Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc.

Fleetguard, Inc.

Lee Currier

Peter K Herman

Ismail C Bagci

Kevin C South

Hendrik Amirkhanian

Abhijit Shimpi

Gene Mullins

Karen Ramsey-Idem

David Dickerson

A filter apparatus for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine, the filter apparatus including annular full flow filter media extending axially between a first end and a second end. The full flow filter media surrounds a reinforcing member which extends axially between the first end and the second end and includes a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferential connecting segments. The circumferential connecting segments extend between a plurality of substantially axially extending ribs which connect the reinforcing member to a radially inwardly spaced bypass tube. The reinforcing member also includes a plurality of flow apertures defined by the connecting segments and the ribs.

Centertube for a combination full flow and bypass filter apparatus

A centrifuge includes a rotor with one or more drive jet openings for rotating the rotor to separate particulate matter from a fluid. A filter element is disposed inside the rotor, and the filter element includes depth filter medium for removing from the fluid sticky contaminants having the same general density as the fluid, such as sludge or varnish compounds. The rotor has a split flow configuration in which a portion of the fluid is routed to the filter element and the rest of the fluid bypasses the filter element to maintain fluid pressure of the fluid discharged from the drive jet openings. In one form, the depth filter medium is impregnated with a chemical that changes a property of the fluid, like acidity. In another form, the depth filter material is contained in a capsule for easy disposal.

Centrifuge with integral depth filter

A process for enhancing the pleatability of a meltblown web uses ultrasonic bonding wheels to create bond lines in the machine direction as the web is being produced. In addition to, or in place of, the bond lines, ribbons made of the web material, a thermoplastic polymer, string saturated with a phenolic or ultraviolet curing resin, or beads of an ultraviolet curing resin may be ultrasonically bonded to the web to enhance its stiffness. A heated scoring bar or ultrasonic horn forms pleats in the web by heating the web above its glass transition temperature and deforming the web into the pleated configuration. Cooling of the web locks the pleats into position.

Enhanced pleatability of meltblown media by ultrasonic processing

Growing community of inventors

Cookeville, TN, United States of America

Lee Currier