Abstract:
A filter element for fuel, oil or other engine fluids, with an endplate that is designed to create flow paths for both clean and dirty regions. The filter element is part of a spin-on filter that is attachable to a filter head in an engine and that filters fuel, oil or other engine fluids. A pre-fill cap can be integrally incorporated onto the endplate to permit pre-filling and installation without removing components.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    A filter element, and a filter that includes the filter element, for fuel, oil or other engine fluids, with an endplate that is designed to create flow paths for both clean and dirty regions. 
         [0002]    BACKGROUND 
         [0003]    It is known that engine filters have an inlet flow path for dirty fluid that needs to be filtered, and an outlet flow path for clean fluid that has been filtered by the filter media of the filter. The inlet and outlet flow paths are typically sealed from each other to prevent dirty fluid from entering the outlet flow path and mixing with the clean fluid which can degrade downstream components. In spin-on filters, the inlet and outlet flow paths are typically at the same end of the filter, and in many spin-on designs, the inlet and outlet flow paths are defined by a nutplate of the filter. 
         [0004]    In some fuel filters, it is advantageous to pre-fill the dirty side of the filter with dirty fuel. To permit pre-filling, it is known to supply a cap that is used to close off the clean fuel outlet during pre-filling, with the cap then being discarded. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A filter element, and a filter that includes the filter element, for fuel, oil or other engine fluids, is described that includes an endplate that is designed to create flow paths for both clean and dirty regions. 
         [0006]    In one particular embodiment, the filter element is part of a spin-on filter that is attachable to a filter head in an engine and that filters fuel, oil or other engine fluids. However, the concepts described herein can be applied to other types of filters, attachable to other attachment structures and that filter other fluids. 
         [0007]    In the case of a fuel filter, a pre-fill cap can be integrally incorporated onto the endplate to permit pre-filling and installation within removing components. 
         [0008]    A protruding component on the end endplate works in conjunction with a nutplate of the filter housing to create flow paths, for example inlet flow paths for dirty fluid to be filtered. A separate sleeve on the endplate forms a separate flow path, for example an outlet flow path for fluid that has been filtered. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the top endplate can have external ribs that separate the endplate from the nutplate and allow flow of the dirty fluid around the filter cartridge. The clean fluid would then be diverted around a region that essentially blocks incoming flow from the clean side but still allows clean fluid out. The one piece molded endplate would have a top projecting portion that would interface with a female port in the filter head. The one-piece endplate design would define flow paths past the nutplate, a male protruding flow passage, as well as an o-ring groove for sealing. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a filter element that is applicable to different fluid applications, including fuel and lubrication oil, includes a ring of filtration media having a first end and a second end and circumscribing a central cavity. A first endplate is sealingly attached to the first end of the filtration media, and a second endplate is sealingly attached to the second end of the filtration media. The second endplate includes a sleeve extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the first endplate, and the sleeve defines a fluid flow passageway through the second endplate that is in fluid communication with the central cavity. In one embodiment of an outside-in flow filter element, the fluid flow passageway formed by the sleeve is a clean fluid outlet for filtered fluid. However, the filter element could be configured for inside-out flow as well, in which case the fluid flow passageway in the sleeve can be a dirty fluid inlet. 
         [0011]    A radial outward facing groove can be formed in the sleeve for receiving an o-ring seal therein. In addition, a plurality of ribs can be formed on the second endplate and extend upwardly therefrom in the same direction as the sleeve. Each rib can have a first end integral with and extending from an outside surface of the sleeve and a second end adjacent to an outer perimeter edge of the second endplate. The ribs create flow paths, for example inlet flow paths for dirty fluid to be filtered in the case of a filter configured for outside-in flow or flow paths for filtered fluid in the case of a filter configured for inside-out flow. 
         [0012]    In the case of a fuel filter element, a pre-fill cap can be integrally formed with and close an end of the sleeve. The pre-fill cap can include an outer perimeter edge that overhangs a portion of the sleeve, and at least one hole or a plurality of holes are formed in the sleeve between the pre-fill cap and the radial outward facing groove that place the fluid flow passageway in communication with an exterior of the sleeve. The pre-fill cap closes the end of the sleeve to act as a deflector diverting contaminated filling fluid to the dirty chamber of the filter during a pre-filling procedure. 
         [0013]    The filter element is disposed within a housing to form a filter. The housing can have a closed first end, a second open end that can be closed by a nutplate, and an interior space in which the filter element is disposed. The nutplate can include a threaded sleeve having threads for threadably connecting the filter to a filter head, with the threaded sleeve having an inner end facing toward the interior space. Prior to installation of the filter element, the inner end of the threaded sleeve engages the upper end of the ribs. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, a filter element can include a ring of filtration media having a first end and a second end and circumscribing a central cavity, a first endplate sealingly attached to the first end of the filtration media, and a second endplate sealingly attached to the second end of the filtration media. The second endplate includes a sleeve extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the first endplate, the sleeve defining a fluid flow passageway through the second endplate that is in fluid communication with the central cavity. A radial outward facing groove is formed in the sleeve that receives a seal therein. In addition, a plurality of ribs are formed on the second endplate and extend upwardly therefrom in the same direction as the sleeve, each rib extending from a first end on an outside surface of the sleeve to a second end adjacent an outer perimeter edge of the second endplate. 
         [0015]    In still another embodiment, a filter element can include a ring of filtration media extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end and circumscribing a central cavity, a first endplate sealingly attached to the first end of the filtration media, and a second endplate sealingly attached to the second end of the filtration media. The second endplate can include a first structure extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the first endplate coaxial to the longitudinal axis, where the first structure defines a fluid flow passageway through the second endplate that has an inlet that is in fluid communication with the central cavity and an outlet. A seal can be disposed on the structure that is positioned to seal with a filter head. In addition, second structure is integrally formed on the second endplate that define a plurality of fluid flow paths along the top of the second endplate. The fluid flow paths are disposed on the same side of the second endplate as the first structure, and the seal is positioned between the outlet of the fluid flow passageway and the fluid flow paths and the seal is positioned between the outlet and the second endplate. 
         [0016]    The second structure can be any structure that is integrally formed with the second endplate and that defines the fluid flow paths. In one non-limiting example, the second structure comprises ribs. 
         [0017]    In still another embodiment, a filter includes a housing having a closed first end, a second end and an interior space. A nutplate is fastened to the second end of the housing, with the nutplate including a threaded sleeve having interior threads for threadably connecting the filter to a filter head. The threaded sleeve has an inner end facing toward the interior space. In addition, a filter element is disposed in the interior space. The filter element includes a ring of filtration media disposed in the interior space and extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end and circumscribing a central cavity, a first endplate sealingly attached to the first end of the filtration media, and a second endplate sealingly attached to the second end of the filtration media between the first endplate and the nutplate. The second endplate includes a first structure extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the first endplate and radially inward from the threaded sleeve. The first structure can be coaxial to the longitudinal axis, and defines a fluid flow passageway through the second endplate that has an inlet that is in fluid communication with the central cavity and an outlet. A seal is disposed on the structure that is positioned to seal with the filter head when the filter is connected to the filter head. In addition, second structure integrally formed on the second endplate defines a plurality of fluid flow paths along the top of the second endplate. The fluid flow paths are disposed on the same side of the second endplate as the first structure, and the seal is positioned between the outlet of the fluid flow passageway and the fluid flow paths and the seal is positioned between the outlet and the second endplate. 
         [0018]    The second structure can be any structure that is integrally formed with the second endplate and that defines the fluid flow paths, for example ribs. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lubrication oil filter described herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the filter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a close-up view of the end of the lubrication oil filter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is close-up view of the end of the lubrication oil filter mounted to a filter head. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fuel filter described herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the filter of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a close-up view of the filter element of the fuel filter of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is close-up view of the end of the fuel filter mounted to a filter head. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is close-up view of the end of the fuel filter showing the inlet and outlet flow of the fuel. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  illustrates the functioning of the pre-fill cap of the fuel filter element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an embodiment of a lubrication oil filter  10  is illustrated that includes a housing  12  having a closed first end  14 , a second end  16  and an interior space  18 . A nutplate  20  is fastened to the second end of the housing. The nutplate includes a threaded sleeve  22  having threads  24  for threadably connecting the filter  10  to a filter head  5  ( FIG. 4 ), the threaded sleeve having an inner end  26  facing toward the interior space that prior to installation of the filter element to a filter head is engaged with a filter element  25  disposed in the interior space  18 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the filter element  25  includes a ring of filtration media  30  with a first end  32 , a second end  34 , and that extends along a longitudinal axis A-A and circumscribes a central cavity  36 . A first endplate  38  is sealingly attached to the first end  32  of the filtration media  30 . The endplate  38  generally closes the end  32  of the media  30  to constrain the fluid so that it flows generally radially through the media. 
         [0031]    In the illustrated example, an optional slow release oil additive mechanism  60 , for example an additive canister, and/or secondary filtration disks with embedded additives, can be disposed between the first endplate  38  and the closed end  14  of the housing  12 . Examples of oil filters with additive mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,238,554, 7,510,653, and 7,563,368. U.S. Pat. No. 7,510,653 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0032]    A coil spring  62  is disposed within the housing  12  and is suitably engaged with the filter element  25  to bias the filter element  25  into engagement with the nutplate  20 . However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , upon installation of the filter element to the head  5 , the filter element  25  will typically get displaced downward away from the head to create a gap between the inner end  26  of the threaded sleeve  22  and ribs on the filter element  25  as discussed further below. In the illustrated example, the spring  62  is disposed between the first endplate and the closed first end  14 , and in particular between the additive mechanism  60  and the first end  14 . The spring  62  biases the filter element against the nutplate  20  via the additive mechanism  60 . 
         [0033]    A second endplate  40  is sealingly attached to the second end  34  of the filtration media  30  between the first endplate  38  and the nutplate  20 . The endplate  40  generally closes the end  34  of the media  30  to constrain the fluid so that it flows generally radially through the media. 
         [0034]    The first and second endplates  38 ,  40  can be formed of a suitable material, for example plastic, with the ends  32 ,  34  of the media  30  attached to the endplates in any suitable manner, for example by using an adhesive or embedding the ends of the media into the endplates. 
         [0035]    The second endplate  40  includes an integrally formed first structure  42  in the form of a sleeve extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from the first endplate coaxial to the longitudinal axis A-A and radially inward from the threaded sleeve  22 . The sleeve  42  is generally hollow and defines a fluid flow passageway  44  through the second endplate that is also coaxial to the longitudinal axis A-A. The passageway  44  includes an inlet  44   a  that is in fluid communication with the central cavity  36  and an outlet  44   b.    
         [0036]    A seal  48  is suitably disposed on the sleeve  42  for sealing with the filter head  5  as shown in  FIG. 4  to seal filtered fluid from unfiltered fluid. For example, the sleeve  42  can include a radial outward facing groove  46  integrally formed in the sleeve  42  for receiving the seal, for example an o-ring seal, therein. However, any type of seal that is located anywhere on the sleeve  42  can be used, as long as an adequate seal with the filter head  5  is achieved to seal filtered fluid from unfiltered fluid. 
         [0037]    Second structure  50  is integrally formed on the second endplate  40  that define a plurality of fluid flow paths  58  along the top of the second endplate. The second structure  50  can take any form of structure that defines the fluid flow paths  58 . In the illustrated example, the second structure  50  comprises a plurality of ribs. 
         [0038]    The plurality of ribs  50  are integrally formed on the second endplate  40  and extend upwardly therefrom in the same direction as the sleeve  42 . The ribs  50  are provided to define the fluid flow paths  58  along the top of the second endplate. In particular, as best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , each rib  50  extends in a radial direction from a first end  52  that is integrally formed with an outside surface of the sleeve  42  to a second end  54  adjacent to an outer perimeter edge  56  of the second endplate. 
         [0039]    The ribs  50  have a radial length such that the second end  54  is radially outside of the threaded sleeve  22  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Prior to installation of the filter element, the inner end  26  of the threaded sleeve  22  is engaged with an upper end of the ribs  50  as shown in  FIG. 2 . However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , upon installation of the filter element to the head  5 , the filter element  25  will typically get displaced downward against the bias of the spring in a direction away from the head to create a gap between the inner end  26  of the threaded sleeve  22  and the upper ends of the ribs  50 . The fluid flow paths or channels  58  are defined between the ribs  50 , with the fluid able to flow under the end  26  of the threaded sleeve  22 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a gasket  76  can be provided at the nutplate end of the filter  10 . In use, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the gasket  76  seals with the filter head  5  to prevent fluid leakage from the filter  10  to outside the filter. 
         [0041]    Operation of the filter  10  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . As an example, the filter  10  will be described as configured for outside-in flow, with the fluid flow paths  58  forming inlet flow paths for dirty fluid (in this example oil) to be filtered and the flow passageway  44  forming an outlet flow path for clean or filtered oil. However, it is to be realized that this description is exemplary only, and the filter can be configured for inside-out flow with the flow paths  58  forming outlet flow paths for filtered oil and the fluid passageway  44  forming an inlet flow path for dirty oil to be filtered. 
         [0042]    As shown by the arrows in  FIG. 4 , dirty oil can enter the filter head  5  through one or more inlet passageways  70 . The oil then flows radially outward over the top of the endplate  40  through the flow paths  58  and around the perimeter edge  56  of the endplate  40  to the outside of the media  30 . The oil then flows through the filter media  30  where it is filtered and into the central cavity  36 . Depending on whether an additive mechanism is used, some of the oil may flow through the additive mechanism. The filtered oil then flows upwardly through the flow passageway  44  of the sleeve  42  and through an outlet  72  in the filter head  5 . As evident from  FIG. 4 , the seal  48  is disposed between the outlet  44   a  and the flow paths  58 , thereby preventing dirty oil from bypassing the filter media and mixing with the filtered oil in the outlet  72 , and vice-versa. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5-10  illustrate a filter  100  that is generally similar in construction to the filter  10  described in  FIGS. 1-4 . In  FIGS. 5-10 , elements that are similar or identical to elements in  FIGS. 1-4 , whether in construction and/or operation, will be referenced using the same reference numbers. The filter  100  is particularly suited for filtering fuel, such as diesel fuel, but can be used to filter other fluids as well. 
         [0044]    One difference from the filter  10  is that the filter  100  includes a pre-fill cap  200  that is integrally formed with and closes an end of the first structure  42 . The pre-fill cap  200  includes an outer perimeter edge  202  that overhangs a portion of the structure  42 . For example, the diameter of the cap  200  can be generally equal to or larger than the diameter of the structure  42  or larger than the passageway  44 . 
         [0045]    One or more outlet holes  204  are formed in the structure  42  between the pre-fill cap  200  and the radial outward facing groove  46  that places the fluid flow passageway  44  of the structure  42  in communication with an exterior of the structure  42 . The pre-fill cap  200  closes the end of the structure  42  to act as a deflector diverting contaminated filling fluid, such as fuel, to the dirty chamber of the filter as illustrated in  FIG. 10  during a pre-filling procedure, preventing the dirty fuel from entering the clean side of the filter media. However, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the holes  204  permit the filtered fuel to flow from the fluid passageway  44  and into the outlet  72  of the filter head  5 . 
         [0046]    The filter  100  also differs from the filter  10  in that the filter  100  is not illustrated as including the optional additive mechanism. Instead, the coil spring  62  is in direct engagement with the endplate  38  to bias the filter element  25  into engagement with the nutplate  20 . 
         [0047]    Operation of the filter  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As an example, the filter  100  will be described as configured for outside-in flow, with the fluid flow paths  58  forming inlet flow paths for dirty fluid (in this example fuel) to be filtered and the flow passageway  44  forming an outlet flow path for clean or filtered fuel. 
         [0048]    However, it is to be realized that this description is exemplary only, and the filter can be configured for inside-out flow with the flow paths  58  forming outlet flow paths for filtered fuel and the fluid passageway  44  forming an inlet flow path for dirty fuel to be filtered. 
         [0049]    As shown by the arrows in  FIG. 9 , dirty fuel can enter the filter head  5  through one or more inlet passageways  70 . The fuel then flows radially outward over the top of the endplate  40  through the flow paths  58  and around the perimeter edge  56  to the outside of the media  30 . The fuel then flows through the filter media  30  where it is filtered and into the central cavity  36 . The filtered fuel then flows upwardly through the flow passageway  44  of the structure  42 , out the holes  204 , and through the outlet  72  in the filter head  5 . As evident from  FIG. 9 , the seal  48  prevents dirty fuel from bypassing the filter media and mixing with the filtered fuel in the outlet  72 , and vice-versa. 
         [0050]    The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or novel characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.