Filter

Claim 2

A fluid flow filter comprising: a filter body; at least one particle collection pocket in said filter body for collecting and retaining contaminant particles, said particle collection pocket being a substantially closed cavity having a geometric center; and a fluid flow passage for transmitting fluid through said body, said passage including a first segment for directing fluid into said particle collection pocket along a path displaced from said geometric center, and an angularly disposed connectinG segment forming a continuation of said fluid flow passage, said connecting segment intersecting said first segment immediately prior to said particle collection pocket, whereby a first portion of said fluid is caused to make a substantial change in direction immediately prior to entering said pocket causing contaminant particles to be separated therefrom, said separated particles continue to flow with the remaining portion of the fluid along said first segment into said pocket wherein the fluid is caused to swirl depositing said contaminant particles therein.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said particle collection pockets are disposed along said fluid flow passage, and said fluid flow passage includes a plurality of said first segments for respectively directing fluid into said pockets.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 2 wherein said body has a plurality of said fluid flow passages and a plurality of particle collection pockets are disposed along each of said fluid flow passages.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 3 wherein said first segment is a laminar flow section of sufficient length to permit fluid flowing therealong to develop laminar flow characteristics.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 3 wherein said fluid flow passage further includes a plurality of second segments for directing fluid from said particle collection pockets to said connecting segment, said second segments connecting to said connecting segment downstream from said first segments to increase the rate of swirling in said pocket.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 5 wherein said second segments conducting fluid from said particle collection pockets are of smaller effective diameters than said first segments.

Claim 8

A fluid filter with a plurality of successive filtration stages for purifying fluid flow comprising: a filter body; a fluid flow passage for transmitting fluid through said body, said passage comprising a plurality of series connected laminar flow sections, said sections being of sufficient length to permit fluid and contaminant particles flowing therealong to develop laminar flow characteristics and concentrate the inertial forces of the fluid and contaminant particles in the direction of fluid flow, said passages having corners at the junctions of said series connected sections for substantially changing the direction of fluid flow in said passage and generating centrifugal forces; and a plurality of particle collection pockets, located proximate the apexes of said corners, for collecting and retaining contaminant particles, each of said pockets being a substantially closed cavity having an aperture for communicating said pocket with said fluid passage at the apexes of said corners whereby said inertial and centrifugal forces of the fluid and contaminant particles flowing around said corner divert a portion of the fluid and contaminant particles through said aperture into said pocket where said diverted fluid is caused to swirl and deposit said contaminant particles in said collection pocket.

Claim 9

A fluid filter with a plurality of successive filtration stages for purifying fluid flow comprising: a filter body; a fluid flow passage for transmitting fluid through said body, said passage comprising a plurality of series connected laminar flow sections, said sections being of sufficient length to permit fluid and contaminant particles flowing therealong to develop laminar flow characteristics and concentrate the inertial forces of the fluid and contaminant particles in the direction of fluid flow, said passages having corners at the junctions of said series connected sections for substantially changing the direction of fluid flow in said passage and generating centrifugal forces; and a plurality of particle collection pockets, located proximate the apexes of said corners, for collecting and retaining contaminant particles, each of said pockets being a substantially closed cavity having an aperture for communicating said pocket with said fluid passage at the apexes of said corners whereby said inertial and centrifugal forces of the fluid and contaminant particles flowing around said corner divert a portion of the fluid and contaminant particles through said aperture into said pocket where said diverted fluid is caused to swirl and deposit said contaminant particles in said collection pocket.