The present disclosure relates to fluid filter assemblies and, more particularly, to a filter cover assembly for use therein.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid filter assembly is provided comprising a filter can, a filter cover assembly, and an interior filtering assembly. The filter cover assembly is positioned over the open end of the filter can such that the filter can and the filter cover collectively bound an interior volume of the fluid filter assembly. The filter cover assembly comprises an outer cover plate and an inner mounting plate. The outer cover plate of the filter cover assembly comprises an outer circumferential mating portion, an inner circumferential mating portion, and a drawn-down portion extending between the outer circumferential mating portion and the inner circumferential mating portion. The outer circumferential mating portion of the outer cover plate is engaged with the circumferential can edge of the filter can. The inner circumferential mating portion of the outer cover plate is engaged with the inner mounting plate. The inner mounting plate comprises an inner fluid orifice in communication with the interior filtering assembly. The outer cover plate comprises a plurality of outer fluid orifices in communication with the interior filtering assembly. The drawn-down portion of the outer cover plate descends toward the interior volume of the fluid filter assembly for a majority of the cover plate expanse and exhibits a metallic grain structure that is stretched relative to the metallic grain structure of the inner and outer circumferential mating portions of the outer cover plate.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner mounting plate, which is separate and distinct from the outer cover plate, is provided with internal threads that define an axial engagement direction. The inner mounting plate is secured to a backside of the outer cover plate such that, upon rotational engagement of the internal threads of the inner mounting plate with a threaded fluid port, the inner mounting plate rotates with the filter can and the outer cover plate to advance in an axial engagement direction and forcibly urge the outer cover plate in the axial engagement direction from the backside of the outer cover plate.
Although the concepts of the present disclosure are described herein with primary reference to cylindrical can filters, such as those used to filter automotive engine oil, it is contemplated that the concepts will enjoy applicability to any type of fluid filter including, for example, hydraulic fluid filters, water filters, gasoline filters, fuel oil filters, transmission fluid filters, etc.
The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Referring specifically to
Referring further to
As is illustrated in
The inner circumferential mating portion 44 of the outer cover plate 40 is engaged with the inner mounting plate 50. The outer cover plate 40 defines a cover plate expanse 46 that extends from its outer circumferential mating portion 42 to its inner circumferential mating portion 44. The drawn-down portion 45 of the outer cover plate 40 descends toward the interior volume 15 of the fluid filter assembly 100 for a majority of the cover plate expanse 46 and exhibits a metallic grain structure that is stretched relative to the metallic grain structure of the outer and inner circumferential mating portions 42, 44 of the outer cover plate 40. The aforementioned descendancy may be substantially continuous; in which case, it is contemplated that the drawn-down portion 45 may comprise surface variations, like the aforementioned strengthening discontinuities and outer fluid orifices 41, that interrupt the descendancy of the drawn-down portion 45 of the outer cover plate 40. For the purposes of defining and describing the present invention, it is noted that the descendancy will be “substantially” continuous in these circumstances as long as the surface variations do not result in a change in the basic strengthening functionality of the drawn-down portion 45 of the outer cover plate 40.
It is contemplated that the drawn-down portion 45 of the outer cover plate 40 may be formed by deep drawing, which is a manufacturing process in which sheet metal is progressively formed into a three-dimensional shape through the mechanical action of a die forming the metal around a punch. The deep draw metal stamping process work hardens the metal, resulting in a seamless finished part that is stronger than the base material. Deep drawing can produce precise and intricate, symmetrical or asymmetrical parts, and a variety of conventional and yet-to-be developed deep drawing techniques may be utilized to form outer cover plates according to the present disclosure. For example, and not by way of limitation, those practicing the concepts of the present disclosure may refer to conventional and yet-to-be developed teachings on deep draw manufacturing for teachings related to specific materials used in a deep draw process, characteristics of deep drawn stampings, types of deep draw presses, and information on deep draw station types.
Generally, it is noted that many different metals can be deep drawn including, for example, cold rolled steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum, and others. In one embodiment, the outer cover plate is fabricated from tin plated steel. Deep drawn metal stampings typically exhibit some wall thickness variation. For example, it is contemplated that the drawn-down portion 45 of the outer cover plate 40 may define a reduced thickness relative to the outer and inner circumferential mating portions 42, 44 of the outer cover plate 40. It is contemplated that this reduced thickness will typically be attributable to the draw down fabrication of the outer cover plate 40, as opposed to other aspects of the manufacturing processes used to form the filter cover assembly 30. Additionally, it is noted that, as raw material is formed into shapes through the deep drawing process, the grain structure is stretched and cold worked, which generates improved material strength properties. This work hardening results in a finished part that exhibits more strength than the base material used in its production.
Referring specifically to
As is illustrated in
Referring to
The internal threads of the inner mounting plate 50 define an axial engagement direction and the inner mounting plate 50 is secured to a backside of the outer cover plate 40 such that, upon rotational engagement of the internal threads of the inner mounting plate 50 with a threaded fluid port, the inner mounting plate 50 rotates with the filter can 10 and the outer cover plate 40 to advance in an axial engagement direction and forcibly urge the outer cover plate 40 in the axial engagement direction from the backside of the outer cover plate 40. This configuration helps ensure secure engagement of the inner mounting plate 50 to the outer cover plate 40.
It is noted that recitations herein of “a” component, “an” element, etc., should not be used to create an inference that the component, element, etc., is limited to a single occurrence thereof. For example, reference herein to “an” inner fluid orifice should not be interpreted to denote the presence of only a single inner fluid orifice, as more may be provided.
It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the present disclosure being “configured” in a particular way, to embody a particular property, or to function in a particular manner, are structural recitations, as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.
It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically,” when utilized herein, are not utilized to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to identify particular aspects of an embodiment of the present disclosure or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.
For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms “substantially” and “about” are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
Having described the subject matter of the present disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is noted that the various details disclosed herein should not be taken to imply that these details relate to elements that are essential components of the various embodiments described herein, even in cases where a particular element is illustrated in each of the drawings that accompany the present description. Further, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including, but not limited to, embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these aspects.
It is noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term “wherein” as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining the present invention, it is noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should be interpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preamble term “comprising.”
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/028,515 entitled FLUID FILTER WITH FILTER MOUNTING COVER, filed Jul. 24, 2014.
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