Spin-on filter assembly and methods

Abstract

A spin-on filter cartridge includes a housing, a filter element operably oriented in the housing, a baffle plate, and a seal arrangement. The baffle plate is operably oriented over the housing open end and defines a central flow aperture. The baffle plate also defines a continuous groove immediately adjacent to and circumscribing the central flow aperture. The seal arrangement is secured to the baffle plate and spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove. A filter assembly including the spin-on filter cartridge and a filter head is also disclosed wherein the filter cartridge is removably mountable on the filter head. When the spin-on filter cartridge is oriented on the filter head, a seal member is received within the continuous groove and the seal arrangement forms a seal between and against the baffle plate and the filter head. The seal can be radial or axial or have both axial and radial components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spin-on filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a single-piece housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume;   (b) a cylindrical filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume and defining open filter interior;
 (i) the filter element including first and second end caps at opposite ends; 
 (ii) an extension of media being between the first and second end caps; 
   (c) a baffle plate secured to the housing at the housing open end;
 (i) the housing being around and against an outer periphery of the baffle plate and having a fold over an upper surface of the baffle plate to non-removably secure the baffle plate to the housing; 
 (ii) the baffle plate having a central hub defining a central flow aperture forming an outlet arrangement; 
 (iii) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement including a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing and being disposed radially outward of the central flow aperture; 
 (iv) the baffle plate defining a circular groove immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture;
 (A) the groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface intersecting the radial surface; the groove being seal member free and constructed to receive a seal member from an operably placed filter head; 
 (B) the support surface of the groove facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior; 
 
   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the groove, the inlet arrangement, and the outlet arrangement;
 (i) the support surface of the groove being located axially closer to the closed end of the housing than the seal arrangement is located axially relative to the closed end of the housing; and 
 (ii) the seal arrangement facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior. 
   
     
     
         2 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the seal arrangement comprises an O-ring seal member. 
 
     
     
         3 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the O-ring seal member is secured within a seal arrangement groove in the baffle plate. 
 
     
     
         4 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the filter media is pleated media. 
 
     
     
         5 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) an outwardly projecting radial seal between and against a portion of the outer periphery of the baffle plate and an inner surface of the housing. 
 
     
     
         6 . A filter assembly comprising:
 (a) a spin-on filter cartridge including:
 (i) a single-piece housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume; 
 (ii) a filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume and defining open filter interior;
 (A) the filter element including first and second end caps at opposite ends and filter media between the first and second end caps; 
 
 (iii) a baffle plate secured to the housing at the housing open end;
 (A) the housing being around and against an outer periphery of the baffle plate and having a fold over an upper surface of the baffle plate to non-removably secure the baffle plate to the housing; 
 (B) the baffle plate having a central hub defining a central flow aperture and forming an outlet; 
 (C) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement including a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing and being disposed radially outward of the central flow aperture; 
 (D) the baffle plate defining a circular groove immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture;
 (1) the groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface intersecting the radial surface; the groove being seal member free; 
 (2) the support surface of the groove facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior; 
 
 
 (iv) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the groove, the inlet arrangement, and the outlet;
 (A) the support surface of the groove being located axially closer to the closed end of the housing than the seal arrangement is located axially relative to the closed end of the housing; and 
 (B) the seal arrangement facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior; 
 
   (b) a filter head; the spin-on filter cartridge being removably attached to the filter head; the filter head including:
 (i) a central spud and a seal member operably oriented around the central spud; 
   (c) wherein when the spin-on filter cartridge is operably attached to the filter head, the seal member is received within the circular groove of the baffle plate forming a secondary seal between the cartridge and the filter head, and the seal arrangement forms a primary seal between and against the seal arrangement and the filter head.   
     
     
         7 . A filter assembly according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the seal member comprises an O-ring seal member. 
 
     
     
         8 . A filter assembly according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the secondary seal comprises a radially directed seal between and against the filter head and the radial surface on the circular groove. 
 
     
     
         9 . A filter assembly according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the seal arrangement comprises an O-ring seal member secured within a seal arrangement groove in the baffle plate. 
 
     
     
         10 . A filter assembly according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the filter media comprises pleated media. 
 
     
     
         11 . A filter assembly according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the spin-on filter cartridge further includes an outwardly projecting radial seal between and against a portion of the outer periphery of the baffle plate and an inner surface of the housing. 
 
     
     
         12 . A spin-on filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a single-piece housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume;   (b) a cylindrical filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume and defining open filter interior;
 (i) the filter element including first and second end caps at opposite ends; 
 (ii) an extension of media being between the first and second end caps; 
   (c) a baffle plate secured to the housing at the housing open end;
 (i) the housing being around and against an outer periphery of the baffle plate and having a fold over an upper surface of the baffle plate to non-removably secure the baffle plate to the housing; 
 (ii) the baffle plate having a central hub with an interior wall defining a central flow aperture forming an outlet arrangement;
 (A) the interior wall having an inwardly directed threaded section; the threaded section being within the interior volume of the housing; 
 
 (iii) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement including a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing and being disposed radially outward of the central flow aperture; 
 (iv) the baffle plate defining a circular groove immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture;
 (A) the groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface intersecting the radial surface; the groove being seal member free and constructed to receive a seal member from an operably placed filter head; 
 (B) the support surface of the groove facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior; 
 
   (d) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the groove, the inlet arrangement, and the outlet arrangement;
 (i) the seal arrangement facing a direction opposite of the open filter interior. 
   
     
     
         13 . The spin-on filter cartridge of  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the circular groove of the baffle plate being within the interior volume of the housing. 
 
     
     
         14 . The spin-on filter cartridge of  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the interior wall of the baffle plate having an outer radial surface that is against an inner radial surface of the first end cap. 
 
     
     
         15 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the seal arrangement comprises an O-ring seal member. 
 
     
     
         16 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the filter media is pleated media. 
 
     
     
         17 . A spin-on filter cartridge according to  claim 12  further comprising:
 (a) an outwardly projecting radial seal between and against a portion of the outer periphery of the baffle plate and an inner surface of the housing.