Fluid filter with pressure relief valve
US6540909B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2201/34
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A fluid filter assembly having a relief valve for visually indicating [the life of] when a filter element may be replaced. The fluid filter assembly of the present invention provides a vertical, transparent housing having a fluid inlet for communicating a fluid into the housing and a fluid outlet for communicating fluid downstream of said housing. A filter element is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for filtering the fluid. In [the preferred] a first embodiment, a [frusto-conical] divider is connected to the top of the filter element and extends downward adjacent a bottom portion of the filter element wherein the fluid from the inlet rises between the filter element and the inside of the divider and between the outside of the divider and an inside surface of the housing. A relief valve is provided in the top of the filter element and is in communication with the unfiltered and filtered side of the filter element. The relief valve opens at a predetermined pressure level across the filter element thereby raising the fluid level and providing a practical [visual] indicator that the filter element may be replaced [needs replacement].
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.