Fleetguard, Inc.

Art P Piccirilli

Zemin Jiang

Gene Mullins

A filter seal for a substantially cylindrical air filter includes an integrally molded, polyurethane member which is configured with two primary portions. One portion is an annular body which is formed with an annular receiving channel, like a potting shell, which in turn is sized so as to receive one end of a corresponding filter element. The other portion is an annular sealing lip which is disposed in spaced relation to the receiving channel. This sealing lip includes a specific geometry providing both a ribbed, radial-sealing surface and a convex, axial-sealing surface. The radial-sealing surface provides sealing contact with a generally cylindrical outlet portion of the housing in which the filter element is placed in tension while axial sealing is achieved by compression of the axial-sealing surface against a generally planar surface of the housing. In addition to these two modes of sealing engagement, when the unit is in operation as part of a vehicle, differential pressure forces cause the sealing lip to press more tightly against the housing so as to enhance the sealing. The molding process which completes the fabrication of the filter seal concurrently bonds the filter seal to the filter element.

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Cookeville, TN, United States of America

Art P Piccirilli