SPIN-ON FILTER WITH EXTERNAL THREADS AND METHODS
A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head includes a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume and an end opposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and an interior. A filter media construction is operably held within the interior volume. A sleeve, distinct from the housing, is secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall. A first seal member is oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. A filter assembly includes a filter arrangement and a filter head. The filter arrangement is removably secured to the filter head by a threaded connection between the sleeve and the filter head. A system includes an engine utilizing a liquid and a filter assembly in fluid communication with the engine to filter the liquid. Methods of making filter arrangements include utilizing structures characterized above.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/040,821, filed Jul. 20, 2018 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/372,062, filed Dec. 7, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,046,256 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/995,926, filed Feb. 28, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,545,587, which is a National Stage patent application of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2009/046131, filed 3 Jun. 2009 in the name of Donaldson Company, Inc., a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the US, and Brian Tucker, Bradley S. Honermann, Gary H. Gift, Brent A. Gulsvig, Kent Mehlhop, John R. Hacker, and Mark S. Emery, all citizens of the U.S., applicants for the designation of the US only, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/058,337, filed Jun. 3, 2008, and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure concerns filter arrangements and methods. In particular, this disclosure concerns spin-on filter assemblies for filtering liquids, such as fuel, lubrication fluids, such as oil, and hydraulic fluids.
BACKGROUNDConventional spin-on filter designs use a thread plate at the interface end of the filter assembly. This thread plate has flow passages to allow flow in and out of the filter assembly. In addition, there is often an attaching feature near the center line of the filter assembly where threads on the thread plate engage threads on the filter head.
An alternate design is what is sometimes referred to as a “big mouth” filter. In such “big mouth” filters, the thread plate is replaced with a threaded ring. The attaching feature is near the outside diameter of the filter assembly. This design reduces the overall amount of material and is structurally stronger than the thread plate design. The big mouth design has the flexibility of using either internal or external threads. Internal threads are typically used on applications that accept either a spin-on or a bowl/cartridge design. The threaded ring mentioned above, uses internal threads.
Using external threads for a spin-on filter presents technical issues because the typical seaming process used with a threaded ring can not be used. Improvements are desirable.
SUMMARYA filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head is provided. The filter arrangement includes a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume and an end opposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and an interior. A filter media construction is operably held within the interior volume. A sleeve, distinct from the housing, is secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall. A first seal member is oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.
In another aspect, a filter assembly is provided including a filter arrangement, as characterized above, and a filter head. The filter arrangement is removably secured to the filter head by a threaded connection between the sleeve and the filter head.
In another aspect, a system is provided including an engine utilizing a liquid and a filter assembly, as characterized above, in fluid communication with the engine to filter the liquid.
In another aspect, a method of making a filter arrangement includes providing a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and an opposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and an interior. Next, there is a step of orienting a filter media construction within the interior volume. Next, there is a step of orienting a sleeve, distinct from the housing, around the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall. Next, there is a step of securing the sleeve to the housing. The method also includes providing a first seal member oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.
It is noted that not all the specific features described herein need to be incorporated in an arrangement for the arrangement to have some selected advantage according to the present disclosure.
In general, a filter arrangement in accordance with principles of this disclosure uses a drawn metal housing, a threaded sleeve and seals. The threaded sleeve is slid over the outer diameter of the housing and is secured, in various techniques, to the housing. There is at least one seal on the filter arrangement to prevent external leaks between the filter arrangement and the filter head. In some implementations, more than one seal member is utilized.
A. Example ConstructionsIn general, a filter arrangement is shown at reference numeral 20. The filter arrangement 20 is designed for threadably securing to a filter head 22 (
At one end of the housing 24 is an open mouth 30 providing access to the interior volume 28. Opposite of the open mouth 30 is an end 32. In some embodiments, such as
Within the interior volume 28 of the housing 24 is a filter media construction 36 (or filter cartridge 36). The filter media construction 36 may include pleated media 38 arranged in a cylindrical form to define an open filter interior 40. A first end cap 42 is secured to one end of the pleated media 38. In some arrangements, a second end cap 44 is secured to an opposite end of the pleated media 38. The filter media construction 36 may also include an inner filter support or liner 46, extending between end cap 42 and second end cap 44, and lining the open filter interior 40.
In general, liquid to be filtered, flowing in a forward-flow manner, flows from a volume 48 between the wall 26 and the pleated media 38, through the media 38, and into the open filter interior 40. From there, the filtered liquid flows out through an aperture 50 in the first end cap 42. From there the liquid is directed into the filter head 22, where it is then directed to downstream components.
In example embodiments illustrated, the filter media construction 36 further includes a filter element seal member 52 to provide a seal between the unfiltered side and the filtered side of the filter media construction 36. The filter element seal member 52 will be sealed against a corresponding portion on the filter head 22. In the various embodiments shown, the filter element seal member 52 is depicted as a seal ring 54 that is held within a radial groove 56 of an axially extending portion 58 of a first end cap 42.
In some implementations, the filter media construction 36 may further include structure to help with centering the filter media construction within the housing 24. This is described below, in connection with certain embodiments.
In general, the filter arrangement 20 includes a sleeve 60, distinct from the housing 24. By the term “distinct from the housing,” it is meant that the sleeve is not made from the same piece of material as the housing 24. While the sleeve 60 can be molded onto the housing 24, it should be understood that the housing 24 exists as a separate piece before the molding process, and therefore, the sleeve 60 is distinct from the housing 24.
The sleeve 60 is secured to an exterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26 and adjacent to the mouth 30. The surrounding wall 26 also has an opposite, interior 64. The sleeve 60 extends partially along the exterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26, generally less than half of the length of the surrounding wall 26. The sleeve 60 has an exterior 66 and an opposite interior 68.
In general, the exterior 66 of the sleeve 60 defines mounting threads 70 constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head 22, when the filter arrangement 20 is secured to the filter head 22. The threads 70 can be any type of conventional thread utilized in these types of systems, such as Unified Screw Threads, per ANSI B1.7M-1984. The interior 68 of the sleeve 60 is generally mounted against the exterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26. The sleeve 60 is secured to the housing 24, utilizing various techniques, as described below.
In general, the filter arrangement 20 further includes a first seal member 72 oriented against the sleeve 60 to create a seal with the filter head 22, when the filter arrangement 20 is secured to the filter head 22. The first seal member 72 can be a radially directed seal member 74 held by a groove 76 in the exterior 66 of the sleeve 60 such as depicted in the embodiments of
The filter arrangement 20 can be connected to the filter head 22 to form a filter assembly 23, as shown in
In the embodiment of
The tabs 82 are then crimped in a radially direction toward the housing 24 center line to affix the housing 24 and the threaded sleeve 60 together. Crimping the tabs 82 into the slots 92 creates a mechanical lock between the housing 24 and the threaded sleeve 60, which prevents the housing 24 from turning about its center line relative to the sleeve 60 and prevents relative motion in an axial direction.
In
In
In this embodiment, the filter media construction 36 is retained in the housing 24 by crimping a lower end 104 of the housing 24 into a recessed area 106 that is defined by the outer surface of the second endcap 44.
2. The Embodiments of FIGS. 14-20In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
A seal member 223 is oriented on the outside diameter of the sleeve 60, near a top 224 (
In
Adjacent to and below the projection 232 of the sleeve 60 is a flange 234 projecting radially from the sleeve 60. The flange 234 forms one side of a groove 236, which holds the seal member 74.
In
In
In
The seam 321 is formed by bending or folding a continuous piece of material, such as the housing 24, over the end 224 of the sleeve 60. This sleeve 60 defines a groove 330, which holds the seal member 322. The seam 321 is bent around the end 224, down along the outside radially surface 332 of the sleeve 60, and then radially inwardly into an upper wall 334 of the groove 330. The leg 336 extending within the groove 330 and against the upper wall 334 helps to axially lock the sleeve 60 to the housing 24. The seal 326 is created between and against the seal member 322 and the leg 336 of the seam 321.
B. MethodsIt should be understood that methods of making filter arrangement 20 have been discussed above and can utilize the various arrangements described herein. In general, a method includes providing housing 24 having surrounding wall 26 defining interior volume 28, an open mouth 30 providing access to the interior volume 28 and an end 32 opposite of the open mouth 30. The method includes orienting filter media construction 36 within the interior volume 28. The method further includes orienting sleeve 60 distinct from the housing 60 distinct from the housing, around the exterior wall 26 adjacent to the mouth 30 and extending partially along the surrounding wall 26. The exterior 66 of the sleeve 60 defines mounting threads 70 constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head 22, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head 22. The interior 68 of the sleeve 60 is against the exterior 62 of the surrounding wall 26. Next, the method includes securing the sleeve 60 to the housing 24, and then providing first seal member 72 against the sleeve 60 to create the seal with the filter head 22.
The step of securing can include crimping tabs on the housing 24 into slots 92 in the sleeve 60. The step of securing can also include bending tabs 82 on the housing 24 into slots 92 in the sleeve 60. The step of securing can also include gluing the sleeve 60 onto the housing 24, or press fitting the sleeve 60 onto the housing 24.
C. General PrinciplesA filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head is provided. The filter arrangement may include a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and an end opposite of the open mouth; the surrounding wall having an exterior and an interior; a filter media construction operably held within the interior volume; a separate sleeve attached to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall; the sleeve having an exterior and an interior; the exterior of the sleeve defining mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head; the interior of the sleeve being against the exterior of the surrounding wall; and a first seal member oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.
The end of the housing can define an opening adapted to receive a drain valve.
The housing surrounding wall may have a plurality of tabs extending radially outwardly from the open mouth.
The sleeve can have a first rim adjacent to the open mouth; the first rim defining a plurality of slots, each slot in the plurality of slots receiving one of the tabs.
The sleeve may be secured to the housing by the tabs being formed over the slots.
The tabs can be in a crimped position relative to the slots. The tabs can be in a folded position relative to the slots.
The interior of the sleeve may a seal gland holding a second seal member forming a radial seal between and against the sleeve and the exterior of the surrounding wall.
The sleeve can be axially secured to the housing by a seam (221, 321); the seam being formed from an extension of the housing folded over a top (224) of the sleeve.
The seam (221) can forms a seal (226) with a second seal member (223) held within a groove (225) defined by the sleeve; the groove facing an outside portion of the sleeve.
The seam (221) can include a leg which locks around a projection (232) of the sleeve to lock the seam in place with the second seal member secured within the groove (225).
The sleeve can define a groove (330) holding the first seal member (322); the seam (321) is formed by an extension of the housing bent around the top (224) of the sleeve, extending along the outside radial surface (332) of the sleeve, and including a leg (336) extending into an upper wall (334) of the groove (330).
A seal (326) can be created between and against the first seal member and the leg of the seam.
Adhesive may be between the interior of the sleeve and the exterior of the surrounding wall to secure the sleeve to the housing.
The sleeve can be secured to the housing by a press-fit.
The exterior of the sleeve can defines a radial groove holding the first seal member.
The filter media construction may includes pleated media arranged in a cylindrical form to define an open filter interior; a first end cap secured to an end of the pleated media; and a filter element seal member held by the first end cap.
The first end cap can include centering structure constructed and arranged to center the filter media construction within the housing interior volume.
A filter assembly can include a filter head and a filter arrangement; the filter arrangement being removably secured to the filter head by a threaded connection between the sleeve and the filter head.
A system may include an engine utilizing a liquid; and a filter assembly a being in fluid communication with the engine to filter the liquid.
A method of making a filter arrangement can include providing a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and an end opposite of the open mouth; the surrounding wall having an exterior and an interior; orienting a filter media construction within the interior volume; and orienting a sleeve, distinct from the housing, around the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall; the sleeve having an exterior and an interior; the exterior of the sleeve defining mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head; the interior of the sleeve being against the exterior of the surrounding wall; securing the sleeve to the housing; and providing a first seal member oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.
The step of securing can include crimping tabs on the housing into slots in the sleeve.
The step of securing can includes folding an extension of the housing over a top of the sleeve.
It is noted that not all the specific features described herein need to be incorporated in an arrangement for the arrangement to have some selected advantage according to the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head, the filter arrangement comprising:
- (a) a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and an end opposite of the open mouth; the surrounding wall having an exterior and an interior;
- (b) a filter media construction operably held within the interior volume;
- (c) a sleeve secured to the housing; the sleeve having an exterior and an interior; (i) the exterior of the sleeve defining mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head; (ii) the exterior of the sleeve having an outwardly facing first groove; (iii) the exterior of the sleeve having an outwardly facing second groove, (iv) the sleeve having a flange radially extending therefrom and axially between the first groove and second groove;
- (b) a first seal member held by the sleeve in the first groove;
- (c) a second seal member held by the sleeve in the second groove; and
- (d) an extension extending from the housing over a portion of the sleeve and against the first seal member.
2. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the extension of the housing terminates in a recess in the sleeve between the first seal member and second seal member.
3. A filter arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the extension of the housing terminates in the recess and adjacent the flange.
4. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the end of the housing defines an opening adapted to receive a drain valve.
5. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a seal is formed between and against the first seal member and the extension.
6. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the filter media construction includes: (i) a cylinder of pleated media having an open filter interior; (ii) a first end cap secured to an end of the pleated media; and (iii) a filter element seal member held by the first end cap.
7. A filter arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the first end cap includes centering structure constructed and arranged to center the filter media construction within the housing interior volume.
8. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve is separate and distinct from the housing.
9. A filter arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall.
10. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the second groove is located axially between the mounting threads and the first groove.
11. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the extension extends over a first end of the sleeve and against the first seal member.
12. A filter arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the mounting threads are located axially between the second groove and a second end of the sleeve.
13. A filter assembly comprising:
- (a) a filter arrangement according to claim 1; and
- (b) a filter head, the filter arrangement being removably secured to the filter head by a threaded connection between the sleeve and the filter head.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2020
Publication Date: Oct 15, 2020
Inventors: Brian Tucker (Farmington, MN), Bradley S. Honermann (Prior Lake, MN), Gary H. Gift (Richfield, MN), Brent A. Gulsvig (Faribault, MN), Kent Mehlhop (Arlington, MN), John R. Hacker (Minneapolis, MN), Mark S. Emery (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 16/915,288