Abstract: A panel filter element has a pleated filter media having peaks and valleys arranged in pleated sets of first and second panels. The pleated sets are adhered along side edges to form clean-side pockets which open adjacent to the valleys. The first and second panels have elongated embossments projecting both into and away from the pockets to keep the pockets open and to keep the pleated sets separate. Dirty air flows into the filter media both transverse to the peaks and laterally between the pleated sets of first and second panels. By having dirty air to be filtered flowing both transversly and laterally, the dirt holding capacity of the filter is increased while increases in restriction are minimized.

Abstract: A lubricating oil filter cartridge is disclosed herein. The filter cartridge includes a bypass valve configured and arranged for opening at a selected oil pressure that is substantially higher at low oil temperatures than at the higher operating temperatures to reduce the amount of oil that bypasses the filter at low oil temperatures. The bypass valve is preferably formed of a temperature sensitive elastic material, for example, low swell, high modulus silicone, having an elastic modulus which is substantially higher at low oil temperatures than at higher oil temperatures.

Abstract: A filter including a combination bypass valve and anti-drain valve is disclosed herein. The filter includes an annular valve support which supports an annular valve member disposed between the support and a filter cartridge. The valve support has an inner sleeve portion which seats against an end plate and an outer sleeve portion including bypass louvers therethrough. The valve member has an expandable collar portion which normally seals the bypass louvers and a skirt portion which normally seals inlet openings extending through the end plate. The skirt permits flow through the inlet openings into the filter but prevents out of the filter through the inlet openings. Excessive pressure caused by a clogged filter element deflects the expandable collar away from the bypass louvers thereby permitting flow to bypass the filter element.

Abstract: A filter element useful for filtering intake air for internal combustion engines includes a first filter media separated by an air space from a second filter media. The second filter media has a greater air permeability than the first filter media, but is electrostatically charged. As a result of this arrangement, the capacity of the filter element is enhanced because large particles are trapped by the first filter media and smaller particles are trapped by the second filter media. As a result, the filter element has a longer life because, for a given contaminant condition of an air stream, unacceptable clogging of the filter element takes longer.

Abstract: A spin-on filter including a combination anti-drainback and bypass valve is disclosed herein. The valve includes an annular valve support disposed between a filter element and an end plate of the filter. The valve support has an inner sleeve portion which seats about a central outlet of the end plate and an outer sleeve portion with holes therethrough. The valve member has an expandable collar portion which normally seals the bypass holes and functions as a bypass valve and a skirt portion with normally seals the inlet holes in the end plate and functions as an anti-drainback valve. The valve member is preferably made of a low swell silicone material which requires higher oil pressures to bypass the filter at low starting oil temperatures than at higher operating oil temperatures.

Abstract: A filter cartridge has an annular filter dement retained within a housing by an end plate. The end plate has a central outlet and a plurality of inlet holes mounted or the end plate is an annular valve support which supports an annular valve member disposed between the valve support and the filter cartridge. A coil spring urges the annular filter member against the valve member which, in turn, engages the valve support and urges the valve support against the end plate. The valve support has an inner sleeve portion which seats against the end plate and an outer sleeve portion with holes therethrough. The valve member has an expandable collar portion which normally seals the bypass holes and a skirt portion which normally seals the inlet holes. When the filter is filtering lubricating oil for an internal combustion engine, the skirt is deflected by pressurized lubricating oil and flows around and through the filter element before passing out of the central outlet in the end plate.

Abstract: A spin-on fluid filter of the type having a hollow, cylindrical filter element enclosed within an outer container and an end plate, is provided with a one-piece, combination anti-drainback and relief valve. The valve includes an axially movable cylindrical sleeve, one end thereof being disposed within the filter element, and the other end thereof normally engaging the end plate radially inwardly of the inlet ports and radially outwardly of the outlet port formed in the end plate. A resilient annular seal extends from the sleeve to normally engage the end plate radially outwardly of the inlet ports. A spring is disposed within the filter element for normally urging the cylindrical sleeve downwardly into engagement with the end plate. The diameters of the end portions of the spring are preferably smaller than the diameter of the central portion thereof.

Abstract: An arrangement for an air filter includes in one embodiment an air filter housing having a removable portion and a base portion with the base portion having an annular shoulder and the removable portion having a conical diffuser. A frustoconical filter element having a hollow core and annular seals at opposite ends is mounted in the housing. The annular seals have radially facing sealing surfaces which seal with the annular shoulder and with the diffuser. In another embodiment, the conical diffuser is mounted on a stanchion which is unitary with the base portion of the air filter housing. The frustoconical filter element is mounted on the base by receiving the stanchion and diffusion cone therethrough. The removable portion of the housing is then placed over the filter element and clamped to the base portion.

Abstract: A metal, U-shaped, annular cap is placed over one end of a cylindrical body of filter material. The metal end cap is retained on the body of filter material by a layer of plastisol and has adhered to the outside surface thereof an annular gasket made of either polyurethane or a closed or opened cell foam. The gasket presents an axially extending sealing surface for effecting a radial seal with a sealing flange in a filter housing. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a second annular gasket is provided which is adhered to the surface of the U-shaped end cap and extends axially therefrom. The second annular gasket has a radial surface for effecting an axial seal with a filter housing configured for axial sealing with filter elements disposed therewithin.

Abstract: Filter cartridges having annular filter elements retained within housings include a cylindrical valve support on which an annular valve is mounted. The annular valve has a valve skirt and a valve sleeve. During normal operation, the valve skirt deflects, allowing lubricating oil to flow to and through the filter element. When the filter element clogs, the valve sleeve deflects, uncovering openings through the valve support which the valve sleeve normally blocks. Lubricating oil then flows through the openings in the valve support bypassing the clogged filter. In accordance with one embodiment of the filter cartridge, the filter element, valve and valve support are held in axial abutment within the filter housing by a coil spring. In accordance with preferred embodiment of the filter cartridge, the filter element valve and valve support are retained in the filter housing by adhesive.

Abstract: A seal for a spin-on filter of the type including an outer housing having a closed end and an open end, an end cover provided in the open end and a filter element disposed within the housing, the filter being adapted to be attached by screw threads to a mounting plate. The seal includes an annular gasket disposed within an annular seating recess formed in the end cover, the gasket having a circumferential groove formed on the inner face thereof. A portion of the end cover extends into the groove in the gasket to retain the gasket within the recess. The gasket is thus retained within the recess in the end cover but is freely rotatable relative to the end cover as the filter is rotated during installation. The seal requires no face selection, will feed in the lathe cut assembly insertion machines currently in use, will fit most conventional ding type gasket retaining recesses, and has rounded edges to eliminate trapped air.

Abstract: A spin-on fluid filter of the type having a hollow, cylindrical filter element enclosed within an outer container and an end plate, is provided with a one-piece, combination anti-drainback and relief valve. The valve includes an axially movable cylindrical sleeve, one end thereof being disposed within the filter element, and the other end thereof normally engaging the end plate radially inwardly of the inlet ports and radially outwardly of the outlet port formed in the end plate. A resilient annular seal extends from the sleeve to normally engage the end plate radially outwardly of the inlet ports. A spring is disposed within the filter element for normally urging the cylindrical sleeve downwardly into engagement with the end plate. The diameters of the end portions of the spring are preferably smaller than the diameter of the central portion thereof.