Abstract: A fluid filter is formed by manufacturing an air laid batt containing randomly disposed structural fibers and a thermoplastic binder fiber. The interstices between the fibers are fixed by applying a latex resin to the batt, thereby fixing the pore sizes of the filtering media before the filtering media is molded. The filtering media is then molded into shape by using a plunger to tuck the media into an open cavity mold. The mold may be heated and pressure may be applied to the batt to mold the batt.

Abstract: A separating device for separating a pair of immiscible components from a fluid mixture, such as separating water from a diesel fuel oil/water mixture, includes a housing and a filter cartridge mounted on the housing such that the filter cartridge is oriented substantially horizontally. The housing includes an inlet fitting, an outlet fitting, and a sump for receiving the fluid component separated from the mixture. Because of the orientation of the housing, the coalesced water or heavier component of the fluid mixture tends to collect in the lower portion of the filter cartridge and drains into the sump, where it may be drained periodically. The lighter component or fuel oil is communicated to the outlet port or fitting.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which consists of a stack of discs which are formed form an air laid, nonwoven batt of randomly arrayed fibers. The batt includes a thermoplastic component to give the disc a self-supporting stiffness when molded. Each of the discs have radially extending contaminant collecting surfaces on the opposite sides thereof, and each have axially offset portions circumscribing the inner and outer diameters of the disc. Alternate disc in the stack are inverted, so that the axially offset portions on the inner and outer circumferences of the disc are brought into registration with one another. Accordingly, radially extending flow paths are defined between the disc to communicate fluid toward and away from the contaminant collecting surfaces. Ribs are provided on the contaminant collecting surfaces to maintain separation of the disc under dynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: A fluid filter element comprises a first filtering medium and a second filtering medium. The first filtering medium includes a nonwoven batt having a marginal edge portion circumscribing the main body portion of the batt in which the fibers are stiffened to provide a support and sealing structure. The second filtering medium includes a nonwoven batt which has been welded into a convoluted drape and which has a circumferential edge portion which provides a supported and sealing structure. The circumferential edge portion is sealed to the marginal edge portion when the fluid filter element is assembled.

Abstract: A fluid filter is formed by producing an air laid nonwoven batt comprising a randomly arranged mixture of thermoplastic fibers and fibers which are not thermoplastic. The batt is then cut into sections, and portions of the batt are heated to a temperature sufficient to partially fuse the fibers, thereby increasing the density of the portion of the batt which is heated. Accordingly, a gradient density filter may be produced having a progressively greater density from the fluid receiving side to the fluid expressing side, so that larger particles are trapped at the fluid receiving side and progressively smaller particles are trapped as the fluid flows through the media, with the finest particles being trapped at the fluid expressing side.

Abstract: A filter element and method for making it include the steps of providing a pleated paper filtering media and providing a batt-like filtering media containing thermoplastic fibers which is slightly larger than the pleated paper filtering media. A ring-shaped die is used in a press to apply heat and pressure to the edges of the batt-like filtering media while accommodating the rest of the batt-like filtering media in the aperture of the die. Accordingly, a stiffened wall is provided which circumscribes the pleated paper filtering media. The pleated paper filtering media is attached to the stiffened, fluid-impermeable wall to provide a fluid-impermeable seal therebetween. A perimetrically-extending flange gasket is simultaneously formed around the edge of the batt-like media, so that the latter can be sealingly engaged in an air cleaner housing.

Abstract: A fluid filter and method for its manufacture in which an air laid batt is formed consisting of a randomly arrayed mixture of thermoplastic fibers and fibers which are not thermoplastic. The batt is cut into sections and is formed into cup-shaped articles in a heated mold. Accordingly, depending upon the degree of heat and pressure applied, the articles can be made of varying densities, to thereby provide articles of larger or smaller permeability and stiffness. The articles are then nested together to form a fluid filter in which fluid flows through the article of lowest density to remove the larger particles entrained in the fluid first, and then flows through articles of progressively higher density to remove progressively smaller particles. At least some of the particles have been heated and/or compressed sufficiently to be structurally self-supporting, thereby providing a filter article which does not need metallic centertube supports, etc., for structural rigidity.

Abstract: Fuel supply system for a vehicle engine includes a filter/reservoir housing (22, 122, 222) which is communicated to one or more fuel tanks (12, 162, 164, 262, 264) and to the vehicle engine (14, 114, 214) by a fuel supply line (16, 116, 216) and a transfer pump (30, 130, 230). Excess fuel is returned to the fuel tanks by a return line (18, 118, 218) which also communicates through the reservoir housing (22, 122, 222). Primary fuel pumps (24, 166, 168, 266, 268) pump fuel at a greater flow rate than that of the transfer pump (30, 130, 230) so that the excess fuel is returned to the tank through the return line (18, 118, 218), thereby assuring that fuel being returned from the engine does not mix with fuel being pumped to the engine. The reservoir housing (22, 122, 222) contains a quantity of fuel so that the engine will not be deprived of fuel if the fuel pickup in the tanks (12, 162, 164, 262, 264) momentarily is above the fuel level.

Abstract: A separating device for removing water from a fuel oil/water mixture includes a cartridge comprising a filtering media and a sump. The cartridge is installed on a mounting head, which includes a pump and a pair of check valves to permit fluid to be drained from the sump by operation of the pump. A bypass passage permits fluid to bypass the check valves during normal operation of the device, but a plunger closes the bypass passage to permit operation of the pump to move fluid through the device.

Abstract: A probe and sump drain assembly (128) includes a fitting (136) secured to the wall of a sump (98) to which a probe housing 146 is threadedly engaged. The fitting is provided with a stepped bore having larger (142) and smaller (140) diameter portions. Seals (154, 156) carried on the housing (146) control fluid communication through passages (160, 162) communicated with the larger portion (142). A ring terminal assembly (170) provides an electrical connection with the fitting (136) and with a transversely projecting portion (166) of the probe (144) regardless of the angular orientation of the portion (166) of the probe (144).

Abstract: Separating device for separating the liquid components of a liquid mixture comprising an annular coalescing medium (84) for causing the liquid component to be removed from the mixture to coalesce into droplets, and a conical separating medium (102) tapering toward a liquid collecting sump (98). A heating element (46) heats the liquid mixture when the temperature of the mixture is below a predetermined temperature. An open, fibrous batt of filtering material (100) circumscribes the coalescing medium (84) to collect wax crystals which form during cold temperature conditions. A relief valve (108) permits liquid to bypass the separating medium (102) when the pressure differential across the separating medium (102) exceeds a predetermined amount. Accordingly, initial flow through the separating device is established, permitting the heater to heat the liquid to a temperature above that at which wax crystals form.

Abstract: A fluid filter (10) of the spin-on automotive type has a housing with a unitary closure member (18). The unitary, or one-piece, closure member (18) includes provision for mounting of the filter and for fluid flow therethrough. Two opposed annular flanges (78, 80) of the closure member receive between them the marginal edge (72) of the filter shell in a fluid-tight crimped engagement. This arrangement facilitates manufacture of the filter by providing support to the shell wall (68) during the crimping operation and also provides an exceptionally strong joint between the shell (12) and closure member (18). Another embodiment of the filter has a closure member (18) with a marginal edge (76) having a portion of reduced thickness which facilitates its crimped engagement with the filter shell (12). Methods of making such closure members attain a unitary closure member without welding operations.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing for releasably locking to a base for enclosing a replaceable filter element. The base includes a support over which the housing is positioned. The support includes a plurality of radially extending guide pins. A plurality of radially movable jaws are mounted on the guide pins to releasably lock the housing to the base. A rotatable cam ring is coaxially mounted on the support and includes cam slots for receiving corresponding axially extending cam engaging portions of the jaws. The jaws move radially inwardly and outwardly to lock and unlock the housing from the base in response to rotation of the cam ring.

Abstract: A fluid filter (10) of the spin-on automotive type has a housing with a unitary closure member (18). The unitary, or one-piece, closure member (18) includes provision for mounting of the filter and for fluid flow therethrough. Two opposed annular flanges (78, 80) of the closure member receive between them the marginal edge (72) of the filter shell in a fluid-tight crimped engagement. This arrangement facilitates manufacture of the filter by providing support to the shell wall (68) during the crimping operation and also provides an exceptionally strong joint between the shell (12) and closure member (18). Another embodiment of the filter has a closure member (18) with a marginal edge (76) having a portion of reduced thickness which facilitates its crimped engagement with the filter shell (12). Methods of making such closure members attain a unitary closure member without welding operations.

Abstract: A pressure distributing superstructure for a windshield wiper, comprising a plastic primary yoke having at each end oppositely extending, coaxial pins and a lobe beyond the pins, and two plastic secondary yokes, each having a pair of ears spaced apart along the axis of the pins, the ears of each pair having opposing openings for receiving the pins of one end of the primary yoke, a shoulder above each opening to retain the pins therein, and a downwardly and inwardly sloping ramp above each shoulder, the ends of said pins of a pair being separated by more than the minimum spacing of the ramps, the ears being sufficiently resilient so that when the pins are forced between the ramps the ears will temporarily be flexed apart to allow the pins to snap into the openings.

Abstract: A fluid filter, such as that used to filter engine oil in an automotive vehicle, is provided with a combination anti-drainback and relief valve. The relief valve permits oil to bypass the filter if the latter should become clogged, and the anti-drainback valve prevents oil from leaking from the filter when the vehicle engine is not operated. The combination anti-drainback/relief valve includes a shoulder which is disposed between the filtering medium and a supporting flange therefor carried by the base of the filter, and also includes an inwardly extending annular portion which normally closes passages through the flange which permit communication between the inlet and outlet of the filter, and an outwardly extending portion which seals against the base of the filter to trap fluid within the filter when the vehicle engine is off. The valve element includes a spring steel member which is encapsulated in rubber sealing material.