High-pressure filter assembly, method and apparatus for forming high pressure filters

Abstract: A high-pressure filter assembly which includes a cover or nutplate secured to a housing via a sidewall portion of the housing deformed into a groove formed in the cover sidewall. The cover and housing are formed such that the cover can be properly seated upon the housing prior to seaming without special locators or beads formed in the container sidewall. A method and apparatus for forming the filter assembly are also disclosed.

Description: The present invention relates to a high-pressure fluid filter assembly of the spin-on type, and a method for the production of such a high-pressure filter. More particularly the invention relates to a filter assembly with the features of the introductory part of claim 1. Spin-on filters have been employed in a variety of applications including hydraulic systems and engine lubrication systems. Such filters generally include a filter element within a housing with a cover or nut plate secured at one end of the housing by which the filter can be screwed onto or off of a filter head. A central opening and several surrounding openings are provided in the cover to direct flow through the filter and filter element therein. In an inside/out flow arrangement, the fluid enters the central opening and exits through the surrounding openings after passing through the filter element within the housing. In an outside/in flow pattern, the fluid enters the surrounding openings and exits through the central opening after passing through the filter element. A circular gasket is provided on a top surface of the cover to serve as a seal between the filter and the filter head. A spring is often provided in the lower end of the housing to maintain the filter element in sealing engagement with the cover. Although satisfactory in low and medium applications, generally spin-on filters of the prior art have not been satisfactory for use in high-pressure applications such as in hydraulic transmission pumps, where surges of 68,95 bar (1000 psi) or more can occur. The prior art filter forming the starting point of the invention (EP - A - 0 284 264) has a housing portion that is proximate to the open end of the housing, this housing portion extending beyond the top portion of the housing and being folded inwardly over the base plate. The method to produce such filter assembly includes several steps of folding the top portion of the housing so that the housing is able to withstand high and providing pressures as stated above without degradation of performance. Another prior art (US - A - 4,834,885) discloses a seal arrangement for fluid filters in which the housing is folded over the cover and the gasket seal (forming the seal between the filter and filter head) is placed over the folded-over portion. An additional folding step then folds an additional portion of the housing upon the side of the sealing gasket. However, such an arrangement requires a complicated folding operation in interconnecting the housing with the cover and the sealing gasket. In addition, in this arrangement, the housing sidewall is deformed for anti-rotation purposes, which can lead to localized weakened portions and/or stress concentrations in the housing sidewall. It also utilizes a bead or shoulder portion located below the cover for seating the cover prior to closing of the open housing end over the cover, which also leads to stress concentrations. In view of the above it is the object of the invention to provide a high pressure fluid filter assembly in which the housing is coupled to the cover without sealing of the housing's sheet metal at the joint/bead in a simple one-step spin-beading operation without any additional parts necessary to provide the coupling. This object is achieved according to the present invention with the high-pressure fluid filter assembly having the features of the introductory part of claim 1 and the characterizing part of claim 1. Improvements of this filter assembly are the subject matter of dependent product-claims 2 to 18. A method for the production of a high-pressure fluid filter assembly according to any preceding product-claim is disclosed in method-claim 19. Improvements regarding this method are the subject matter of dependent method-claims 20 to 27. The inventive high strength filter assembly is capable of withstanding high-pressures. Deformations in the housing sidewall on the pressurized side of the housing/coverjoint are avoided. Substantial thinning or stretching of the housing at the joint/bead is avoided. According to claim 2 means to prevent relative rotation between the housing and the cover are provided. The cover plate can be die cast or machined. In an improved form of the inventive filter assembly the cover can be easily located or seated within the housing without the use of a shoulder formed in the housing sidewall below the joint. The cover is provided with a top portion having a diameter greater than the remainder of the cover, such that the enlarged diameter portion can be seated upon the housing without the use of shoulders formed in the housing sidewall. In the preferred method a roller includes a rounded periphery and a stepped portion spaced radially inwardly therefrom, such that the edge of the housing is engaged by the stepped portion and an outer portion of the housing sidewall portion (engaged by the rounded periphery) of the housing as the housing is deformed into the groove. A punch technique is then utilized to deform selected housing edge portions into interruptions extending from the cover plate groove. Alternatively, to deform the selected edge portions, a second roller may be utilized which includes a plurality of pins, corresponding to the number of interruptions extending from the cover plate groove such that the edge of the housing is deformed into the interruptions. The above as well as other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention read in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filter formed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the filter of Figure 1. Figures 3A-B show detailed views of the anti-rotation feature of the present invention. Figures 4A-E illustrate alternative embodiments of the joint/seam coupling the filter housing and cover plate. Figures 5A-C illustrate the apparatus for forming the housing/cover joint of Figure 1. Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the present invention which includes a housing 10 having a bottom closed end 12 and a upper open end 14. The open end of the housing receives a cover or nutplate 16 which includes a central hub 18 having an internally threaded portion 20 which mates with corresponding threaded portions of a filter head 22 such that the filter can be removably mounted to a device which utilizes the fluid being filtered. The central hub is connected to the outer periphery of cover by a plurality of ribs 27. The ribs 27 also separate the surrounding flow opening 26. The embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a die cast cover, however the cover can be easily machined by simply replacing the flow opening/rib arrangement 26,27 with bore holes extending through a solid cover. In the preferred form, an aluminum cover is utilized, however other materials are also possible. A substantially cylindrical filter element 28 is provided through which the fluid passes to filter the fluid medium. In order to prevent leakage of the fluid being filtered, and to define the flow path through the filter, three sets of seals are provided. A first seal 30 provides a seal between the cover plate and the housing and includes an O-ring seated within a groove 32 formed in the cover. A second seal 34 includes a gasket which forms a seal between the cover and the filter element. A third seal 36 includes a gasket which forms a seal between the cover and the device which utilizes the fluid being filtered, when the filter is spun-onto the filter head. It is to be understood that other types of seals may be utilized, such as silicon seals which are applied in a somewhat paste-like or gelatinous form and hardened to form elastomeric seals. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the seal 34 is provided having an inner portion which is thicker than a radially spaced outer portion. The seal is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section, except, the base 38 has an angled rather than flat configuration. The seal 34 is formed such that the upwardly directed force of the cylindrical filter element is absorbed by the seal, in forming a fluid impervious seal between the seal 34 and the filter element. The seal 34 allows the use of a filter element having an inside diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the hub 18 of the cover. Due to the configuration of the seal 34, the force of the filter element will not cause rolling of the gasket, which may cause leakage at the seal. In addition, the seal gasket 34 includes an inclined outer portion 40 which improves flow of the fluid, either radially outwardly in an outside/in flow pattern, or in directing the flow upwardly in an inside/out flow pattern. A spring 42 is provided at the bottom of the housing to urge the cylindrical filter element 28 in sealing engagement with the gasket 34. As shown in the upper portion of Figure 1 in accordance with the present invention, a portion of the housing which is proximate to the open end of the housing is deformed into a somewhat C-shaped groove 50 in the sidewall of the cover. For illustrative purposes, the housing portion 52 proximate the open end is shown on the left-hand portion of the drawing in the state prior to deformation into the groove 50. The right-hand portion of the housing is shown with the housing portion proximate the housing open end deformed into the groove. It is to be understood that the entire periphery of the housing is deformed into the groove upon completion of the joint/bead. The groove acts as a back-up surface, applying a reaction force upon the housing sidewall as it is deformed into the groove such that the housing sidewall portion substantially conforms to the inwardly spaced cover peripheral portion defined by the groove. In other words, the groove acts to deform the housing sidewall radially outwardly as the sidewall is deformed radially inwardly. As shown in the left-hand portion, the upper end 54 of the cover has a slightly larger diameter than the lower portion of the cover (for example, as shown at 56) such that when the cover is inserted, the cover is aligned or seated upon the base 58 of the inverted L-shaped (cross-sectional) flange of the undeformed housing portion proximate the housing open end. Thus, separate shouldered portions of the housing are not required for seating of the cover. The housing 10 is formed of drawn steel, with the lip 58 remaining after drawing. In conventional filter arrangements a bead or shouldered portion is formed in the housing sidewall upon which the bottom of the cover is seated prior to seaming (i.e., a shoulder would be formed in the housing below the cover portion 56). The present invention avoids the use of such a shoulder on the pressurized side of the joint by providing a top cover portion of increased diameter to allow seating upon the flange 58 of the housing. As shown, in the right portion of Figure 1, the housing portion 52 is deformed to substantially conform to the interior of the groove 50. The groove is substantially C-shaped in cross-section and includes upper 60 and lower 62 wall portions. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the upper wall of the groove includes a plurality of interruptions or recesses formed therein. As shown in Figure 2, the interruptions include four semi-cylindrical recesses 72 into which selected edge portions 70 of the housing are deformed to prevent relative rotation between the housing and the cover. While four recesses are shown in the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that any number of recesses may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3A shows a detailed section along line III-III of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3A, after the housing portion 52 proximate the open end of the housing is deformed into the groove 50, the edge portion of the housing 70 is deformed upwardly into the four recesses. Figure 3B shows a side view of the upper portion 54 of the cover as seen in the direction of arrow A of Figure 2A. As shown in Figure 3B, the edge 70 is deformed upwardly into the recess 72 such that rotation between the cover plate 16 and the housing 10 is prevented. While various types of interruption or recess configurations are possible, a semi-cylindrical recess having a diameter of approximately 6,35 mm (0,25 in), with the edge 70 arcuately (Fig. 3B) deformed to a 1,98 mm (0,078 in) radius has produced satisfactory anti-rotational results. As shown in Figure 2, the top of the cover includes radially projecting portions (as bracketed at 71) which form the enlarged diameter section 54 of the cover, with the recesses between the radial projections. In contrast to prior art arrangements, deformation of the housing sidewall is not necessary to prevent rotation. Moreover, the design is much simpler to manufacture than the arrangement of US-A-4,743,374 which requires folding of the housing over the periphery of the cover, and forming of projections within a cover top groove. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a high strength joint is provided by deforming a sidewall portion of the housing proximate the open end of the housing into a groove formed in the sidewall of the filter cover. In the embodiment of Figure 1, a particularly high strength joint is formed since the housing is substantially conformed to the entire inner surface of the groove. While various sizes and shapes of the cover and groove are possible, satisfactory results have been obtained utilizing a 4,0 mm (0,16 in) depth groove (measured from the samller diameter cover portion) with the top portion 54 having a diameter of 100 mm (3,95 in) and the lower portion having a diameter of 94 mm (3,70 in). The groove inner surface was formed with a 3,2 mm (0,125 in) radius, with the lower wall 62 of the groove angled 20° below horizontal and the upper wall of the groove 60 angled 5° above horizontal. The shoulder 61 formed at the edge of the lower wall was formed with a 1,27 mm (0,05 in) radius. The above dimensions are exemplary, and not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Deeper grooves with narrower top and bottom wall angles would be expected to yield higher strength, however deformation of the housing to conform to the groove becomes more difficult. The above arrangement has proven successful for pressures in excess of 68,95 bar (1,000 psi) utilizing a housing with a 1,32 mm (0,052 in) thickness. Figure 5A illustrates a preferred method and apparatus for forming the joint of the filter of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5A, a roller 100 is provided for performing a spin-beading operation about the filter such that the filter and roller are spun to form the joint about the entire periphery of the filter. In use, the filter is spun while the non-driven roller 100 is frictionally engaged therewith, such that the roller rotates with the filter to form the joint/bead lock between the housing and cover. Significantly, in accordance with the present invention, the roller includes an outer peripheral rounded portion 102 which is complimentarily shaped according to the shape of the groove such that the housing portion is deformed to substantially conform to the inner surface of the groove. To achieve the conformance of the housing with the inner portion of the groove without substantial stretching of the housing, roller includes a stepped portion 104 which engages the edge of the housing 70 such that the edge is pushed inwardly toward the groove by step 104 as the outer periphery of the roller 102 deforms the housing to substantially conform to the inner surface of the groove. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a high strength joint is formed in a simple one-step spin beading operation. The spin beading is accomplished with a relatively simple apparatus and requires only on the order of 5 seconds to complete. To conform the housing to the groove of Figure 1, a peripheral portion 102 having a 1,80 mm (0,071 in) radius, with the top wall 101 angled approximately 5° above horizontal and the bottom wall 103 angled approximately 20° below horizontal has been successful. The step is recessed 5,46 mm (0,215 in) from the periphery with the overall outside diameter of the roller approximately (139,7 mm) 5-1/2 in. As set forth above, these dimensions are not to be construed as limiting the invention. A preferred method/apparatus for swaging the housing utilizes a punch technique which can be mechanically automated. As shown in Figure 3A, a punch 73 comprising an elongated rod having a rounded end 75 impacts the edge portion of the housing (after the housing is deformed into the groove), thereby deforming the edge portion into recess 72. The punch is inclined at an angle of approximately 45°, with the rounded edge having a radius of 1,98 mm (0,078 in). The edge portions can be deformed into the recesses using separate punch operations, or using a plurality of punches which deform selected edge portions simultaneously. Alternatively, after the housing is deformed into the groove, a second roller may be utilized for deforming the edge portion 70 into the recesses 72. As shown in cross-sectional view of Figure 5B, the roller 110 includes an outer peripheral portion 112 which is substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral portion of the first roller, and further includes pins 114 which deform or swage the selected edge portions of the housing 70 into the recesses 72 formed in the upper wall of the groove 50. Figure 5C shows a top view of the roller of Figure 5B with four pins, corresponding to the number of recesses formed in the cover. In operation, the roller is aligned such that the pins are in the proper rotational relationship with the recesses of the cover, and the roller and filter are rotated such that the outer peripheral portion of the roller maintains alignment as it is rotated within the groove, and the four pin portions of the roller deform the edge of the housing 70 into the recesses 72. The overall operation is as follows: The housing is formed of drawn steel such that an upper portion proximate the open end of the housing is left with a flange, or in other words, has an inverted L-shaped cross-section. A spring 42 and substantially cylindrical filter element 28 are then provided within the housing and the cover or nutplate 16 is placed atop the filter element. Next, a pneumatic force applicator member applies a force to the cover (in a known manner) in opposition to the bias of spring 42 until the upper portion 54 of the cover is in engagement with the base 58 of the L. The cover is thus properly seated upon the housing such that the cover is received in the open end of the housing in proper relationship for the subsequent joint forming operation. The first roller 100 is then utilized to deform the housing portion proximate to the housing open end into the groove while the stepped portion 104 simultaneously engages the edge of the housing 70 such that the housing is deformed to substantially conform to the inner wall of the groove without substantial stretching or thinning of the housing. Next, four punches 73 deform selected edge portions 70 into the recesses 72 to prevent rotation between the housing and cover. Alternatively, a second roller 110 may be spun with the filter to deform the edge portions 70 at the locations of the recesses 72 to provide torque locking, or anti-rotation between the cover and housing. Alternative embodiments of the joint between the cover plate and the housing are shown in Figures 4A-E. The joint of Figure 4A is substantially the same as the joint of Figure 1, however an additional garter or collar 120 is provided about the housing portion deformed into the groove. The collar may be of a circular cross-section, however, for best results, the collar should conform substantially to the outer periphery 122 of the housing portion deformed within the groove. The collar is utilized where even higher strength is desired than in the Figure 1 design. For attachment of the collar, the collar is formed in a plurality of sections which are then fastened together, either by welding, mechanical fastening or gluing about the peripheral portion of the housing which is deformed into the groove. Figure 4B shows an arrangement in which the shell or housing 10' is ironed to a thickness, for example 1,01 mm (0,04 in), while the shell portion near the open end is not ironed such that the housing is thicker, for example, 1,52 mm (0,06 in), at the joint. Ironing is utilized where desired length-to-diameter ratios are not obtainable with normal drawing. It is to be understood that, if desired, ironing could be utilized in lieu of drawing in each of the embodiments disclosed herein. In the Figure 4B arrangement, high strength is achieved by utilizing an increased thickness in the housing portion which includes at least the portion 52' which is deformed into the groove, while low cost is maintained by utilizing a thinner housing portion for the remainder of the housing. As shown in Figure 4C, an additional sealing gasket 130 may be provided within the groove 50' of the cover. The additional elastomeric gasket not only provides an additional fluidic seal, but also prevents rotation between the housing and the nut plate, due to the friction between the housing and the seal 130. Preferably, the housing is deformed to at least partially deform into the elastomeric seal 130, thereby providing a fluidic seal and sufficient friction for anti-rotation. The seal 130 may be used as an additional seal between the housing and cover/nut plate, or in lieu of the O-ring seal 30'. In the Figure 4D arrangement, the upper end of the cover 54' is deformed slightly downwardly such that the upper wall portion of the groove 60' slopes downwardly toward the lower wall of the groove. The bending shortens the height of the gap formed by the groove to further improve the strength of the joint. In the Figure 4E embodiment, the housing is initially formed such that the inverted L-shaped portion has a longer base than in the Figure 1 embodiment. After deformation into the groove 50'', the base portion of the L 58' is then rolled upon itself to further strengthen the grip of the upper end of the housing within the groove, thereby strengthening the hydrostatic performance of the joint. As in the Figure 4C arrangement, an additional gasket 230 may be provided for anti-rotation and to provide an elastomeric seal in addition to or in lieu of an O-ring seal 30''. The present invention provides a high strength filter capable of withstanding high pressures without failure occurring between the filter housing and cover/nutplate. The filter housing is joined to the cover utilizing a simple spin seaming operation which deforms the housing into a groove formed in the sidewall of the cover, without substantial stretching or thinning of the housing sidewall. While the present invention is particularly suitable for filtering liquids in which high hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces are incurred, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill that inventive features are also applicable to other fluid filter applications.

Claims: A high-pressure fluid filter assembly adapted to be supported by a support device having a fluid supply and a fluid return, comprising: a housing (10) having an open end (14), filter means (28) disposed in the housing (10), a cover (16) disposed within the open end (14) of the housing (10), the cover (16) including flow opening means for receiving fluid from the fluid supply and for returning fluid to the fluid return, the flow opening means including inlet and outlet openings (24, 26) communicating with the fluid supply and fluid return respectively, the cover (16) including a one piece member with a peripheral sidewall having a first groove (50) therein, this first groove (50) defining an inwardly spaced peripheral sidewall portion and separating the peripheral sidewall into a top portion (54) extending above the groove (50) and a lower portion (56) extending below the groove (50) and located within the housing (10), the cover top portion (54) having a larger diameter than the lower portion (56), characterized in that the cover (16) is only partially disposed within the open end (14) of the housing (10), the housing portion (52) proximate to the open end (14) of the housing (10) is deformed into the first groove (50) with the free edge of the housing portion (52) not extending beyond the top portion (60) of the first groove (50) onto the top portion (54) of the peripheral sidewall of the cover (16), and not attached to that top portion (54) at all, this top portion (54) thus extending above the housing (10), the housing portion (52) directly and entirely engages the inwardly spaced peripheral portion of the first groove (50), the housing portion (52) deformed into the first groove (50) being free of substantial thinning, and all deformations applied to the housing (10) for securing the housing (10) to the cover (16) are realizable in one manufacturing step. The high-pressure filter assembly of claim 1, characterized in that means (70, 72) to prevent relative rotation between the housing (10) and the cover (16) are provided. The high-pressure filter assembly of claim 2, characterized in that the means (70, 72) to prevent rotation includes an interruption (72) extending from the first groove (50), the housing (10) including a corresponding deformed portion (70) such that relative movement between the interruption (72) and the corresponding deformed portion (70) is prevented, The high-pressure filter assembly of claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of interruptions (72) are provided with the housing (10) including a plurality of corresponding deformed portions (70). The high-pressure filter assembly of claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the first groove (50) inwardly spaced peripheral portion includes upper and lower walls (60, 62), the interruption (72) comprising a recess formed in one of the walls (60, 62). The high-pressure filter assembly of claim 5, characterized in that the interruption (72) includes a substantially semi-cylindrical opening extending from the upper wall (60) of the first groove (50), said corresponding deformed portion (70) including an edge portion of the housing (10) deformed into the semi-cylindrical opening. The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover (16) includes a second groove (32) axially spaced from the first groove (50) on the peripheral sidewall and first seal means (30) disposed within the second groove (32) for forming a seal between the cover (16) and the housing (10). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover (16) includes seal means for forming a seal between the housing (10) and the cover (16), the seal means comprising a sealing member (130) disposed within the first groove (50). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first groove (50) has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a first portion (150) of the housing (10) has a thickness greater than a thickness of a second portion of the housing (10) remote from the cover (16), the first portion (150) including at least the housing portion (52) proximate to the open end (14) which is deformed into the first groove (50). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a collar (120) is provided which at least partially encircles the housing portion (52) proximate the open end (14) which is deformed into the first groove (50). The high-pressure filter assembly of claim 11, characterized in that the collar (120) includes a plurality of collar sections which are affixed together about the housing portion (52). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the housing portion (52) deformed into the first groove (50) is rolled upon itself within the first groove (50). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first groove (50) includes upper and lower wall portions (60, 62) and one of the upper and lower wall portions (60; 62) is sloped downwardly toward the other of the upper and lower wall portions (62; 60). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of product-claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cover (16) is formed of aluminium and the housing (10) is formed of drawn steel. The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that spring means (42) are provided for urging the substantially cylindrical filter element (28) towards the cover (16). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the top portion (54) of the cover has a diameter which is greater than that of the lower portion (56) of the cover (16). The high-pressure filter assembly of any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that cover-filter seal means for forming a seal between the cover (16) and the filter means (28) are provided, the cover-filter seal means comprising a ring seal member (34), a central portion (38) of the ring seal member (34) having a thickness greater than a radially spaced outer portion (40) of the ring seal member, and, preferably, the outer portion (40) of the ring seal member (34) being inclined for directing flow of the fluid. A method for the production of a high-pressure fluid filter assembly according to any preceding product-claim with the steps: providing a housing having an open end and a closed end, the housing having a peripheral edge at the open end thereof, placing a filter element within the housing, providing a cover having a top portion with a larger diameter than lower portions of the cover and further including a groove located in a sidewall thereof axially spaced from the top portion, and placing this cover only partially into the open end of the housing such that the cover top portion is seated upon the peripheral edge of the housing, and permanently deforming portions of the housing into the groove of the cover in one step including a deformation of the peripheral edge into the groove. The method of claim 19, characterized in that the deforming step includes engaging the peripheral edge of the housing at the open end while simultaneously engaging a sidewall portion of the housing proximate the open end. The method of claim 20, characterized in that, the deforming includes engaging the edge while engaging the sidewall portion of the housing proximate to the open end, and urging the edge and proximate sidewall portion of the housing into the groove. The method of any of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the step of deforming includes utilizing a roller to deform the housing portion into the groove by a spin-beading operation. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the deforming step includes providing a roller having a housing sidewall engaging portion and a stepped edge engaging portion, filter and roller being rotated together in a spin-seaming operation. The method of any of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that a second deforming operation is performed, this second deforming operation including deforming a portion of the edge into a recess in the upper wall of the groove after deforming the housing portion into the groove. The method of claim 24, characterized in that the cover top portion has a plurality of radial projections to form the larger diameter and a plurality of recesses between those projections, and selected portions of the upper edge of the housing at the open end are deformed into the recesses thereby preventing relative rotation between the housing and the cover. The method of claim 25, characterized in that the step of deforming selected portions of the upper edge includes utilizing at least one punch and punching the selected upper edge portions to deform those into the recesses. The method of any of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the first deforming step including deforming the housing portion into the groove located in the cover as well as the second deforming step including deforming a portion of the edge into the recess located in the upper wall of the groove are realizable in one manufacturing step.

Inventors: BROWN GENE W, JULSON STEVEN C, KNOX WILLIAM R, BROWN, GENE W., JULSON, STEVEN C., KNOX, WILLIAM R.
Applicants: FLEETGUARD INC, FLEETGUARD, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B01D27
IPC codes: B01D27, B01D29, B21D53