SPIN-ON FILTER ASSEMBLY AND METHODS
A spin-on filter cartridge includes a housing, a filter element operably oriented in the housing, a baffle plate, and a seal arrangement. The baffle plate is operably oriented over the housing open end and defines a central flow aperture. The baffle plate also defines a continuous groove immediately adjacent to and circumscribing the central flow aperture. The seal arrangement is secured to the baffle plate and spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove. A filter assembly including the spin-on filter cartridge and a filter head is also disclosed wherein the filter cartridge is removably mountable on the filter head. When the spin-on filter cartridge is oriented on the filter head, a seal member is received within the continuous groove and the seal arrangement forms a seal between and against the baffle plate and the filter head. The seal can be radial or axial or have both axial and radial components.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/655,179, filed Oct. 18, 2012 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/567,447, filed Dec. 6, 2006, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,293,103, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/748,941, filed Dec. 8, 2005, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis application relates to a fluid filter of the spin-on type.
BACKGROUNDSpin-on filter assemblies include two parts—a filter head with a threaded spud and a removable and replaceable filter cartridge. The filter head is typically permanently mounted to equipment, such as an engine, hydraulics, or a generator. The filter head has inlet channels for conveying fluid to be filtered to the filter cartridge, and outlet channels for conveying fluid that has been filtered by the cartridge for use by the equipment. The filter cartridge will typically include an outer can or housing holding a filter element of filter media therewithin. The filter cartridge is typically useable over some limited duration due to the limited life of the filter media within. The filter cartridge is removed from the filter head and disposed of and is then replaced with a new filter cartridge. The filter cartridge and filter head are removably connected to each other, typically through a threaded connection. The spud on the filter head will typically have threads, while the filter cartridge will have a threaded aperture to fit on the threaded spud. The threaded connection between the filter cartridge and filter head can sometimes present a leak path for unfiltered fluids. That is, sometimes fluid that has not been filtered can travel along the threads and reach the clean side of the filter without first passing through the filter media. This leakage can lead to particulate material traveling to downstream equipment, which can present problems. Improvements are desirable.
SUMMARYA spin-on filter cartridge includes a housing, a filter element operably oriented in the housing, a baffle plate, and a seal arrangement. The baffle plate is operably oriented over the housing open end. The baffle plate defines a central flow aperture. The baffle plate defines a continuous groove immediately adjacent to and circumscribing the central flow aperture. The seal arrangement is secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove.
In another aspect, a filter assembly includes a spin-on filter cartridge as characterized above and a filter head. The spin-on filter cartridge is removably mountable on the filter head. The filter head includes a central spud defining outer threads. An O-ring seal member is operably oriented around the central spud. When the spin-on filter cartridge is operably oriented on the filter head, the O-ring seal member is received within the continuous groove and the seal arrangement forms a seal between and against the baffle plate and the filter head.
In another aspect, a method of assembling a filter assembly includes spinning a filter cartridge as characterized above onto a filter head to form a primary seal between the baffle plate on the filter cartridge and the filter head, and until a seal member fixed to the filter head is received within the continuous groove.
In another aspect, a filter head is provided. The filter head includes a block defining fluid flow channels; a central spud having a threaded outer wall; and a seal member secured to and circumscribing the central spud.
In
A baffle plate is shown at 30. The baffle plate 30 is operably oriented over the housing open end 16. The baffle plate 30 defines a central flow aperture 32. In preferred embodiments, the central flow aperture 32 is an outlet aperture forming an outlet arrangement.
While a variety of implementations of baffle plates 30 are usable without departing from design principles of this disclosure, one type of baffle plate is illustrated in
The baffle plate 30 further includes a groove 50, and in the embodiment shown, a continuous groove 50. In preferred implementations, the continuous groove 50 is a circular groove 50. The groove 50 is defined by a radial surface 52 and an axial support surface 54 generally orthogonal to the radial surface 52. In some embodiments, the radial surface 52 is a sealing surface; in some embodiments, the support surface 54 functions as a sealing surface. Immediately adjacent and intersecting the support surface 54 is hub interior 36 including the threaded section 38. The groove 50 is immediately adjacent to and circumscribes the central flow aperture 32. The groove 50 operates as a seat 56 for a seal member, such as an O-ring. In the embodiment shown, the central hub 34 terminates at the central groove 50 along an axial face 51 of the baffle plate 30.
The baffle plate 30 further includes a seal arrangement 70 secured to the baffle plate 30 spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove 50. The seal arrangement 70 is seated within a groove 72. The seal arrangement 70 can be an O-ring seal member 73. The seal member 73 forms a primary seal 76 (
In reference now to
The filter head 40 generally comprises a block 85 defining fluid flow channels 68, including inlet channel 67 (
In operation, when the filter cartridge 10 is spun on and operably oriented on the filter head 40, the O-ring seal member 62 is received within the continuous groove 50 and forms a seal 80 (
Once the filter cartridge 10 is operably oriented on the filter head 40, in a forward flow system, fluid to be cleaned enters the filter head 40, 40′ through, for example, one of the fluid flow channels 68 (
In reference now to
In
Turning again to
Claims
1. A spin-on filter cartridge comprising:
- (a) a single-piece housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume;
- (b) a cylindrical filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume and defining open filter interior; (i) the filter element including first and second end caps at opposite ends; (ii) an extension of media being between the first and second end caps;
- (c) a baffle plate secured to the housing at the housing open end; (i) the housing being around and against an outer periphery of the baffle plate and having a fold over an upper surface of the baffle plate to non-removably secure the baffle plate to the housing; (ii) the baffle plate having a central hub defining a central flow aperture forming an outlet arrangement; (iii) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement including a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing and being disposed radially outward of the central flow aperture; (iv) the baffle plate defining a circular groove immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture; (A) the groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface intersecting the radial surface; the groove being seal member free and constructed to receive a seal member from an operably placed filter head; (B) the support surface of the groove facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior;
- (d) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the groove, the inlet arrangement, and the outlet arrangement; (i) the support surface of the groove being located axially closer to the closed end of the housing than the seal arrangement is located axially relative to the closed end of the housing; and (ii) the seal arrangement facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior.
2. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the seal arrangement comprises an O-ring seal member.
3. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein:
- (a) the O-ring seal member is secured within a seal arrangement groove in the baffle plate.
4. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the filter media is pleated media.
5. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising:
- (a) an outwardly projecting radial seal between and against a portion of the outer periphery of the baffle plate and an inner surface of the housing.
6. A filter assembly comprising:
- (a) a spin-on filter cartridge including: (i) a single-piece housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume; (ii) a filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume and defining open filter interior; (A) the filter element including first and second end caps at opposite ends and filter media between the first and second end caps; (iii) a baffle plate secured to the housing at the housing open end; (A) the housing being around and against an outer periphery of the baffle plate and having a fold over an upper surface of the baffle plate to non-removably secure the baffle plate to the housing; (B) the baffle plate having a central hub defining a central flow aperture and forming an outlet; (C) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement including a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing and being disposed radially outward of the central flow aperture; (D) the baffle plate defining a circular groove immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture; (1) the groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface intersecting the radial surface; the groove being seal member free; (2) the support surface of the groove facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior; (iv) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the groove, the inlet arrangement, and the outlet; (A) the support surface of the groove being located axially closer to the closed end of the housing than the seal arrangement is located axially relative to the closed end of the housing; and (B) the seal arrangement facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior;
- (b) a filter head; the spin-on filter cartridge being removably attached to the filter head; the filter head including: (i) a central spud and a seal member operably oriented around the central spud;
- (c) wherein when the spin-on filter cartridge is operably attached to the filter head, the seal member is received within the circular groove of the baffle plate forming a secondary seal between the cartridge and the filter head, and the seal arrangement forms a primary seal between and against the seal arrangement and the filter head.
7. A filter assembly according to claim 6 wherein:
- (a) the seal member comprises an O-ring seal member.
8. A filter assembly according to claim 6 wherein:
- (a) the secondary seal comprises a radially directed seal between and against the filter head and the radial surface on the circular groove.
9. A filter assembly according to claim 6 wherein:
- (a) the seal arrangement comprises an O-ring seal member secured within a seal arrangement groove in the baffle plate.
10. A filter assembly according to claim 6 wherein:
- (a) the filter media comprises pleated media.
11. A filter assembly according to claim 6 wherein:
- (a) the spin-on filter cartridge further includes an outwardly projecting radial seal between and against a portion of the outer periphery of the baffle plate and an inner surface of the housing.
12. A spin-on filter cartridge comprising:
- (a) a single-piece housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume;
- (b) a cylindrical filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume and defining open filter interior; (i) the filter element including first and second end caps at opposite ends; (ii) an extension of media being between the first and second end caps;
- (c) a baffle plate secured to the housing at the housing open end; (i) the housing being around and against an outer periphery of the baffle plate and having a fold over an upper surface of the baffle plate to non-removably secure the baffle plate to the housing; (ii) the baffle plate having a central hub with an interior wall defining a central flow aperture forming an outlet arrangement; (A) the interior wall having an inwardly directed threaded section; the threaded section being within the interior volume of the housing; (iii) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement including a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing and being disposed radially outward of the central flow aperture; (iv) the baffle plate defining a circular groove immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture; (A) the groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface intersecting the radial surface; the groove being seal member free and constructed to receive a seal member from an operably placed filter head; (B) the support surface of the groove facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior;
- (d) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the groove, the inlet arrangement, and the outlet arrangement; (i) the seal arrangement facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior.
13. The spin-on filter cartridge of claim 12 wherein:
- (a) the circular groove of the baffle plate being within the interior volume of the housing.
14. The spin-on filter cartridge of claim 12 wherein:
- (a) the interior wall of the baffle plate having an outer radial surface that is against an inner radial surface of the first end cap.
15. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 12 wherein:
- (a) the seal arrangement comprises an O-ring seal member.
16. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 12 wherein:
- (a) the filter media is pleated media.
17. A spin-on filter cartridge according to claim 12 further comprising:
- (a) an outwardly projecting radial seal between and against a portion of the outer periphery of the baffle plate and an inner surface of the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2018
Publication Date: Sep 13, 2018
Inventors: Philip E. Johnson (Apple Valley, MN), Claudio Formica (Pomponesco), Enrico Greco (Villa Poma), Michael L. Brown (Mendota Heights, MN), John R. Hacker (Edina, MN)
Application Number: 15/978,703