초록 ▼

A filter cartridge includes a filter element that is adapted to filter fluid. The filter element defines a center post cavity constructed and arranged to receive a center post. The filter element has a first end and a second end. A first end plate is attached to the first end of the filter element.

A filter cartridge includes a filter element that is adapted to filter fluid. The filter element defines a center post cavity constructed and arranged to receive a center post. The filter element has a first end and a second end. A first end plate is attached to the first end of the filter element. The first end plate defines a first end plate opening. A second end plate is attached to the second end of the filter element. The second end plate defines a second end plate opening. A seal is positioned in the second end plate opening to seal around the center post. A floating seal assembly is received in the first end plate opening to seal around the center post. The floating seal assembly includes a gasket and a gasket retainer. The gasket retainer retains the gasket against the first end plate to seal around the center post.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A filter assembly, comprising:a post; and a filter cartridge received around said post, said filter cartridge including a filter element to filter a fluid, an end plate positioned at one end of said filter element, said end plate defining an opening, and a floating seal assembly positioned proxim

1. A filter assembly, comprising:a post; and a filter cartridge received around said post, said filter cartridge including a filter element to filter a fluid, an end plate positioned at one end of said filter element, said end plate defining an opening, and a floating seal assembly positioned proximal said opening in said end plate for forming a seal between said post and said end plate, said floating seal assembly including a retainer sealing around said post, said retainer having a flange extending from said retainer, and a gasket compressed by said flange against said end plate for sealing against said flange and said end plate, wherein said gasket and said retainer are separate components to permit relative movement for compensating for component misalignment. 2. A filter assembly, comprising:a post; and a filter cartridge received around said post, said filter cartridge including a filter element to filter a fluid, an end plate positioned at one end of said filter element, said end plate defining an opening, and a floating seal assembly positioned proximal said opening in said end plate for forming a seal between said post and said end plate, said floating seal assembly including a retainer sealing around said post, said retainer having a flange extending from said retainer, a gasket sealing against said flange and said end plate, and a pair of retainer clips extending from said retainer to secure said retainer to said end plate. 3. The filter assembly of claim 2, wherein an outer distance between said pair of retainer clips is less than an inner diameter of said opening in said end plate for allowing said retainer to move with respect to said opening.4. The filter assembly of claim 2, wherein said retainer has a handle member extending through said opening in said end plate.5. The filter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support member surrounding said gasket to resist expansion of said gasket.6. The filter assembly of claim 5, wherein said support member is attached to said flange.7. The filter assembly of claim 5, wherein said support member is attached to said end plate.8. A filter assembly, comprising:a post; a filter cartridge received around said post, said filter cartridge including a filter element to filter a fluid, an end plate positioned at one end of said filter element, said end plate defining an opening, and a floating seal assembly positioned proximal said opening in said end plate for forming a seal between said post and said end plate, said floating seal assembly including a retainer sealing around said post, said retainer having a flange extending from said retainer, and a gasket sealing against said flange and said end plate; wherein said post has a head portion with a frustoconical shape; wherein said retainer defines a post cavity in which said head of said post is received; and wherein said post cavity has a frustoconical shape. 9. The filter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a filter housing enclosing said filter cartridge.10. The filter assembly of claim 9, wherein:said filter housing has a cap; and said cap includes an additive container to supply an additive to the fluid. 11. The filter assembly of claim 9, wherein the filter housing includes a collection bowl.12. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein said post includes:an inner post member defining an inner fluid passage; and an outer post member surrounding said inner post member, said inner post member and said outer post member defining an outer fluid passage. 13. The filter assembly of claim 12, wherein:said filter cartridge includes a second end plate attached to said filter element; said second end plate defines a second opening; and said filter cartridge includes a seal received in said second opening to seal between said second end plate and said outer post member. 14. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein:said filter cartridge includes a second end plate attached to the filter element; said second end plate defines a second opening; and said filter cartridge includes a seal received in said second opening to seal between said second end plate and said post. 15. A filter cartridge, comprising:a filter element to filter fluid, said filter element defining a post cavity constructed and arranged to receive a post, said filter element having a first end and a second end; a first end plate attached to said first end of said filter element, said first end plate defining a first end plate opening; a second end plate attached to said second end of said filter element, said second end plate defining a second end plate opening; and a floating seal assembly positioned proximal said first end plate opening to seal around the post, said floating seal assembly including a gasket, and a gasket retainer coupled to said first end plate, said gasket retainer defining a post opening in which the post is received, said gasket retainer having a flange to retain said gasket against said first end plate to seal around the post, wherein said gasket and said gasket retainer are separate components to permit floating of said gasket. 16. The filter cartridge of claim 15, a fixed seal received in said second end plate opening.17. The filter cartridge of claim 15, wherein said gasket retainer has a clip coupling said gasket retainer to said first end plate.18. The filter cartridge of claim 15, further comprising a support member positioned proximal said gasket to support said gasket.19. The filter cartridge of claim 15, wherein said first end plate has a recessed portion surrounding said first end plate opening.20. A floating seal assembly, comprising:a retainer including a clip adapted to secure said retainer to an end plate of a filter cartridge, and a flange radially extending from said clip, said flange defining a post cavity adapted to seal around a post; and a gasket moveably disposed on said flange around said post opening to permit relative movement between said gasket and flange. 21. The floating seal assembly of claim 20, further comprising a support member surrounding said gasket to resist outward expansion of said gasket.22. The floating seal assembly of claim 21, wherein said support member is attached to said flange.23. The floating seal assembly of claim 20, further comprising a support rib attached to said flange for supporting said flange.24. The floating seal assembly of claim 20, wherein said post cavity has a frustoconical shape.25. The floating seal assembly of claim 20, further comprising a handle member attached to said flange.