MAGNETIC FILTER ADAPTER

Abstract: An improved magnetic filter adapter for use with fluid lubrication systems. The magnetic filter adapter of the present invention includes magnet means (25) for attracting metallic particles from the fluid flow within a filter assembly (12) toward an interior surface of a wall of the filter assembly, and a magnetic-field concentrating cup (23) for concentrating the magnetic force of said magnetic means such that the potential field strength of the magnetic means is optimized.

Description: MAGNETIC FILTER ADAPTER RELATED DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of an application which was originally filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 31 May 1994 (31.05.94), and has been designated with serial number 08/251 ,839. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices for filtering particulate matter from the fluid lubricant of an engine, and more particularly concerns the use of magnetic forces in hindering the movement of particulate matter which is magnetically attractive through such filtering devices. Many magnetic filtering devices have been proposed in the prior art for hindering the movement through an engine lubrication system of particulate matter which is magnetically attractive. Examples of such devices can be found in the following U S Letters Patent: Nbr. 5,282,963 by Hull et al; Nbr. 5,273,648 by Caiozza; Nbr. 5,228,990 by Chiang; Nbr. 5,089,129 by Brigman; Nbr. 5,078,871 by McCready; Nbr.'s 5,009,779, 4,642,183 and 4,501 ,660 by Hebert; N b r . 4,894,153 by Sirdavant; Nbr. 4,839,044 by Tomita; Nbr. 4,826,592 by Taylor; Nbr. 4,629,558 by Garritty; Nbr. 4,613,435 by Shoemaker; Nbr. 4,450,075 by Krow; Nbr. 4,446,019 by Robinson; Nbr. 4,218,320 by Liaw; Nbr. 4,067,810 by Sullivan; Nbr. 4,052,312 by King; Nbr. 3,887,469 by Hayashi; and Nbr. 3,480,145 by Gladden. While these devices may be suitable for a particular purpose to which they address, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said devices would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention. Although these and other such devices now in the prior art have attempted to address the problem of metal particulate matter flowing through an engine lubrication system, they have failed to address the need for such devices to be manufacturable at a cost which would allow their affordable availability to the general consuming public. As well, such devices have generally failed to achieve the replaceable-cost efficiencies available to users of the present invention. These characteristics of such prior art devices have prevented a more extensive use of such devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices now present in the art, the invention disclosed herein provides an improved magnetic filter adapter for use with filters of a fluid lubrication system. The magnetic filter adapter of the present invention includes means for magnetically attracting metallic particles from the fluid flow within the filter toward the interior surface of an external wall of a filter, and means for concentrating the magnetic force of said magnetic means such that the potential field strength of the magnetic means is optimized. Upon a closer review of the more detailed description herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts of the present invention easily overcome the problems described above which have been heretofore commonly associated with magnetic filter adapter devices. As such, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which can be used with a wide variety of filter assemblies. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which enhances the filtering process of lubricating and cooling fluids by removing a significant amount of magnetically attractable particulate matter from said fluids as they engage said filtering process. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which is effective in removing metal particles from lubricating fluids before said fluids reach the mechanical filtering elements of the filtering system, thereby leaving said filtering elements free to trap nonmetallic particles. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which reduces the amount of debris and particulate matter reaching the mechanical filtering elements of the filtering system, thereby prolonging the life of said filtering elements. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which may be manufactured for use with a wide variety of fluid filtering systems. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which is reusable. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which is quickly and easily installed on a filtering system without the need for special tools or skills. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which may be easily cleaned. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which creates an enhanced magnetic circuit when engaged with the metal wall of a filter, such that the field strength of the filter adapter magnet means is optimized. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which may be easily and efficiently manufactured, marketed and installed. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which is of durable and reliable construction. It is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which meets all federal, state, local and other private standards, guidelines, regulations and recommendations with respect to safety, environmental friendliness, energy conservation, etc. An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved magnetic filter adapter which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a magnetic filter adapter economically available to the buying public. These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the magnetic filter adapter of the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims appended hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. The more important objects of the present invention have been outlined rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof which follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. For a better understanding of the invention, its operational advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily ascertain, however, that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In this respect, the details of construction disclosed herein, and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and appended drawings are for illustrative purposes, only, and are not intended to be limiting in scope. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, as well, that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may be readily utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Said other structures may include, but are not limited to, those which are aesthetic in nature, or those which include the substitution of other materials as they become available, and which substantially perform the same function in substantially the same manner with substantially the same result as the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims appended hereto be regarded as including such equivalent structures, constructions, methods and systems insofar as these do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the appended drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a side section view of an embodiment of a magnetic filter adapter according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side section view of another embodiment of a magnetic filter adapter according to the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS The present invention comprises an improved magnetic filter adapter for use with a wide variety of lubrication system filters, such as those which are typically used with combustion engines. The magnetic filter adapter of the present invention includes magnet means for attracting metallic particles from the fluid flow within a filter assembly toward an interior surface of a wall of the filter assembly; and a magnetic-field concentrating cup for concentrating the magnetic force of said magnet means such that the potential field strength of the magnetic means is optimized. Two embodiments of the instant invention are illustrated in the appended drawings and described in greater detail, below. (All like numerical designations in the figures represent the same element.) FIG's 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a magnetic filter adapter 10 according to the present invention, for use with a removable fluid filter assembly 12 (in phantom) of the type having a cylindrical housing which includes a closed end 13 and a semi-open end (not shown) for communicating with a fluid system, such as the lubrication system for a combustion engine. The filter adapter 10 includes a non-magnetic semi-rigid hollow adaptive housing 15, including a cylindrical side wall 17 between a housing open end 19 and a housing closed end 21. An interior diameter and axial height of the housing 15 is sufficient for frictionally engaging the exterior housing surface of the fluid filter 12. The adaptive housing 15 is formed of a resilient polymeric material which is resistant to oil and grease penetration and thermal deformation, such as a synthetic organic plastic selected from the group of linear polymeric amides, trioxane, acetyl resins, polymerized formaldehyde resins, polyethylenes, and polyurethanes. Other types of polymeric material which made be so used include that which is glass impregnated, and latex, although those skilled in the art will be familiar with other materials which may be used just as efficiently in accordance with the present invention. Further included in the magnetic filter adapter 10 is a magnetic-field concentrating cup 23 formed of a material which can be magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field, such as that which is provided by a magnet 25 affixed within the concentrating cup 23. The concentrating cup 23 may be formed of a variety of magnetizable materials, including a ferrous metal (e.g., mild steel), a ferrous metal alloy, ceramic magnetic material (e.g., aluminum-nickel alloy or a rare-earth material), or the like. A concentrating cup formed of a material which is not naturally rust resistant, such as mild steel, may be electroplated with a rust resistant material, for example zinc, or may be galvanized. The magnetic-field concentrating cup 23 includes a cup open end 27, a cup peripheral side wall 28 and a cup closed end 29. The concentrating cup 23 further has an exterior diameter which is less than the interior diameter of the adaptive housing 15, and has an axial height which is less than the axial height of the adaptive housing 15. The concentrating cup 23 is affixed within the adaptive housing 15 such that the external surface of the cup closed end 29 is substantially in coaxial contact with an inner surface of the adaptive housing closed end 21. The cup open end 27 is in magnetic contact with the fluid filter closed end 13 when the filter 12 is engaged by the adaptive housing 15. A circular cup-retaining flange 31 is further formed on the inner surface of the housing closed end 21 for engaging a periphery of the concentrating cup side wall 28. The concentrating cup closed end 29 further includes a central axial aperture 33 through which an adaptive housing central affixing plug 35 is positioned, said affixing plug 35 being formed and extending from the center of the inner surface of the adaptive housing closed end 21 for affixing the concentrating cup 23 thereto. The magnet 25 of the magnetic filter adapter 10 has a pair of opposed ends 36 and a diameter less than the diameter of the concentrating cup 23. The magnet 25 is further positioned within said concentrating cup 23 such that one of said opposed ends 36 of the magnet is in contact with an inner surface of said cup closed end 29. The magnet 25 further has a height which is less than the axial height of the concentrating cup 23 such that the other of said opposed ends 36 of the magnet 25 does not contact the fluid filter 12 when said filter is engaged by the adaptive housing 15. It is preferred that the magnet 25 is a disk shaped permanent magnet with a central axial aperture therethrough, although those skilled in the art will recognize that magnets of other various shapes, and even an electromagnet may also be used in accordance with the present invention. An electromagnet would have an inner conductive core which is electrically connected to an external power source, such as an engine electrical system (not shown), via means which are known. Also, the permanent magnet 25 may be formed of a wide variety of ferromagnetic materials, including ceramic magnetic material such as ferrite and barium or strontium alloys, rare-earth materials from the rare-earth cobalt 5 and the rare-earth 2 transition metal 17 group, an aluminum-nickel alloy and various iron-chromium-cobalt alloys, all of which are known. A non-magnetic cover plate 37 is affixed to an interior periphery of the side wall 28 of the concentrating cup 23, for covering the magnet 25 and thereby enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the magnetic filter adapter 10. In this embodiment of the adapter 10, the cover plate 37 is formed of similar material to that of the adaptive housing 15, but other materials which are known may just as readily be used in accordance with the present invention. The unique location and size of the magnet 25 in relation to the concentrating cup 23 and the filter 12 prevents direct contact between the filter 12 and the magnet 25. The magnetic circuit between these two elements is closed by contact between the lower closed end surface 13 of the filter 12 and the circular opening of the cup open end 27. With this unique configuration, the magnetic energy of the magnet 25 is concentrated in the specific region of the filter 12 which is in contact with the cup open end 27, which allows the fluid flowing through this end of the filter 12 to be exposed to the full field strength limit of the magnet 25, thereby optimizing the magnetic influence of the magnet 25 upon magnetically attractable particles flowing through the filter 12. Indeed, it has been found that the magnetic field strength of this particular configuration of the magnet 25 and concentrating cup 23 assembly is significantly greater than that of a configuration in which an end 36 of the magnet 25 were in direct contact with the filter 12. Such optimization allows for the use of a much smaller magnet in this apparatus than that which has been previously conceived, thereby making such a magnetic filtering device more economical and, therefore, more widely available to the consuming public. The particles which are ultimately attracted to the closed end 13 of the filter 12 by the magnet 25 are retained in contact with the interior surface of the closed end 13 until such time as the filter adapter 10 is removed from the filter 12, or, as in the case wherein the magnet 25 is an electromagnet, until such time as when the magnet 25 is disconnected from its source of electric power. It is preferred, therefore, that in the use of the filter adapter 10 when the magnet 25 is a permanent magnet, that said adapter 10 not be removed from the filter 12, until such time as the filter 12 is itself removed from communication with the fluid system to which it is attached for filtering. As well, in the case when the magnet 25 is an electromagnet, it is preferred that the power source to which the electromagnet is connected is a permanent power source, such as a battery, which may not be turned-off until such time as the filter adapter 10 is disconnected from electric communication with the battery for removal from the filter 12. FIG's 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of a magnetic filter adapter 110 according to the present invention, for use with a wide variety of filter assemblies, such as that having an oil pan 112 (in phantom) made of magnetically attractive material. The filter adapter 110 includes a magnetic-field concentrating cup 123 formed of a material which can be magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field, such as that which is provided by a magnet 125 positioned within the concentrating cup 123. The concentrating cup 123 may be formed of a variety of magnetizable materials, including a ferrous metal (e.g., mild steel), a ferrous metal alloy, ceramic magnetic material (e.g., aluminum-nickel alloy or a rare-earth material), or the like. A concentrating cup formed of a material which is not naturally rust resistant, such as mild steel, may be electroplated with a rust resistant material, for example zinc, or may be galvanized. The magnetic-field concentrating cup 123 includes a cup open end 127, a cup peripheral side wall 128 and a cup closed end 129. The magnetic filter adapter 110 is affixed to the oil pan 112 via magnetic force between the enhancing cup open end 127 and the fluid oil pan 112. The magnet 125 of the magnetic filter adapter 110 has a pair of opposed ends 136 and a breadth, or diameter, less than the diameter of the concentrating cup 123. The magnet 125 is further positioned within said concentrating cup 123 such that one of said opposed ends 136 of the magnet is in contact with an inner surface of said cup closed end 129. The magnet 125 may have an axial height which is equal to or less than the axial height of the concentrating cup 123; however, it is preferred that the magnet 125 has a height which is less than the axial height of the concentrating cup 123 such that the other of said opposed ends 136 of the magnet 125 does not contact the oil pan 112 when the magnetic filter adapter 110 is in operable position. It has been found that the maximum magnetic field strength of the magnet 125 can be focused along the bottom of the oil pan 112 when the opposed end 136 of the magnet, which end 136 is not in contact with the closed end 129, is also not in direct contact with the oil pan 112. It is also preferred that the magnet 125 is a disk shaped permanent magnet with a central axial aperture therethrough, although those skilled in the art will recognize that magnets of other various shapes, and even an electromagnet may also be used in accordance with the method of the present invention. An electromagnet would have an inner conductive core which is electrically connected to an extemal power source, such as an engine electrical system (not shown), via means which are known. Also, the permanent magnet 125 may be formed of a wide variety of ferromagnetic materials, including ceramic magnetic material such as ferrite and barium or strontium alloys, rare-earth materials from the rare-earth cobalt 5 and the rare-earth 2 transition metal 17 group, an aluminum-nickel alloy and various iron-chromium-cobalt alloys, all of which are known. A non-magnetic cover plate (not shown) substantially similar to the cover plate 37 of FIG.'s 1 and 2, may be affixed to an interior periphery of the side wall 128 of the concentrating cup 123, for covering the magnet 125 and thereby enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the magnetic filter adapter 110. The unique location and size of the magnet 125 in relation to the concentrating cup 123 and the oil pan 112 prevents direct contact between the oil pan 112 and the magnet 125. The magnetic circuit between these two elements is closed by contact between the lower closed end surface 113 of the oil pan 12 and the circular opening of the cup open end 127. With this unique configuration, the magnetic energy of the magnet 125 is concentrated in the specific region of the oil pan 112 which is in contact with the cup open end 127, which allows the fluid flowing through this end of the oil pan 112 to be exposed to the full field strength limit of the magnet 125, thereby optimizing the magnetic influence of the magnet 125 upon magnetically attractable particles flowing through the oil pan 112. Indeed, it has been found that the magnetic field strength of this particular configuration of the magnet 125 and concentrating cup 123 assembly is significantly greater than that of a configuration in which an end 136 of the magnet 125 were in direct contact with the oil pan 112. Such optimization allows for the use of a much smaller magnet in this apparatus than that which has been previously conceived, thereby making such a magnetic filtering device more economical and, therefore, more widely available to the consuming public. The particles which are ultimately attracted to the oil pan 112 by the magnet 125 are retained in contact with the interior surface of the oil pan 112 until such time as the filter adapter 110 is removed from the oil pan 112, or, as in the case wherein the magnet 125 is an electromagnet, until such time as when the magnet 125 is disconnected from its source of electric power. It is preferred, therefore, that in the use of the filter adapter 110 when the magnet 125 is a permanent magnet, that said adapter 110 not be removed from the oil pan 112, until such time as the oil pan 112 is itself removed from communication with the fluid system to which it is attached. As well, in the case when the magnet 125 is an electromagnet, it is preferred that the power source to which the electromagnet is connected is a permanent power source, such as a battery, which may not be turned-off until such time as the filter adapter 110 is disconnected from electric communication with the battery for removal from the oil pan 112. The inventor has given non-limiting descriptions of various embodiments of the present invention, to which many changes may be made without deviating from the spirit of the invention. While this invention has been described with reference to various illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the described and illustrated embodiments, as well as other embodiments of this invention, will be apparent to a person skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims cover any such modifications and/or embodiments that fall within the true scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS It is claimed: 1. A magnetic filter adapter for use with a fluid filter assembly, the filter adapter comprising: a magnetic-field concentrating cup formed of a material which can be magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field; said concentrating cup further including an open end for contacting the exterior surface of a filter assembly, a peripheral side wall and a closed end; and a magnet having a pair of opposed ends and a breadth less than the diameter of said concentrating cup; said magnet further being positioned within said concentrating cup such that one of said opposed ends of the magnet is in contact with an inner surface of the cup closed end; said magnet further having a height which does not exceed the shortest distance between the inner surface of the cup closed end and the plane of the cup open end, such that the opposed end of the magnet which is not in contact with the cup closed end rests in a plane which is not further from the cup closed end than the plane of the cup open end when the magnet is in operable position within the concentrating cup. 2. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the magnet has a height which is less than the shortest distance between the inner surface of the cup closed end and the plane of the cup open end, such that the opposed end of the magnet which is not in contact with the cup closed end rests between the plane of the cup open end and the cup closed end when the magnet is in operable position within the concentrating cup. 3. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a non¬ magnetic cover plate affixed to an interior periphery of the side wall of the concentrating cup, for covering the magnet. 4. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the concentrating cup is formed of a ferrous metal or a ferrous metal alloy. 5. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the magnet is an electro-magnet. 6. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet formed of a ceramic magnetic material. 7. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet formed of an aluminum-nickel alloy. 8. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet formed of a rare-earth magnetic material. 9. The magnetic filter adapter as recited in claim 16, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet formed of an iron-chromium-cobalt alloy. 10 A magnetic filter adapter for use with a fluid filter having a cylindrical housing which includes a closed end and a semi-open end for communicating with a fluid system, the filter adapter comprising: a non-magnetic semi-rigid hollow adaptive housing, including a cylindrical side wall between a housing open end and a housing closed end, and further having an interior diameter and an axial height sufficient for frictionally engaging the exterior housing surface of the fluid filter; a magnetic-field concentrating cup formed of a material which can be magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field, and including a cup open end, a cup peripheral side wall and a cup closed end; said cup having an exterior diameter less than the interior diameter of the adaptive housing and further having an axial height which is less than the axial height of the adaptive housing; said cup further being affixed within said adaptive housing such that the external surface of the cup closed end is substantially in coaxial contact with an inner surface of the adaptive housing closed end, and the cup open end is in magnetic contact with the fluid filter closed end when said filter is engaged by the adaptive housing; and a magnet having a pair of opposed ends and a breadth less than the diameter of the concentrating cup; said magnet further being positioned within said concentrating cup such that one of said opposed ends of the magnet is in contact with an inner surface of said cup closed end; said magnet further having a height which is less than the axial height of said concentrating cup such that the other of said opposed ends does not contact the fluid filter when said filter is engaged by the adaptive housing.

Inventors: WILLIAMSON CARLTON R, WILLIAMSON, CARLTON, R.
Applicants: WILLIAMSON CARLTON R, WILLIAMSON, CARLTON, R.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B01D35
IPC codes: B01D35, B03C1