CN108712925B

CN108712925B - Retrofittable non-filtering non-operating filtration system

Info

Publication number: CN108712925B
Application number: CN201780016111.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·S·卡达姆; S·P·阿拉克里; K·C·索思; I·C·贝格西
Original assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc
Current assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc
Priority date: 2016-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-07
Publication date: 2023-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-07
Also published as: CN108712925A

Abstract

An overfree accessory is disclosed. The housing defines a fluid passage from an upstream fluid opening at a first end for fluid receiving communication with the filter cartridge to a downstream fluid opening at a corresponding second end, the housing being sized and shaped to be coupled to a fluid pump inlet. The housing also defines a pin opening at the first end to receive a pin from the filter cartridge. The divider divides the fluid passage into an upstream portion including an upstream fluid opening and a pin opening, and a downstream portion including a downstream fluid opening. The partition also defines an internal opening that allows fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. A ball is disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid opening, the ball having a diameter greater than a diameter of the internal opening.

Description

Retrofittable non-filtering non-operating filtration system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present utility model claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/305,273 filed on day 2016, 3 and 8. The application also claims priority from chinese utility model patent No. ZL201620390745.8, filed 5/3/2016 and published 18/2017. The contents of both applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a filtration system having a replaceable filter element.

Technical Field

Internal combustion engines typically combust a mixture of fuel (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.) and air. Prior to entering the engine, the fluid (e.g., fuel and oil) typically passes through a filter element to remove contaminants (e.g., particulates, dust, water, etc.) from the fluid prior to delivery to the engine. The filter element requires periodic replacement because the filter media of the filter element captures and removes contaminants from the fluid passing through the filter media. In some cases, during maintenance operations, unauthorized or non-original replacement filter elements may be installed in the filter system. Unauthorized and non-original replacement filter elements may be of inferior quality compared to truly authorized filter elements. The use of unauthorized or non-original replacement filter elements may cause damage to the engine by allowing contaminants to enter the filter element.

Some engines and filtration systems implement various engine integrity protection ("EIP") features, such as implementations of non-operational ("NFNR") systems. In NFNR systems, if no filter element is installed in the filter system, or in some cases if an improper filter element is installed, the engine will not operate or operate at a limited capacity (e.g., in a protected mode). However, many engines and filtration systems are not equipped with such EIP features. Thus, these engines and filtration systems are prone to damage if used without any filter elements or with improper replacement of filter elements.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment relates to unfiltered non-operational accessories. The accessory includes a housing defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid opening at a first end for fluid-receiving communication with the filter cartridge to a downstream fluid opening at a corresponding second end, the housing being sized and shaped to be coupled to the pump inlet, the housing further defining a pin opening at the first end, the pin opening being sized to receive a pin from the filter cartridge. The fitment also includes a partition dividing the fluid passage into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the upstream portion including an upstream fluid opening and a pin opening, the downstream portion including a downstream fluid opening, and defining an internal opening on the partition, the internal opening allowing fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The attachment includes a ball disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid opening, the ball having a diameter greater than a diameter of the internal opening such that engagement of the ball with the divider within the internal opening blocks fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.

Another embodiment relates to a fluid filter assembly. The assembly includes a filter cartridge including filter media disposed about a filter frame defining a central aperture, the filter having a pin protruding into an end of the central aperture. The assembly further includes a pump inlet disposed within the central bore. The assembly includes a no-filter no-run accessory coupled to the pump inlet within the central bore. The accessory comprises: a housing defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid opening at a first end for fluid-receiving communication with the filter cartridge to a downstream fluid opening at a corresponding second end, the housing sized and shaped to be coupled to the pump inlet, the housing further defining a pin opening through which a pin of the filter cartridge is disposed. The fitment further includes a partition dividing the fluid passage into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the upstream portion including an upstream fluid opening and a pin opening, the downstream portion including a downstream fluid opening, and defining an internal opening on the partition, the internal opening allowing fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The attachment includes a ball disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid opening, the ball having a diameter greater than a diameter of the internal opening such that engagement of the ball with the divider within the internal opening blocks fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The pin prevents engagement of the ball and the spacer.

Yet another embodiment includes a method of operating a fluid filter assembly that includes coupling a no-filter no-run accessory to a pump inlet. The non-filtering non-operational attachment includes a housing defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid opening at a first end for fluid-receiving communication with the filter cartridge to a downstream fluid opening at a corresponding second end, the housing sized and shaped to be coupled to the pump inlet, the housing further defining a pin opening through which a pin of the filter cartridge is disposed. The non-filtering non-operational attachment further includes a divider that divides the fluid passage into an upstream portion including an upstream fluid opening and a pin opening, and a downstream portion including a downstream fluid opening, and defines an internal opening on the divider that allows fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The unfiltered inactive accessory still further includes a ball disposed within the upstream portion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid opening. The diameter of the ball is greater than the diameter of the internal opening such that engagement of the ball with the divider within the internal opening blocks fluid communication between the upstream and downstream portions. In certain embodiments, the filter cartridge is coupled to a no-filter no-run attachment, the filter cartridge including a pin that enters the pin opening, thereby preventing the ball from engaging the divider.

These and other features as well as the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an NFNR attachment according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of the NFNR attachment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 2B is a front cross-sectional view of the NFNR attachment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a filter assembly including the NFNR accessory of fig. 1 and a virgin or licensed filter element.

Fig. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of a portion including the NFNR accessory of fig. 1 and a non-original or unauthorized filter assembly.

Detailed Description

Referring generally to the drawings, an improved NFNR accessory for manufacture as an existing filtration system without the no-filter no-run EIP feature is depicted. The accessory is advantageous to manufacturers who do not initially need to not filter the benefits of not running EIP features, but later need such features. The accessory can be coupled to an existing filtration system without requiring significant modification to the existing filtration system head. The NFNR accessory prevents equipment supplied by a filtration system (e.g., an internal combustion engine) from operating without a filter element. Furthermore, the NFNR accessory prevents equipment supplied by the filtration system from operating with unauthorized or non-original replacement filter elements. NFNR accessories protect downstream components of the filtration system from damage and failure of equipment using the filtration system.

Referring to fig. 1, an exploded view 100 of an NFNR accessory 101 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. NFNR accessory 101 includes a housing 110, a cage 120, a grommet 130, and a ball 140. In some arrangements, the housing 110, the cage 120, and the grommet 130 may be formed separately and then assembled together to form the NFNR accessory 101. In other arrangements, at least the features of the housing 110 and the cage 120 are formed as a unitary structure.

Housing 110 is the outer housing of NFNR attachment 101. In some arrangements, NFNR accessory 101 is formed separately and distinctly from the fluid inlet, and may be retrofitted to the fluid inlet. The housing 110 may be formed from a variety of selected plastics (e.g., plastics) to provide a secure enclosure while being resistant to degradation and wear due to exposure to fluid streams, including diesel or lead-free fuel streams. Housing 110 defines an upstream fluid opening 113 at a first end and a downstream fluid opening 111 at a corresponding second end sized and shaped for coupling to a fluid inlet of a filtration system. In some arrangements, an annular flange 112 is disposed around the outer circumference of the downstream fluid opening 111. Additionally, in some arrangements, the first end of the housing 110 also defines a pair of snap openings 114 and pin openings 115.

The cage 120 includes features sized and shaped to define a fluid flow passage within the housing 110. In some arrangements, the cage 120 further includes one or more snap protrusions 123 configured for snap-fit mounting through corresponding snap openings 114 in the housing 110. The cage 120 includes a divider 121 that traverses the cross-section of the fluid flow channel and defines an internal opening 122 that allows fluid to flow from one side of the divider 121 to the other side of the divider 121.

In various arrangements, grommet 130 is made of a selected material (e.g., rubber) to provide a leak-proof (leak-proof) or substantially leak-proof engagement to divider 121 at interior opening 122 and at ball 140. Grommet 130 defines an annular groove 132 and a concentric grommet hole 131, the annular groove 132 configured to engage an inner circumference of the interior opening 122, the concentric grommet hole 131 configured to provide a fluid flow path from one side of the divider 121 to the other side of the divider 121 when installed within the cage 120. In one embodiment the ball 140 is substantially spherical, but it should be understood that in various arrangements the ball 140 may not be entirely or substantially spherical, but rather may be more elliptical, oval or other shape. Ball 140 is configured to operably engage divider 121, i.e., interact with the divider (via direct or indirect contact) in a manner to block fluid flow through inner opening 122 and/or grommet hole 131. The diameter of the balls 140 is greater than the diameter of grommet holes 131, and in some arrangements, the density of the balls 140 is less than the density of the fluid filtered by the associated filter assembly. Ball 140 is configured for instantaneous engagement with divider 121 at interior opening 122 and/or grommet hole 131. Thus, in one arrangement, fluid flow may press ball 140 up against grommet 130 and block grommet hole 131, thereby preventing fluid from passing through divider 121. Conversely, if fluid flow is reduced, the ball 140 may disengage from the grommet 130 and expose the grommet hole 131.

Referring now to fig. 2A and 2B, a side cross-sectional view 200 and a front cross-sectional view 250 of an assembled NFNR accessory 101 are shown. Grommet 130 is coupled to partition 121 of cage 120, and cage 120 is mounted within housing 101. In various arrangements, snap-fit protrusions are provided through corresponding snap-fit openings 114 in the housing to secure the coupling of the cage 120 and the housing 110. When assembled, the fluid passage is defined by the upstream fluid opening 113 of the housing 110, the grommet hole 131, and the downstream fluid opening 111 of the housing 110. In addition, the divider 121 divides the fluid passage into an upstream portion 202 and a downstream portion 204 with respect to the direction of fluid flow through the fluid passage. Ball 140 is disposed in upstream portion 202. In this way, fluid flow into upstream fluid opening 113 may push ball 140 toward grommet hole 131 of grommet 130 and partially into grommet hole 131 of grommet 130, thereby preventing fluid flow to downstream portion 204. Additionally, in some arrangements, the protrusion 206 extending from the inner wall of the housing 110 may be configured to position the ball 140 near the grommet hole 131 and prevent the ball 140 from getting trapped or stuck in the upstream portion 202 away from the grommet 130.

Fig. 3A shows a first arrangement 300 of fluid filter assemblies in which NFNR accessory 101 is coupled to a pump inlet 302 disposed within a central bore of a raw or licensed fluid filter 304. The pump inlet 302 is in fluid, providing communication with a fluid pump (e.g., an electric fluid pump, a mechanical fluid pump, etc.) that draws fluid from a reservoir (e.g., fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, water, etc.) through the original fluid filter 304 into the NFNR accessory 101 and then into the pump inlet 302. The filtered fluid in pump inlet 302 is then provided to the system by an associated pump (e.g., an internal combustion engine).

In the first arrangement 300, the housing 110 of the NFNR accessory 101 is coupled to the pump inlet 302 by an engagement portion 312 of the pump inlet 302. In the arrangement shown, the engagement portion 312 is a circumferentially extending portion of the housing of the pump inlet 302, the engagement portion 312 being annularly disposed about the outer circumference of the annular flange 112 of the housing 110 and then rolled onto the annular flange 112. In some arrangements, NFNR accessory 101 is permanently coupled to pump inlet 302 such that subsequent removal of NFNR accessory 101 will damage pump inlet 302 and/or otherwise disrupt operation of pump inlet 302.

The as-installed fluid filter 304 includes a filter media 306 operatively coupled to a filter frame 308, the filter frame 308 being disposed within the filter media 306. In various arrangements, the filter media 306 may be configured as a corrugated fluid filter material disposed in a generally cylindrical shape, with a cylindrical arrangement of filter frames 308 disposed concentrically within the filter media 306. The filter frame 308 defines a central bore in which the pump inlet 302 and the coupled NFNR attachment 101 may be disposed, and a plurality of sidewall openings allow fluid communication between the filter media 306 and the upstream fluid opening 113 of the NFNR attachment 101. In addition, the filter frame 308 includes pins 310 disposed within the central bore that correspond to the size and location of the pin openings 115 of the housing 110. When coupling the original fluid filter 304 to the pump inlet 302, the pin 310 is disposed through the pin opening 115 such that the tip of the pin 310 is positioned adjacent the grommet 130.

In operation, NFNR accessory 101 is assembled and coupled to pump inlet 302. The original fluid filter 304 is then coupled to the pump inlet 302, disposing the pin 310 in the pin opening 115 and between the grommet 130 and the ball 140. Actuation of an associated fluid pump (e.g., by actuating an associated internal combustion engine) generates a fluid flow 314 through the filter medium 306 and into the upstream fluid opening 113 of the NFNR accessory 101. Fluid flow 314 encounters ball 140 and flows into ball 140; however, pin 310 prevents ball 140 from moving into and blocking grommet hole 131. In this way, fluid flow 314 may flow around pin 310 and ball 140, through grommet holes 131, into downstream portion 204 of NFNR attachment 101, into pump inlet 302, and then into a system (e.g., an internal combustion engine).

Referring now to fig. 3B, a second arrangement 350 of fluid filter assemblies shows NFNR attachment 101 coupled to pump inlet 302 disposed within a central bore of a non-original or unauthorized fluid filter 352. In the second arrangement 350, the pump inlet 302 and NFNR accessory 101 may be configured in a substantially similar manner as described with respect to the first arrangement 300 of fig. 3A, however, the non-original fluid filter 352 lacks the pin 310 of the first arrangement 300. Thus, in operation, fluid flow 314 may push ball 140 into grommet hole 131 of grommet 130. The engagement of the ball 140 and grommet 130 effectively prevents the fluid flow 314 from reaching the pump inlet 302 and, thus, prevents the fluid flow 314 from reaching the system (e.g., an internal combustion engine). Similarly, if no fluid filter is coupled to pump inlet 302, fluid flow 314 may push ball 140 into grommet hole 131 and block fluid flow 314.

Thus, NFNR accessory 101 provides an improved solution for filtration systems that were not originally designed with NFNR EIP features. NFNR accessories can be coupled to these filtration systems without requiring significant changes to the pump inlet 302. NFNR accessory 101 will help to prevent possible system (e.g., internal combustion engine) damage from installed unauthorized or non-original filter elements or filter elements that are not present in the associated filter system. Thus, the EIP feature will reduce or eliminate warranty claims associated with the system.

It should be noted that the use of the term "exemplary" herein to describe various embodiments is intended to represent possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments of such embodiments (and such term is not intended to imply that such embodiments are necessarily the most unusual or superior examples).

The term "coupled" or the like as used herein means that two members are directly or indirectly connected to each other. Such a connection may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such connection may be achieved by the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate structural components being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or by the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being interconnected.

It is to be particularly noted that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any steps or method processes may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In addition, features from particular embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A method of operating a fluid filter assembly, comprising:

coupling an unfiltered non-operational accessory to the pump inlet, the non-filtered non-operational accessory comprising:

a housing defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid opening at a first end for fluid receiving communication with a filter cartridge to a downstream fluid opening at a respective second end, the housing sized and shaped to be coupled to the pump inlet such that the fluid pump inlet is annularly disposed about an outer circumference of the housing, the housing including an annular flange disposed about the outer circumference of the downstream fluid opening, the annular flange configured for engagement to the pump inlet, the first end of the housing defining a pair of snap openings and pin openings through which pins of the filter cartridge are disposed;

a cage disposed within the housing and including a partition dividing the fluid passage into an upstream portion including the upstream fluid opening and the pin opening, and a downstream portion including the downstream fluid opening and defining an internal opening on the partition that allows fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, the cage including a snap-fit protrusion configured to be disposed through the pair of snap-fit openings, and wherein the cage is secured in the housing by snap-fitting the snap-fit protrusion in the pair of snap-fit openings; and

a ball disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid opening, the ball having a diameter greater than a diameter of the internal opening such that engagement of the ball with the partition within the internal opening blocks fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

coupling the filter cartridge to the no-filter, no-run attachment, the filter cartridge including the pin, the pin entering the pin opening, thereby preventing the ball from engaging the partition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-filtering non-operational accessory further comprises a grommet concentrically coupled to the divider in the interior opening and defining a grommet bore providing fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the grommet is formed of a material capable of leak-proof engagement with each of the separator and the ball.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling of the non-operational accessory to the pump inlet is a permanent coupling.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the density of the spheres is less than the density of the fluid stream.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the annular flange is joined to the pump inlet by crimping.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an internal protrusion in the upstream portion that positions the ball adjacent the internal opening.