阅读说明：本技术 流体过滤器和灌注泵组件及方法 (Fluid filter and priming pump assembly and method ) 是由 J·K·巴彻勒 J·A·达利 于 2019-09-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种过滤器基部(12)以及流体过滤器和灌注泵组件(10)。一种流体过滤器和灌注泵组件(10)可包括流体过滤器壳体(14)和附接到流体过滤器壳体(14)的过滤器基部(12),过滤器基部(12)包括灌注泵,该灌注泵配置成使流体移动通过流体过滤器壳体(14)。过滤器基部(12)或流体过滤器和灌注泵组件(10)可以在多个不同的取向上安装。还公开了相关方法。(A filter base (12) and a fluid filter and priming pump assembly (10) are disclosed. A fluid filter and prime pump assembly (10) may include a fluid filter housing (14) and a filter base (12) attached to the fluid filter housing (14), the filter base (12) including a prime pump configured to move fluid through the fluid filter housing (14). The filter base (12) or fluid filter and priming pump assembly (10) may be mounted in a number of different orientations. Related methods are also disclosed.)

1. A fluid filter and priming pump assembly (10), comprising:

a fluid filter housing (14); and

a filter base (12) attached to the fluid filter housing (14) and configured for moving fluid through the fluid filter housing (14), the filter base (12) comprising:

a first inlet (20) oriented in a first direction,

a second inlet (22) oriented in a second direction different from the first direction,

at least one of the first inlet (20) and the second inlet (22) is configurable to receive the fluid,

an outlet (30) configured to discharge the fluid,

a first mount (40) configured for mounting the filter base (12) in a first orientation, an

A second mount (50) configured for mounting the filter base (12) in a second orientation different from the first orientation.

2. The fluid filter and prime pump assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

3. The fluid filter and prime pump assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation.

4. The fluid filter and infusion pump assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising a bracket (80) configured for engagement with either of the first mount (40) and the second mount (50).

5. The fluid filter and priming pump assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the first mount (40) and the second mount (50) are identical and are arranged on opposite sides of the filter base (12).

6. The fluid filter and infusion pump assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first mount (40) and the second mount (50) includes a plurality of internally threaded bosses (42, 44, 46 or 52, 54, 56) configured for receiving a corresponding plurality of externally threaded mounting bolts.

7. A filter base (12) comprising:

a first inlet (20) oriented in a first direction;

a second inlet (22) oriented in a second direction different from the first direction;

at least one of the first inlet (20) and the second inlet (22) is configurable to receive a fluid;

an outlet (30) configured for discharging the fluid;

a first mount (40) configured for mounting the filter base (12) in a first orientation;

a second mount (50) configured for mounting the filter base (12) in a second orientation different from the first orientation; and

an opening configured to attach to a fluid filter housing (14).

8. The filter base (12) of claim 7, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

9. The filter base (12) of claim 7 wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation.

10. The filter base (12) of claim 7, wherein the first mount (40) and the second mount (50) are identical and are arranged on opposite sides of the filter base (12).

11. The filter base (12) of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second mounts (40, 50) is identical and includes a triad of internal threaded bosses (42, 44, 46 or 52, 54, 56) configured to receive a respective triad of external threaded mounting bolts.

12. A method of installing a filter base (12) having: a first inlet (20) oriented in a first direction; a second inlet (22) oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, at least one of the first inlet (20) and the second inlet (22) configurable to receive a fluid; an outlet (30) configured to discharge the fluid; a first mount (40) configured for mounting the filter base (12) to a machine in a first orientation; and a second mount (50) configured for mounting the filter base (12) to a machine in a second orientation different from the first orientation, the method comprising:

determining a desired direction of the outlet (30) to be oriented;

selecting one of the first inlet (20) and the second inlet (22) to be used as an operable inlet based on the desired direction of the outlet (30); and

mounting the filter base (12) to the machine in the first orientation or the second orientation using the first mount (40) or the second mount (50), respectively, such that the outlet (30) is oriented in the desired direction.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

the operable access is opened by removing or penetrating a closure of the operable access (20 or 22).

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

connecting a fluid filter housing (14) to the filter base (12).

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

connecting the operable inlet (20 or 22) to a fluid inlet line; and

connecting the outlet (30) to a fluid outlet line.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to fluid filters and priming pumps, such as, for example, fuel filters and priming pumps for engines.

Background

In the field of engines, such as, for example, engines for heavy construction vehicles, fluid filters are often used to clean fuel prior to injection into the engine for combustion. The prime pump is typically connected to the fluid filter and operated to move fuel through the fluid filter. For example, U.S. patent application publication No. US 2016/0082368 describes a filter element and filter assembly for separating fluids having a canister configured to be coupled to a filter base. The filter base includes a mounting bracket having at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for coupling the filter base to a machine. A challenge with existing fluid filter and infusion pump configurations is that the fluid filter is configured to be installed in only one orientation, the infusion pump requires its own separate installation system, and the orientation of the inlet and outlet of the infusion pump is fixed. Thus, in order to have any flexibility regarding the inlet and outlet orientation in the installed state, the infusion pump must have multiple inlets and outlets to accommodate the fluid inlet and outlet lines (fluid conduits) that may need to be connected on either of two opposite sides of the infusion pump, depending on the particular installation.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, a fluid filter and prime pump assembly may include a fluid filter housing and a filter base attached to the fluid filter housing, the filter base including a prime pump configured to move fluid through the fluid filter housing. The filter base may include: a first inlet oriented in a first direction; a second inlet oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, at least one of the first inlet and the second inlet being configurable to receive a fluid; an outlet configured to discharge a fluid; a first mount configured for mounting the filter base in a first orientation; and a second mount configured for mounting the filter base in a second orientation different from the first orientation.

According to a second aspect, a filter base may comprise: a first inlet oriented in a first direction; a second inlet oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, at least one of the first inlet and the second inlet being configurable to receive a fluid; an outlet configured to discharge a fluid; a first mount configured for mounting the filter base in a first orientation; a second mount configured for mounting the filter base in a second orientation different from the first orientation; and an opening configured for attachment to a fluid filter housing.

According to a third aspect, a method of installing a filter base is disclosed, wherein the filter base has: a first inlet oriented in a first direction; a second inlet oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, at least one of the first inlet and the second inlet being configurable to receive a fluid; an outlet configured to discharge a fluid; a first mount configured for mounting the filter base to a machine in a first orientation; and a second mount configured for mounting the filter base to the machine in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method can comprise the following steps: determining a desired direction of an outlet to be oriented; selecting one of the first and second inlets to be used as an operable inlet based on the desired direction of the outlet; and mounting the filter base to the machine in a first orientation or a second orientation using the first mount or the second mount, respectively, such that the outlet is oriented in the desired direction.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid filter and perfusion pump assembly and a mounting bracket.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the fluid filter and priming pump assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the fluid filter and priming pump assembly of FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the filter base of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the filter base of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic top plan view of the fluid filter and priming pump assembly of fig. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic rear elevational view of the fluid filter and priming pump assembly of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10. The fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10 may be used to filter fluids used by a machine, such as fuel, lubricants, coolant, and hydraulic fluid. Other uses are contemplated.

As shown in fig. 1-3, fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10 may include a filter base 12 and a fluid filter housing 14 connected to filter base 12 via a connection 16 (such as, for example, a threaded connection), although any suitable connection may be used. The filter base 12 may have an infusion pump 90 (see fig. 6 and 7) configured to move fluid (such as, for example, fuel) through the fluid filter housing 14 and the filter base 12. The fluid filter housing 14 may have a fluid filter disposed therein to clean fluid passing through the fluid filter housing 14. In some embodiments, the fluid filter housing 14 may include a drain valve 18 that may be closed during normal operation and may be opened to facilitate draining of fluid from the fluid filter housing 14. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the filter base 12 may include: a first inlet 20 oriented in a first direction on a first side of filter base 12 to receive fluid entering as indicated by arrow 21; a second inlet 22 on a second side of filter base 12 oriented in a second direction to receive fluid entering as indicated by arrow 23; and an outlet 30 configured to discharge fluid as indicated by arrow 31. In fig. 5, each of the inlet 20 and outlet 30 is shown with a hose connection, not shown in fig. 4 for clarity. In some embodiments, the first direction may be opposite the second direction; in other embodiments, the first and second directions may have another suitable angular relationship with respect to each other. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the term "opposite" as used herein is to be understood to encompass configurations wherein directions or components stated to be opposite to each other are not diametrically opposed, but are generally opposite. Similarly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term "identical" as used herein should be understood to include configurations wherein the same direction or component is not stated to be the same, but is approximately the same. As shown, the outlet 30 may be oriented in the same direction as the first inlet 20; however, in some embodiments, the outlet 30 may be oriented in the same direction as the second inlet 22 or in another suitable direction. One of the inlets 20, 22 may be open to fluid flow and the other of the inlets 20, 22 may be closed, depending on which side of the filter base 12 the fluid inlet line needs to be connected to for a particular installation. In some embodiments, each of the inlets 20, 22 may initially include a closure (e.g., a plug) in an initially manufactured state that is removable or penetrable (e.g., by drilling or piercing) by a user to open the desired inlet 20 or 22 once the desired operable inlet has been selected for a particular installation. In other embodiments, the desired access 20 or 22 may be known at the time of manufacture, and the appropriate access 20 or 22 may be opened at the time of manufacture. Although only one outlet 30 is shown, in some embodiments more than one outlet may be provided. For example, the other outlet may be oriented in a direction opposite to the direction of outlet 30 or another suitable direction. The filter base 12 may also include one or more plugs 70 configured to close one or more unused openings of the filter base 12.

Referring again to fig. 4 and 5, filter base 12 may include a first mount 40 having a plurality of bosses 42, 44, 46 (e.g., internally threaded bosses configured to receive externally threaded mounting bolts) or other suitable mounting connections configured to mount fluid filter and infusion pump assembly 10 to a machine in a first orientation. Filter base 12 may also include a second mount 50 having a plurality of bosses 52, 54, 56 (e.g., internally threaded bosses configured to receive externally threaded mounting bolts) or other suitable mounting connections configured to mount fluid filter and infusion pump assembly 10 to a machine in a second orientation different from the first orientation. In some embodiments, the second orientation may be opposite the first orientation (e.g., rotated about 180 degrees), although other angular relationships between the mount 40 and the mount 50 (and thus the first and second orientations) may be employed if desired. Mount 40 or mount 50 may be used to mount fluid filter and perfusion pump assembly 10 to a machine, either directly or via a bracket, such as bracket 80, for example (see fig. 1), such that apertures 82, 84, 86 of bracket 80 align with corresponding apertures of bosses 42, 44, 46 or bosses 52, 54, 56. In either the first or second orientation, the inlet (inlet 20 or inlet 22) may be used to connect to a fluid inlet line, either side of the fluid filter and prime pump assembly 10 as desired for such connection. Thus, a single configuration of the fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10 can accommodate a machine having a fluid inlet line accessed from either side of the fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10, and the fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10 can be fitted with a single mount (e.g., mount 40 or mount 50) rather than two separate mounts (one for each of the filter base 12 and fluid filter housing 14). From the perspective of outlet 30, fluid filter and priming pump assembly 10 may be placed in any orientation desired for connection of outlet 30 to a fluid outlet line, and regardless of which orientation is selected thereby, inlet 20 or 22 will be appropriately positioned for connection to a fluid inlet line. The fluid filter and prime pump assembly 10 can thus be reversible for any desired mounting orientation.

As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, a method of mounting a filter base 12 configured as described above onto a machine may include determining a desired direction of an outlet 30 to be oriented; selecting one of the first inlet 20 and the second inlet 22 to be used as an operable inlet based on the desired direction of the outlet 30; and mounting the filter base 12 to the machine in the first orientation or the second orientation using the first mount 40 or the second mount 50, respectively, such that the outlet 30 is oriented in the desired direction. The method may further include opening the operable inlet 20 or 22 by removing the plug or penetrating a closure thereof and connecting the fluid filter housing 14 to the filter base 12 to form the fluid filter and prime pump assembly 10 as described herein. In some embodiments, such connection may include tightening threaded connection 16 to connect fluid filter housing 14 and filter base 12 together. In some embodiments, the method may further include connecting the operable inlet 20 or 22 to a fluid inlet line and the outlet 30 to a fluid outlet line.

In some embodiments, the infusion pump 90 may be an electric pump, and the filter base 12 may include an electrical connector 60 configured for connecting the infusion pump 90 to a power source. Of course, other types of pumps may be used, such as, for example, hydraulic pumps.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, fluid may enter filter base 12 at inlet 20, as shown by flow path 25, and may pass downwardly into fluid filter housing 14, as shown by flow paths 27 and 37. The fluid may then travel upward through the fluid filter housing 14 and back into the filter base 12, as shown by flow path 39. In a first mode of operation, in which priming pump 90 is activated, fluid may pass through priming pump 90 as shown by flow path 33 and then exit filter base 12 through outlet 30 as shown by flow path 35. In a second mode of operation in which priming pump 90 is not activated, fluid may bypass priming pump 90 as shown by flow path 29 and then exit filter base 12 through outlet 30 as shown by flow path 35. Of course, other suitable flow paths may be employed.

In some embodiments, fluid filter housing 14 and filter base 12 may be combined at a location (e.g., a pump and filter manufacturing facility) other than the installation site (e.g., a vehicle manufacturing or maintenance facility) into an integrated fluid filter and perfusion pump assembly 10 as described herein. In other embodiments, fluid filter housing 14 and filter base 12 may reach the installation location separately. An installer may first assemble the fluid filter housing 14 and filter base 12 into the fluid filter and infusion pump assembly 10 and then install the fluid filter and infusion pump assembly 10 onto a machine using either the mount 40 or the mount 50. Alternatively, in some embodiments, an installer may use the mount 40 or the mount 50 to mount the filter base 12 to a machine and then attach the fluid filter housing 14 to the filter base 12. In some embodiments, the fluid filter and perfusion pump assembly 10 may be replaced with one unit. In other embodiments, if a used fluid filter housing 14 is worn and needs to be replaced, but the associated filter base 12 is still operational, for example, the used fluid filter housing 14 may be removed from the filter base 12 (which may remain installed) and a new fluid filter housing 14 may be attached to the filter base 12.

Industrial applicability

The exemplary fluid filter and infusion pump assembly of the present invention may be adapted for use in a variety of fluid systems. For example, the fluid filter and prime pump assembly may be adapted for use in a power system, such as, for example, a compression ignition engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, and other internal combustion engines. For example, fluid filters and prime pump assemblies may be used in fuel systems, for example, to separate water from fuel and/or remove particulate matter from fuel prior to supply to an engine. The use of the disclosed fluid filter and prime pump assembly may result in simpler and more flexible installation in a variety of different engine system configurations.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed example fluid filter and priming pump assemblies and methods. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.