US 12,292,021 B2
Filter element and air cleaner assembly
Michael Kaufmann, Meckenheim (DE); Klaus-Dieter Ruhland, Meckenheim (DE); and Timothy S Finn, Morton, IL (US)
Assigned to MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Filed by MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Ludwigsburg (DE)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/165,416.
Application 18/165,416 is a continuation of application No. 15/010,572, filed on Jan. 29, 2016, granted, now 11,591,993.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/113,740, filed on Feb. 9, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0175465 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F02M 35/00 (2006.01); B01D 46/00 (2022.01); B01D 46/10 (2006.01); B01D 46/42 (2006.01); B01D 50/20 (2022.01); B04C 5/28 (2006.01); F02M 35/02 (2006.01); F02M 35/024 (2006.01)
CPC F02M 35/02433 (2013.01) [B01D 46/0002 (2013.01); B01D 46/0005 (2013.01); B01D 46/10 (2013.01); B01D 46/4227 (2013.01); B01D 50/20 (2022.01); B04C 5/28 (2013.01); F02M 35/0201 (2013.01); B01D 2265/025 (2013.01); B01D 2275/206 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter element comprising:
a first pair of opposing walls extending along a longitudinal axis of the filter element, the longitudinal axis defining an axial direction;
a second pair of opposing walls extending along the longitudinal axis, the second pair of opposing walls coupling the first pair of opposing walls to one another,
wherein the first and second pairs of opposing walls create a flow passage between an inlet end of the filter element and an outlet end of the filter element in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis;
filter media positioned within the flow passage formed by the first and second pair of opposing walls and configured to separate particulates from air flowing through the flow passage; and
a planar inlet flow surface formed at the inlet end of the filter element;
a planar outlet flow surface formed at the outlet end of the filter element, the planar outlet flow surface oriented at a first oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the longitudinal axis extends through the filter media from the planar inlet flow surface to the planar outlet flow surface;
a seal member positioned on a perimeter of the outlet end of the filter element, at least a portion of the seal member extending outwardly from the planar outlet flow surface, and the seal member configured to abut and compress against an outlet shoulder of a filter housing to create a substantially air-tight seal between the outlet end of the filter element and the outlet shoulder of the filter housing configured to receive the filter element;
wherein the first pair of opposing walls each have an exterior surface, at least one of the first pair of opposing walls having an elongated wedge element arranged thereon and elongated on the exterior surface and projecting outwardly therefrom;
wherein the elongated wedge element is arranged in the axial direction between and spaced in the axial direction away from the planar inlet flow surface and the planar outlet flow surface;
wherein the elongated wedge element is elongated linearly at a second oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the elongated wedge element is configured to engage against a wedge receiver located on an interior surface of the filter housing to urge the seal member to abut and compressively seal against the outlet shoulder of the filter housing.