housing and includes an end cap with an air vent tube having an inlet opening. The air vent tube is designed so as to assemble into the passageway, so as to plug the inlet aperture. Once the inlet aperture is plugged by the air vent tube, the flow entrance to the passageway is raised from the inlet aperture to the inlet opening of the air vent tube. The plugging of the inlet aperture by the air vent tube allows fuel to be delivered to the engine.

Abstract: A fluid filter for assembly onto a filter head includes a combination of features such that the assembly of the fluid filter onto the filter head establishes radial flow paths within the fluid filter. The filter head includes an externally threaded outer wall and includes an annular inner wall which defines a flow opening. The inner wall is shaped with a protruding portion and a substantially horizontal bearing surface. The fluid filter includes an enclosing outer shell and a filtering element positioned within the outer shell. A support spring is positioned in the base of the outer shell so that it is axially positioned between the outer shell and the filtering element. An internally threaded nutplate is assembled to the outer shell and threadedly engages the externally-threaded outer wall of the filter head. An inner seal is positioned between the nutplate and the primary filtering element and is designed so as to define a hollow interior.

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.

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.

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.