Patent Description:
Filter elements for filtering a fluid, also named filter cartridges, are used for a wide variety of filtering applications. The fluid can be a liquid or a gas, e.g. air.

Indeed, in many instances, it is desired to filter contaminant material from a fluid stream. For example, airflow streams to engines for motorized vehicles or for power generation equipment, construction equipment or other equipment, gas streams to gas turbine systems and air streams to various combustion furnaces, carry particulate contaminant therein. It is preferred for such systems that contaminant materials be removed from the fluid or at least be reduced.

The filter element can be construed as an element that is to be removed and replaced from a housing of the filter system at regular time intervals or when the filtering performance has dropped below a critical threshold level.

Generally, the filter element comprises a filter medium pack including a filter medium. The filter medium, also named filter body, removes contaminant materials when the fluid flows through the filter medium. Commonly used and commercially available filter media are for example pleated media or fluted media. The fluted media are also named Z-type media.

An example of a filter medium pack comprising fluted medium is described in United States Patent <CIT>. The filter medium pack generally comprises a circumferential side forming a radial boundary of the filter medium pack. The circumferential side of the filter medium pack can have various shapes depending on the overall shape of the filter medium pack. If the filter medium pack has for example a cylindrical shape then the circumferential side of the filter medium pack corresponds to the outer side of the cylinder.

The shape and size of the filter medium pack is also designed in accordance with the corresponding housing the filter medium pack has to fit with.

For proper operation of a filter element, it is essential that the filter medium pack is properly sealed to the housing wherein the filter medium pack is inserted. Various types of seals for a filter element have been proposed.

A first example of a seal type for a filter element is a so-called reversed radial seal, also named outwardly directed radial seal that is, for example, made of polyurethane (PU) and positioned radially around a filter medium pack, e.g. a pack including stacked or wound fluted media. The seal is generally supported by a seal frame to provide strength to the seal and to compensate for the irregular shape of the filter medium pack. In order to use an air filter element comprising a reversed radial seal, the housing of the filter device is provided with an inner radial wall part that is dimensioned such that when the filter element is inserted in the housing a radial edge of the reversed radial seal is compressed against and thereby forms a sealed contact with the inner radial wall part of the housing. An example of an outer radial seal is for example disclosed in <CIT>.

A second example of a seal type for a filter element is an inwardly directed radial seal used for example in combination with a cylindrical filter medium pack, e.g. a pack including pleated media. The inwardly directed radial seal is for example radially positioned inside a hollow part of the cylinder that is forming the filter medium pack. For using these type of inwardly directed radial seals, the housing of the filter system comprises a tube element dimensioned such that when the filter element is inserted in the housing a radial edge of the inwardly directed radial seal is compressed to form a sealed contact with an outer surface of the tube element located inside the housing.

A disadvantage of the filter elements known in the art is that the seal, e.g. a reversed radial seal or an inwardly directed radial seal as discussed above, needs to be manufactured with a high precision. Similarly, the housing of the filter system and especially the inwardly directed radial surface where the seal is making contact, i.e. the sealing surface, needs to be manufactured with high precision and generally in accordance with the dimensions of the seal. Indeed, an imperfect fitting of the seal within the housing can lead to fluid leaks. Moreover, for applications where the filter system is an air filter system used for motorized vehicles, such as for example agriculture vehicles or trucks, the filter seals need to be robust as they can be exposed to heavy vibrations.

As a result of the severe engineering tolerances imposed, the manufacturing process of the filter element and the associated housing is expensive and time consuming.

<CIT> discloses a filter element for a fluid stream having inflow and outflow sides sealed from each other in a housing by a peripheral seal in the form of an annular collar on a frontal side of the filter element, connected via an axial section of the element casing surface and with a supporting frame element.

<CIT> discloses a filter element for a dirt suction device, with a filter frame, on which a filter medium is attached, wherein on the filter frame, a continuous seal is arranged, the inner circumferential surface of which is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the filter frame and has a section that radially protrudes over the filter frame, wherein a groove is arranged on a front side of the protruding section of the seal, and that a sealing surface is arranged on the opposite front side of the protruding section of the seal.

<CIT> discloses a filter element having a filter medium body and sealing material strips extending at least partially circumferentially in a circumferential direction of the filter medium body at an inflow side of the filter medium body and at least at one additional side of the filter medium body. A first one of the sealing material strips carries at least one holding tab. The at least one holding tab projects past the first sealing material strip. The at least one holding tab is embodied at least partially of a material of the first sealing material strip.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filter element according to claim <NUM> and to provide a filter system according to claim <NUM>.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a filter element for filtering fluids that is robust and can be manufactured in a cost-effective way.

A further object of embodiments of the disclosure is that the filter element may be used with a housing of a filter system wherein engineering tolerances with respect to a sealing surface of the housing interfacing with the seal of the filter element can be relaxed.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure a filter element is provided for filtering a fluid comprising a filter medium pack extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end and having an axial inlet side at the first end for receiving unfiltered fluid and a circumferential side forming a radial boundary of the filter medium pack. The filter medium pack is configured for insertion into a housing so as to enclose or partly enclose the circumferential side of the filter medium pack with an outer sidewall of the housing.

The filter element according to the present disclosure comprises a bridge seal arrangement for sealingly bridging a gap between the radial boundary of the filter medium pack and the outer sidewall of the housing. The bridge seal arrangement has a first collar-shaped portion and a second collar-shaped portion coupled with the first collar-shaped portion, and wherein the first collar-shaped portion comprises a first circumferential sealing surface sealingly coupled to the circumferential side of the filter medium pack or sealingly coupled to a border of the axial inlet side, and wherein the second collar-shaped portion comprises a second circumferential sealing surface configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall of the housing.

The present disclosure is not limited to a particular fluid. Preferably the fluid is a gas, such as for example air. The disclosure is also not limited to a particular filter medium. For example, filter elements according to the present disclosure comprise a filter medium pack including a filter medium such as a fluted filter medium or a pleated filter medium or any other filter medium suitable for filtering the fluid. The filter medium pack can also have various shapes and the disclosure is not limited to any particular shape, indeed the cross-section between the circumferential side of a filter medium pack and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis can for instance have a shape of a circle, an oval, an ellipse, a rounded square, obround, or any other shape.

Advantageously, by providing a bridge seal arrangement having the first and the second collar-shaped portions, a degree of decoupling is maintained between the filter element and the housing. In this way, the filter element can move/vibrate within the housing without risk of creating any leaks, making the filter element more robust.

Advantageously, by sealingly coupling the first circumferential sealing surface of the first collar-shaped portion to the circumferential side of the filter medium pack or to a border of the axial inlet side, there is no need to provide for a seal support frame or provide for a coupling element as is the case with filter seals known in the art. As a consequence, the filter element according to the disclosure can fit into a housing having a reduced inner diameter, allowing to make the housing of the filter system more compact.

Advantageously, by providing the second collar-shaped portion comprising a second circumferential sealing surface configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall of the housing, less precision is needed to manufacture the housing, especially tolerances with respect to the sealing surface of the housing can be relaxed. In this way, cheaper tools for manufacturing can be used as the impact of warpage on the plastic walls of the housing is reduced.

A further advantage of aspects of the disclosure is that with a filter element comprising the bridge seal arrangement, the remote sealing surface, i.e. the second circumferential sealing surface of the second collar-shaped portion, is sealing at an outer sidewall of the housing. Advantageously, this outer sidewall can have a non-regular shape, e.g. a drop shape or any other shape that can be contoured by the second circumferential sealing surface of the second collar-shaped portion.

In embodiments, the second collar-shaped portion of the bridge seal arrangement comprises an inwardly protruding portion configured for fitting and/or sealingly cooperating with an indentation portion of the outer sidewall of the housing. In this way, an orientation to the filter element with respect to the housing can be provided.

In embodiments, a glue is coupling the first circumferential sealing surface to the circumferential side or to the border of the axial inlet side. Alternatively, other fixation means can be used as well.

In embodiments according to the present disclosure, the bridge seal arrangement is configured such that the second collar-shaped portion is elastically deformed when positioned around the outer sidewall of the housing such that an opposing radial force is developed for pressing the second circumferential sealing surface against the outer sidewall of the housing. Indeed, as known in the art, when applying a stress to an elastic material, an opposing force is developed that reacts against the deformation. The second collar-shaped portion is preferably made out of an elastomer.

An elastomer is a polymer with the property of elasticity, i.e. it is a polymer that deforms under stress and returns to its original shape when the stress is removed. Embodiments of the bridge seal arrangement according to the present disclosure make use of the elastic property of an elastomer. An elastic body can be elastically deformed in various ways, for example by stretching the body, i.e. making the body longer or wider, or by flexing the body, i.e. bending/folding the body or bending/folding parts of the body, or by applying a combination of stretching and flexing/folding. When the wording elastomer is used throughout this specification, it includes all materials that fall under the elastomer classification. For example, an elastomer includes all synthetic rubbers and natural rubbers.

Generally, to generate an elastic deformation of the second collar-shaped portion, the second collar-shaped portion is to be stretched and/or flexed. For example, in embodiments, the bridge seal arrangement is configured for moving the second collar-shaped portion with respect to the first collar-shaped portion from a first position, also named un-sealed position to a second position, also named sealed position and vice-versa. When making this movement from the un-sealed to the sealed position, at least the second collar-shaped portion is being stretched and/or being flexed. Due to this stretching and/or flexing of the second collar shaped portion an elastic deformation is generated.

Preferably, the bridge seal arrangement of the filter element according to the disclosure is configured such that when moving the second collar-shaped portion from the un-sealed to the sealed position, a radial opposing force is developed and is pressing automatically/intrinsically the second circumferential sealing surface against the outer sidewall of the housing. In this way, a secured sealing is obtained.

In embodiments, the filter element comprises a bridge seal arrangement having one or more folding lines configured for facilitating the movement of the second collar-shaped portion between the sealed and the un-sealed position.

In a particular embodiment, the filter element comprises a bridge seal arrangement having a rigid guiding element attached to the second collar-shaped portion for facilitating the moving of the second collar-shaped portion between the sealed and un-sealed position.

According to the disclosure, the bridge seal arrangement is configured for moving the second collar-shaped portion from a first un-sealed position to a second sealed position, and the second circumferential sealing surface is forming a radially outward-facing circumferential surface and a radially inward-facing circumferential surface when in respectively the first position, i.e. the un-sealed position, and the second position, i.e. the sealed position.

In embodiments, the filter element comprises a fixation clamp positioned around the second collar-shaped portion and configured for pressing the second circumferential sealing surface against the outer sidewall of the housing. The fixation clamp can advantageously be used when the second collar-shaped portion is not stressed and/or flexed or only poorly stressed and/or poorly flexed when in the sealed position such that there is no sufficient opposing radial force automatically/intrinsically generated as discussed above for providing a sealed connection. Applying a fixation clamp or another fixation means to the second collar-shaped portion is necessary when the second collar-shaped portion is non-elastic and/or non-stretchable and/or non-flexible.

In embodiments, the first collar-shaped portion is for example made out of a rigid material such as plastic or a metal. In other embodiments, the first collar-shaped portion is made of or is partly made out of any of the following materials: an elastomer such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermoset elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), a polymer such as polyurethane (PU) or a combination of any of these materials. An example of a synthetic rubber is EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber). In embodiments, the first collar-shaped portion can also be made partly from a rigid material and partly from an elastomer.

The second collar-shaped portion is preferably made out of or partly made out of any of the following materials: an elastomer such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, a polymer such as polyurethane, or a combination of any of these materials.

In embodiments, the bridge seal arrangement of the filter element according to the disclosure comprises a bridging portion coupling the second collar-shaped portion with the first collar-shaped portion. This bridging portion improves the decoupling between the filter element and the housing.

In a particular embodiment, the first collar-shaped portion and the second collar-shaped portion are forming a coupled body made out of a single material, preferably made out of any of the following materials: an elastomer such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoset elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, a polymer such as polyurethane, or a combination of any of these materials.

In further embodiments, the bridge seal arrangement according to the present disclosure comprises an elastic and stretchable band wherein the first collar-shaped portion and the second collar-shaped portion correspond to respectively a lower and an upper portion of the elastic and stretchable band.

In embodiments, besides the axial inlet side at the first end, the filter medium pack has an axial outlet side at the second end for outputting filtered fluid. In alternative embodiments, besides the axial inlet side at the first end, the filter medium pack has a closed flange located at the second end of the filter medium pack and the circumferential side is configured for outputting filtered fluid.

In embodiments, the bridge seal arrangement comprises one or more handles associated to the second collar-shaped portion. The handles can for example be attached to the second collar-shaped portion or alternatively, the handles can be integrated in the second collar-shaped portion by for example providing openings through the second collar-shaped portion. Advantageously, these handles allow to remove the filter element from the housing. Further, by providing one or more protruding elements to the external surface of the housing, the handles can be coupled to the corresponding protruding elements so as to keep the collar-shaped seal in position.

In embodiments, the border of the axial inlet side corresponds to a circumferential surface portion of the axial inlet side. In other embodiments, the border of the axial inlet side corresponds to a peripheral radial edge area of the axial inlet side.

In particular embodiments, the filter element according to the present disclosure is an air filter element, preferably suitable for an air intake system of a combustion engine.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a filter system comprising a housing and a filter element as described above is provided. The housing comprises an outer sidewall enclosing or partly enclosing the circumferential side of the filter medium pack and the second circumferential sealing surface is encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall of the housing. Thereby, preferably, the gap between the outer perimeter of the media pack and an outer sidewall of the housing is completely bridged, i.e. sealed. Thereby, preferably, at least part of the inflow surface of the media pack is completely hermetically separated from the outflow surface of the filter element, being separated from one another by the housing, or part of the housing, and the bridge seal arrangement. In this way, the only fluid passage from the inflow to the outflow surface is through the intra-filter media connection. Advantageously, filtered fluid is not being polluted with unfiltered fluid.

In embodiments, the outer sidewall of the housing is adapted to cooperate with the second circumferential sealing surface. For example, for filter elements wherein the second collar-shaped portion comprises a sealing rib having a radial surface forming the second circumferential sealing surface, a groove can be provided to the outer sidewall of the housing to cooperate with the sealing rib.

In embodiments, the filter system comprises a pre-cleaner for pre-cleaning the unfiltered fluid before entering the filter medium pack. Such a pre-cleaner is removably coupled to the housing and in embodiments according to the present disclosure, the second collar-shaped portion comprises a third circumferential sealing surface configured for cooperating with an inner surface of said pre-cleaner. In this way, the pre-cleaner can be installed without the need for an additional seal.

In particular embodiments, the filter system comprises a housing having an outer sidewall enclosing or partly enclosing the circumferential side of the filter medium pack, and wherein one or more protruding elements are provided to the outer sidewall of the housing. In this way, when a bridge seal arrangement is used comprising one or more handles coupled to the second collar-shaped portion, as discussed above, each of the one or more handles can be coupled to a corresponding protruding element. Advantageously, with the handles coupled to the protruding elements of the housing, the bridge seal arrangement is kept in place.

In further particular embodiments, the filter system comprises one or more latches for latching a pre-cleaner or a filter cover to the housing. Preferably, for bridge seal arrangements comprising one or more handles coupled to the second collar-shaped portion, as discussed above, each of the one or more latches is coupled with a corresponding handle of the one or more handles of said bridge seal arrangement. In this way, no specific additional elements, such as protruding elements, need to be provided to the outer wall of the housing to interface with the latches.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of servicing a filter system is provided as disclosed in the appended claims.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a filter element for filtering a fluid is provided comprising a filter medium pack extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first axial side and a second axial side forming an axial boundary of the filter medium pack, and a circumferential side forming a radial boundary of the filter medium pack; and wherein the filter element comprises a bridge seal arrangement having a first ring-shaped or collar-shaped portion comprising a first circumferential sealing surface sealingly coupled to the circumferential side or sealingly coupled to a border of the second axial side, and a second collar-shaped portion coupled with the first collar-shaped portion, and wherein the second collar-shaped portion comprises a second circumferential sealing surface configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with an outer surface of a tube-shaped wall portion located inside the housing of a filter system. This wall portion is not necessarily a cylindrical tube-shaped portion but it can have any shape including irregular shapes such as a drop shape.

In embodiments, the bridge seal arrangement comprises a liner element coupled to the collar-shaped portion. The liner element facilitates to insert the filter element in the housing and to maintain a firm sealing contact.

In embodiments, the filter medium pack includes an annular filter medium radially delimited by an outer side and an inner side, and wherein the outer side is permeable for receiving unfiltered liquid and the outer side is corresponding to the circumferential side of the filter medium pack. The inner side is configured for outputting filtered liquid into a cavity of the annular filter medium and a flange is closing the first axial side of the filter medium pack. In this embodiment, the second axial side of the filter medium pack is configured for evacuating filtered liquid from the cavity.

According to an aspect of the disclosure a filter system comprising a filter element and a housing comprising an outer sidewall enclosing or partly enclosing the circumferential side of the filter medium pack, and a tube-shaped wall portion located inside the housing and wherein the second circumferential sealing surface of the second collar-shaped portion is encircling and sealingly cooperating with a surface of the tube-shaped wall portion located inside the housing.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a housing for a filter element is provided. The housing comprises a tube-shaped wall portion located inside the housing and wherein a radial outer surface of the tube-shaped wall portion is configured for forming an internal sealing surface for cooperating with a collar-shaped portion of a bridge seal arrangement.

These and further aspects of the disclosure will be explained in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

The <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate alternative examples of filter elements with respective sealing arrangements that have not been claimed.

The Figures are not drawn to scale. Generally, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the Figures.

The present disclosure will be described in terms of specific embodiments, which are illustrative of the disclosure and not to be construed as limiting. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited by what has been particularly shown and/or described and that alternatives or modified embodiments could be developed in the light of the overall teaching of this disclosure.

The examples and corresponding features illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate alternative examples of filter elements with respective sealing arrangements that have not been claimed.

Use of the verb "to comprise", as well as the respective conjugations, does not exclude the presence of elements other than those stated. Use of the article "a", "an" or "the" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in one or more embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

When the wording "collar" or "collar-shaped portion" is used throughout this specification, it can be construed as an element or part of an element configured for enclosing/contouring an element or object or for enclosing/ contouring a circumferential wall of an element or object. The collar or collar-shaped portion is not limited to symmetric regular shapes such as shapes of a ring, a cylinder or an obround, but other irregular shapes for forming a contour around elements/objects or around circumferential walls having an irregular radial boundary are conceived as well. Hence, the collar or collar-shaped portion can also have an irregular shape. For example, if a wall having an indentation portion is to be contoured by the collar or by the collar-shaped portion, the collar can have a corresponding irregular shape, for example having a protruding portion, in order to fit with the indentation portion of the wall. Additionally, the shape of the collar or the collar-shaped portion can vary, for example variations can occur between a stretched or a non-stretched state of the collar or collar-shaped portion.

When the wording "coupled" or "sealingly coupled" is used for expressing for example a coupling between two surfaces or two elements, it can be construed as either a direct coupling or an indirect coupling. A direct coupling is a direct connection between for example the two surfaces to be coupled by pressing the two surface together with or without an adhesive in between, such as a glue. On the other hand, an indirect coupling involves the use of for example further additional intermediate elements for establishing the coupling between the two surfaces. The additional intermediate element can for example include additional surfaces that are pressed and/or glued together, or sealingly fixed together in any other way.

The wording "encircling" used herein is to be construed as encompassing, surrounding or forming a circle around something. For example, a sealing surface that is encircling the outer sidewall of a housing when in sealed position implies by definition that the sealing surface is encompassing an outer surface of the outer sidewall of the housing.

As discussed above, the filter element according to the present disclosure is a component for mounting in a housing of a filter system and comprises a filter medium pack wherein a filter medium catches particles and impurities that are present in an incoming fluid flow. Although a number of the drawings presented and discussed below are specifically addressing embodiments of a filter element for filtering air, the present disclosure is not limited to any specific fluid. The fluid is for example a gas such as air.

A filter medium pack for use in a filter element according to the present disclosure is first discussed. Referring to <FIG>, a cross-section of respectively a first, a second and a third embodiment of a filter medium pack <NUM> is schematically shown. The filter medium pack <NUM> is extending along a longitudinal axis Z from a first end z1 to a second end z2 and comprises an axial inlet side <NUM> at the first end z1 of the filter medium pack for receiving the unfiltered fluid, for example a gas such as air. A circumferential side <NUM> forms a radial boundary of the filter medium pack <NUM>. Fluid entering the axial inlet side <NUM>, crosses the filter medium <NUM> and finally exits the filter medium pack is schematically illustrated with black arrows on <FIG>.

Filter elements according to the present disclosure may use different kinds of filter medium packs, including filter medium packs comprising pleated filter media and filter medium packs comprising fluted filter media. A variety of these filter medium packs are commercially available and are known to the skilled person.

The flow direction of the fluid crossing the filter medium pack <NUM> can vary depending on the specific type of filter medium pack used. For example, for the first and third embodiment of the filter medium pack <NUM> shown on <FIG>, respectively, the fluid is crossing the filter medium <NUM> in a direction essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis Z and the filtered fluid is exiting the filter medium pack at an axial outlet side <NUM> at the second end z2 of the filter medium pack. On the other hand, in the second embodiment of a filter medium pack <NUM> as shown on <FIG>, the fluid is crossing the filter medium in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis Z. In this second embodiment, the filter medium <NUM> has the shape of for example a hollow cylinder with a central axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis Z. In this example shown on <FIG>, the axial inlet side <NUM> of the filter medium pack comprises a ring-shaped flange <NUM> having an axial opening for supplying the unfiltered fluid to the filter medium <NUM> and the axial side <NUM> of the filter medium pack at the second end z2 is covered with a closed flange <NUM>. In the second embodiment shown in <FIG>, the filter medium can for example be a pleated medium. For each of the examples shown at <FIG>, flow can also be the reverse of that shown.

In embodiments wherein the filter medium pack <NUM> comprises a fluted filter medium <NUM>, the fluted filter medium <NUM> comprises for example coiled layers of fluted filter material. Those layers are axially coiled with respect to the longitudinal axis Z. In these embodiments, an outer surface of an outer layer of the coiled fluted filter medium is forming the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>. Such a coiled fluted filter medium is for example disclosed in <CIT>. In other embodiments, as illustrated on <FIG>, to improve the necessary dimensional stability, the filter medium pack <NUM> comprises a supporting shell <NUM>, for example made of a rigid plastic, surrounding the filter medium <NUM> or surrounding part of the filter medium <NUM>. In these embodiments, an outer surface of the supporting shell <NUM> is forming the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>.

The present disclosure is not limited to any specific shape of the filter medium pack. For example, the cross section between the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z, for instance can have a shape of a circle, an oval, obround, an ellipse or a rounded square.

The filter medium packs <NUM> are generally dimensioned in accordance with the housing they have to fit with. The filter medium pack/filter element can be inserted in the housing through a service opening of the housing. The insertion of exemplary filter elements <NUM> into a housing <NUM> so as to enclose or partly enclose the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> with an outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is schematically illustrated on <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

In general terms, the filter element <NUM> according to the disclosure comprises a filter medium pack <NUM> as discussed above and a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> for bridging a gap between the radial boundary of the filter medium pack and the outer sidewall of the housing.

When for example an air filter element is being used and inserted in a housing <NUM>, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> provides for a separation between the filtered air and the ambient air surrounding the housing <NUM>. Hence, the filtered air does not get polluted with ambient unfiltered air.

Various embodiments of a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> according to an aspect of the disclosure exist and a number of examples are schematically shown on <FIG> and <FIG>. Such a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> of the filter element <NUM> is characterized in that it has a first collar-shaped portion 20a comprising a first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> sealingly coupled to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> or sealingly coupled to a border of the axial inlet side <NUM>. The bridge seal arrangement <NUM> has a second collar-shaped portion 20b that is coupled with the first collar-shaped portion 20a, and the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises a second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing.

In embodiments, illustrated on <FIG>, the first collar-shaped portion 20a and the second collar-shaped portion 20b form a coupled body that can, for example, be made out of a single material, as illustrated on the these Figures with a black colour. This coupled body can for example be made out of an elastomer, such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber.

In other embodiments, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is composed out of various materials by combining parts made of, for example, an elastomer and other parts made of, for example, a rigid plastic or another rigid material. Examples of embodiments of bridge seal arrangements <NUM> being composed of multiple parts made of various materials are illustrated on <FIG> where the parts coloured in black are made out, of for example, an elastomer and the hatched parts are, for example, made out of a hard plastic or any other relatively more rigid material.

In embodiments, as illustrated for example on <FIG> and <FIG>, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> comprises a collar-shaped bridging portion 20c coupling the second collar-shaped portion 20b with the first collar-shaped portion 20a. This bridging portion 20c allows, when the air filter element <NUM> is inserted in a housing <NUM>, to define and maintain a spacing between the outer side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> and an outer wall of the housing. In this way, the filter medium pack <NUM> maintains a degree of movement within the housing allowing to absorb vibrations.

The bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is not limited to a particular number of collar-shaped portions that are coupled together, for example in alternative embodiments, besides the first collar-shaped portion 20a, the second collar-shaped portion 20b and the collar-shaped bridging portion 20c, the bride seal arrangement <NUM> comprises additional collar-shaped portions.

As mentioned above, the first collar-shaped portion 20a of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> forms a sealed coupling with the filter medium pack <NUM>, either with the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> or either with a border of the axial inlet side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>. Both type of coupling arrangements will be discussed.

For coupling the first circumferential sealing surface of the first collar-shaped portion 20a to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> a glue or any other adhesive means can be used, thereby providing a permanent and sealed connection. Alternatively, or in combination therewith, if the first collar-shaped portion 20a is made of an elastic material, such as an elastomer, the inner diameter of the first collar-shaped portion 20a can be configured such that the first collar-shaped portion 20a is stretched when positioning around the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack. As a result, a radial opposing force is pressing the first circumferential sealing surface against the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>. Additionally, or in the alternative, or in combination therewith, a fixation strap can be provided around the first collar-shaped portion 20a for firmly pressing the first circumferential sealing surface against the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, examples are shown of bridge seal arrangements <NUM> wherein the first circumferential sealing surface of the first collar-shaped portion 20a is sealingly coupled to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>. These are examples where the first and second collar-shaped portions of the bridge seal arrangement forma coupled body made from a single material, as discussed above.

Bridge seal arrangements <NUM> composed of different parts of different materials, and wherein the first collar- shaped portion is for example made of a rigid material, can also be coupled to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack. The bridge seal arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> is shown in combination with a filter medium pack <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>, illustrating that the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is coupled to the circumferential side of the filter medium pack <NUM>. In these embodiments, the coupling can also be made with a glue or any other adhesive or fixation means. The bridge seal arrangement <NUM> shown on <FIG> and <FIG> is a particular bridge seal arrangement that reduces the fluid inflow stream.

The first collar-shaped portion 20a of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> according to the present disclosure can be coupled with the circumferential side <NUM> of any of the exemplary filter medium packs <NUM> discussed above and illustrated on <FIG>.

If a filter medium pack <NUM> as discussed above and shown on <FIG> is used, the coupling of the first collar-shaped portion 20a to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack can be made at any longitudinal position with respect to the longitudinal axis Z, i.e. at any longitudinal position between the first end z1 and the second end z2. In <FIG>, an example is shown where the coupling is made about halfway between the first and second end. In this way, the housing is advantageously being reduced in size.

An example of a first collar-shaped portion 20a coupled to the filter medium pack <NUM> of the type shown on <FIG>, is illustrated on <FIG>. In this example, the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the first-collar shaped portion 20a is sealingly coupled to a radial side of the ring-shaped flange <NUM> at the inlet side <NUM>. This coupling can also be made with a glue or any other fixation means.

As mentioned above, in embodiments of a filter element <NUM> according to the present disclosure, the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the first-collar shaped portion 20a can also be coupled to a border of the axial inlet side <NUM>. A border of the axial inlet side should be construed in the broadest possible sense. The border is, for example, a peripheral radial edge area of the axial inlet side <NUM> or in another example the border is a circumferential surface portion of the axial inlet side <NUM>. Two examples of coupling the first collar-shaped portion to a border of the axial inlet side <NUM> are further discussed.

In <FIG>, a filter element <NUM> is shown comprising the bridge seal arrangement of <FIG>. In this embodiment, the first-collar shaped portion 20a is part of the hatched circumferential element <NUM> shown on <FIG>. This circumferential element <NUM> is for example made of a rigid material and the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the first-collar shaped portion 20a can be glued to the border of the inlet side <NUM>. When using such a bridge seal arrangement in combination with a filter medium pack <NUM> shown on <FIG>, the consequence, as can be observed from <FIG>, is that the inlet flow surface is reduced.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, a further example is shown of a filter element wherein the first-collar shaped portion 20a is coupled to a border of the inlet side <NUM>. In this example, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is made of a single material, e.g. an elastomer. In this embodiment, the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the first-collar shaped portion 20a is coupled, for example with a glue, to a circumferential surface portion of the axial inlet side <NUM> forming the border of the axial inlet side <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> can be configured for moving the second collar-shaped portion 20b with respect to the first collar-shaped portion 20a from a first position to a second position and vice-versa. As mentioned above, the first and second positions are also named un-sealed position and sealed position, respectively. For example, to insert or remove the filter element from the housing, the second collar-shaped portion 20b is to be moved between a sealed and un-sealed position.

In some embodiments, when moving the second collar-shaped portion 20b from an un-sealed to a sealed position, the second-collar shaped portion 20b is substantially stretched while in other embodiments the second collar-shaped portion 20b is not substantially stretched but for example only bent/flexed or folded when in the sealed position. Whether the second-collar shaped portion 20b is substantially stretched or not will depend on the detailed design of the bridge seal arrangement and on the material the second-collar shaped portion is made of.

Preferably, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is configured such that, when moving from the un-sealed to the sealed position, the second collar-shaped portion is stretched and/or flexed such that the second collar-shaped portion is elastically deformed when in the sealed position. In other words, in order to position the second collar-shaped portion 20b around the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outside surfaces 51o of the outer sidewall <NUM>, the second collar-shaped portion is to be stretched and/or flexed in order to firmly fit around the outer sidewall <NUM>.

Advantageously, for embodiments where the second collar-shaped portion is made of an elastomer, the second collar-shaped portion is, due to the stretching and/or flexing, predominantly elastically deformed when in the sealed position. In this way, as a result of the forces applied for stretching and deforming the seal, a radial opposing force is pressing automatically/intrinsically the second circumferential sealing surface against the outer sidewall of the housing. Advantageously, by using a stretchable seal, a secure sealing is obtained and there is no need for adding an additional fixation member, such as for example a fixation clamp around the second collar-shaped portion 20b.

In other embodiments, to increase the radial force pressing the second circumferential sealing surface against the outer sidewall of the housing and/or to maintain the second collar-shaped portion in place, a fixation clamp <NUM> as shown on <FIG> can be optionally added.

Whether a fixation means such as a fixation clamp or a fixation ring is mandatory or not also depends on the type of fluid used and the specific application the filter element is used for. Depending on the application, e.g. use of a liquid such as oil or use of a gas such as air, the pressure differences between the filtered fluid and the unfiltered fluid can be quite different. For applications where the fluid is for example an oil, e.g. for hydraulic applications, and where pressure differences can be high, an additional fixation means is preferably provided.

A number of embodiments of bridge seal arrangements are now discussed in more detail. A distinction can be made between embodiments where the second collar-shaped portion is elastic and is substantially stretched for forming a sealed coupling and embodiments were the second collar-shaped portion is, although potentially elastic, not substantially stretched, i.e. made longer or wider, but only for example bent/flexed when in the sealed position. A third category of embodiments are embodiments wherein the collar-shaped portion is non-stretchable and where fixation means are required for keeping the second collar-shaped portion in the sealed position.

Examples of bridge seal arrangements <NUM> that are substantially stretched when moving from an un-sealed to a sealed position are, for example, shown on <FIG> and <FIG>. In <FIG>, examples of filter elements are shown wherein these type of bridge seal arrangements <NUM> are in an un-sealed position, and in <FIG> examples are shown of a sealed position.

A preferred embodiment of a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> according to the present disclosure is shown on <FIG> and is further named wide band seal. This embodiment can indeed be considered as a wide elastic and stretchable band wherein a lower portion and an upper portion forms respectively the first 20a and second 20b collar-shaped portion of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM>. In other words, the first and second collar-shaped portion form a coupled single body that is preferably made of a stretchable single material such as an elastomer. The wide band seal does not necessarily need to have a cylindrical shape but the wide band seal can have any suitable shape adapted accordingly to the shape of the filter medium pack and/or the shape of the housing the band has to fit with. The opening through the first 20a and second 20b collar-shaped portion are also not necessarily the same. For example, the wide band seal can have the shape of a truncated cone wherein a lower base part of the cone corresponds to the first collar-shaped portion 20a configured to fit with the filter medium pack and a truncated upper part of the cone corresponds to the second collar-shaped portion 20b configured to firmly fit around the outer sidewall of the housing after folding/stretching/flexing the second collar-shaped portion.

As illustrated on <FIG> and <FIG>, to form a sealed connection between the outer wall <NUM> of the housing and the second collar-shaped portion 20b of the wide band seal, the wide band seal is folded and stretched. In some embodiments, in order to facilitate this folding and stretching of the band, one or more folding lines <NUM> are provided, as shown on <FIG>. Indeed, as schematically illustrated on for example <FIG> and <FIG>, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises a first section and a second section wherein a wall thickness of the first section is smaller than a wall thickness of the second section. In this way the one or more predetermined folding lines <NUM> are formed in the second-collar shaped portion. Indeed, the sections where the wall thickness is reduced are predetermined in order to facilitate a folding and/or stretching of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> to the right locations. In further embodiments, as illustrated for example in <FIG>, to further improve the folding of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM>, the collar-shaped bridging portion 20c comprises a third section and a fourth section wherein a wall thickness of the third section is smaller than a wall thickness of the fourth section. The different wall thicknesses are configured not only to facilitate the folding of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> but also to avoid that the foldable seal is folding back from the sealed to the un-sealed position.

Predetermined folding lines can be made in the second collar-shaped portion 20b and/or bridging portion 20c, as mentioned above, by reducing the wall thickness at specific predetermined locations. Alternatively, starting from a given overall wall thickness, the wall thickness can also be reinforced at predetermined locations in order to generate thickness variations and hence obtain the same effect of facilitating the folding of the bridge seal arrangement.

In the embodiments shown on <FIG> and <FIG>, the predetermined folding lines <NUM> are illustrated as radial lines in the elastic band <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, predetermined folding lines can also be made in a longitudinal direction parallel with a central axis of the bridge seal arrangement. For example if the housing has a rounded square shape, longitudinal predetermined folding lines can be provided in the second collar-shaped portion 20b by, for example, reducing the wall thickness of the collar-shaped portion at those specific locations corresponding with the corner portions of the housing. In this way, the second collar-shaped portion will also firmly fit in the corners of the housing.

Reference is made to <FIG> where an example of a wide band seal is shown in more detail when in the un-sealed position and in the sealed position, respectively. In this example, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> comprises a lip portion 20d coupled to the first collar-shaped portion 20a and configured for cooperating with an inner surface 51i of the outer wall <NUM> of the housing to additionally maintain/position the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> in position when folded in the sealed position.

Advantageously, the wide band seal embodiment can be used in combination with any of the filter medium packs <NUM> discussed above and shown on <FIG>. <FIG> illustrate for example a filter element <NUM> wherein a wide band seal is coupled to a filter medium pack <NUM> corresponding to respectively <FIG>.

According to the disclosure, the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> forms a radially outward-facing circumferential surface and a radially inward-facing circumferential surface when the second collar-shaped portion 20b is in respectively the un-sealed and the sealed position. In <FIG>, an example is shown of an un-sealed position, illustrating that the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the second collar-shaped portion 20b is facing radially outwardly, i.e. the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is located at the outside of the second collar-shaped portion 20b when in the un-sealed position. On the other hand, in <FIG>, an example of a sealed position is shown, illustrating that the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the second collar-shaped portion 20b is facing radially inwardly, i.e. the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is located at the inside of the second collar-shaped portion 20b when in the sealed position. In these embodiments, a circumference of the circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is increasing from a first value Cout to a second value Cin when moving from the un-sealed to the sealed position, with <MAT>, preferably <MAT> <NUM>%, more preferably <MAT>.

Alternative embodiments of bridge seal arrangements <NUM> comprising an elastic and stretchable band <NUM> are shown on <FIG>. In these embodiments the band <NUM>, made out of for example an elastomer, is coupled to a further circumferential element <NUM> that is made out of a rigid material such as a hard plastic or a metal. In these embodiments, as illustrated on <FIG>, the first collar-shaped portion 20a of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> corresponds to a portion of the circumferential element <NUM> and the second collar-shaped portion 20b corresponds to an upper portion of the elastic band <NUM>. These type of bridge seal arrangements <NUM> are further illustrated on <FIG> and <FIG>, where the bridge seal arrangements are shown in combination with a filter medium pack <NUM> and a housing <NUM>.

A further example of a substantially stretchable bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is shown on <FIG> and <FIG> wherein a flexible and stretchable band, preferably made out of an elastomer and coloured in black on <FIG>, is coupled to a circumferential element that is made out of a rigid material such as a hard plastic or a metal, and wherein this circumferential element is forming the first collar-shaped portion 20a of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM>.

Filter elements comprising bridge seal arrangements <NUM> as for example shown on <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, are examples where there is no major stretching necessary to bring the second collar-shaped portion 20b in the sealed position. These type of bridge seal arrangements can be brought in the sealed position by, for example, slightly bending/flexing the second collar-shaped portion outwardly when inserting the filter element in the housing. When this second collar-shaped portion 20b is made of an elastomer, the bending/flexing also results in an elastic deformation. As discussed above, an opposing radial force will press the second circumferential sealing surface against the outer sidewall of the housing. However, when compared to the wide band seal discussed above the opposing radial force can be weaker. Hence, in these embodiments, a fixation clamp can optionally be added around the second collar-shaped portion to increase the radial force and/or keep the bridge seal arrangement in place.

For embodiments where the second collar-shaped portion 20b is not being stretched when positioning the second collar-shaped portion 20b around the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, but for example only bent or folded without elastic deformation, a fixation clamp <NUM> or any other fixation means is needed to press and maintain the second circumferential surface <NUM> against the outer sidewall <NUM>. For example, when using a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> as shown on <FIG> wherein the second collar-shaped portion 20b is mainly made of a rigid material, the second collar-shaped portion 20b can be folded or bent with respect to the first collar-shaped portion 20a due to a bridging portion 20c coupling the first and second collar-shaped portions. In this example, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises a sealing member <NUM> that is for example made out of an elastomer and that comprises the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM>. To maintain this second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> pressed against the outer sidewall of the housing, a fixation means such as a clamp is used.

A further example of a bridge seal arrangement requiring a fixation clamp is shown on <FIG>. In this embodiment, the second collar shaped portion 20b, is made out of an elastic material such as an elastomer and needs to be moved/folded in the direction shown by the arrows in order to bring the second sealing surface <NUM> in contact with the outer wall of the housing. These type of embodiments require a fixation clamp to maintain the second sealing surface <NUM> pressed against the outer wall <NUM> of the housing and when releasing and removing the clamp, the second collar shaped portion 20b will automatically, due to the elastic properties of the second collar-shaped portion, move back to the unsealed position shown on <FIG>.

When using a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> wherein at least the second collar-shaped portion 20b is stretched and/or flexed and thereby elastically deformed when moving from the un-sealed to the sealed position, the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the second collar-shaped portion 20b can sealingly cooperate with outer surface 51o of the sidewall <NUM> of various shapes. Indeed, the outer sidewall surface 51o can for example have a drop shape or any other shape that can be contoured by the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the second collar-shaped portion 20b. Due to the opposing force resulting from the elastic deformation, the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> will be firmly pressed against the outer sidewall surface 51o independently of the shape of the outer wall.

In embodiments according to the present disclosure, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises a sealing rib <NUM> wherein a radial surface of the radial sealing rib <NUM> forms the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM>. Advantageously, a groove 51a can be provided in the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing as illustrated on <FIG> and be configured such that when the bridge seal arrangement is in the sealed-position, the sealing rib <NUM> engages with the groove 51a for forming a firm sealing, illustrated on <FIG>. In particular embodiments, the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing comprises as an alternative, or in addition to the groove 51a, further anchoring means. For example, instead of a continuous radial groove, one or more discrete indentations can be made onto the outer sidewall <NUM> and the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is then adapted accordingly with for example corresponding discrete bulbous portions that sealingly fit with the indentations.

In an embodiment, illustrated on <FIG>, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises an inwardly protruding portion 20f configured for fitting and/or cooperating with an indentation portion 51b of the outer sidewall <NUM>. As shown on <FIG>, this indentation portion 51b is for example a portion that is forming a convex surface portion at the inside surface 51i of the outer sidewall <NUM> and forming a concave surface portion on the outside surface 51o of the outer sidewall <NUM>. The convex portion can also be construed as an inwardly directed portion. In this way, a specific orientation can be defined for the filter element <NUM> with respect to the housing. In some embodiments as shown on <FIG>, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises multiple inwardly protruding portions 20f and the outer wall <NUM> comprises corresponding multiple indentation portions 51b. In this example shown on <FIG>, four indentation portions 51b and four corresponding inwardly protruding portions 20f are schematically illustrated.

In embodiments, the second collar-shaped portion of the bridge seal arrangement can have a different radial stretchability along its perimeter.

In embodiments comprising a stretchable bridge seal arrangement <NUM>, as discussed above, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises an engaging section <NUM> configured for engaging with a matching section of the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing. In this way, the second collar-shaped portion 20b of the bridge seal <NUM> is hold in place when being in the sealed position. A further advantage of such a bridge seal configuration is that when moving the second collar-shaped portion 20b from the unsealed to the sealed position, the positioning of the second collar-shaped portion around the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing is facilitated. Examples of such embodiments are shown in <FIG> wherein the circles indicate the area where the engaging section <NUM> of the seal <NUM> is engaging with a corresponding matching section of the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the matching section of the outer sidewall <NUM> is formed by a circumferential rim 51c and the engaging section <NUM> of the seal has a circumferential indentation configured such that when the seal <NUM> is in the sealed position, as shown in <FIG>, the indentation <NUM> is engaging with the rim 51c of the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing, so as to hold the seal <NUM> in the sealed position.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the matching section of the outer sidewall <NUM> is formed by a circumferential groove 51d and the engaging section <NUM> of the seal has a circumferential lip 20j configured such that when the seal <NUM> is in the sealed position, as shown in <FIG>, the lip 20j is engaging with the groove 51d of the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing, so as to hold the seal <NUM> in the sealed position. In the embodiment shown on <FIG>, the seal <NUM> comprises a further lip 20i configured for cooperating with a wall portion of for example a cover of the housing or a pre-cleaner <NUM>.

As already discussed above and as shown on <FIG> a fixation clamp <NUM> can be positioned around the second collar-shaped portion 20b of any of the bridge seal arrangements <NUM> according to the present disclosure. Such fixation clamp <NUM> is configured for pressing the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> against the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing. In this way, a secure sealing can be established and air leakage can be avoided, especially for situations where the air filter element <NUM> is exposed to heavy vibrations.

In some embodiments, installation tools are provided for switching a foldable bridge seal arrangement between an unsealed and a sealed position. For example, <FIG> presents an embodiment wherein the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> comprises a rigid guiding element <NUM> attached to the second collar-shaped portion 20b. This rigid guiding element <NUM> allows for facilitating the folding and unfolding of the bridge seal arrangement by performing a translation motion of the rigid element <NUM>, for example along an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis Z of the filter element as indicated by the black arrow on <FIG>. In a further example, shown on <FIG>, a removable installation tool <NUM> is provided between the first and second collar-shaped portions of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> in order to increase a distance between the first and second collar-shaped portions and generate for example an elastic deformation to the second collar-shaped portion 20b. In this embodiment, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is configured such that after removing the installation tool <NUM> by moving the installation tool in a direction that is for example parallel with the longitudinal axis as shown with the black arrow on <FIG>, a radial opposing force is pressing the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> against the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing.

<FIG> present a cross sectional view of an example of a filter element <NUM> comprising an air filter pack <NUM> and a foldable/stretchable bridge seal arrangement <NUM> positioned in an un-sealed position. In this example, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> comprises one or more handles 20e coupled to the second collar-shaped portion 20b. These handles allow to help to fold the bridge seal arrangement from the unsealed position to the sealed position. As will be discussed below, when in the sealed position, the handles can also be attached to protruding elements <NUM> of the housing as further illustrated on <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates part of an embodiment of an air filter element comprising a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> for use with a pre-cleaner <NUM> or a cover. The pre-cleaner <NUM> or cover is configured for pushing the second collar-shaped portion 20b of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> from an unsealed position to a sealed position. As illustrated by the black arrow on <FIG>, by translating the pre-cleaner <NUM> or the cover along an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the air filter element, the second collar-shaped portion 20b will be folded with respect to the first collar-shaped portion until the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> is making contact with the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing.

The filtering elements <NUM> according to the present disclosure, as discussed above, have two major parts, namely the filter medium pack <NUM> and the bridge seal arrangement <NUM>.

The filter element <NUM> can either be construed as a single unit or as a kit of parts comprising at least a first part being the filter medium pack <NUM> and a second part being the bridge seal arrangement <NUM>.

For example, the filter element can be provided as a unit manufactured in a factory where the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> of the first collar-shaped portion 20a is sealingly coupled to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM> or sealingly coupled to a border of the axial inlet side <NUM> in the factory as part of the manufacturing process of the filtering element <NUM>.

Alternatively, a filter element kit can be provided comprising a filter medium pack <NUM> and a bridge seal arrangement <NUM>, wherein the end-user can sealingly couple the first circumferential sealing surface <NUM> to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>, or to a border of the axial inlet side <NUM>, for example at the moment of installation of the filter element <NUM> in the housing <NUM>.

The present disclosure also pertains to a filter system comprising a filter element <NUM> as discussed above. A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a filter system <NUM> is illustrated in respectively <FIG> and <FIG>. The filter system is for example an air filter system comprising an air filter element.

Such a filter system <NUM> according to the present disclosure comprises a housing <NUM> having an outer sidewall <NUM> enclosing or partly enclosing the circumferential side of the filter medium pack <NUM> of the filter element <NUM>. As shown on <FIG>, the second circumferential sealing surface of the second collar-shaped portion 20b is encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing.

The housing <NUM> of the filter system <NUM> comprises a receptacle chamber for receiving the air filter element <NUM> and a service opening in the housing allows to insert or replace a filter element <NUM> from the housing. In the embodiments shown on <FIG>, the housing has a cylindrical shape and the service opening is an axial opening in the housing. In other embodiments the housing can have a different shape adapted to for example the shape of the filter medium pack.

<FIG> presents a perspective view of an embodiment of a filter system <NUM> according to the disclosure wherein a filter element <NUM> is inserted in a housing <NUM> and wherein the filter element comprises a foldable/stretchable bridge seal arrangement <NUM> as discussed above. In <FIG>, the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is in an unsealed position whereas in <FIG> the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> is folded/stretched into a sealed position. <FIG> and <FIG> correspond to a top view of the air filter system shown on <FIG>, respectively. <FIG> and <FIG> correspond to cross sectional views taken with respect to a plane A shown on <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively.

In embodiments of an air filter system <NUM> according to the present disclosure, a pre-cleaner <NUM> is provided for pre-cleaning the unfiltered air before entering the filter medium pack <NUM>. Pre-cleaners for pre-cleaning the air before entering the filter medium pack are known in the art. As illustrated on <FIG>, the pre-cleaner <NUM> is removably coupled to the housing <NUM>. In these embodiments, the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises a third circumferential sealing surface <NUM> configured for cooperating with an inner surface of the pre-cleaner <NUM>. Typically the third circumferential sealing surface <NUM> and the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> are opposing surfaces. Advantageously, with the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> according to the present disclosure, no additional seal is needed for sealing the coupling between the pre-cleaner and the housing of the air filter system.

In embodiments of a filter system <NUM>, one or more protruding elements <NUM> are attached to the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing, as shown on <FIG>. As further illustrated on <FIG>, when the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> comprises one or more handles 20e as discussed above, these one or more handles 20e can be coupled to corresponding protruding elements <NUM> for keeping the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> in place.

<FIG> shows an air filter system <NUM> comprising one or more latches <NUM> for latching a pre-cleaner <NUM> or for latching a filter cover to the housing <NUM>. Advantageously, the one or more latches <NUM> is coupled with a corresponding handle of the one or more handles 20e of the bridge seal arrangement <NUM>.

In embodiments, the filter system <NUM> comprises a filter cover to for example protect at least part of the axial inlet side of the filter medium pack and wherein the filter cover comprises a circumferential cover portion that is positioned around the second collar-shaped portion 20b and configured for pressing the second circumferential sealing surface <NUM> against the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing.

The present disclosure also pertains to a method of servicing a filter system for filtering a fluid comprising a housing <NUM> having a service opening. The filter system is for example an air filter system for filtering air. The method comprising steps of.

The embodiments of filter elements <NUM> for filtering a fluid according to the present disclosure as discussed above are embodiments wherein the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> has a second circumferential surface <NUM> configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall <NUM> of the housing of a filter system. An alternative filter element <NUM> wherein the bridge seal arrangement <NUM> has a circumferential surface configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with a surface of a tube-shaped wall portion that is located inside the housing of a filter system, is further discussed below. This wall portion is not necessarily a cylindrical tube-shaped portion but it can have any shape including irregular shapes such as a drop shape.

Examples of these alternative embodiments of filter elements <NUM> for filtering a fluid are illustrated on <FIG> where a filter element <NUM> is shown that is inserted in a housing <NUM> of a filter system. The fluid can be a liquid or a gas, such as for example air.

The embodiment of a filter element for filtering a fluid as illustrated on <FIG> comprises a filter medium pack <NUM> extending along a longitudinal axis Z and having a first <NUM> and a second <NUM> axial side forming an axial boundary of the filter medium pack, and a circumferential side <NUM> is forming a radial boundary of the filter medium pack. The filter element <NUM> comprises a bridge seal arrangement <NUM> having a first ring-shaped or collar-shaped portion 20a comprising a first circumferential sealing surface sealingly coupled to the circumferential side <NUM> or sealingly coupled to a border of the second axial side <NUM>, and a second collar-shaped portion 20b coupled with the first collar-shaped portion 20a, and wherein the second collar-shaped portion 20b comprises a second circumferential sealing surface configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with an outer surface 55o of a tube-shaped wall portion <NUM> that is located inside the housing <NUM> of a filter system <NUM>.

In embodiments, as shown on <FIG>, the seal <NUM> comprises a liner element <NUM> coupled to the collar-shaped portion 20b. This liner element <NUM> facilitates the insertion of the filter element in the housing and to maintain the seal in a firm sealing contact. The thick black arrows indicate a direction for pushing the liner element <NUM> such that the seal is well positioned in a sealed position.

The embodiments of filter elements shown on <FIG> comprise a filter medium pack <NUM> as shown on <FIG>, i.e., unfiltered fluid is received at the first axial side <NUM> and filtered fluid is exiting the filter medium pack at the second axial side <NUM>.

The embodiments of filter elements shown on <FIG> use a different type of filter medium pack <NUM>. Indeed, these filter medium packs <NUM> include an annular filter medium radially delimited by an outer side <NUM> and an inner side 6a. The outer side is permeable for receiving unfiltered fluid, such as air in case the filter element is an air filter element, and this outer side is corresponding to the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>. The inner side 6a is configured for outputting filtered fluid into a cavity <NUM> of the annular filter medium. A flange <NUM> is closing the first axial side <NUM> of the filter medium pack and the second axial side <NUM> of the filter medium pack is configured for evacuating filtered fluid from the cavity <NUM>.

The disclosure also pertains to a filter system <NUM> comprising an alternative filter element as discussed above and as illustrated on <FIG>. The filter system <NUM> further comprises a housing <NUM> comprising an outer sidewall <NUM> enclosing or partly enclosing the circumferential side <NUM> of the filter medium pack <NUM>, and a tube-shaped wall portion <NUM> defining an inner radial surface 55i and an outer radial surface 55o, and wherein the second circumferential sealing surface of the second collar-shaped portion 20b is encircling and sealingly cooperating with the surface 55o and/or surface 55i of the tube-shaped wall portion <NUM> located inside the housing.

Claim 1:
A filter element (<NUM>) for filtering a fluid comprising a filter medium pack (<NUM>) extending along a longitudinal axis (Z) from a first end (z1) to a second end (z2) and having:
an axial inlet side (<NUM>) at said first end (z1) for receiving unfiltered fluid, and a circumferential side (<NUM>) forming a radial boundary of the filter medium pack;
and wherein said filter medium pack (<NUM>) is configured for insertion into a housing (<NUM>) so as to enclose or partly enclose said circumferential side (<NUM>) of the filter medium pack (<NUM>) with an outer sidewall (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>);
characterized in that said filter element (<NUM>) comprises a bridge seal arrangement (<NUM>) for sealingly bridging a gap between the radial boundary of the filter medium pack and the outer sidewall of the housing, said bridge seal arrangement (<NUM>) having:
a first collar-shaped portion (20a) comprising a first circumferential sealing surface (<NUM>) sealingly coupled to said circumferential side (<NUM>) of the filter medium pack (<NUM>) or sealingly coupled to a border of said axial inlet side (<NUM>); and
a second collar-shaped portion (20b) coupled with said first collar-shaped portion (20a), and wherein said second collar-shaped portion (20b) comprises a second circumferential sealing surface (<NUM>) configured for encircling and sealingly cooperating with the outer sidewall (<NUM>) of the housing;
wherein said bridge seal arrangement (<NUM>) is configured for allowing a movement of said second collar-shaped portion (20b) with respect to said first collar-shaped portion (20a) from an un-sealed position to a sealed position and vice-versa; and
wherein said bridge seal arrangement (<NUM>) is configured such that said second circumferential sealing surface (<NUM>) is forming a radially outward-facing circumferential surface and a radially inward-facing circumferential surface when said second collar-shaped portion (20b) is positioned in respectively said un-sealed and said sealed position.