Filtering device with associated sealing design and method

Abstract

A filter device made of less expensive material than comparable filter devices heretofore has basic filter components plus some unique design aspects and an additional ring component. The ring provides an interface inside the filter which enables the potting compound to adhere to the filter and create a seal between a first and second fluid compartment within the filter. An embedded region of the ring possesses a detailed geometry which helps ensure that a delamination would be localized and unable to propagate from the first to the second compartment, maintaining the structural integrity of the filter device. To ensure that the sealing interface remains intact and free from delamination, the ring is subjected to a surface treatment, which modifies the surface energy of the ring. This modified surface energy of the ring allows the hydrophilic potting compound to more effectively bond to the modified hydrophobic ring.

1 - 61 . (canceled)  
   
   
       62 . A filter device comprising: 
 a housing having a first end;    a first ring joinable to said first end wherein said first ring has a first annular anchor on an interior portion of said first ring;    a first flange cap joinable to said first ring forming a first seal, wherein said first flange cap is separated from contact with said first end of said housing by said first ring;    a plurality of microfibers extending from said first ring through said housing; and    a first potting material encasing said plurality of microfibers at said first ring, encasing said first annular anchor, and contacting a portion of said first flange cap forming a second seal;    wherein said first seal prevents a first fluid introduced into the filter device from escaping to an exterior of the filter device, and said second seal prevents said first fluid from contacting a second fluid introduced into the filter device.    
   
   
       63 . The filter device according to  claim 62  further comprising: 
 a first plurality of rounded ridges on an upper surface of said first annular anchor and a second plurality of rounded ridges on a lower surface of said first annular anchor.    
   
   
       64 . The filter device according to  claim 63  further comprising: 
 a first plurality of radial channels perpendicular to said first plurality of rounded ridges on said upper surface of said first annular anchor;    wherein said first plurality of radial channels allow air to escape when said first potting material is applied to the filter device.    
   
   
       65 . The filter device according to  claim 63  wherein said first annular anchor receives a surface treatment, wherein said surface treatment modifies a surface energy of said first and second plurality of rounded ridges on said first annular anchor, and further wherein said first and second plurality of rounded ridges increases a surface area of said first annular anchor treatable through said surface treatment.  
   
   
       66 . The filter device according to  claim 62  further comprising: 
 a second end of said housing opposite said first end;    a second ring joinable to said second end wherein said second ring has a second annular anchor on an interior portion of said second ring;    a second flange cap joinable to said second ring forming a third seal, wherein said second flange cap is separated from contact with said second end of said housing by said second ring; and    a second potting material encasing said plurality of microfibers at said second ring, encasing said second annular anchor, and contacting a portion of said second flange cap forming a fourth seal;    wherein said third seal prevents said first fluid introduced into the filter device from escaping to said exterior of the filter device, and said fourth seal prevents said first fluid from contacting said second fluid introduced into the filter device.    
   
   
       67 . The filter device according to  claim 66  further comprising: 
 a third plurality of rounded ridges on an upper surface of said second annular anchor and a fourth plurality of rounded ridges on a lower surface of said second annular anchor.    
   
   
       68 . The filter device according to  claim 67  further comprising: 
 a second plurality of radial channels perpendicular to said third plurality of rounded ridges on said upper surface of said second annular anchor;    wherein said second plurality of radial channels allow air to escape when said second potting material is applied to the filter device.    
   
   
       69 . The filter device according to  claim 67  wherein said second annular anchor receives a surface treatment, wherein said surface treatment modifies a surface energy of said third and fourth plurality of rounded ridges on said second annular anchor, and further wherein said third and fourth plurality of rounded ridges increases a surface area of said second annular anchor treatable through said surface treatment.  
   
   
       70 . The filter device according to  claim 66  further comprising: 
 a first fluid inlet port through said first flange cap;    a first fluid outlet port through said second flange cap, wherein a first fluid pathway is defined by said first fluid inlet port, said plurality of microfibers, and said first fluid outlet port;    a second fluid inlet port through said housing and proximate to said first end; and    a second fluid outlet port through said housing and proximate to said second end, wherein a second fluid pathway is defined by said second fluid inlet port, a space between said plurality of microfibers, and said second fluid outlet port.    
   
   
       71 . The filter device according to  claim 66  wherein said first ring is spin welded to said first end, said second ring is spin welded to said second end, said first flange cap is spin welded to said first ring, and said second flange cap is spin welded to said second ring.  
   
   
       72 . The filter device according to  claim 71  further comprising: 
 a first plurality of nubs on an outer portion of said first ring; and    a second plurality of nubs on an outer portion of said second ring;    wherein said fist and second plurality of nubs assist in said spin welding.    
   
   
       73 . The filter device according to  claim 71  further comprising: 
 at least one annular channel located between said first ring and said first end; and    at least one annular channel located between said second ring and said second end;    wherein each of said at least one annular channel accommodates a flow of flash material during said spin welding.    
   
   
       74 . The filter device according to  claim 71  further comprising: 
 at least one annular channel located between said first ring and said first flange cap; and    at least one annular channel located between said second ring and said second flange cap;    wherein each of said at least one annular channel accommodates a flow of flash material during said spin welding.    
   
   
       75 . The filter device according to  claim 66  wherein said first ring is laser welded to said first end, said second ring is laser welded to said second end, said first flange cap is laser welded to said first ring, and said second flange cap is laser welded to said second ring.  
   
   
       76 . The filter device according to  claim 62  wherein each of said plurality of microfibers are hollow and semipermeable.  
   
   
       77 . The filter device according to  claim 62  wherein said housing is cylindrical in shape.