FILTER MEDIA HAVING AN OPTIMIZED GRADIENT

摘要

Filter media having a gradient in a property and methods associated with such media are provided. In some embodiments, a filter media may have a gradient in mean pore size. The gradient in mean pore size may be across at least a portion of the thickness of the filter media. In some embodiments, the gradient can be represented by an exponential function. The exponential gradient in mean pore size may impart desirable properties to the filter media including enhanced filtration properties (e.g., relatively high dust holding capacity and efficiency), amongst other benefits. The filter media may be particularly well-suited for applications that involve filtering liquids (e.g., hydraulics, fuel, lube, water), though the media may also be used in other applications.

主权项

1. A filter media having a gradient in mean pore size across at least a portion of the thickness of the filter media, wherein the gradient is represented by an exponential function fit to four numerical values of the mean pore size determined at different points across at least the portion of the thickness of the filter media, the exponential function having the form:
mean pore size(x)=a*exp(k*x) wherein x corresponds to a location along the thickness of the portion of the filter media and is normalized to have a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1, and wherein k is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 1.75; wherein the exponential function is determined using a least squares linear regression model; and wherein the coefficient of determination of the exponential function is greater than or equal to about 0.9.