Filter with Shielded Internal Gasket

Abstract

A spin-on fluid filter with improved attachment and sealing with the filter head. The filter has a gasket positioned at the end of threads used to connect the filter to a filter head. The described design protects the gasket from excessive engine heat, cat or tear damage during installation, and the roll out effect of installation torque. In addition, the described attachment provides gasket protection and uniform compression of the gasket. The gasket can be any type that provides a seal which keeps external threads on the filter and the filter head dry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid filter, comprising:
 a housing shell having a closed end and an open end and defining an interior space;   a filtration media disposed within the interior space of the housing shell and configured to filter a fluid;   a nutplate secured to the open end of the housing shell, the nutplate including an axially extending continuous rim on a radial outer edge thereof, the axially extending continuous rim including interior facing threads formed on an internal surface thereof, the interior facing threads configured to secure the fluid filter to a filter head, the nutplate further including a groove formed therein adjacent to and radially inward of a base of the internal surface;   a first circumferential gasket disposed on the nutplate adjacent to the base of the internal surface and radially inward of the internal surface, the first circumferential gasket configured to form a seal with the filter head such that, when the fluid filter is secured to the filter head and the seal is formed with the filter head, the first circumferential gasket prevents leakage of fluid to an outside of the fluid filter,   wherein the first circumferential gasket is disposed in the groove and faces axially upward away from the closed end of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid filter of  claim 1 , further comprising a second circumferential gasket disposed radially inwardly of the first circumferential gasket, the second circumferential gasket facing radially inward and positioned so as to sealingly engage an outlet tube of the filter head. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the second circumferential gasket is disposed on a plate that is disposed between the nutplate and an end of the filtration media. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid filter of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of fluid inlet openings defined between the first circumferential gasket and the second circumferential gasket, the plurality of fluid inlet openings providing fluid communication between an exterior of the fluid filter and the interior space of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the second circumferential gasket is disposed on the nutplate. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the first circumferential gasket is tapered. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the first circumferential gasket is rectangular. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the first circumferential gasket comprises an o-ring. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , further comprising a seal member disposed on an exterior surface of the rim, the seal member forming a seal between the rim and an interior surface of the housing shell. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid filter of  claim 9 , wherein the seal member is radially and axially displaced from the first circumferential gasket. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the first circumferential gasket does not entirely fill the groove such that there is a space between a side of the gasket and a surface forming the groove. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the groove is formed between a surface of the axially extending continuous rim and a circumferential flange that projects axially from an upper surface of the nutplate. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid filter of  claim 2 , wherein the groove is formed by a recess formed in an upper surface of the nutplate.