Baldwin Filters, Inc.

Stan Johnston

Steven J Merritt

Brian T Ehrenberg

Kyle Swanson

A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a filter element including a media pack in the form of a coiled fluted filter media, by winding the web of fluted filter media around a pair of tools of a mandrel. The tools engage the sides of the filter media. The tools define a major to provide the media pack with a oblong or elongated shape. The web may be fed at constant linear speed, and/or a motor may be controlled in a manner to provide constant driving torque to maintain a constant tension on the web. The winding apparatus and methods may include apparatus or methods to modify the feed path of the web to adjust the tension of the web as it is being wound. Further, the coiled media packs can be fixtured to prevent relaxation. A method may form various shaped media packs with the same apparatus.

Method and apparatus for winding a filter media pack

A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a filter element including a media pack in the form of a coiled web of fluted filter media, by feeding the web of fluted filter media at a controlled linear speed onto a mandrel rotated by a winding motor providing a controlled driving torque to the mandrel, to thereby maintain a controlled tension on the web of fluted filter media as the web is wound onto the mandrel. The web may be fed at a substantially constant linear speed to the mandrel, and/or the winding motor may be controlled in a manner providing substantially constant driving torque to the mandrel for maintaining a constant tension on the web as a function of the constant driving torque. Coiled media packs having circular or non-circular cross sections, can be formed with either cored, or core-less construction.

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Kearney, NE, United States of America

Stan Johnston