Filter element

Abstract

A filter element, and filter apparatus, include a filter pack, a seal member, and a seal support frame operatively connecting the seal member to the filter pack. The seal support frame includes an annular extension, which is preferably canted at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis, for supporting the seal member. The seal support frame also preferably includes a first end thereof including the annular extension, and a second end thereof spaced from the first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, with the first and second ends of the seal support frame joined by a hub of the outer peripheral sidewall of the seal support frame to define a cavity within the seal support frame for receiving the filter pack. The first and second ends of the seal support frame, and the filter pack are preferably joined and sealed to one another by a single bead of adhesive.

1 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face;   (b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending at least partially therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack; the shell having a seal support;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; 
   (c) grid work extending over at least one of the inlet and outlet flow faces; and   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;
 (i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures; 
 (ii) the grid work and the seal support are at opposite ends of the shell. 
   
     
     
         2 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the shell comprises a molded plastic material; and 
 (b) the seal arrangement comprises foamed polyurethane. 
 
     
     
         3 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein: (a) the grid work is an integral part of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein: (a) the media pack comprises a coiled fluted filter media pack and a core is within the media pack. 
     
     
         5 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the seal support extends outwardly; 
 (b) the media pack is racetrack shaped; and 
 (c) the shell is racetrack shaped. 
 
     
     
         6 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein: (a) the seal support is annular with respect to the media pack. 
     
     
         7 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 6  wherein: (a) the plurality of seal flow apertures extend along the annular seal support. 
     
     
         8 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the shell includes a first end having:
 (i) a sidewall portion; and 
 (ii) a transition portion canted relative to the sidewall portion. 
 
 
     
     
         9 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face;
 (i) the media pack being racetrack shaped; 
   (b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending at least partially therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack; the shell having a seal support;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; 
 (iii) the seal support extending outwardly; 
 (iv) the shell being racetrack shaped; 
   (c) grid work extending over the outlet flow face; and   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;
 (i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures. 
   
     
     
         10 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 9  wherein:
 (a) the shell includes:
 (i) a sidewall portion; and 
 (ii) a transition portion canted relative to the sidewall portion. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face;   (b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending at least partially therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack; the shell having a seal support;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; 
   (c) grid work extending over the outlet flow face; and   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;
 (i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures; 
 (ii) the shell secured to the media pack by the seal arrangement. 
   
     
     
         12 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face;   (b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending at least partially therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack; the shell having a seal support;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; 
   (c) grid work extending over the outlet flow face; and   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;
 (i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures. 
   
     
     
         13 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face;   (b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending at least partially therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack; the shell having a seal support;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; 
   (c) grid work extending over the outlet flow face; and   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;
 (i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures; 
 (ii) the seal arrangement including no portion extending over the inlet flow face. 
   
     
     
         14 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face;   (b) an impermeable shell having opposite ends and a sidewall extending at least partially therebetween; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack; the shell having a seal support;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal support defining a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; 
   (c) grid work extending over the outlet flow face; and   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the seal support;
 (i) the seal arrangement molded to the seal support and extending through the seal flow apertures. 
   
     
     
         15 . An air filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a fluted filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the media pack having an inlet flow face, an outlet flow face, and an axial length between the inlet flow face and outlet flow face; the media pack defining a longitudinal axis; and   (b) a shell and a seal arrangement; the shell having a sidewall and a portion that is canted relative to the longitudinal axis of the media pack; the shell sidewall circumscribing the media pack;
 (i) the media pack being secured within the shell; 
 (ii) the seal arrangement being molded to the canted portion. 
   
     
     
         16 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 15  wherein: (a) the seal arrangement includes a radial seal. 
     
     
         17 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 15  further comprising:
 (a) grid work extending over the outlet flow face; 
 (b) the grid work is an integral part of the shell; and 
 (c) a core within the media pack. 
 
     
     
         18 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 15  wherein:
 (a) the shell has a seal support;
 (i) the seal support includes a plurality of seal flow apertures therethrough; and 
 (ii) the seal arrangement extends through the seal flow apertures. 
 
 
     
     
         19 . An air filter cartridge according to  claim 15  wherein:
 (a) the seal arrangement is molded directly to the media pack; and 
 (b) the seal arrangement comprises foamed polyurethane.