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EP-3983109-B1 - FILTER ELEMENT HAVING POTTED GASKET END CAP ASSEMBLY

EP3983109B1EP 3983109 B1EP3983109 B1EP 3983109B1EP-3983109-B1

Inventors

  • IMMEL, JON T.
  • MOREHOUSE, DARRELL L., III
  • RIES, JEFFREY R.
  • RODRIGUEZ, JAVIER A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20200518

Claims (9)

  1. A filter element (200) comprising: a filter medium (210) having a first end (212) and a second end (214) opposite the first end (212) and a longitudinal axis (390) between the first end (212) and the second end (214); and at least one end cap assembly (150, 152) fixedly attached to at least one end (212, 214) of the filter medium (210), the at least one end cap assembly (150, 152) including: an end cap (400, 240) having a first toroidal shape with a filter element outlet (405) aligned with the longitudinal axis (390) and proximate to the at least one end (212, 214) of the filter medium (210), said end cap (400, 240) having a first surface (410), a second surface (420) opposite the first surface (410), an inner seal surface (430) adjacent the longitudinal axis (110) and an outer surface (440) connected thereto via the first and second surfaces (410, 420), a gasket (300) at least partially encapsulated within the end cap (400, 240), comprising: a first member (320) having a second toroidal shape concentric with the end cap (400, 240) with respect to the longitudinal axis (390), the first member (320) disposed radially apart from the end cap (400, 240) and the filter medium (210); a second member (310) having a third toroidal shape concentric with the first member (320), the second member (310) being disposed between the first member (320) and the longitudinal axis (390); and a plurality of arms (340) attaching the second member (310) to the first member (320) connecting the end cap (400, 240) with the first member (320), each arm (340) comprising a first portion (342) originating from the second member (310) and extending radially from the end cap (400, 240) and linearly to an intersection portion (346) and a second portion (344) extending axially from the intersection portion (346) to the first member (320), the second portion (344) angularly offset from the first portion (342); characterised in that the first member (320) is disposed axially between the end cap (400, 240) and the other end (214, 212) of the filter medium (210); the gasket (300) is formed from a flexible elastomeric material and the end cap (400, 250) is formed of a solid setting resin; the second member (310) and at least a part of the first portion (342) of each arm (340) is integrally encapsulated within the end cap (400, 240) between the surfaces (410, 420, 430, 440) of the first end cap (400) such that the end cap (400, 250) and gasket (300) form an inseparable body; and the first surface (410) of the first end cap (400) is engaged with the filter medium (210).
  2. The filter element (200) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the end cap (400, 240) is fixedly formed onto the at least one end (212, 214) of the filter element (200).
  3. The filter element (200) of claim 1, wherein the gasket (300) comprises at least a third member (330) between the second member (310) and the first member (320).
  4. The filter element (200) of claim 3, wherein the second member (310) and the third member (330) are coplanar.
  5. The filter element (200) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second member (310) comprises a plurality of raised surfaces (370) spaced about the longitudinal axis (390) equidistant from each other.
  6. The filter element (200) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first member (320) comprises a first engagement interface (352) on a first surface (355) adjacent to the at least one end (212, 214) of the filter medium (210) and a second engagement interface (354) on a second surface (357) opposite the first surface.
  7. The filter element of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (342) extends radially toward the intersection portion (346) from the end cap (400, 240), and the second portion (344) extends axially from the intersection portion (346) to the first member (320)
  8. The filter element (200) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (200) is a replaceable filter element (200) for use in a fluid filter system (100) of a machine, the fluid filter system comprising a container (700) and a base plate (500) for housing the filter element (200) within a filter element chamber (750) therebetween, wherein the first member (320) comprises a sealing means (750) configured to lockingly engage with the base plate (500) and the container (700) forming to seal the fluid filter system (100).
  9. The filter element (200) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (200) is a replaceable filter element (200) for use in a fluid filter system (100) of a machine, the fluid filter system comprising a container (700) and a base plate (500) for housing the filter element (200) within a filter element chamber (750) therebetween, wherein the plurality of arms (340) are configured to at least one of bend, flex, elongate, compress, or a combination thereof to align the filter element (200) with respect to the container (700) and base plate (500) by absorbing alignment discrepancies between at least the base plate (500) and the container (700).

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a filter element for fluid filter systems. Background Cartridge style fluid filters, such as, for example, fuel or lubricant filters associated with an engine, typically include a replaceable filter element contained within a canister that is threadingly engaged to the engine. Unfiltered fluid, e.g., fuel or lubricant, is received by the filter via an inlet port, particulates are removed from the unfiltered fluid via the filter element, and filtered fluid is delivered to the engine via an outlet port. The filter element often includes a generally cylindrical filter medium, e.g., fabric or other porous material, supported within the canister via one or more endcaps, such that unfiltered fluid flows through the filter medium in a generally radial direction. An endcap typically supports and/or positions the filter medium within the canister and with respect to the inlet and outlet ports. Fluid filters usually also include one or more seals that sealingly separate the inlet and outlet ports to reduce or eliminate unfiltered fluid from bypassing the filter medium. Typically, the filter elements of such fluid filters are frequently replaced to reduce pressure drop across the filter medium, avoid deterioration of the seals, and/or otherwise attempt to ensure the fluid filter operates as desired. To replace a filter element, the canister is usually unthreaded from the engine, the seals between the inlet and outlet flows are unseated, the old filter element is removed from the canister, a new filter element is inserted, and the canister is rethreaded on the engine. An operator replacing a filter cartridge might prime the canister with fluid to avoid and/or reduce entrapped air within the fluid system. This priming fluid is often previously used and/or unfiltered fluid and priming the canister may require great care to avoid priming fluid from being placed on the downstream side, i.e., the filtered fluid side, of the filter medium. Additionally, proper reseating of the seals, either the old seals or new seals, during filter cartridge replacement is desirable to provide sufficient sealing between the inlet and outlet ports and, thus, to reduce unfiltered fluid from bypassing the filter medium. Unfiltered and/or priming fluid downstream of the filter medium, either from insufficient sealing and/or from operator priming, may result in damage to one or more engine components during operation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,299 ("the 299 patent") issued to Brown et al. discloses a filter cartridge for use in a filter system. A pleated paper filter media is formed into a cylinder, and end caps at the axial ends of the cylinder hold the shape of the filter. Sealing gaskets are associated with the end caps. At least one side has a radial seal formed at the outer periphery of the filter cartridge to protect the associated end cap from a higher pressure region found at the outer periphery. The other axial end can have a similar radial filter in some applications, or in other applications, where flow at that end of the filter is not desired, can utilize an axial seal specially configured to protect the associated end cap from higher pressure at the outer periphery. Maintenance of lower pressure at the respective end caps places any axial loads on the filter in tension, and thereby prevents the application of axial crushing loads on the filter cartridge. US-B-6626299 is directed towards a filter cartridge for use in a filter system. A pleated paper filter media is formed into a cylinder and end caps at the axial ends of the cylinder hold the shape of the filter. Sealing gaskets are associated with the end caps. DE-A-102014001787 is directed towards a filter element with a hollow cylindrical radially permeable filter medium body. The filter medium body has an elastic film material on one end face and the radial outside of this material forms a sealing surface with which the filter element rests sealingly on the inner wall of the receiving filter housing. The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems discovered by the inventors. Summary A filter element for use in a fluid filter system is disclosed herein. The filter element comprises a filter medium having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and at least one end cap assembly fixedly attached to at least one end of the filter medium. The at least one end cap assembly including an end cap having a first toroidal shape with a filter element outlet aligned with the longitudinal axis and proximate to the at least one end of the filter medium and a gasket at least partially encapsulated within the end cap. The end cap has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, an inner seal surface adjacent the longitudinal axis and an outer surface connected thereto via the first and second surfaces. The gasket comprises a fi