Method For Making A Bag Filter Housing

Abstract

A spinning method for making a seamless filter housing 50 with an elliptical bottom 52 and a bottom opening 58 for a drain port. An inlet port 62 is added after fabrication along with any optional sensor ports 64. The seamless filter housing 50 made with this process.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for forming a filter housing, comprising the steps of:
 providing a tubular workpiece with a predetermined thickness (T o ), length (L o ), and diameter (D);   positioning the tubular workpiece on a cylindrical mandrel;   heating the tubular workpiece to a temperature between approximately 1200 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit;   rotating the heated tubular workpiece;   forming an annular groove with a desired depth, width, and shape in an upper region of the tubular workpiece with a metal working tool; and   shaping an elliptical bottom with a bottom opening for a drain at one end of the tubular workpiece to form a seamless filter housing.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of shaping the tubular workpiece from the predetermined thickness (T o ) and length (L o ) to a selected thickness (T f  and length (L f ). 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular workpiece is a carbon steel. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular workpiece is a stainless steel. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an opening for an inlet port in the upper region of the seamless filter housing. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an additional opening for a pressure sensor in a lower region of the seamless filter housing. 
     
     
         7 . A seamless filter housing made according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A filter assembly, comprising:
 a seamless filter housing;   an inlet port provided in an upper region of said filter housing;   a drain port provided in an elliptical bottom of said seamless filter housing; and   a cover releasably connected at an upper end of said seamless filter housing.   
     
     
         9 . A filter assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a restrainer basket constructed to be positioned within said seamless filter housing and retained therein by a ledge formed within said seamless filter housing. 
     
     
         10 . A filter assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said filter assembly is made of carbon steel material. 
     
     
         11 . A filter assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said filter assembly is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         12 . A filter assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said stainless steel material is a material selected from the group consisting of Type 304 stainless steel and Type 316 stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . A filter assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a pressure sensor port provided in a lower region of said seamless filter housing. 
     
     
         14 . A seamless filter housing according to  claim 7 , further comprising an inlet port located in an upper region of said seamless filter housing. 
     
     
         15 . A seamless filter housing according to  claim 14 , further comprising a pressure sensor port located in a lower region of said seamless filter housing. 
     
     
         16 . A seamless filter housing according to  claim 14 , wherein said seamless filter housing is made from a material being a member selected from the group consisting of carbon steel, Type 304 stainless steel, and Type 316 stainless steel.