Caterpillar Inc.

Advanced Filtration Systems, Inc.

Bryant Alan Morris

Jeffrey R Ries

Brian John Sutton

Darrell Lee Morehouse, Iii

Mark Taylor Allott

Javier A Rodriguez

Mark Andrew McElroy

Vincent Paul Caliendo

Timothy J Bennett

Matthew Johnson

Darrell L Morehouse Iii

Jason Grant Jura

Kevin L Martin

Philip Carl Spengler

Corey Calvin Eadie

Samuel D Oanes

Matthew A Johnson

Patrick Savage

Darrell Morehouse

Patrick Allen Chinn

Sam Oanes

Jason Jura

Mark A Mcelroy

A filter element may include a tubular element, first and second end caps, each associated with an opposite end of the tubular element, filter media positioned around the tubular element and between the first and second end caps, a biasing element associated with the tubular element, and a retainer element positioned at a first end of the tubular element. The retainer element may include a retainer aperture including a central circular portion and two opposite lateral slots extending from opposite sides of the central circular portion, and two arcuate shoulder segments extending between opposite sides of the two opposite lateral slots. A full tab may extend a first axial distance from a bottom surface of one of the two arcuate shoulder segments at a circumferential position in between the two opposite lateral slots, and a partial tab may extend a second axial distance less than the first axial distance from a bottom surface of the other of the two arcuate shoulder segments at a circumferential position on an opposite side of the lateral slots from the full tab.

Filter element locking mechanism for clean service

An end cap for a filter element may include an element receiver configured to be coupled to a tubular member, and a base passage receiver in flow communication with the element receiver. The end cap may further include an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base. The end cap may also include end cap flow passages configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, and including a passage opening spaced a first distance from the first side. The end cap may further include a barrier edge and a peripheral seal, wherein an uppermost surface of the peripheral seal terminates a second distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

End cap for filter element

A system comprising a drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) assembly and a sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a sensing element that is attached to the drain, wherein, when the drain engages the FWS assembly, a cavity is formed by an endcap at least partially within the FWS assembly and by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the sensing element is exposed within the cavity, wherein a first side of the cavity is at least partially open, and wherein a second side of the cavity is formed by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the cavity is configured to receive fluid through the first side and collect the fluid in the cavity to trigger the sensing element. Numerous other aspects and systems are disclosed.

Water-in-fuel sensor with cavity for detection at grade

A drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) bowl is disclosed. The drain may include a valve element configured to float in a first fluid and not in a second fluid, wherein the valve element is in a valve element chamber of the drain, wherein the valve element chamber includes an opening configured to drain the first fluid from the valve element chamber, and wherein the valve element seals the opening when the drain is in an open position and when the first fluid has been drained from the valve element chamber; and a member configured to unseal the valve element from the opening when the drain is in a closed position.

Fuel-water separator self-draining valve with release member

A filter assembly may include a canister and a filter element received in the canister. The filter element may include filter media configured to promote separation of a first fluid from a second fluid having different characteristics than the first fluid as fluid passes through the filter media. The filter element may further include a first end cap, a second end cap, and a tubular member extending between the first and second end caps. The filter assembly may further include a flow cap associated with the first end cap of the filter element. The flow cap may include an inlet portion configured to provide flow communication between an inlet port of a filter base and the tubular member of the filter element, and an outlet portion configured to provide flow communication between an outlet port of the filter base and an exterior portion of the filter element.

Filter assembly including flow cap

An insert for use with a filter cap is provided. The insert comprises a cover portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hexagonal perimeter defining a center, and an attachment portion extending from the bottom surface of the cover portion including a cylindrical annular wall centered on the cover portion.

Filter cap with insert

A filter housing is provided. The filter housing includes a circumferential rib provided on an outer surface thereof. The filter housing also includes a first longitudinal rib provided on the outer surface thereof. The first longitudinal rib connects and extends away from the circumferential rib along a length of the filter housing. The first longitudinal rib defines a first thickness thereof. The first thickness tapers towards the circumferential rib. The filter housing further includes a second longitudinal rib provided on the outer surface thereof. The second longitudinal rib is provided opposing the first longitudinal rib. The second longitudinal rib connects and extends away from the circumferential rib along the length of the filter housing. The second longitudinal rib defines a second thickness thereof. The second thickness tapers towards the circumferential rib.

Filter housing

A filter element is provided that has a generally cylindrical configuration and that defines a longitudinal axis and a radial direction. The filter element comprises a center tube that defines a central reservoir and that includes annular filter media surrounding the center tube and the central reservoir, an open end joined to the center tube disposed along the longitudinal axis, the open end including an opening allowing fluid to flow from the central reservoir to the outside of the filter element, and a closed end joined to the center tube opposite the open end disposed along the longitudinal axis, the closed end including an end cap comprising a body that defines an attachment pocket and an air pocket that surrounds the attachment pocket.

Filter system using a self-venting drain

A center tube for use with a filter element comprises a unitary body having a standpipe that defines a length along the longitudinal axis and a central flow passage and a plurality of radially extending flow fins attached to the standpipe, the flow fins spaced axially from one another along the standpipe to define radial flow channels, wherein each of the fins further defines a first aperture between the fin and the standpipe, the apertures together defining a first outer axial flow passage and the standpipe defines a rectangular shape.

Filter center tube with standpipe and flow fins

A hose coupler includes a coupler body. The coupler body may extend from a proximal end to a distal end. The hose coupler may have a coupler bore extending through a length of the coupler body. The hose coupler may also have a flange disposed adjacent the distal end. The flange may project radially from the coupler body. The hose coupler may have a pair of tabs. The tabs may extend from the flange towards the proximal end of the coupler body.

Hose coupler for transferring fluids from a machine

A filter element may include a tubular element defining an internal space, and a retainer element associated with a first end of the tubular element, wherein the retainer element is configured to be coupled to a first housing. The filter element may also include a valve seat member in the internal space. The valve seat member may include a valve seat aperture configured to provide a fluid seal with a valve poppet. The filter element may further include first and second end caps associated with ends of the tubular element. The filter element may also include filter media around the tubular element, and the second end cap may be configured to provide a fluid seal between the filter element and a drain passage in a second housing, such that as the filter element is separated from the second housing, fluid flows from the filter element into the drain passage.

Filter element and filter system

A filter element may include a first end cap including an end cap barrier including an inner end cap aperture and end cap flow passages configured to provide flow communication between the of interior the filter element and the exterior of the filter element. The filter element may also include a first tubular member having a first end coupled to the first end cap to provide flow communication between the inner end cap aperture and a second end of the first tubular member. The filter element may further include first filter media extending around the first tubular member, an intermediate barrier coupled to a second end of the first tubular member, and second filter media having different filtering characteristics than the first filter media. One of the first filter media and the second filter media may include a coalescing-type media configured to promote separation of a first fluid from a second fluid.

Filter element and filter assembly for separating fluids

A filter assembly includes a filter element, a cap, and a base seal. The filter element has a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inside passage. The cap is affixed to the first end. The cap has a cap perimeter configured to mate with an opening of a filter housing. The base seal is disposed at the second end. The base seal has an outlet port in cooperative alignment with the inside passage. The base seal is configured to seal the outlet port to a housing outlet and the base seal is configured to seal a housing drain.

Filter housing with end cap seal

A connection includes a first component, a second component, a cord member, a detent, and a catch assembly. The first component has an opening with an inner surface and a first annular groove disposed about the inner surface. The second component has a top end configured to fit in the opening. The top end has an outer surface with a second annular groove disposed about the outer surface. The first annular groove and the second annular groove are configured to form a channel in response to being disposed in cooperative alignment. The cord member is configured to be removably inserted into the channel to secure the first component to the second component. The detent is disposed on the cord member. The catch assembly is configured to engage the detent and provide resistance to movement of the cord member relative to the catch assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Bryant Alan Morris