Abstract:
An arrangement for filtering coolants used in internal combustion engines utilizes a panel filter disposed between a radiator core and an outlet header tank so as to trap particulates entrained in the coolant prior to returning the coolant to the engine. The panel filter has a pleated filter media surrounded by a gasket, which gasket seals between the outlet end of the radiator core and the outlet header tank.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cooling system filters. More particularly, the present invention relates to cooling system filters utilized with radiators or heat exchangers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During the last forty years, considerable effort has been extended to improve the durability of main power train components of engines such as pistons, rings and bearings. Exhaust gas emission regulations, engine performance and engine life have been the main measures of these improvements. 
     There is now a need for improving systems which arc supplemental to the power train such as cooling systems and steering systems. 
     Water pumps remain as one of the leading replacement components in supplemental power train systems with bearing design failures and fluid contamination being main contributing factors in water pump damage. Fluid contamination is the result of little or no filtration capacity in cooling systems, settling of recirculating contaminants being the main phenomenon relied on to reduce particulate contamination. With respect to diesel engines, reducing sediment in engine coolant is a serious concern because cylinder liner cavitation is a major cause of premature failure that reduces engine life. With respect to gasoline engines, gasoline engine life has of late been extended considerably, and it is therefore necessary to extend the long-term cooling characteristics in gasoline engine blocks. Uneven cylinder cooling leads to exhaust gas emission changes, while uniform changes among the cylinders of an engine improves fuel economy and engine durability. 
     By reducing sediment, radiator life is extended, which improves heat transfer for a longer period of time. With modern automotive engines, radiator cooling loads have increased while engine compartments have gotten smaller due to high heat output of engines and increased transmission demands resulting from continuing improvements and attempted improvements in efficiency. 
     Since thermal transfer of heat is directly impacted by internal surface coatings of sludge and scale in radiators in engine blocks, eliminating these unwanted coatings is essential. 
     While internal combustion engine cooling systems are of primary concern, there are concerns regarding other cooling arrangements for other systems such as transmissions and lubricating systems, as well as heat exchangers in general, especially industrial heat exchangers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the aforementioned considerations, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a new and improved arrangement for filtering coolants. 
     This invention is directed to an arrangement for filtering coolants wherein the arrangement comprises a radiator or heat exchanger having a radiator core with an inlet side and an outlet side with each side covered by a header tank. A filter element is disposed between one side of the radiator core and the header tank covering that side to filter coolant as the coolant exits the radiator. 
     In a more specific aspect of the invention, the filter element is comprised of filter media and a peripheral exit gasket, wherein the gasket seals between the radiator core and header covering the core. In a still more specific aspect of the invention, the filter media is a pleated filter media, and in an even more specific aspect of the invention, the header and filter element are retained adjacent the core by a header extending vertically. 
     In a further aspect, the invention is directed to an arrangement with the aforementioned structure utilized with radiators for cooling fluid of internal combustion engines. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a radiator in combination with an internal combustion engine and subsystems which function in conjunction with the internal combustion engine; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a radiator used with the internal combustion engine of FIG. 1 according to the prior art; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view, partly exploded, of a first embodiment of a radiator arrangement in accordance with the present invention wherein a filter element is integral with the radiator; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view, partly exploded, of a second embodiment of a radiator configured in accordance with the present invention which has a filter element integral therewith; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged planar view of a filter element used with the radiator arrangements of FIGS. 3 and 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the filter element of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of the filter element of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a cooling system  10  for an internal combustion engine  12 . The cooling system includes a radiator  14  through which coolant is pumped by a water pump  16  which pumps coolant fluid through the engine and into the radiator  14  by an inlet  18  that is connected to the block of the engine  12  by a hose  20 . Coolant is cooled by a core  22  of the radiator  14  before being returned to the engine  12  by a hose  24  that is connected to an outlet  26  of the radiator  14 . The inlet  18  and outlet  26  are connected to an inlet header tank  28  and an outlet header tank  30 , respectively. In accordance with the present invention, a filter element  32  is disposed between the core  22  and the outlet header tank  30 . 
     Also associated with the cooling system  10  is a heater core  35  that has an inlet hose  36  connected to the block  13  of the engine  12 . A return hose  38  connects the heater core  34  to the water pump  16 . 
     If the coolant circulating through these various components entrains solid particles, the particles will deposit in the radiator  14 , the water pump  16 , the engine  12  and the heater core  34  causing blockages and adverse heat transfer characteristics which in turn decrease engine efficiency. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the radiator  14  includes the filter  32  as an integral component thereof in order to remove the particulate matter. Preferably, the filter  32  is disposed adjacent the outlet side  40  of the core  22  rather than the inlet side  42  of the core. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown front views of a first embodiment of a radiator wherein the radiator core  22 ′ is disposed so that the coolant flows horizontally instead of vertically as is the case in FIG.  1 . In the arrangement of FIGS. 2 and 3, the inlet header tank  28 ′ and the outlet header tank  30 ′ are both oriented vertically, as is the filter element  32 . In this arrangement, the inlet opening  18 ′ of the inlet header tank  28 ′ is disposed adjacent the upper end of the radiator  14 ′ while the outlet opening  26 ′ is disposed adjacent the lower end of the outlet header tank  30 ′. Clips  45  and  46  retain the outlet header  30 ′ to the outlet side of the core. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention wherein the core  22  has vertical channels and the inlet header tank  28  extends horizontally on the top of the core while the filter  32  and outlet header tank  30  extend horizontally on the bottom of the core. 
     In both embodiments, the filter elements  32  and  32 ′ are adjacent the outlet sides  40  and  40 ′ of the radiator cores  22  and  22 ′. This is because as the coolant passes through the core  22  or  22 ′ the coolant is cooled, and as it cools, substances which might be in solution at higher temperatures tend to separate out and form particles at lower temperature and are therefore trapped by the filter instead of being trapped in the engine block  13 , water pump  16  or heater core  34  when the engine is not running and the coolant cools. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5,  6  and  7  where the filter element  32  is shown, it is seen that the filter element is preferably comprised of a filter media  50  which is supported by a frame  5 ′ having a peripheral gasket  52 . The peripheral gasket  52  seals with a peripheral end surface  54  of the core  22  or  22 ′ and a peripheral surface  56  on the outlet header. Accordingly, the peripheral gasket  52  simply replaces the normal gasket used to seal the outlet header tank  30  or  30 ′ with the core  22  or  22 ′. 
     As is seen in the drawings, it is preferable that the outlet  26  be positioned below the inlet  18 . 
     During service intervals according to a maintenance schedule, the outlet header  30  or  30 ′ is removed by releasing clips  45  and  46  so that the filter  32  may be replaced. Since the filter has trapped particulate contaminants, these contaminants are removed from the cooling system  10  upon removing the dirty filter  32  and replacing it with a clean filter. 
     While filtering cooling systems of internal combustion engines are of primary concern with respect to the present invention, the filtering concepts are applicable to other systems such as cooling systems for transmissions, lubricating systems and hydraulic systems such as power steering systems, as well as heat exchangers in general, especially industrial heat exchangers . 
     From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modification of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 
     Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.