Patent ID: 7927392

Claim:
A filter assembly to be secured within a baghouse for removing at least a portion of particulate matter entrained within a gas stream, the baghouse being divided into a plurality of plenums by a tube sheet that defines at least one opening through which the gas stream can travel between the plenums, the filter assembly, including: a first axially-extending filter portion including a mounting structure provided adjacent to a first axial end to couple the first filter element to a support adjacent to the at least one opening defined by the tube sheet, a first perforated frame coupled to and extending from the mounting structure, and a first pleated filter media disposed adjacent to the first perforated frame; a second axially-extending filter portion including a second perforated frame and a second pleated filter media disposed adjacent to the second perforated frame; and a coupler for connecting the first filter portion to the second filter portion and establishing fluid communication between the first and second filter portions when connected, the coupler including: a first coupling portion including a side wall defining an interior passage through which the gas stream can pass in an axial direction between the first and second filter portions, and one or more flanges projecting from said side wall, said one or more flanges supporting a plurality of male studs projecting parallel to the axial direction, and a second coupling portion including a plurality of female keyhole-shaped receivers spaced apart and open in a direction parallel to the axial direction for receiving at least a portion of the male studs by insertion of the male studs parallel to the axial direction and coupling the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion.