Fluid filter with modular housing and method of manufacture

Abstract

A fluid filter assembly that includes a filter element that is selected from a plurality of differently sized fluid elements. The filter housing includes an inlet housing section, an outlet housing section and one or more modular housing sections. The modular housing sections are located between the inlet and outlet housing sections and the number of modular housing sections included in the housing is determined by the size of the selected filter element. By employing alternative numbers of the modular housing sections, the filter housing can be constructed for use with each of the differently sized filter elements.

1 . A method of manufacturing a fluid filter, said method comprising: 
 providing an inlet housing section;    providing an outlet housing section;    providing a plurality of modular housing sections having a common configuration;    identifying a plurality of differently sized filter elements wherein a filter housing for each of the differently sized filter elements can be assembled by securing a predetermined number of the modular housing sections between the inlet housing section and the outlet housing section, and wherein the identified plurality of filter elements correspond to at least two different predetermined numbers of modular housing sections;    selecting one of the differently sized filter elements; and    assembling a filter housing for the selected filter element by securing the predetermined number of the modular housing sections corresponding to the selected filter element between the inlet housing section and the outlet housing section.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the modular housing sections are substantially cylindrical in shape and are coaxially securable and wherein the modular housing sections define a cylindrical filter cavity of variable longitudinal length dependent upon the number of modular housing sections secured between the inlet housing section and the outlet housing section.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of identified filter elements include a plurality of bag filters defining a plurality of differing filter lengths.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of identified filter elements include a common mounting interface for mounting the identified filter elements in the assembled filter housing.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the inlet housing section is detachably engageable with the common mounting interface whereby the identified filter elements can be removably secured to the inlet housing section.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the modular housing sections have opposite ends defining a common end configuration and the inlet housing section and the outlet housing section each define a common assembly interface for sealingly engaging the common end configuration.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein any two of the modular housing sections can be joined end-to-end.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the modular housing sections are substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       9 . A fluid filter assembly comprising: 
 a filter element selected from one of a plurality of differently sized filter elements;    a filter housing, said filter housing including:    an inlet housing section;    an outlet housing section;    a selected number of modular housing sections disposed between said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section and communicating fluid from said inlet housing section to said outlet housing section, each of said modular housing sections having a common configuration; and    wherein said number of modular housing sections differs for differently sized filter elements, said selected number of modular housing sections disposed between said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section being determined by said selected filter element.    
   
   
       10 . The fluid filter assembly of  claim 9  wherein said modular housing sections are substantially cylindrical and a plurality of said modular housing sections are coaxially disposed between said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section.  
   
   
       11 . The fluid filter assembly of  claim 9  wherein said plurality of differently sized filter elements comprise a plurality of bag filters having bags of differing lengths.  
   
   
       12 . The fluid filter assembly of  claim 9  wherein said plurality of differently sized filter elements each have a common mounting interface engageable with said filter housing.  
   
   
       13 . The fluid filter assembly of  claim 12  wherein said common mounting interface is detachably engageable with said inlet housing section.  
   
   
       14 . The fluid filter assembly of  claim 9  wherein said modular housing sections have opposite ends defining a common end configuration and said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section each define a common assembly interface sealingly engaged with one of said common end configurations.  
   
   
       15 . The fluid filter of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of modular housing sections are joined end-to-end and disposed between said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section.  
   
   
       16 . The fluid filter of  claim 15  wherein said plurality of modular housing sections are substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       17 . The fluid filter of  claim 9  wherein said inlet housing section defines an access opening providing access to said modular housing sections and allowing installation and removal of said selected filter element therethrough; said fluid filter further comprising: 
 a cap removably securable to said inlet housing section to sealingly close said access opening, said cap and said inlet housing section.    
   
   
       18 . The fluid filter of  claim 17  wherein said cap and said inlet housing section are securable by a camming interface.  
   
   
       19 . The fluid filter of  claim 17  further comprising a V-shaped gasket sealingly disposed between said cap and said inlet housing section, said V-shaped gasket having an open end in communication with fluid conveyed within said inlet housing section.  
   
   
       20 . The fluid filter of  claim 9  wherein said filter housing defines a filter opening, said plurality of differently sized filter elements each including a mounting ring mountable in said filter opening, each of said mounting rings having a common mounting interface, said mounting interface including an axially extending portion and a radially outwardly extending flange having a diameter greater than said filter opening, said flange being biased into a fluid tight engagement with a portion of said filter housing surrounding said filter opening by securement of said mounting ring in communication with said filter opening.  
   
   
       21 . The fluid filter of  claim 20  wherein said axially extending portion of said mounting ring includes an annular rib extending radially outwardly therefrom, said rib being seatable within an annular groove defined within said filter opening to thereby secure said axially extending portion of said mounting ring within said filter opening.  
   
   
       22 . A fluid filter assembly system, said system comprising: 
 a plurality of differently sized filter elements;    an inlet housing section;    an outlet housing section;    a plurality of modular housing sections, each of said modular housing sections having a common configuration; and    wherein a plurality of fluid filter housings defining a plurality of differently sized filter cavities are manufacturable from said inlet housing section, said outlet housing section and said plurality of modular housing sections by securing alternative quantities of said modular housing sections between said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section and wherein a respective one of said plurality of differently sized filter cavities is sized to receive each of said differently sized filter elements.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said modular housing sections are substantially cylindrical and said modular housing sections are coaxially securable between said inlet housing section and said outlet housing section.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said plurality of differently sized filter elements comprise a plurality of bag filters having bags of differing lengths.