Patent EP-1649920-A1 (EP)
Inventor: OELPKE REINHARD
IPC: B01D46/52
Filed: 2005-10-11
Abstract: A filter component for end face inflow of a fluid stream comprises flat layer(s) alternating with folded layer(s) of flow-through filter media to form channels. At least one support is provided on a surface proximate axial end face(s) of the filter component with opening(s) for receiving a projecting portion of corresponding mating part so that the filter component may be handled via the mating part. A filter component (13) for end face inflow of a fluid stream comprises flat layer(s) (23) and folded layer(s) (24) of flow-through filter media. The flat layer alternates with the folded layer such that channels (26) with an open cross-section are formed. A first group of the channels are tightly sealed at one end and a second group of the channels are tightly sealed at an opposite end such that the fluid to be filtered, as it flows through the filter component from an inlet side which is formed by an end face of the filter component to an outlet side which is formed by the opposite end face of the filter component, must pass through one of the layers which are provided to filter the fluid. A seal is provided for sealing the inlet side of the filter from the discharge side of the filter component in a housing section. At least one support is arranged in the center of the filter component surrounded by the channels. The support extends axially up to end face(s) of the filter component. Each channel of the first group of channels which is spaced from the periphery of the filter component is surrounded on each side by channels of the second group so that the fluid to be filtered can flow through the full area of the channels of the first group except for the folded edges of the channels. The support is provided on a surface proximate the axial end face(s) of the filter component with opening(s) for receiving a projecting portion of corresponding mating part so that the filter component may be handled via the mating part. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a mating part for a filter component, comprising projecting portion(s) configured to correspond to opening(s) in the support such that the mating part can be releasably coupled to the support in the interior of the opening; and (2) a filter assembly comprising a filter component disposed in a first housing section; a radially circumferential seal (18) of the filter component in the region of the first end face of the filter component seated against a correspondingly configured housing seat of the first housing section such that a seal is created between the inlet side and the discharge side of the filter component; a mating part as a second housing section having projecting portion(s) clipped into opening(s) of the support of the filter component, wherein the second housing section comprises a fluid-permeable retaining grid (11) having an outer contour configured to correspond to the end face seating surface (20) of the circumferential seal and latching plates (34) arranged on the outer contour of the second housing section for releasably attaching the second housing section to the first housing section with the circumferential seal of the filter component clamped between them, wherein upon release of the housing sections from each other, the filter component can be handled via the second housing section.