TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to filter constructions for filtering fluids, such as liquids or gases. This particular disclosure concerns: straight through flow filter cartridges; safety filters; assemblies employing such filters; precleaners; and methods for use of, and assembly of, filter cartridges.

BACKGROUND

Straight through flow filters (filter elements or filter cartridges) have been used in various systems for filtering fluids such as gases or liquids. Straight through flow filters typically have an inlet face (or end) and an oppositely disposed outlet face (or end). During filtering, the fluid to be filtered flows in one direction upon entering the filter at the inlet face, and has the same general direction of flow as it exists the outlet face. Typically, a straight through flow filter is installed in housing, for use. After a period of use, the filter requires servicing, either through cleaning or complete replacement of the filter. A seal is necessary between the filter and a portion of the housing in which the filter is placed in use, to ensure proper filtering of the fluid flow through the arrangement.

Improvements in straight through flow filters, their assembly and their use are desirable.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a filter element or cartridge is provided. The filter element or cartridge in general has a straight through flow construction and comprises z-filter media. The filter element or cartridge includes a seal gasket.

A particular type of air filter cartridge is of concern to the present disclosure. In general, the air filter cartridge comprises: A media pack having first and second opposite flow faces; the media pack comprising a plurality of flutes extending in a direction between the inlet flow face and the outlet flow face; the media pack being closed to air entering the inlet flow face and passing outwardly from the outward flow face without filtering through media of the media pack; a frame mounted on the second flow face of the media pack; the frame includes a base member defining an air flow opening arrangement in communication with the second flow face; a seal support section extending from the base member along a perimeter of the air flow opening arrangement; first and second opposite and spaced blades extending from the base member and in a different direction from the base member as the seal support section; the first and second blades are embedded within the media pack through the second flow face; and a seal member is oriented against the seal support section.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the media pack comprises a stack of strips of single facer filter media material, each strip including a fluted media sheet secured to a facing media sheet and oriented with flutes of each fluted sheet extending in a direction between the first and second opposite flow faces. In one arrangement, the first blade extends from the base member into the media pack between adjacent strips of single facer media. The second blade extends from the base member into the media pack between adjacent strips of single facer media.

In one arrangement, the media pack has first and second opposite sides extending between the first and second opposite flow faces. The cartridge can further include a first side panel secured to the first side of the media pack and a second side panel secured to the second side of the media pack.

Preferably, the first and second blades are connected only by an intervening portion of the base.

In another aspect, a filter cartridge and cassette assembly is provided. In general, the assembly includes a filter cartridge and a cassette. At least a portion of the filter cartridge is removably oriented in the interior volume of the cassette.

The filter cartridge includes a media pack of z-filter media, and a seal member secured to the media pack. One example cassette includes a surrounding wall defining an open interior volume, a plurality of lugs extending from the exterior surfaces of the first and second side walls. The first flow face of the filter cartridge opposes the at least one cross-piece of the first open end of the cassette. In one example, the seal member is outside of the cassette and adjacent to the second open end of the cassette.

In one example, there is at least one cross-piece extending over a first open end and in engagement with the surrounding wall

In another aspect, an air cleaner is provided. The air cleaner includes a housing including a surrounding housing-wall defining an open interior, an inlet arrangement, and an outlet arrangement which are at opposite ends of the housing; the housing defining an access opening in communication with the open interior; the surrounding housing-wall defining a plurality of opposing receiving grooves, each of the grooves being in open communication with the access opening and being located closer to the outlet arrangement than to the inlet arrangement.

A cover is removably secured to the housing over the access opening. A filter cartridge and cassette assembly is operably oriented for selective removal within the open interior between the inlet arrangement and the outlet arrangement. The filter cartridge includes a media pack having first and second opposite flow faces and comprising a plurality of flutes extending in a direction between the inlet flow face and the outlet flow face, the media pack being closed to air entering the inlet flow face and passing outwardly from the outlet flow face without filtering flow through media of the media pack, and a seal member secured to the media pack which forms a releasable seal with a sealing surface in the housing.

The cassette includes a surrounding cassette-wall defining an open interior volume therewithin. The cassette-wall has first and second opposite open ends in communication with the interior volume. The cassette-wall has first and second opposite side walls defining an interior surface in communication with the interior volume and an opposite exterior surface. The second open end is an opening sized to permit the filter cartridge to be operably inserted and removed from the interior volume of the cassette. A plurality of lugs extend from the exterior surfaces of the first and second side walls. Each lug of the plurality of lugs is positioned within a respective one of the receiving grooves. At least a portion of the filter cartridge is removably oriented in the interior volume of the cassette. The first flow face is located adjacent to the first opening end of the cassette, and the seal member is outside of the cassette and adjacent to the second open end of the cassette.

In one example embodiment, the cover further includes a grip projecting from a remaining portion of the cover and extending over a portion of the inlet arrangement. In one example, the cassette further includes a cassette-handle sized to accommodate at least a portion of a human hand. The cassette-handle projects from the cassette-wall.

Preferably, the cover has an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface, in which the interior surface includes a receiver that contains at least a portion of the cassette-handle when the filter cartridge and cassette assembly are operably oriented within the housing interior and when the cover is secured over the access opening.

In one example embodiment, a safety element is removably sealed between the filter cartridge and the outlet arrangement.

In one example embodiment, the inlet arrangement includes a precleaner, which comprises a plurality of centrifugal separator tubes.

In another aspect, a method of installing a filter cartridge into an air cleaner is provided. The method includes providing a filter cartridge including a media pack having first and second opposite flow faces. The media pack comprises a plurality of flutes extending in a direction between the inlet flow face and the outlet flow face. The media pack is closed to air entering the inlet flow face and passing outwardly from the outlet flow face without filtering flow through media of the media pack. A seal member is secured to the media pack.

There is a step of providing a cassette having a surrounding cassette-wall, with lugs projecting from an exterior portion of the cassette-wall, and a handle extending from the cassette-wall. Next, the filter cartridge is oriented partially into an interior of the cassette so that the seal member is outside of the cassette to provide a filter cartridge and cassette assembly. The filter cartridge and cassette assembly are oriented into an access opening in an air cleaner housing. The access opening is between an air cleaner inlet arrangement and an air cleaner outlet arrangement.

While orienting the filter cartridge and cassette assembly in the access opening, there is a step of orienting the lugs into a grooves in the housing adjacent to the air cleaner outlet arrangement. Next, the handle is grasped to move the filter cartridge and cassette assembly so that the seal member is urged against a sealing surface in the housing to form a releasable seal.

Herein, a variety of features, arrangements and techniques are provided that can be incorporated into air cleaner arrangements, to advantage. Selected ones of the techniques features arrangements can be utilized, to advantage. Together, some particularly preferred arrangements are provided. However, it is not a requirement that all filter elements or assemblies must incorporate all advantageous features herein to obtain benefit and advantage according to the present disclosure. The individual features, techniques, and advantages can be selected and be selectively combined for various alternate arrangements.

