Air cleaner arrangements; serviceable filter elements; and, methods
An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.
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The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/589,519, filed May 8, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,416 as a U.S. National Stage application of PCT/US2005/005104, filed Feb. 16, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/545,401, filed Feb. 17, 2004. A claim of priority to each of U.S. Ser. No. 10/589,519; PCT/US2005/005104; and 60/545,401 is made to the extent appropriate. Also, each of U.S. Ser. No. 10/589,519; PCT/US2005/005104; and, 60/545,401 is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
The present application is a reissue application U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,405 issued on Jul. 5, 2011, which issued from U.S. Ser. No. 12/704,909 filed on Feb. 12, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/589,519, filed May 8, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,416 as a U.S. National Stage application of PCT/US2005/005104, filed Feb. 16, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/545,401, filed Feb. 17, 2004. A claim of priority to each of U.S. Ser. No. 12/704,909; U.S. Ser. No. 10/589,519; PCT/US2005/005104; and U.S. Ser. No. 60/545,401 is made to the extent appropriate. Also, U.S. Ser. No. 12/704,909; U.S. Ser. No. 10/589,519; PCT/US2005/005104; and U.S. Ser. No. 60/545,401 are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates to air cleaners and to components for air cleaners. This disclosure particularly concerns air cleaners of a type useable for cleaning intake air for engines. Methods of assembly and use are also provided.
BACKGROUNDAir cleaners are needed for a variety of applications, for example to provide cleaning of engine intake air for internal combustion engines. A wide variety of types of air cleaner arrangements and filter materials are known.
One known filter material, is filter media configured in a z-arrangement. Z-filter media generally comprises a corrugated or fluted media sheet secured to a facing sheet. The media is arranged to form a set of longitudinal flutes or air flow channels on one side of the corrugated or fluted media, and another set of flow channels on an opposite side of the corrugated or fluted media. In operation, flutes of one set of flutes are designated as inlet flutes, in which individual inlet flutes are left open at an inlet end or side of the media, and are sealed, folded or otherwise closed at an outlet end or side of the media. Analogously, the flutes of a second set of flutes are generally designated as outlet flutes, are sealed, folded or otherwise closed at the inlet end or side of the filter, and are left open at the outlet end or side of the filter. In operation, air passes into one flow face of the air filter construction, by passage into the open inlet flutes at an upstream end of the element. The air cannot flow out of the closed ends of these inlet flutes, so it must pass through the filter media into the outlet flutes. The filtered air then passes outwardly from an exit end of the filter element, through the open ends of the outlet flutes.
A variety of z-filter constructions are known; including, for example, the ones described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,646; 5,792,247; 6,190,432; and, 6,350,291; PCT Publication WO 97/40918; U.S. provisional application 60/395,009 filed 10 Jul. 2002; and the PCT Application US 03/02799 filed Jan. 31, 2003 and claiming priority from U.S. Provisional 60/395,009; the complete disclosures of all eight references above being incorporated herein by reference. These types of media (among others) can be used in arrangements of the types described herein.
Z-filter media has been characterized as useable in coiled configurations, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,291; or in stacks of sheets of z-filter media, see for example FIG. 26 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,646.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn the present disclosure, unique features of air filter cartridge arrangements are described and shown. In addition, unique air cleaner arrangement or features, for receiving and mounting the filter cartridge arrangements are provided.
With the various features shown and described, or selected combinations of them, unique and convenient filter cartridges and air cleaner assemblies can be made.
The disclosure also concerns methods of installing air filter cartridges, and methods of removing them. In addition, from the descriptions provided, methods of assembling preferred filter cartridges and preferred air cleaner assemblies will be apparent.
The current disclosure concerns certain preferred arrangements for utilization of z-filter media constructions. Related, by structure, arrangements are described in the U.S. utility application entitled “Air Cleaner Arrangements, Serviceable Filter Elements; and, Methods” filed Feb. 10, 2004 by the inventors Randall Allen Engelland, Thomas Richard Olson, Gary Ray Gillingham, Jim C. Rothman, and Richard Lawrence Suydam, under Express Mail #EL 976593878 US. The complete disclosure of the Feb. 10, 2004 Express Mail #EL 976593878 US filing is incorporated herein by reference. Also, the current disclosure is related, by structure, to the following two U.S. Provisional applications: U.S. 60/446,804 filed Feb. 11, 2003; and 60/457,255, filed Mar. 25, 2003. The complete disclosure of these two provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure concerns certain air cleaners which use filter elements having a straight through flow design. By the term “straight through flow design,” it is meant that air enters a serviceable filter cartridge within the air cleaner, along one (inlet) face, and filtered air exits the filter cartridge from an opposite, second (outlet) face. That is, the inlet and outlet flow paths for the serviceable filter cartridge are generally in the same direction.
As indicated, air cleaners of the type concern that the present disclosure, include serviceable filter elements or cartridges. The term “serviceable filter element or cartridge”, and variants thereof, in this context, is meant to refer to a filter element or cartridge that can be removed from the remainder of the air cleaner and be replaced therein. Typically the filter cartridge of an air cleaner for intake air of combustion engines needs to be serviceable, since periodically the filter cartridge will become occluded, and must be removed and be replaced.
Air cleaners and serviceable filter cartridges of the general type characterized herein, can be used in a variety of arrangements. Typical applications include as air cleaners for internal combustion engines. The air cleaner assemblies and cartridges can be sized and configured for a wide variety of engine applications. Herein, a particular application, involving a large diesel engine having a turbocharger upstream of the air cleaner assembly, is described as an example. However, the principles disclosed herein can be applied in a wide variety of alternate applications, including for example, in air cleaners in systems that do not have a turbocharger upstream of the air cleaner.
The reference numeral 1,
In
Referring to
The principles disclosed herein can be applied in a variety of shapes and sizes of housings. The particular housing 10 shown, is meant to be an example only. However, the generally rectangular (in cross-section perpendicular to air flow) configuration depicted is preferred, and the principles disclosed are particularly well adapted for application in a housing of such a preferred configuration. Of course, the preferred air cleaner and filter cartridge configurations shown are, in more general terms, non-circular (in cross-section) configurations.
The particular housing 10 (
In
The filter cartridge 30 includes filter media 31. The filter media 31 depicted, is of the z-filter type, comprising corrugated or fluted media secured to a non-fluted facing sheet. The facing sheet can be corrugated or non-corrugated. Such media can be provided in a variety of configurations including: as coiled continuous sheet configurations as shown schematically in
It is anticipated that in a typical use such as
Referring to
The sidewall or sheath construction 40 can be provided in a variety of manners and by a variety of constructions. For example, it can comprise a single piece molded plastic or cast metal construction, a multi-piece clamshell construction of plastic or metal components, or a sheet or sheath of material such as aluminum wrapped around the media 31.
The sidewall or sheath construction 40 can be permanently secured to the media 31, if desired. This is preferred for the application shown. Alternatively the media 31 can be removably positioned within the sheath construction 40. The term “permanently secured” in this context, is meant to refer to a cartridge 30 in which the sidewall or sheath construction 40 and the media pack 31 are generally secured to one another and are not separated during a servicing operation. Typically securement would be with an adhesive or seal material, as appropriate. If the media pack 31 is removably positioned within the sidewall and sheath construction 40, it is expected that during a servicing operation, the sidewall or sheath construction 40 would be retained and be reused, but the media pack 31 would be replaced.
Referring to
A variety of specific configurations and orientations for the seal member can be used. An example would be mounting the seal member on a portion of the impermeable sheath construction 40 itself, for example on a flange integral with a remainder of the sheath construction 40. Another example would be mounting the seal member 45a on a frame piece 51, as shown, which is itself adhered to, welded to or otherwise secured to, a remainder of the impermeable sheath construction 40. A third example would be mounting the seal member directly on the media 31; and a fourth would be mounting the seal member on a frame which is attached directly to the media 31 and not to the sheath 40.
Referring to
The seal member 45a can be permanently attached to the framework 51 or it can be removably secured thereto. An example of permanent attachment, would be a molding of the seal member, for example from a foamed polyurethane material, directly onto the framework 46 for the seal arrangement 45. Another type of permanent attachment, would be attachment with an adhesive.
If a molding operation is used to secure the seal member 45a to the framework 51, and an issue is perceived with respect to adherence of the molded seal material to the material of the framework piece 51, an arrangement can be made to provide for mechanical interlock. For example, apertures can be placed in a portion of the framework 51, allowing the moldable polymer to flow therethrough and provide for mechanical interlock after care or set, or various flange arrangements or other structures can be used to facilitate mechanical interlock.
An example of non-permanent attachment, would be a removable o-ring or similar structure positioned within groove 46.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
For the particular arrangement depicted, the projections 68, 69 (68a, 69a) are pins generally circular in cross-section, although alternate configurations can be used. It is noted that pin 68 is located closer to outlet face 33 than is pin 69 (similarly pin 68a is closer to outlet face 33 than is pin 69a). Advantage from this will be understood from descriptions below.
Herein projections 68, 69 will sometimes be referred to as having different axial spacing from end 33 or seal arrangement 45. The term “axial spacing” in this context is meant to refer to an axial distance from the face 33 or seal arrangement 45. The indication of “difference,” is simply meant to indicate the two projections, 68, 69, have a different amount of spacing from face 33 or seal arrangement 46. A similar mirror image arrangement would be case for projections 68a, 69a.
In addition, projections 68, 69 are sometimes referenced herein as having different “vertical” spacing. Here reference is meant to the orientation of
The particular number of projections from each side, is not critical. Utilization of two projections from side 70 and side 71 is convenient, although alternatives are possible. Indeed in some arrangements a single projection from each side may be used. However, the preferred arrangement 30 includes two spaced pins, as shown.
Preferably the vertical spacing between the pins 68 and 69 (or 68a and 69a) on one side, is at least 20% of the length of that associated side of the cartridge, for example pins 68 and 69 are preferably spaced apart vertically by a distance corresponding to at least 20% of the length of side 70. Most preferably the spacing is at least 30% of the length of the associated side.
Referring to
Referring to
In this context, the term “front” in reference to “front edge 91” or in an analogous context, is meant to refer to an edge which faces projections 68, 69 (or 68a, 69a) of cartridge 30, during use. The term “rear edge” is meant to refer to an oppositely directed edge.
Rear edge 92 is preferably straight (linear) and is preferably directed perpendicularly to a cross section (across air flow direction) of housing 10. Front edge 91, positioned oppositely of edge 92, is preferably contoured and not straight (linear), in this instance having edge sections 91a, 91b and 91c. For the arrangement shown, sections 91a and 91c are straight (linear) and generally define lines parallel to one another and substantially parallel to edge 92, whereas section 91b is a transition section extending between sections 91c and 91a; section 91b having curved ends to join sections 91a, 91c, and a straight center non-parallel to edge 92. Section 91b can be viewed as a ramp section. Edge section 91c is spaced further from edge 92 than is edge section 91a. In some instances, sections 91a and 91c can be angled slightly forwardly, toward end 16, in extension upwardly toward base 89, to cause some cam effect.
Blade 86 is similarly constructed and is positioned on cover 11 as a mirror image to blade 85. Thus edge 86 includes base 96. Blade 97 has opposite edges 98 and 99 and tip 100, with edge 98 being preferably straight and perpendicular to air flow, and with edge 99 being opposite edge 98 and generally having a contoured shape, in this instance with three sections 99a, 99b and 99c corresponding generally to sections 91a, 91b, and 91c of blade 90, respectively. The blades 85, 86 are generally spaced apart from one another a distance such that a filter cartridge 30,
Herein, contoured edges 91, 99 of the blade 90, 97 will sometimes be referred to as the filter cartridge engagement edges. The filter cartridge engagement edges 91, 99 will sometimes be characterized as having a shape which allows for a biasing action, to move the cartridge 30 toward a seal position, as the cover 11 is put in position. The preferred shape shown tends to increase the biasing, as the cover 11 is positioned. This shape, sometimes referenced as a contoured shape, generally refers to a non-linear overall shape which will bias, axially, the cartridge 30 as the blade is slid along a portion of the cartridge 30. Preferably the contoured edges 91, 99 include upper sections (91c, 99c) which are positioned axially toward the outlet end 33, and seal arrangement 45, at least 0.25 cm further than other, lower, sections (91a, 99a). Herein, the term “upper” in this context referring to the orientation of
Thus, preferably the blades 90, 97 have front edges 91, 99 shaped for preferred biasing engagement with the filter cartridge 30.
Preferably opposite edges of the blades, in this instance 92, 98, which are directed toward the inlet end of the air cleaner 10, are straight and non-contoured. However alternate configurations for these edges can be used.
Of course a reverse orientation could be used, if it was decided that the seal of the filter cartridge should be against the upstream end, instead of the downstream end, of the housing.
It is noted that is some embodiments it may be desirable to put a second seal on the cartridge 40 at an opposite end from the seal arrangement 45, analogously to what was done in some of the arrangements of U.S. Provisionals 60/446,804 and 60/457,255 referenced above.
Operation of the biasing and lock mechanism 65 can be understood by reference to
After the cartridge 30 is positioned in place, the access cover 11 would be applied to the remainder of the housing 10, with blade projection 85, 86, extending downwardly into an interior of the housing 10. The contoured edges of the blades 90, 97, respectively, would be directed toward the projection arrangement 67. As the contoured edge 99 is passed (slid) along first the pin 68a and then along the pin 69a (and the corresponding pins 68, 67 on the opposite side of the cartridge 30 are encountered by edge 91), the cartridge 30 will be biased axially in the general direction of arrow 61, and into sealing engagement against a portion of the housing 10. The opposite straight edges 98, 92,
With respect to this, attention is directed to
The cartridge 30 can be provided with a handle, not shown, thereon, for convenient handling if desired. It is anticipated that typically the cartridge 30 will be positioned within the housing interior 27 before the access panel 11 is attached. However, the access panel 11 and cartridge 10 can be positioned simultaneously, if desired.
It is noted that the projections 68 and 69 can be provided and secured in a variety of matters, including by adhesive attachment, welding or by mechanical connection or other means as appropriate for the particular materials selected. Also, they can be molded or be cast integrally with, and as a portion of, the sheath 40. When separately made, the projections 68, 69 can be constructed from a moldable material such as a hard plastic, or they can be manufactured from metal.
The particular configurations of the projections 68, 69 shown in
In
The housing outlet end 26,
A variety of different seal types can be utilized for the engagement between the seal member 46 on a cartridge 30, and the seal surface at end 26 of the housing 10. The particular arrangement shown for
Alternates, discussed below in connection with
The axial seal may be made from a compressible foam material, for example Durometer Shore A 12-30, that will reduce in thickness when compressed axially. It may alternatively be made from a harder rubber-like material, such as a solid rubber o-ring. Typically it would be preferred that the seal member be compressible and that it compress at least 0.3 mm in thickness, and typically more, when used. This will allow for a convenient sealing.
Referring to
Attention is now directed to
Media shown in
Those ends of the flutes which are closed, are shown in
A variety of alternate z-filter media configurations to that shown in
The media may comprise a variety of materials. The particular media choice would depend upon the particular application of use involved. Typically non-woven fibrous constructions, comprising cellulose fibers, synthetic fibers or mixtures of the two, would be used. In some instances a surface application, such as a fine fiber application, can be used for preferred efficiency.
II. An Alternate (Radial) Seal Approach FIGS. 10 and 11Alternately to the axial seal approach described above in connection with
The particular radial seal depicted in
In
Radial seal arrangements are described in detail, for example, in the two provisional applications 60/446,804 and 60/457,255, identified above and incorporated herein by reference. The techniques for radial sealing described therein, can be used for the arrangements described herein.
III. Concluding ObservationsFrom the above detailed descriptions, a general understanding of certain preferred principles presented herein is understood. It is noted that the principles can be used together, to form a preferred air cleaner. However selected ones of the principles can be used in various alternate arrangements, if desired.
Among the principles disclosed, is a biasing and lock arrangement which utilizes two depending blades, at opposite sides of a filter cartridge, with an edge of each blade being contoured, instead of simply straight; preferably in the shape shown. The contouring can be used to provide an advantageous biasing to a cartridge member, during positioning of the blades. Preferably a rear end of the blades is straight, and is positioned to engage projections permanently mounted in the housing, for convenience.
A preferred arrangement of contouring is shown, which utilizes two straight sections separated by a third section. The two straight sections are preferably axially spaced, with respect to one another, within the air cleaner. Also, the two straight sections are preferably such as to define lines parallel to one another.
A preferred filter cartridge arrangement is also described. The filter cartridge arrangement generally includes a z-filter media pack surrounded by a sidewall construction. Preferably the sidewall construction has a generally rectangular or square shape, with rounded corners, although alternatives are possible.
Projection arrangements are provided on opposite sides of the sidewall. The projection arrangements preferably comprise posts. Most preferably on each side, at least two posts are spaced axially and vertically from one another, for engagement with sections of biasing and lock blades. This type of positioning can be used to not only help bias the cartridge into position for sealing and to retain it there, but also to ensure that the cartridge is properly positioned within the housing but not improperly installed.
A variety of seal arrangements for the cartridge to the housing are possible. One approach described is using an axial seal contained on the cartridge pressed against a portion of a housing sidewall, axially, in use. Alternatively radial seal approaches can be used.
In general methods of assembly and use are described. Methods of use would involve the steps of inserting the cartridges described, and then applying the biasing lock blade during closure of the air cleaner. Methods of assembly would generally involve assembling the various components, for example in the specific configurations described.
Claims
1. An air filter cartridge arrangement comprising:
- (a) a media pack having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end; (i) the media pack including fluted media oriented with flutes extending in a direction between the inlet end and the outlet end; and,
- (b) a sidewall arrangement having first and second sides with the media pack positioned therebetween; (i) the sidewall arrangement including a pair of first and second, axially and vertically spaced, projections on the first side; (A) axial spacing between the first and second projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and, (B) vertical spacing between the first and second projection comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and, (ii) the sidewall arrangement including a pair of third and fourth, axially and vertically spaced, projections on the second side; (A) axial spacing between the third and fourth projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and, (B) vertical spacing between the third and fourth projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end.
2. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the first, second, third and fourth projections each have a circular cross-section.
3. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the media pack comprises a plurality of inlet flutes open adjacent the inlet end and closed adjacent the outlet end; and,
- (b) the media pack comprises a plurality of outlet flutes closed adjacent the inlet end and open adjacent the outlet end.
4. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the media pack comprises fluted media secured to a facing media.
5. An air filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein:
- (a) the media pack comprises a continuous strip of fluted media secured to facing media and coiled.
6. An air filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
- (a) the media pack has a rectangular configuration with: a first pair of opposite, generally parallel, sides; and, a second pair of opposite, generally parallel, sides; and, four rounded corners.
7. An air filter cartridge according to claim 6 wherein:
- (a) the sidewall arrangement surrounds the media pack.
8. An air filter cartridge according to claim 7 wherein:
- (a) the sidewall arrangement is an impermeable sheath.
9. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 including:
- (a) a first, primary, seal arrangement.
10. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
- (a) the first, primary, seal arrangement comprises an axial seal.
11. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
- (a) the first, primary, seal arrangement comprises a radial seal.
12. An air filter cartridge according to claim 11 wherein:
- (a) the first, primary, seal arrangement is an inside radial seal.
13. An air filter cartridge according to claim 11 wherein:
- (a) the first, primary, seal arrangement is an outside radial seal.
14. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the media pack comprises a stack of strips of fluted media secured to facing media.
15. An air cleaner arrangement including:
- (a) a housing having: a sidewall; an inlet end; and an outlet end; (i) the housing sidewall including an access cover removable from a remainder of the housing; and,
- (b) an air filter cartridge comprising: (i) a media pack having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end; (A) the media pack including fluted media oriented with flutes extending in a direction between the inlet and outlet ends of the media pack; and, (ii) a sidewall arrangement having first and second sides with the media pack positioned therebetween; (A) a sidewall arrangement including a pair of first and second, axially and vertically spaced, projections on the first side; (1) axial spacing between the first and second projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and opposite outlet end of the media pack; and, (2) vertical spacing between the first and second projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end of the media pack; and, (B) the sidewall arrangement including a pair of third and fourth, axially and vertically spaced, projections on the second side; (1) axial spacing between the third and fourth projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and opposite outlet end of the media pack; and, (2) vertical spacing between the third and fourth projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end of the media pack; and,
- (c) first and second biasing and lock blades secured to the access cover and projecting along opposite sides of the air filter cartridge; (i) the air filter cartridge being removably positioned in the housing; (ii) the first biasing and lock blade having a non-straight, contoured, forward edge in engagement with the first and second projections; and, (iii) the second biasing and lock blade having a non-straight, contoured, forward edge in engagement with the third and fourth projections; and, (iv) the forward edges of the biasing and lock blades engaging the filter cartridge to secure the filter cartridge in a sealing orientation.
16. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 15 wherein:
- (a) the first biasing and lock blade has a straight, rear, edge opposite the contoured front edge; and
- (b) the second biasing and lock blade has a straight, rear, edge opposite the contoured front edge;
- (c) the straight rear edges of the first and second biasing and lock arrangement being in contact with posts positioned on the housing sidewall and inside the housing.
17. An engine intake system comprising:
- (a) an engine
- (b) a turbocharger; and,
- (c) an air cleaner arrangement positioned downstream from the turbocharger; the air cleaner arrangement comprising; (i) a housing having: a sidewall; an inlet end and an outlet end; (A) the housing sidewall including an access cover removable from a remainder of the housing; and, (ii) an air filter cartridge comprising: (A) a media pack having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end; (1) the media pack including fluted media oriented with flutes extending in a direction between the inlet and outlet ends of the media pack; and, (B) a sidewall arrangement having first and second sides with the media pack positioned therebetween; (1) the sidewall arrangement including a pair of first and second, axially and vertically spaced, projections an the first side; axial spacing between the first and second projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and opposite outlet end of the media pack; and, vertical spacing between the first and second projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end of the media pack; and, (2) the sidewall arrangement including a pair of third and fourth, axially and vertically spaced, projections an the second side; axial spacing between the third and fourth projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and opposite outlet end of the media pack; and, vertical spacing between the third and fourth projections comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end of the media pack.
18. An air filter cartridge arrangement comprising:
- (a) a media pack having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end;
- (b) a sidewall arrangement having first and second sides with the media pack positioned therebetween; (i) the sidewall arrangement including a first projection arrangement extending from the first side in a direction away from the first side, the first projection arrangement comprising first and second, axially and vertically spaced, contact locations; (A) axial spacing between the first and second contact locations comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and (B) vertical spacing between the first and second contact locations comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and (ii) the sidewall arrangement including a second projection arrangement extending from the second side in a direction away from the second side, the second projection arrangement comprising third and fourth, axially and vertically spaced, contact locations; (A) axial spacing between the third and fourth contact locations comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and (B) vertical spacing between the third and fourth contact locations comprising spacing in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the direction between the inlet end and the opposite outlet end; and
- (c) a primary seal arrangement.
19. An air filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
- (a) the media pack has a non-circular cross-section.
20. An air filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
- (a) the sidewall arrangement surrounds the media pack.
21. An air filter cartridge according to claim 20 wherein:
- (a) the sidewall construction is an impermeable sheath.
22. An air filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement comprises an axial seal.
23. An air filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement comprises a radial seal.
24. An air filter cartridge according to claim 23 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement is an inside radial seal.
25. An air filter cartridge according to claim 23 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement is an outside radial seal.
26. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 18 wherein:
- (a) the first and second contact locations each comprise a surface perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis extending through the media pack from the inlet end to the outlet end; and
- (b) the third and fourth contact locations each comprise a surface perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis extending through the media pack from the inlet end to the outlet end.
27. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 18 wherein:
- (a) the vertical spacing between the first and second contact locations comprises at least 20% of the length of first side of the sidewall arrangement; and
- (b) the vertical spacing between the third and fourth contact locations comprises at least 20% of the length of second side of the sidewall arrangement.
28. An air cleaner arrangement including:
- (a) a housing having: a sidewall; an inlet end; and an outlet end; (i) the housing sidewall including an access cover removable from a remainder of the housing;
- (b) an air filter cartridge installed in a sealing orientation within the housing and comprising: (i) a media pack having an inlet end and an opposite outlet end; (ii) a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall with the media pack positioned therebetween; (A) the first sidewall comprises a first projection arrangement and the second sidewall comprises a second projection arrangement;
- (c) first and second biasing and lock blades secured to the access cover and projecting along the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the air filter cartridge; (i) the air filter cartridge being removably positioned in the housing; (ii) the first biasing and lock blade having a non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge engagement edge is constructed to engage the first projection arrangement of the first sidewall so that the air filter cartridge is provided in the sealing orientation within the housing when the access cover is installed on the housing; (iii) the second biasing and lock blade having a non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge engagement edge, wherein the non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge engagement edge is constructed to engage the second projection arrangement of the second sidewall so that the air filter cartridge is provided in the sealing orientation within the housing when the access cover is installed on the housing;
- (d) the projection arrangement on the first sidewall comprises a first contact location and a second contact location for engaging the first biasing and lock blade, wherein one of the first contact location or the second contact location is located closer to the housing outlet than the other of the first contact location or the second contact location when the air filter cartridge is installed in the sealing orientation; and
- (e) the projection arrangement on the second sidewall comprises a third contact location and a fourth contact location for engaging the second biasing and lock blade, wherein one of the third contact location or the fourth contact location is located closer to the housing outlet than the other of the third contact location or the fourth contact location when the air filter cartridge is installed in the sealing orientation.
29. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 28 wherein:
- (a) the non-straight, contoured filter engagement edge of the first biasing and lock blade is a front edge; and
- (b) the non-straight, contoured filter engagement edge of the second biasing and lock blade is a front edge.
30. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 28 wherein:
- (a) the non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge edge of the first biasing and lock blade is constructed to engage the projection arrangement at the first contact location and at the second contact location offset by a distance of at least 20% of the length of the first sidewall; and
- (b) the non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge edge of the second biasing and lock blade is constructed to engage the projection arrangement at the third contact location and at the fourth contact location offset by a distance of at least 20% of the length of the second sidewall.
31. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 28 wherein:
- (a) the media pack has a non-circular cross-section.
32. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 28 including:
- (a) a primary seal arrangement.
33. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 32 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement comprises an axial seal.
34. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 32 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement comprises a radial seal.
35. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 34 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement is an inside radial seal.
36. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 34 wherein:
- (a) the primary seal arrangement is an outside radial seal.
37. An air cleaner arrangement according to claim 28 wherein:
- (a) the non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge edge of the first biasing and lock blade engages the projection arrangement of the first sidewall at the first contact location and at the second contact location when the air filter cartridge is provided in the sealing orientation within the housing; and
- (b) the non-straight, contoured, filter cartridge edge of the second biasing and lock blade engages the projection arrangement of the second sidewall at the third contact location and at the fourth contact location when the air filter cartridge is provided in the sealing orientation within the housing.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 3, 2013
Date of Patent: Jun 30, 2015
Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
Inventors: Randall Allen Engelland (Farmington, MN), Thomas Richard Olson (Prior Lake, MN), Gary Ray Gillingham (Prior Lake, MN), Jim C. Rothman (Burnsville, MN), Richard Lawrence Suydam (River Falls, WI)
Primary Examiner: Robert Clemente
Application Number: 13/935,307
International Classification: B01D 46/52 (20060101); B01D 46/00 (20060101); F02M 35/024 (20060101); F02M 35/02 (20060101);