Filter element with features to improve pre-cleaning performance, sealing, and structural support

Abstract

Disclosed are filter assembly systems that utilize replaceable filter elements. The filter elements may include a ramp or sleeve for redirecting air intake when the filter elements are installed in the filter assembly systems and air is drawn into the systems. The filter elements and assembly systems may utilize co-acting components that mate with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the filter element in the systems; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized filter element in the systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A replaceable air filter element mountable in a housing chamber, the replaceable air filter element comprising:
 filter media having a first end and a second end; 
 a first end seal cap located at the first end of the filter media, the first end seal cap comprising a first co-acting keyed component; and 
 a second end seal cap located at the second end of the filter media; 
 the housing chamber comprising a first end cap located at a first end of the housing chamber and a second end cap located at a second end of the housing chamber, the first end cap comprising a second co-acting keyed component, the first end seal cap contacting and sealing against the first end cap of the housing chamber and the second end seal cap contacting and sealing against the second end cap, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components mating with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the replaceable air filter element in the housing; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized air filter element in the housing, namely a the authorized air filter element comprising the second first co-acting keyed component to mate with the first second co-acting keyed component of the housing chamber, wherein the first co-acting component is an internal chord having an inner radial seal surface, wherein the inner radial seal surface seals against a mating seal surface of the first end cap. 
 
     
     
       2. The replaceable air filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end seal caps of the replaceable air filter element respectively contact and seal against the first and second end caps of the housing chamber via facial seals located on the first and second end seal caps of the replaceable air filter element or on the first and second end caps of the housing chamber. 
     
     
       3. The replaceable air filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end seal caps of the replaceable air filter element respectively contact and seal against the first and second end caps of the housing chamber via radial seals located on the first and second end seal caps of the replaceable air filter element or on the first and second end caps of the housing chamber. 
     
     
       4. The replaceable air filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components are non-circular in shape. 
     
     
       5. The replaceable air filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise male and female chords. 
     
     
       6. The replaceable air filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise a tab and a slot. 
     
     
       7. The replaceable air filter element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise tapered faces. 
     
     
       8. An air filter assembly comprising:
 an air filter element comprising filter media having a first end and a second end, the air filter element further comprising a first end seal cap located at the first end of the filter media and a second end seal cap located at the second end of the filter media, the first end seal cap comprising a first co-acting keyed component; 
 a housing chamber comprising a first end cap located at a first end of the housing chamber and a second end cap located at a second end of the housing chamber, the first end cap comprising a second co-acting keyed component, the air filter element mounted in the housing chamber, the first end seal cap of the air filter element contacting and sealing against the first end cap of the housing chamber, the second end seal cap of the air filter element contacting and sealing against the second end cap of the housing chamber, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components mating with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the air filter element in the housing; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized air filter element in the housing, namely a the authorized air filter element comprising the second first co-acting keyed component to mate with the first second co-acting keyed component of the housing chamber, wherein the first co-acting component is an internal chord having an inner radial seal surface, wherein the inner radial seal surface seals against a mating seal surface of the first end cap. 
 
     
     
       9. The air filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second end seal caps of the air filter element respectively contact and seal against the first and second end caps of the housing chamber via facial seals located on the first and second end seal caps of the air filter element or on the first and second end caps of the housing chamber. 
     
     
       10. The air filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second end seal caps of the air filter element respectively contact and seal against the first and second end caps of the housing chamber via radial seals located on the first and second end seal caps of the air filter element or on the first and second end caps of the housing chamber. 
     
     
       11. The air filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components are non-circular in shape. 
     
     
       12. The air filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise male and female chords. 
     
     
       13. The air filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise a tab and a slot. 
     
     
       14. The air filter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise tapered faces. 
     
     
       15. A replaceable filter element mountable in a housing chamber, the element comprising:
 filter media having a first end and a second end;   a first end seal cap located at the first end of the filter media, the first end seal cap comprising a first co-acting keyed component;   the housing chamber comprising a first end cap located at a first end of the housing chamber, the first end cap comprising a second co-acting keyed component, the first end seal cap contacting and sealing against the first end cap of the housing chamber, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components mate with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the replaceable filter element in the housing; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized filter element in the housing, the authorized filter element comprising the first co-acting keyed component to mate with the second co-acting keyed component of the housing chamber, wherein the first co-acting component is an internal chord having an inner radial seal surface, wherein the inner radial seal surface seals against a mating seal surface of the first end cap.    
     
     
       16. The replaceable filter element of claim 15, wherein the first end seal cap of the replaceable filter element contacts and seals against the first end cap of the housing chamber via a facial seal located on the first end seal cap of the replaceable filter element or on the first end cap of the housing chamber.  
     
     
       17. The replaceable filter element of claim 15, wherein the first end seal cap of the replaceable filter element contacts and seals against the first end cap of the housing chamber via a radial seal located on the first end seal cap of the replaceable filter element or on the first end cap of the housing chamber.  
     
     
       18. The replaceable filter element of claim 15, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components are non-circular in shape.  
     
     
       19. The replaceable filter element of claim 15, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise male and female chords.  
     
     
       20. The replaceable filter element of claim 15, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise a tab and a slot.  
     
     
       21. The replaceable filter element of claim 15, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise tapered faces.  
     
     
       22. A filter assembly comprising:
 a filter element comprising filter media having a first end and a second end, the filter element further comprising a first end seal cap located at the first end of the filter media, the first end seal cap comprising a first co-acting keyed component;   a housing chamber comprising a first end cap located at a first end of the housing chamber, the first end cap comprising a second co-acting keyed component, the filter element mounted in the housing chamber, the first end seal cap of the filter element contacting and sealing against the first end cap of the housing chamber, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components mating with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the filter element in the housing; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized filter element in the housing, the authorized filter element comprising the first co-acting keyed component to mate with the second co-acting keyed component of the housing chamber, wherein the first co-acting component is an internal chord having an inner radial seal surface, wherein the inner radial seal surface seals against a mating seal surface of the first end cap.    
     
     
       23. The filter assembly of claim 22, wherein the first end seal cap of the filter element contacts and seals against the first end cap of the housing chamber via a facial seal located on the first end seal cap of the filter element or on the first end cap of the housing chamber.  
     
     
       24. The filter assembly of claim 22, wherein the first end seal cap of the filter element contacts and seals against the first end cap of the housing chamber via a radial seal located on the first end seal cap of the filter element or on the first end cap of the housing chamber.  
     
     
       25. The filter assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components are non-circular in shape.  
     
     
       26. The filter assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise male and female chords.  
     
     
       27. The filter assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise a tab and a slot.  
     
     
       28. The filter assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second co-acting keyed components comprise tapered faces.