Gas separation – With means securing or retaining separating media – Unit or cohesive sheet-like media in flow line or frame
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-10-23
Smith, Duane (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
With means securing or retaining separating media
Unit or cohesive sheet-like media in flow line or frame
C055S495000, C055S497000, C055S503000, C055S502000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306192
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a housing, especially a filter housing, comprising a housing vessel or pot and a cover, wherein at least one closure element is provided for connecting the housing parts.
Housings of this type are disclosed, for example, in published European patent application No. EP 673,280. The housing described therein is configured substantially in the shape of a pot and is suitable for accommodating a round filter cartridge. It is possible to open the cover of the housing in order to install the round filter cartridge. When the housing is in the closed position, the cover is held on the housing pot by means of snap locks. The snap locks can, for instance, be integrally cast parts of the cover. At the opening of the housing pot, there is a flange-like projection which serves as engagement area for the snap locks. Due to the annular shape of the engagement area, the cover can thus be mounted on the housing at every angular position. A variable angular position between housing and cover is particularly of interest if the cover is provided with a connecting piece, for example, for discharging dust from the filter housing, the position of the connecting piece at the periphery of the cover being dependent upon the respective conditions for installing the filter housing. It is then possible to position the connecting piece in various positions using one and the same cover.
Snap hooks require a certain extent of space due to their geometric properties and their respective radius of action during closing action. For that reason, it is necessary to provide enough space within the mounting chamber for the filter. Because the snap hooks are rigidly mounted on the cover and because the position of the cover depends upon the position of the connecting piece on the cover, the mounting space is restricted with reference to the accessibility of the snap joints, thus limiting the flexible use of the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a housing which can be adjusted to the space available for installation as flexibly as possible.
This and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a housing comprising a housing pot, a cover and at least one closure element for connecting the housing pot and the cover. A plurality of receivers are provided on one of the housing pot and the cover, and at least one engagement surface is provided on the other of the housing pot and the cover. The number of receivers is greater than the number of closure elements and each closure element is capable of being optionally engaged with different receivers and engagement surfaces.
The housing according to the invention is provided with receivers both on the cover and on the housing pot which are suitable for mounting the closure elements. The closure elements can, for example, consist of clip locks. There are, however, more receivers placed on the housing than closure elements which are required for fixing the cover on the housing pot. When fixing the cover onto the housing pot and within the respective installation chamber, the mechanic is free to choose the respective receivers which are best accessible for mounting the closure elements. Thus, it is, of course, necessary to distribute the closure elements over the entire periphery. It is not possible to position all closure elements within an angular sector of, for example, 45 degrees, for then a tight connection between cover and housing pot would no longer be assured.
Providing a surplus of receivers is additionally of advantage because the number of closure elements used can be adapted to the respective stress imposed on the filter housing. In case of excessive vibrating stress imposed on the filter housing, it is, for instance, conceivable to provide more closure elements than in filter housings used, for example, in industrial plants.
It is expedient to separate the housing pot and the cover in such a manner that it is possible to place the cover onto the housing pot in various positions. This is particularly the case if the separation between housing pot and cover has a circular cross section. The embodiment described facilitates the installation, for then both components fit with one another in each and every angular position. After having placed the cover in the desired, most advantageous position, it is then possible to choose the appropriate receivers for the closure elements.
In accordance with one modified embodiment of the invention, the receivers provided on the housing can partly be concealed by means of a shield ring. In this case, however, it is necessary to get access to the receivers in such a way that the closure elements can be mounted thereon. Apart from an improved housing appearance, such a shield ring is also advantageous because it reduces and even excludes any risk of getting hurt during the installation by edges or projections of receivers that may possibly be arranged. This measure is particularly significant because housings of that kind as described above are often installed in very small mounting spaces with the accessibility being highly limited for the mechanic.
In accordance with one advantageous embodiment, receivers arranged on the housing can be provided with reinforcing ribs. In this case, too, the shield ring is very suitable for placing said reinforcing ribs. Compared to the massive construction of the receivers, this embodiment leads to a saving in material, thus resulting in a more economical manufacturing process for the component.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible to arrange fastening means such as, for example, connecting pieces or tension clips on both components of the housing, meaning the housing pot and the cover, the fastening means being adapted to install the housing at the respective position of installation. This embodiment leads to a more flexible use of the housing. Since the angular position between housing pot and cover can be freely selected, additional operational mobility accrues concerning the positioning of the fastening means on the housing pot in relation to those provided on the cover. Consequently, by turning the cover, the user can adjust the respective positions of the fastening means to one another according to the individual application circumstances.
A modification of the invention provides an embodiment in which the receivers include a securing element against loss of the closure elements. The securing element can be realized particularly by means of a clip joint, with the closure elements being engaged therein during the initial cover installation. It is not necessary for the clip joint to absorb any retention forces, but it is merely suitable for attaching loose closure elements. This embodiment facilitates the installation especially where the available space for installation is highly limited. Furthermore, the closure elements will not get lost in case of a cover demounting, for instance, when changing the filter. During a subsequent installation, the closure elements are still located at those receivers being most suitable for that purpose, so that the mechanic does not need to determine the elements' position again. The clip joint can be developed in such a way that it is possible for the mechanic to demount the closure elements again without any great deal of effort.
One advantageous illustrative embodiment of the inventive concept involves, for instance, developing the receivers arranged at the housing cover by a notched rim and creating merely one engagement area for the closure elements at the housing pot, for example, by means of an annular mounting flange. The engagement area is thus characterized by very simplified geometric properties. The notched rim has a finite number of receivers which can also be provided together with securing elements. The engagement area configured as a flange, however, enables the closure elements to be mounted at any angular position. This facilitates the installation of the cover on the housing pot bec
Greif Volker
Kochert Stefan
Moessinger Klaus
Spaeth Bernd
Crowell & Moring LLP
Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
Greene Jason M.
Smith Duane
LandOfFree
Housing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Housing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Housing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606281