Air filter sealing groove

Abstract

An air filter assembly comprises includes a filter housing having a filter media is mounted therein, and interposed between the inlet and outlet of the housing. An end cap having an annular groove formed therein is mounted to one end of the filter media. A gasket formed of a pliable material is mounted within the groove. The assembly is provided with means a nut and bolt assembly for urging the end cap against an adjacent end wall of the housing to compress the pliable gasket therebetween, thereby sealing the inlet from the outlet, and insuring that air passing through the outlet must first pass through the filter media of the filter unit.

Description

62 62" is retained within the groove 64 by forming the gasket 62 62" so at its inner diameter is somewhat less than the inner diameter of the groove 64. The gasket 62 62" must be stretched outwardly to allow insertion of the same into the groove 64. The gasket 62 62" thus exerts a force on the inner wall of the inner projection 66, retaining the gasket 62 62" within the groove 64.

Similarly, in a third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the gasket 62 62" is retained within the groove 64 by forming the gasket 62 62" so that its outer diameter is somewhat greater than the outer diameter of the groove 64. The gasket 62 62" must be compressed inwardly to allow insertion of the same into the groove 64. The gasket 62 62" exerts a force on the inner wall of the outer projection 66, retaining the gasket 62 62" within the groove 64.

In the most preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the groove is provided with a plurality of altering inwardly-projecting indentations 68 formed on the opposing inner walls of the projections 66" forming the groove. The plurality of indentations 68 frictionally retains the gasket 62 within the groove. The indentations 68 also facilitate insertion of the gasket 62 into the groove in the end cap 56" by allowing the air beneath the gasket 62 to escape as the gasket 62 is inserted into the groove. The indentations 68 are preferably struck from the side walls of the projections 66".

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statues, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. An air filter assembly, comprising:

a filter housing having opposing end walls and a side wall between the end walls said housing having an air inlet and an air outlet formed therein;

a filter media mounted within said housing and interposed between the inlet and outlet of said housing;

a metal end cap secured to one end of said filter media, said end cap having a pair of radially spaced annular projections extending from said end cap to form an annular groove in said metal end cap, each of said projections being comprised of a pair of opposed sidewalls interconnected at the distal ends thereof;

a gasket disposed within said groove, said gasket being formed of a pliable material; and

means for urging said end cap against an adjacent end wall of said housing to compress said gasket therebetween, thereby scaling said inlet from said outlet and insuring that air passing through said outlet must first pass through said filter media.

2. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said gasket is formed of foamed rubber.

3. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said projections is comprised of a pair of opposed sidewalls stamped from said metal end cap.

4. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said projections is formed of an inner sidewall adjacent said groove and an associated outer sidewall spaced radially therefrom, both of said outer sidewalls being angularly disposed with respect to the inner sidewall associated therewith.

5. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for retaining said gasket within said groove.

6. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for retaining said gasket within said groove comprises a plurality of alternating inwardly-projecting indentations provided on the opposing inner walls of the groove.

7. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of said gasket is less than the inner diameter of said groove.

8. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of said gasket is greater than the outer diameter of said groove.

9. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner walls defining sad groove are angled inwardly toward the center of said groove.

10. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein the opposing side walls of said gasket are provided with a bevel cut so that the gasket tapers inwardly away from said end cap.

11. An air filter assembly, comprising:

a filter housing having opposing end walls and a side wall between the end walls, said housing having an air inlet and an air outlet formed therein;

a filter media mounted within said housing and interposed between the inlet and outlet of said housing;

an end cap secured to one end of said filter media, said end cap having a groove formed therein by a pair of radially spaced annular projections extending from said end cap, each of said projections being comprised of a pair of opposed sidewalls stamped from said metal end cap;

a pliable, foamed rubber gasket disposed within said groove; and

means for urging said end cap against an adjacent end wall of said housing to compress said gasket therebetween, thereby sealing said inlet from said outlet so that no air can pass out of said outlet without having first passed through said filter media.

12. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said groove is provided with of a plurality of alternating inwardly-projecting indentations provided on the opposing inner walls of the groove for retaining said gasket within said groove.

13. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein the inner diameter of said gasket is smaller than the inner diameter of said groove.

14. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein the outer diameter of said gasket is larger than the outer diameter of said groove.

15. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein the opposing inner walls of said annular projections are angled inwardly toward the center of said groove.

16. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said gasket is provided with a bevel cut so that the gasket tapers away from said end cap.

17. An air filter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said projections is formed of an inner sidewall adjacent said groove and an associated outer sidewall spaced radially therefrom, both of said outer sidewalls being angularly disposed with respect to the inner sidewall associated therewith.

18. An air filter comprising:

a filter element;

a metal end cap secured to one end of said filter element, said end cap having a pair of radially spaced annular projections extending therefrom to form an annular groove in said end cap, each of said projections being comprised of a pair of opposed sidewalls interconnected at the distal ends thereof; and

a gasket disposed within said groove, said gasket being formed of a pliable material. 19. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein each of said projections is comprised of a pair of opposed sidewalls stamped from said metal end cap. 20. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein each of said projections is formed of an inner sidewall adjacent said groove and an associated outer sidewall spaced radially therefrom, both of said outer sidewalls being angularly disposed with respect to the inner sidewall associated therewith. 21. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein said gasket is formed of foamed rubber. 22. An air filter as defined in claim 18, further comprising means for retaining said gasket within said groove. 23. An air filter as defined in claim 22, wherein said means for retaining said gasket within said groove comprises a plurality of alternating inwardly-projecting indentations provided on the opposing inner walls of said groove. 24. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein the inner diameter of said

gasket is less than the inner diameter of said groove. 25. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein the outer diameter of said gasket is greater than the outer diameter of said groove. 26. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein the inner walls defining said groove are angled inwardly toward the center of said groove. 27. An air filter as defined in claim 18, wherein the opposing side walls of said gasket are provided with a bevel cut so that the gasket tapers inwardly away from said end cap. 28. A filter unit for an air filter assembly comprising:

a filter media having an end;

an end cap secured to said end of said filter media, said end cap including a pair of radially spaced annular projections formed thereon having respective inwardly facing sidewalls which define an annular groove therebetween; and

a gasket formed from a pliable material disposed within said groove. 29. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said end cap is formed from metal, and wherein said projections are stamped from said metal end cap. 30. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein each of said sidewalls is an inner sidewall, and wherein each of said projections further includes an outer sidewall spaced radially from said respective inner sidewall. 31. A filter unit as defined in claim 30, wherein each of said outer sidewalls is angularly disposed with respect to said respective inner sidewalls.

. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said gasket is formed from foamed rubber. 33. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, further including means for retaining said gasket within said groove. 34. A filter unit as defined in claim 33, wherein said means for retaining said gasket within said groove includes a plurality of inwardly projecting indentations provided on said sidewalls. 35. A filter unit as defined in claim 34, wherein said inwardly projecting indentations are provided in an alternating manner on said sidewalls. 36. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said gasket defines an inner diameter which is less than an inner diameter defined by said groove. 37. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said gasket defines an outer diameter which is greater than an outer diameter defined by said groove. 38. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said inner walls extend from respective inner edges adjacent said end of said filter media to respective outer edges, and wherein a radial distance defined between said inner edges is equal to a radial distance defined between said outer edges. 39. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said inner walls extend from respective inner edges adjacent said end of said filter media to respective outer edges, and wherein a radial distance defined between said inner edges is greater than

a radial distance defined between said outer edges. 40. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said gasket defines a pair of radially spaced sidewalls which extend from respective inner edges adjacent said end of said filter media to respective outer edges, and wherein a radial distance defined between said inner edges is equal to a radial distance defined between said outer edges. 41. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said gasket defines a pair of radially spaced sidewalls which extend from respective inner edges adjacent said end of said filter media to respective outer edges, and wherein a radial distance defined between said inner edges is greater than a radial distance defined between said outer edges. 42. A filter unit as defined in claim 28, wherein said inner walls extend from respective inner edges adjacent said end of said filter media to respective outer edges, and wherein said inner edges are connected together.