Filter device

Abstract

A filter device may include a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing. The filter element may be configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end of the filter element. A water separator may be disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged axially spaced from the same. The water separator may have a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the filter element configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter device, comprising:
 a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing, the filter element defining a raw end and a pure end disposed radially inwards of the raw end with respect to the longitudinal axis, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end to the pure end of the filter element; and   a water separator fluidly connected to the pure end of the filter element and arranged coaxial to the filter element, the water separator disposed at an axial end of the filter element and arranged spaced apart axially outward from the same along the longitudinal axis downstream of the pure end, wherein the water separator includes a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the longitudinal axis configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow,   wherein a flow channel is disposed axially between the filter element and the water separator and guides the fluid flow radially outwards from the pure end of the filter element to the raw end of the water separator.   
     
     
       2. The filter device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs distributed about a periphery of the water separator, wherein the plurality of ribs are disposed at the raw end of the water separator radially outside of the diaphragm. 
     
     
       3. The filter device according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of ribs extend axially from a water collection chamber into the raw end of the water separator. 
     
     
       4. The filter device according to  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element. 
     
     
       5. The filter device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tube projecting from the water separator in the axial direction and configured to serve as a receiving mandrel for retaining the filter element. 
     
     
       6. The filter device according to  claim 5 , further comprising an inner skirt disposed between the tube and the filter element and configured to support the filter element. 
     
     
       7. The filter device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lower end disk coupled to the axial end of the filter element, wherein the lower end disc is arranged axially between the filter element and the water separator and circumferentially surrounds the water separator. 
     
     
       8. The filter device according to  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is formed as at least one of a hydrophobic sieve and a hydrophobic mesh. 
     
     
       9. The filter device according to  claim 5 , wherein the tube and the water separator are welded together. 
     
     
       10. The filter device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a coalescing material disposed at the pure end of the filter element and on an outer side of the inner skirt. 
     
     
       11. The filter device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one flow guide element disposed at the pure end of the filter element and configured to deflect the fluid flow in any circumferential direction. 
     
     
       12. A filter device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a filter housing;   a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing, the filter element defining a raw end and a pure end disposed radially inwards of the raw end with respect to the longitudinal axis, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end to the pure end of the filter element;   a water separator disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged coaxial to the filter element, the water separator including an axially extending hydrophobic and annular diaphragm configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter element; and   wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element.   
     
     
       13. The filter device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a tube projecting axially from the water separator and arranged coaxially with the filter element, the tube configured to serve as a retaining mandrel for retaining the filter element. 
     
     
       14. The filter device according to  claim 13 , further comprising an inner skirt extending axially long the filter element and arranged radially between the tube and the filter element; and
 a coalescing material arranged on a radially outer side of the inner skirt with respect to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       15. The filter device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a coalescing material disposed at the pure end of the filter element, wherein the coalescing material includes at least one of a porous material and a wire mesh. 
     
     
       16. The filter device according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter element defines an upper axial end face opposite a lower axial end face, wherein the water separator is in fluid communication with the pure end of the filter element and arranged spaced axially outward from the lower axial end face in a direction away the filter element. 
     
     
       17. The filter device according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least one flow guide element disposed at the pure end of the filter element and configured to deflect the fluid flow in any circumferential direction. 
     
     
       18. A filter device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a filter housing;   a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing, the filter element extending axially along the longitudinal axis between an upper end and an axially opposite lower end, and defining a raw end and a radially inner pure end, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end to the pure end of the filter element;   a water separator disposed in the filter housing at the lower end of the filter element and fluidly connected to the pure end of the filter element, the water separator including an axially extending hydrophobic and annular diaphragm configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter element; and   wherein the water separator is arranged at a distance axially outward from the lower end of the filter element, and wherein the diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element.   
     
     
       19. The filter device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of ribs distributed about the water separator in a circumferential direction, wherein the plurality of ribs are disposed at a raw end of the water separator radially outside of the diaphragm. 
     
     
       20. A filter device, comprising:
 a filter element positionable in a filter housing, the filter element defining a longitudinal axis and defining a filter element raw end and a filter element pure end that is disposed radially inwards of the filter element raw end with respect to the longitudinal axis; and   a water separator fluidly connected to the filter element pure end, the water separator includes a crude chamber, a water collection chamber disposed at an axial end of the filter element, and a flow channel that connects the filter element pure end to the crude chamber, the water separator includes a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm radially internal to the crude chamber and is positioned to receive the fluid from the flow channel, the water collection chamber defines a discharge opening, the crude chamber of the water separator is disposed axially between the filter element and a lower wall of the water collection chamber and guides the fluid flow downward from the pure end of the filter element to the lower wall of the water separator and with a reduced flow velocity, and the crude chamber guides the fluid flow into the water collection chamber and through the discharge opening.   
     
     
       21. The filter device according to claim 20, further comprising a tube that includes an inner skirt for providing stiffness to the filter element. 
     
     
       22. The filter device according to claim 21, the tube serving as a mandrel for retaining the filter element. 
     
     
       23. The filter device according to claim 21, the filter device further comprising a coalescing element positioned between the crude chamber and the tube, such that water portions accumulate and separate upon impact on the coalescing element. 
     
     
       24. The filter device according to claim 20, wherein the crude chamber extends axially to allow for gravity separation into the water collection chamber. 
     
     
       25. The filter device according to claim 20, wherein the crude chamber and the water collection chamber are in alignment such that the fluid flows external to the diaphragm from the crude chamber to the water collection chamber. 
     
     
       26. A filter device, comprising:
 a filter element defining a longitudinal axis positionable in a filter housing, the filter element defining a raw end and a pure end disposed radially inwards of the raw end with respect to the longitudinal axis, the filter element configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from the raw end of the filter element to the pure end of the filter element; and   a water separator fluidly connected to the pure end of the filter element and arranged coaxial to the filter element, the water separator including a crude chamber and including a water collection chamber disposed at an axial end of the filter element and having the crude chamber passing the fluid flow along the longitudinal axis and downstream of the pure end, the water separator having a flow channel that connects the pure end of the filter element to the crude chamber, wherein the water separator includes a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm radially internal to the crude chamber and extending in an axial direction of the longitudinal axis, the hydrophobic and annular diaphragm configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator,   wherein the crude chamber and the flow channel of the water separator are disposed axially between the filter element and a lower wall of the water separator and guide the fluid flow from the pure end of the filter element to the lower wall of the water separator and with a reduced flow velocity, and the crude chamber guides the fluid flow into the water collection chamber and through a discharge opening.   
     
     
       27. The filter device according to claim 26, further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs distributed about a periphery of the water separator, wherein the plurality of ribs are disposed at the raw end of the water separator. 
     
     
       28. The filter device according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of ribs extend axially from the water collection chamber into the raw end of the water separator. 
     
     
       29. The filter device according to claim 26, wherein the annular diaphragm of the water separator is disposed radially outside of the pure end of the filter element. 
     
     
       30. The filter device according to claim 26, further comprising a tube projecting from the water separator in the axial direction and configured to serve as a receiving mandrel for retaining the filter element. 
     
     
       31. The filter device according to claim 30, further comprising an inner skirt disposed between the tube and the filter element and configured to support the filter element. 
     
     
       32. The filter device according to claim 30, further comprising a lower end disk coupled to the axial end of the filter element, wherein the lower end disc is arranged axially between the filter element and the water separator and circumferentially surrounds the water separator. 
     
     
       33. The filter device according to claim 26, wherein the annular diaphragm of the water separator is formed as at least one of a hydrophobic sieve and a hydrophobic mesh. 
     
     
       34. The filter device according to claim 30, wherein the tube and the water separator are welded together. 
     
     
       35. The filter device according to claim 31, further comprising a coalescing material disposed at the pure end of the filter element and on an outer side of the inner skirt. 
     
     
       36. The filter device according to claim 26, further comprising at least one flow guide element disposed at the pure end of the filter element and configured to deflect the fluid flow in any circumferential direction.