Patent Application
20230256362
The present application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 201741037236, filed Oct. 21, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present application relates to filtration systems. More particularly, the present application relates to fluid filtration systems having a replaceable filter element.
Fluid filtration systems are used to provide clean fluid to a device. For example, internal combustion engines may have multiple filtration systems to provide clean fuel, clean oil, and clean fluid (e.g., liquid, air, hydraulic, etc.) to the various components of the internal combustion engines. Each filtration system generally includes a filter element having a filter media that filters the fluid. Some filtration systems, such as fuel and oil filtration systems, often use replaceable filter elements that require periodic filter element replacement services to ensure proper filtration of the fluids. In some filtration systems, the filter element can remain immersed in the fluid to be filtered even when not in use. For example, after operation of an internal combustion engine has ceased, residual fuel to be filtered by a fuel filter element may remain in the filter element housing. In such situations, the residual fuel may spill from the filtration system during removal of the housing (e.g., removal of a housing that contains the filter element) or removal of the filter element from the housing during a service operation to change the filter element.
Filter elements (e.g., filter cartridges) often include a seal member that is compressed against a component of the filtration system housing or another portion of the filtration system. The seal member forms a seal between the filtration system housing and the filter element, thereby preventing fluid from bypassing the filter elements (e.g., for air to bypass an air filter element or liquid to bypass a liquid filter element). If an improper filter element (i.e., a non-authorized or non-genuine filter element) is installed in a filtration system, or if the proper filter element is installed incorrectly, the seal member of the filter element may not form a proper seal, and fluid may bypass the filter element, causing damage to downstream components or a drop in operating pressure. Accordingly, the installation of an improper filter element can harm critical components in the filtration system, cause improper sealing, diminish emission compliance mechanisms, cause subpar performance, and the like.
One example embodiment relates to a filtration system. The filtration system includes a housing having a drain. A filter element is positioned within the housing. The filter element includes a first endplate and a second endplate. Filter media is positioned between the first endplate and second endplate. A dual lip seal member is coupled to the second endplate. The dual lip seal member comprises a first protrusion that extends radially outward around an outer surface of the dual lip seal member. A second protrusion extends radially outward around the outer surface of the dual lip seal member. The dual lip seal member is configured to prevent fluid to be filtered from exiting the housing through the drain when the filter element is in an installed position. The dual lip seal member permits residual fluid to exit the housing through the drain when the filter element is displaced from the installed position.
Another example embodiment relates to a filter element. The filter element includes a first endplate and a second endplate. Filter media is positioned between the first endplate and second endplate. A dual lip seal member is coupled to the second endplate. The dual lip seal member comprises a first protrusion that extends radially outward around an outer surface of the dual lip seal member. A second protrusion extends radially outward around the outer surface of the dual lip seal member. The dual lip seal member is configured to prevent fluid to be filtered from exiting through a drain when the filter element is in an installed position in a housing. The dual lip seal member permits residual fluid to exit through the drain when the filter element is displaced from the installed position.
These and other features, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
Referring to the figures generally, various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a filtration system with a filter element that includes a dual lip seal (e.g., a dual lip seal member) that functions as an anti-drain seal. The dual lip seal member prevents fluid (e.g., fuel) being filtered from flowing back to a fluid storage tank (e.g., a fuel tank) through a drain in the filter housing when the filter element is in an installed position within the filter housing. Stated differently, the dual lip seal member prevents the dirty (e.g., yet to be filtered) fluid traveling through the inlet from flowing into the fluid storage tank. Further, the configuration of the dual lip seal member with the filter housing allows fluid to flow back to the fluid storage tank when the filter element is being removed from the filter housing (e.g., during a filter change service). Additionally, the dual lip seal member prevents fuel on the dirty side (e.g., inlet) of the filter element from entering a water sump of the filtration system, thereby eliminating the need for a separate seal member. Non-compatible filter elements without the dual lip seal member will permit fluid to return to the fluid tank when the non-compatible filter element is installed in the filtration system. Since the fuel returns to the tank when the engine is off, the lack of fuel will cause a hard engine start when the engine is being restarted. Accordingly, the dual lip seal member also functions as an engine integrity protection mechanism, helping to ensure that an installed filter element is genuine (i.e., authorized, Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”) approved, etc.). Thus, the dual lip seal member performs multiple functions (anti-drain back to tank functions, draining functions, and engine integrity protection functions), thereby reducing the cost over traditional filter elements that require three separate components for each of the functions.
Referring to
The filter element 104 includes a first endplate 108, a second endplate 110, filter media 112, and the dual lip seal member 102. The filter element 104 may be a cylindrical filter element with similarly shaped components. The filter media 112 includes an inner clean (e.g., filtered fuel) side 116 and an outer dirty (e.g. unfiltered fuel) side 114. Accordingly, the filter element 104 is an outside-in flow filter element. In an alternative arrangement, the filter element 104 is an inside-out flow filter element having an inner dirty side 114 and an outer clean side 116. Fluid to be filtered passes from the dirty side 114 of the filter media 112 to the clean side of the filter media 112. The filter media 112 may include any of paper-based filter media, fiber-based filter media, foam-based filter media, or the like. The filter media 112 is disposed between the first endplate 108 and the second endplate 110.
As shown in
The filter element 104 further includes a second endplate 110 coupled to a second, bottom end of the filter media 112. In some embodiments, the second endplate 110 includes a central opening. The central opening is sized and shaped to receive a component of a filtration system (e.g., a standpipe) when the filter element 104 is installed in an operating position within the filtration system. In other embodiments, the central opening is in fluid communication with a water sump. The first endplate 108 may also include a central opening. The central opening may route fluid and air to a component (e.g., to an internal combustion engine). The central opening may be configured to be in fluid communication with a center housing portion 126 of the housing 106.
The filter element 104 includes a dual lip seal member 102. The dual lip seal member 102 is configured as an anti-drain dual lip seal member. The dual lip seal member 102 includes a central opening 120, a first protrusion 122, and a second protrusion 124. The dual lip seal member 102 comprises a cylindrical seal member with the first protrusion 122 and second protrusion 124 being disposed around the outer surface of the seal member 102. The dual lip seal member 102 is disposed adjacent to the drain passage 118 in the housing 106 that is in fluid communication with the fluid storage tank (not shown). The dual seal member may be formed concentrically (e.g., having a common center) with the filtration system 100 or eccentrically (e.g., not having a common center) with the filtration system 100 (as shown below in
The first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 124 provide a radial seal with both the top and bottom side of the second endplate 110. Beneficially in a particular embodiment, the dual lip seal member 102 includes two different lip seal diameters, as the first protrusion 122 has a first diameter and the second protrusion 124 has a second diameter. Accordingly, the diameters of the first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 124 may be adjusted to provide ease of installation of the filter element 104 into the housing 106. This ensures that the assembly of the filter element 104 and housing 106 is successful only when the filter element 104 and housing 106 are properly aligned (e.g., sealed). In some embodiments, the first diameter and the second diameter may be substantially similar. In other embodiments, the first diameter and the second diameter are different diameters.
As shown in
Referring to
Accordingly, when the filter element 104 is received in the installed position within the filtration system (i.e., within the housing 106 when both the housing 106 and the filter element 104 are secured to the filter mounting head 103), the dual lip seal member 102 forms a radially directed seal between the housing 106 and the first protrusion 122 and the second protrusion 124 and the housing 106. The dual lip seal member 102 prevents the fluid from exiting the housing 106 through the drain passage 118. During servicing of the filter element 104 (e.g., during filter element replacement) by a technician, the technician first removes the housing 106 from the filter mounting head 103. In doing so, the housing 106 is displaced relative to the filter element 104.
As mentioned above, the dual lip seal member 102 provides clean servicing (e.g., when the dirty fuel is drained to the tank). By way of example, the housing 106 is removed (e.g., spun off) from a filter mounting head and the filter element 104 remains attached to the filter mounting head 103 through the retention tabs (e.g., as discussed above with respect to
Referring to
It should be noted that any use of the term “exemplary” herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Additionally, features from particular embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201741037236 | Oct 2017 | IN | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16755957 | Apr 2020 | US |
| Child | 18140230 | US |
