Filter system

Abstract

A filter system and filters and housing components for use in the filter system are provided. The filter system includes at least one filter received within a housing having a cover and a housing body. The filter includes at least one latch tab engaged by the cover to secure the cover. First and second seals seal the system. The latch tab extends axially beyond a catch of the housing body. A filter system is also provided that includes a pre-cleaner through which fluid moves in a first direction different than a second direction as the fluid flows through the filters thereof. Methods of servicing the filter system are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter system comprising:
 a filter including:
 a filter media pack having an inlet face and an outlet face with a central axis extending transversely through the inlet and outlet faces; 
 a frame member attached to the filter media pack including a flange portion projecting radially outward; 
 a tab projecting axially from the flange portion; 
   a cover member;   a housing body having a central cavity receiving the filter, the housing body including a support flange for supporting and locating the filter within the central cavity; and   a latch securing the cover member to the housing body by engaging the tab.   
     
     
         2 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing body defines an axial catch, the tab extending past the catch when the filter is installed in the central cavity, the tab maintaining the latch in axial engagement with the axial catch. 
     
     
         3 . The filter system of  claim 2 , wherein a side of the support flange opposite a side that supports the filter provides the axial catch. 
     
     
         4 . The filter system of  claim 2 , wherein the axial catch faces axially away from an end of the housing body that receives the filter. 
     
     
         5 . The filter system of  claim 2 , wherein the axial catch is tapered toward the tab when the filter is installed, the tab prevents disengagement of the latch with the tab when the filter is installed. 
     
     
         6 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the support flange has a slot receiving the tab axially therethrough, the latch does not secure the cover member to the housing body without the tab installed in the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flange portion is positioned on a first side of the support flange and a distal end of the tab is located on and extends beyond a second side of the support flange, the second side being axially opposite the first side; and   when the filter is installed in the central cavity of the housing body, the latch engages the tab on the second side of the support flange.   
     
     
         8 . The filter system of  claim 7 , wherein a radially inner side of the tab and a radially outer surface of the housing body form a relief radially therebetween in which a portion of the latch is received when the latch is in a secured state. 
     
     
         9 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing body includes a tapered region adjacent the support flange preventing the latch from engaging the housing body when the tab is not adjacent the support flange. 
     
     
         10 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame member of the filter includes a casing portion surrounding the filter media pack, the flange portion projects radially outward from the casing portion. 
     
     
         11 . The filter system of  claim 10 , wherein the filter is a secondary filter that defines a central cavity within the casing portion;
 the filter system further comprising a primary filter having a primary filter media pack and a press flange attached to the primary filter media pack, the press flange being positioned axially between the cover member and the flange portion of the secondary filter when the primary filter and secondary filter are installed within the housing body.   
     
     
         12 . The filter system of  claim 11 , wherein a first seal member is provided between the press flange and the flange portion; and
 wherein a second seal member is provided between the flange portion and the support flange.   
     
     
         13 . The filter system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second seal members are independent of one another. 
     
     
         14 . The filter system of  claim 13 , wherein the press flange and filter are seal free. 
     
     
         15 . The filter system of  claim 12 , wherein the cover member presses directly on the press flange. 
     
     
         16 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing body defines at least one aperture, the cover member including at least one cover tab extending outward therefrom, the cover tab extending into the aperture in the housing body when the latch is engaged with the tab of the filter. 
     
     
         17 . The filter system of  claim 16 , wherein the latch provides an axial force securing the cover member to the housing body along a first axis and the cover tab extends into the aperture in the housing body along a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. 
     
     
         18 . The filter system of  claim 1 , wherein the tab has a T-shaped cross-section in a plane that is orthogonal to the central axis. 
     
     
         19 . The filter system of  claim 6 , wherein the tab has a T-shaped cross-section in a plane that is orthogonal to the central axis, the slot has a corresponding T-shaped cross-section for receipt of the tab. 
     
     
         20 . A method of servicing a filter system comprising:
 removing a cover member from a housing body to provide access to a first filter;   removing the first filter from the housing body;   inserting a second filter into the housing body;   securing the cover member to the housing body;   wherein the first filter includes at least one tab that extends beyond an axial catch of the housing body, wherein removing the cover member includes unbuckling a latch that is engaged with the tab of the first filter and the second filter includes at least one tab that extends beyond the axial catch when it is inserted into the housing body, wherein securing the cover member includes engaging the latch with the at least one tab of the second filter; and   wherein the second filter includes:
 a filter media pack having an inlet face and an outlet face with a central axis extending transversely through the inlet and outlet faces; 
 a frame member attached to the filter media pack including a flange portion projecting radially outward; and 
   the at least one tab of the second filter extends axially from the flange portion.