Air filter

Abstract

An air filter including an open end, a closed end, and a filter area there between. The open end frictionally engages and seals an air port, while the closed end mates with the housing to secure the filter to the housing. The filter area is reinforced to provide a durable, reusable filter. The filter material is selected to provide depth loading and increase the particulate capacity of the filter.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An air filter, comprising:
 a first end for receiving an airstream;   a filter medium coupled with the first end; and   a second end coupled with the filter medium.   
     
     
         18 . The air filter of  claim 17 , wherein the first end is configured to mate with a corresponding surface of an air flow housing to secure the air filter relative to the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The air filter of  claim 18 , wherein the first end comprises a disk having a central opening and a rim surrounding the opening. 
     
     
         20 . The air filter of  claim 18 , wherein an interior surface defining the opening is configured to engage an air inlet so as to maintain a space between the housing and the filter medium. 
     
     
         21 . The air filter of  claim 20 , wherein an engagement between the interior surface and the air inlet is configured to prevent air from bypassing the filter medium. 
     
     
         22 . The air filter of  claim 21 , wherein the engagement is configured to provide a sealing engagement between the air inlet and the air filter. 
     
     
         23 . The air filter of  claim 21 , wherein a terminal longitudinally outwardly facing surface of the end cap is configured to separate the end cap from the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The air filter of  claim 17 , wherein the filter medium includes a combination of materials to create a hybrid filter medium. 
     
     
         25 . The air filter of  claim 24 , wherein the hybrid filter medium comprises a non-woven synthetic material configured to be used in absence of a filter oil composition. 
     
     
         26 . The air filter of  claim 24 , wherein the hybrid filter medium is configured to be periodically cleaned and reused. 
     
     
         27 . The air filter of  claim 24 , wherein the hybrid filter medium comprises a thick lofted non-woven synthetic medium that provides a depth loading feature. 
     
     
         28 . The air filter of  claim 27 , wherein the hybrid filter medium includes a first material layer, a second material layer, and a third material layer. 
     
     
         29 . The air filter of  claim 28 , wherein the first material layer is directed toward the airstream to be cleaned. 
     
     
         30 . The air filter of  claim 29 , wherein the second material layer is disposed on an exit side of the first material layer to receive the airstream exiting the first material layer. 
     
     
         31 . The air filter of  claim 30 , wherein the third material layer is disposed on an exit side of the second material layer to receive the airstream exiting the second material layer. 
     
     
         32 . The air filter of  claim 28 , wherein any one or more of the first material layer, the second material layer, and the third material layer may be lofted to enhance a depth loading capability of the filter medium. 
     
     
         33 . The air filter of  claim 28 , wherein the third material layer is configured to capture smaller particulate than the second material layer; and the second material layer is configured to capture smaller particulate than the first material layer. 
     
     
         34 . The air filter of  claim 28 , wherein the hybrid filter medium is configured to accommodate a reversible air flow through the filter medium. 
     
     
         35 . The air filter of  claim 28 , wherein a first wire screen is coupled with an exterior surface of the filter medium while a second screen is coupled with an interior surface of the filter medium. 
     
     
         36 . The air filter of  claim 35 , wherein a first steel cage is disposed outside the exterior surface of the filter medium while a second steel cage is disposed inside the interior surface of the filter medium.