Facet Enterprises, Inc.

Advanced Performance Technology, Inc.

John Lowsky

Scott Trierwiler

Richard Dye

Nicholas Torchia

Steven Cline

A filter assembly including a filter housing having a standpipe extending upwardly therethrough, in which is located a spring-biased flow element, and about which is received a replaceable filter element. A screw threaded cover is removably attached to the housing. The filter element includes an upper endcap, a center tube, a lower endcap and cylindrical filter media around the center tube. The lower endcap includes a central opening which receives upwardly therethrough the standpipe in sealed relation. A separate actuator with a projection formed to extend therefrom is located in the center tube, either fixedly or movably, below the upper endcap. When the filter element is placed over the standpipe, and the cover attached to the housing, the projection on the actuator pushes down against the spring-biased flow element, putting cavities formed in the flow element and openings formed in the standpipe in fluid communication. This alignment allows fluid to flow between an area inside the media adjacent the standpipe, to the interior of the standpipe, and out an outlet port of the housing. When the filter element is removed from the housing, for replacement with a new filter element, the projection is removed from the flow element, which returns to its original position to prohibit the fluid communication.

Fuel filter element with flow actuator

A one-piece plastic injection molded filter housing has a first end and a second open end. An injection molded end plate member includes a circumferential annular flange, and an inward annular projection. Opposing, one-piece plastic upper and lower end caps include spaced flanges to receive the respective ends of a filter media therebetween. The upper end cap also includes an upper annular projection. The upper end cap is mechanically, removably connected to the end plate member via corresponding threads or a protuberance/recess interference fit combination. The end plate member is fixedly connected to the housing via a rib that fits into a recess on the housing via an interference fit, or by spin welding. The method for manufacturing the filter includes the following steps: connecting a plastic upper end cap to the media to form a media element; removably, mechanically connecting the upper end cap to the end plate member; and fixedly connecting the end plate member to the second end of the housing.

Fluid filter and method for assembling same

A one-piece plastic injection molded filter housing having first and second open ends, the first end being threaded to receive a separate water collection bowl, and the second end including an external annular recess. An injection molded end plate member includes a circumferential annular flange with an interior annular rib formed thereon, and an inward annular projection with an external thread formed thereon. Opposing, one-piece plastic upper and lower end caps include spaced flanges to receive the respective ends of a filter media therebetween. The upper end cap also includes an upper annular projection that has an internal thread. A hollow plastic molded center tube is used inside a cylindrical paper media. The upper end cap is screwed into the end plate member via the corresponding threads. The rib has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the second end of the housing. Adhesive is applied to the rib and the end plate member is connected to the housing, so that the rib fits into the recess on the housing via an interference fit. The method for manufacturing the filter includes the following steps: forming the cylindrical paper media; inserting a plastic center tube into the cylindrical media and connecting the plastic upper and lower end caps to the media and center tube combination to form a media element; screwing the upper end cap onto the end plate member; and connecting the end plate member to the second end of the housing, so that the rib and recess cooperate to fix the end cap member on the housing via an interference fit.

Plastic fluid filter and method for assembling same

A fluid filter and methods for manufacturing same are described. The fluid filter includes: a filter element; a plastic housing for the filter element; and a plastic closure member including fluid inlet holes, each having an axis which is angled outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter housing. The closure member and the housing can be connected by welding, or the housing and the closure member may include complementary interengageable locking means for engagement. One method of manufacture includes the steps of forming a plastic housing and closure member and spin welding them together. Another method includes the steps of: forming the housing and closure member with complementary interengageable locking members; aligning the locking members; and turning the housing to engage the housing and the closure member. With either method, the assembled filter is then spun onto a threaded stud on a filter mount.

Plastic fluid filter and method for manufacturing same

A pressure relief valve assembly is described including a valve body having a sleeve portion, a slotted portion and axial extension legs, all of which are integrally formed as one-piece by injection molding from plastic. The legs are hooked at free ends to restrain a compression spring which biases a one-piece, plastic washer into a seated position over the slotted portion. The washer is substantially planar, but with inner and outer circumferential lips, each having a rounded profile. The lips are spaced apart by a medial planar surface area. The inner and outer lips engage inner and outer surfaces, respectively, around radial slots formed in the slotted portion which act as a valve seat. The washer also includes an upwardly extending projection opposite the sealing surface which receives the spring radially inward such that the spring exerts an even force on the washer. The washer is also provided with ribs which add structural support and act to distribute the load of the spring evenly from one side of the sealing surface to the other.

Pressure relief valve assembly with plastic, one-piece valve

A plastic relief valve assembly is provided having a one-piece valve body, with a sleeve portion and a slotted portion, and a valve. The slotted portion includes a plurality of radially disposed inlets. The valve includes an axial portion and a radial portion. The radial portion extends angularly over the radial inlets in a seated position and the axial portion extends into the valve body for quick connection therewith by a groove and rib combination provided on the valve and valve body, respectively. The radial portion of the plastic valve is flexible, and the valve opens when fluid pressure reaches a predetermined level. A plastic antidrain valve is also connected to the valve body. A fluid filter incorporating the combined plastic relief valve assembly/antidrain back valve is also provided.

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Fayetteville, NC, United States of America

John Lowsky