INTEGRATED FILTER HOUSING

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/053,280, filed May 15, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Various machines with hydraulic systems such as proportioners, sprayers and the like are typically provided with hydraulic fluid tanks or reservoirs, fluid lines running to and from the reservoir and a filter somewhere in the hydraulic fluid circuit.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An oil filter fitting for a spin-on oil filter is overmolded into a rotomolded polymer hydraulic fluid tank. Return oil from the hydraulic cylinder goes through the filter and then directly into the reservoir for storage and cooling.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of the filter housing of the instant invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The integrated filter housing of the instant invention, generally 10, is comprised of an oil filter fitting 14 for a spin-on oil filter 16 overmolded into a rotomolded polymer hydraulic fluid tank 12. Return oil from the hydraulic cylinder goes into passage 18 of fitting 14, through the filter 16 and then directly into the reservoir through exit passage 20 for storage and cooling. Oil is withdrawn from the tank 12 by means of pickup tube 22.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the filter housing without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.