Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a housing defining a toroidal channel, a central indentation, and a filter element chamber; a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with the toroidal channel; a gas outlet aperture in gas flow communication with the toroidal channel; a filter element supported within the filter element chamber by the central indentation of the housing; and a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the filter element chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a housing defining a toroidal channel, a central indentation, and a filter element chamber; a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with the toroidal channel; a gas outlet aperture in gas flow communication with the toroidal channel; a filter element supported within the filter element chamber by the central indentation of the housing; and a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the filter element chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 1, wherein the toroidal channel and the central indentation are integrally formed in the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The filter of claim 1, wherein the height of the toroidal channel rises from the location of the fluid inlet, around the periphery of the housing to a highest point located approximately 180° opposite the fluid inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 3, wherein the gas outlet is located at the highest point on the toroidal channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The filter of claim 1, wherein the housing, the central indentation and the toroidal channel are transparent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter element is affixed to the central indentation and the filter element chamber by a transparent potting material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter element comprises a layer of fine, porous filter material, and a layer of a highly porous material, wherein the layer of fine, porous filter material is layered adjacent the highly porous material to form a filter sheet, the layered sheet being pleated into a generally cylindrical configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a housing defining a filter element chamber; a cover having a central indentation and a fluid flow channel curved around the central indentation; a fluid inlet in communication with the fluid flow channel; a gas outlet aperture in communication with the fluid flow channel; a filter element supported within the filter element chamber by the central indentation of the housing; and a fluid outlet in communication with the filter element chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a housing defining a filter element chamber; a cover having a central indentation and a fluid flow channel curved around the central indentation; a fluid inlet in communication with the fluid flow channel; a gas outlet aperture in communication with the fluid flow channel; a filter element supported within the filter element chamber by the central indentation of the housing; and a fluid outlet in communication with the filter element chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The filter of claim 8, wherein the fluid flow channel is in the shape of a toroid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a housing defining a toroidal channel, a central indentation, and a filter element chamber, wherein the toroidal channel, central indentation and filter element chamber are transparent to provide visibility into the housing; a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with the toroidal channel; a gas outlet aperture in gas flow communication with the toroidal channel; a filter element contained within the filter element chamber, the filter element defining a central cavity, and having a top end adjacent the central indentation and a bottom end; and a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the filter element chamber, wherein the transparent central indentation provides for visibility from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, through the central cavity of the filter element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a housing defining a toroidal channel, a central indentation, and a filter element chamber, wherein the toroidal channel, central indentation and filter element chamber are transparent to provide visibility into the housing; a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with the toroidal channel; a gas outlet aperture in gas flow communication with the toroidal channel; a filter element contained within the filter element chamber, the filter element defining a central cavity, and having a top end adjacent the central indentation and a bottom end; and a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the filter element chamber, wherein the transparent central indentation provides for visibility from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, through the central cavity of the filter element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 10, wherein the fluid inlet is integrally formed along the perimeter of the toroidal channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The filter of claim 10, wherein the height of the toroidal channel rises from the location of the fluid inlet, around the periphery of the housing cover to a highest point located approximately 180° opposite the fluid inlet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 12, wherein the gas outlet is located at the highest point on the toroidal channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The filter of claim 10, wherein the filter element is firmly supported in the filter element chamber by the central indentation coupled to the top end of the filter element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The filter of claim 14, wherein the top end of the filter element is affixed to the central indentation and the bottom end of the filter element is affixed to the filter element chamber by a potting material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
132 words
A filter for filtering fluids containing non-fluid matter, comprising: a housing defining a filter chamber; a cover for enclosing the housing, the cover having a central indentation and toroidal channel curved around the indentation; a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with the toroidal channel through which the fluid to be filtered enter the filter; a gas outlet in gas flow communication with the toroidal channel, for allowing non-fluid matter to escape from the housing cover; and filter means for filtering the fluid, the filter means being supported within the filter chamber by the indentation in the housing cover; and a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the filter chamber such that after the inlet fluid passes through the filter means, the fluid exits the filter chamber through the fluid outlet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
132 words
A filter for filtering fluids containing non-fluid matter, comprising: a housing defining a filter chamber; a cover for enclosing the housing, the cover having a central indentation and toroidal channel curved around the indentation; a fluid inlet in fluid flow communication with the toroidal channel through which the fluid to be filtered enter the filter; a gas outlet in gas flow communication with the toroidal channel, for allowing non-fluid matter to escape from the housing cover; and filter means for filtering the fluid, the filter means being supported within the filter chamber by the indentation in the housing cover; and a fluid outlet in fluid flow communication with the filter chamber such that after the inlet fluid passes through the filter means, the fluid exits the filter chamber through the fluid outlet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the fluid inlet is integrally formed along the perimeter of the toroidal channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the height of the toroidal channel rises from the location of the fluid inlet, around the periphery of the housing cover to a highest point located approximately 180° opposite the fluid inlet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 18, wherein the gas outlet is located at the highest point on the toroidal channel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the filter means defines a hollow central cavity which is concentric with the housing filter chamber such that the cavity encircles the fluid outlet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the housing, the cover, including the central indentation and the toroidal channel are transparent to allow visibility of the flow of the fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the filter means is affixed to the indentation by a transparent potting material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the filter means is affixed to the filter chamber by a potting material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The filter of claim 16, wherein the filter means comprises a layer of fine, porous filter material, and a layer of a highly porous material, wherein the layer of fine, porous filter material is layered adjacent the highly porous material to form a filter sheet, the layered sheet being pleated into a generally cylindrical configuration.