Abstract: A spin-on fluid filter with improved attachment and sealing with the filter head. The filter has a gasket positioned at the end of threads used to connect the filter to a filter head. The described design protects the gasket from excessive engine heat, cat or tear damage during installation, and the roll out effect of installation torque. In addition, the described attachment provides gasket protection and uniform compression of the gasket. The gasket can be any type that provides a seal which keeps external threads on the filter and the filter head dry.

Abstract: A spin-on fluid filter with improved attachment and sealing with the filter head. The filter has a gasket positioned at the end of threads used to connect the filter to a filter head. The described design protects the gasket from excessive engine heat, cat or tear damage during installation, and the roll out effect of installation torque. In addition, the described attachment provides gasket protection and uniform compression of the gasket. The gasket can be any type that provides a seal which keeps external threads on the filter and the filter head dry.

Abstract: A filter within a filter cartridge design is described that includes a sealing structure on an endplate of an outer filter element. Generally, the sealing structure includes an annular flange on the endplate that can directly seal against an interior surface of a housing when the filter cartridge is assembled for use. During filtration, the annular flange prevents a working fluid from bypassing the outer filter element. The sealing flange can seal with the housing in a press fit engagement.

Abstract: A filter within a filter cartridge design is described that includes a sealing structure on an endplate of an outer filter element. Generally, the sealing structure includes an annular flange on the endplate that can directly seal against an interior surface of a housing when the filter cartridge is assembled for use. During filtration, the annular flange prevents a working fluid from bypassing the outer filter element. The sealing flange can seal with the housing in a press fit engagement.

Abstract: A filter with installation integrity permits fluid flow only in a first installation condition and not in a second undesired or mis-installation condition, including improper alignment or mounting of a filter element in a housing, an incorrect replacement filter element, absence of a filter element, and an incorrect housing cover. A magnetically actuated valve has a piston controlling fluid flow according to installation condition.

Abstract: A filter with installation integrity permits fluid flow only in a first installation condition and not in a second undesired or mis-installation condition, including improper alignment or mounting of a filter element in a housing, an incorrect replacement filter element, absence of a filter element, and an incorrect housing cover. A magnetically actuated valve has a piston controlling fluid flow according to installation condition.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a rotor with one or more drive jet openings for rotating the rotor to separate particulate matter from a fluid. A filter element is disposed inside the rotor, and the filter element includes depth filter medium for removing from the fluid sticky contaminants having the same general density as the fluid, such as sludge or varnish compounds. The rotor has a split flow configuration in which a portion of the fluid is routed to the filter element and the rest of the fluid bypasses the filter element to maintain fluid pressure of the fluid discharged from the drive jet openings. In one form, the depth filter medium is impregnated with a chemical that changes a property of the fluid, like acidity. In another form, the depth filter material is contained in a capsule for easy disposal.

Abstract: A filter with installation integrity permits fluid flow only in a first installation condition and not in a second undesired or mis-installation condition, including improper alignment or mounting of a filter element in a housing, an incorrect replacement filter element, absence of a filter element, and an incorrect housing cover. A magnetically actuated valve has a piston controlling fluid flow according to installation condition.

Abstract: A filtration centrifuge according to a typical embodiment of the present invention includes a housing canister, a rotor assembly, a rotor shaft, a top cap, and a bottom cap. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the rotor assembly mounts into the canister without the use of a rotor shaft. The canister is open at both ends and the manner of connection between the top and bottom of the canister and the top and bottom caps includes all possible combinations of internal threads, external threads, and a bayonet connection.

Abstract: A removable, spiral vane insert for receipt by a centrifuge rotor enclosure includes a unitary, molded plastic spiral vane portion including a spiral vane module and a baseplate that are all integrally joined together. The spiral vane portion further includes a tubular sleeve having a longitudinal axis corresponding to the axis of rotation for the rotor.

Abstract: A filter with installation integrity permits fluid flow only in a first installation condition and not in a second undesired or mis-installation condition, including improper alignment or mounting of a filter element in a housing, an incorrect replacement filter element, absence of a filter element, and an incorrect housing cover. A magnetically actuated valve has a piston controlling fluid flow according to installation condition.

Abstract: A removable, spiral vane insert for receipt by a centrifuge rotor enclosure includes a unitary, molded plastic spiral vane portion including a spiral vane module and a baseplate that are all integrally joined together. The spiral vane portion further includes a tubular sleeve having a longitudinal axis corresponding to the axis of rotation for the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge for the separation of particulate matter from a volume of fluid includes an outer housing, a rotational member extending through the outer housing, and a rotor assembled onto the rotational member for rotation relative to the rotational member and relative to the housing. The centrifuge is constructed and arranged to enable self-driven rotation by the exit flow of fluid through jet nozzle openings defined by the rotor. The rotational member includes a fluid passageway and an exit opening for delivering fluid to the rotor. The rotor includes a divider plate that separates the interior of the rotor into a collection chamber and a separate jet zone. The collection chamber has a single fluid entry location defined by the divider plate for processing a single batch of fluid at a time.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating particulate matter from circulating fluid includes a centrifuge enclosure including a housing and a base joined together so as to define a hollow interior. A rotor is positioned in the hollow interior and is supported by the base in a manner to permit rotary motion of the rotor relative to the centrifuge enclosure. A coalescing filter assembly is secured to the rotor and is constructed and arranged for removing oil aerosol from a blowby gas which is introduced into the centrifuge. A roller bearing, press fit into the centrifuge housing, receives a portion of the coalescing filter assembly.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating out particulate matter from a fluid includes a rotor shell that is rotatably coupled to a shaft through a first bushing and a second bushing. The shaft includes a first shaft section that is detachably coupled to a second shaft section in order to make maintenance and assembly of the centrifuge easier by reducing the shaft clearance needed during disassembly and assembly of the centrifuge. The first shaft section includes a first bushing race around which the first bushing is rotatably received. The second shaft section includes an integrally formed bushing collar for supporting the second bushing and a second bushing race around which the second bushing is rotatably received. With such a construction, the size of the bushings in the centrifuge can be minimized, which in turn increases the operational speed of the centrifuge, thereby enhancing the particulate removal efficiency in the centrifuge.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use as part of a centrifuge for the separation of particulate matter from a fluid includes a collection chamber housing a particulate separation mechanism and a drive chamber including a Hero turbine which assembles to the collection chamber and which is separable from the collection chamber. The interfit between the drive chamber and the collection chamber imparts any drive chamber rotation due to the Hero turbine directly to the collection chamber for rotation and for particulate separation. By making the drive chamber separable from the collection chamber, the collection chamber can be discarded with its accumulated sludge, allowing the drive chamber to be reused.

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 fluid separation centrifuge for the separation of particulate matter from a flow of oil is designed with a disposable rotor assembly including a molded plastic rotor housing and a fluid separation device positioned within the rotor housing. Included as part of the fluid separation device is a unitary, molded plastic base plate which is designed and arranged with a peripheral lip formed with a channel portion therein. In a cooperating manner, the rotor housing is constructed and arranged with a molded plastic, generally cylindrical projection which is designed and arranged to receive the channel portion so as to create a fluid-tight, sealed interface at the location of contact between the projection and the channel portion.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use as part of a centrifuge for the separation of particulate matter from a fluid includes a collection chamber housing a particulate separation mechanism and a drive chamber including a Hero turbine which assembles to the collection chamber and which is separable from the collection chamber. The interfit between the drive chamber and the collection chamber imparts any drive chamber rotation due to the Hero turbine directly to the collection chamber for rotation and for particulate separation. By making the drive chamber separable from the collection chamber, the collection chamber can be discarded with its accumulated sludge, allowing the drive chamber to be reused.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base plate and a rotor shell. The base plate has a center tube extending therefrom along a longitudinal axis. The center tube is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid containing particulate matter. A rotor shell has an inner cavity and a plurality of spiral vanes extending along the longitudinal axis within the inner cavity. The spiral vanes extend spirally around the center tube and the spiral vanes are integrally formed with the rotor shell. In one form, spiral vanes are also formed on the base plate and are nested in between the spiral vanes of the rotor shell.