Crankcase Ventilation Filter Systems; Components; Features; and, Methods of Assembly and Use

Abstract

Filter assemblies are described and shown. Components, features and methods of assembly and use are described. Many of the principles relate to preferred cartridge configurations for engagement with selected housings. Selected optional features described can be used to provide indication to a service provider that a proper cartridge is not positioned appropriately in the housing for use.

1 . A filter cartridge for removable installation in a housing, in use; the filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) an extension of filter media surrounding and defining an open filter interior and a central, longitudinal axis;
 (i) the extension of filter media defining first and second ends; 
   (b) a first end piece on the first end of the filter media;
 (i) the first end piece having a central aperture therethrough, in communication with the open filter interior; 
 (ii) a first, radially outwardly directed, housing seal member positioned on the first end piece; and, 
 (iii) a second radially outwardly directed housing seal member positioned on the first end piece; 
   (c) a second end piece on the second end of the filter media;
 (i) the second end piece being a closed end piece; and, 
   (d) a first member of a projection/receiver arrangement comprising a plurality of spaced, radially inwardly projecting, members oriented directed toward the central, longitudinal, axis and surrounded by a portion of the filter cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . A filter cartridge for removable installation in a housing, in use; the filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) an extension of filter media surrounding and defining an open filter interior;   (i) the extension of filter media defining first and second ends;   (b) a first end piece positioned at the first end of the media;   (c) a second end piece positioned at the second end of the media;   (d) at least one of the first and second end pieces having a perimeter portion including a plurality of spaced recesses therein; and,   (e) a first, radially outwardly directed, housing seal positioned on one of the first and second end pieces in axial overlap with an end of the media; the first, radially outwardly directed, housing seal having: a largest outer cross-dimension that is smaller than a largest cross-dimension of the end piece on which it is positioned; and, a smallest outer cross-dimension that is smaller than a largest cross-dimension of the media adjacent the end piece on which it is positioned.   
     
     
         3 . A filter cartridge for removable installation in a housing, in use; the filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) an extension of filter media surrounding an open filter interior and defining first and second ends;   (b) a first end piece positioned at the first end of the filter cartridge and having a first, radially directed, housing radial seal; and,   (c) a second end piece positioned at the second end of the media and having an outer perimeter having a plurality of spaced recesses therein, in extension around an outer perimeter of the second end piece.   
     
     
         4 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the media is cylindrical. 
 
     
     
         5 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the first, radially directed, housing seal comprises an o-ring. 
 
     
     
         6 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the cartridge defines a cartridge central axis; and, 
 (b) the first housing seal member is defined in a seal plane non-orthogonal to the cartridge central axis. 
 
     
     
         7 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the media is positioned around a central cartridge support. 
 
     
     
         8 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 7  wherein:
 (a) the cartridge includes a preform comprising the first end piece, the second end piece and the central cartridge support. 
 
     
     
         9 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the first end piece has a portion with an outer perimeter comprising spaced projections separated by spaced recesses. 
 
     
     
         10 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the second end piece has a portion with an outer perimeter comprising spaced projections separated by spaced recesses. 
 
     
     
         11 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 10  wherein:
 (a) the first end piece has a portion with an outer perimeter comprising spaced projections separated by spaced recesses. 
 
     
     
         12 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) a second end piece adjacent the second end of the media;
 (i) the second end piece including a first member of a cartridge-to-housing base rotational alignment indexing arrangement thereon. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the first member of the cartridge-to-housing rotational alignment indexing arrangement is configured to allow only a single selected rotational alignment between the filter cartridge and a housing base, in use. 
 
     
     
         14 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) a media axial overlap drain arrangement. 
 
     
     
         15 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 14  wherein:
 (a) the media axial overlap drain arrangement comprises an aperture arrangement through the second end piece and overlapped by an end of the media. 
 
     
     
         16 . A filter assembly comprising:
 (a) a housing having: a gas flow inlet arrangement; a gas flow outlet arrangement; and, a liquid drain outlet arrangement; and,   (b) a filter cartridge according to at least  claim 1  operably and removably positioned within, and sealed to, the housing.