Abstract: A filter assembly that comprises a housing, an outer filter element, and an inner filter element. The outer filter element is positionable within the housing and comprises an outer filter media. The inner filter element is positionable within the outer filter element and comprises an inner filter media, a media support structure, an inner top endplate, and an inner bottom endplate. The inner top endplate comprising a top rib that extends continuously around a portion of a top surface of the inner top endplate.

Abstract: A filter including a shell with at least one viewing region, a translucent bowl that fits and is installable within the shell, and an attachment mechanism. The bowl is positionable within the shell such that at least a portion of the bowl is visible through the viewing region. The attachment mechanism securely attaches the bowl the shell together and prevents at least one of vertical and rotational movement between the bowl and the shell. The shell and the bowl are not threaded to each other.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a drain port comprising a top portion and at least one surface modification along the top portion. The drain port defines an aperture therein and is alignable with an outlet port. The outlet port includes a seal member that is attachable to an end portion of the outlet port. A portion of the aperture of the drain port is sealable to the seal member when the drain port and the outlet port are aligned such that the at least one surface modification of the drain port does not abut the seal member of the outlet port, thereby creating a sealed connection between the drain port and the outlet port.

Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing.

Abstract: A filter cartridge endplate (12) is described herein that has an integrated flow structure. For example, the integrated flow structure has concentric flow portions disposed at a center of the endplate (12), where a separator (10) is built into the endplate (12) that separates fluid flow. The endplate (12) includes a plate with a major surface, it separator (10) that protrudes axially away from the major surface. The separator (10) includes a first flow portion (14) and a second flow portion (16), where the first flow portion (14) is disposed radially inward relative to the second flow portion (16). The first flow portion (14) includes a channel (22) and the second flow portion includes a channel (24). The respective channels (22,24) are configured to allow axial fluid flow relative to the plate, and configured to allow fluid flow that is localized toward the center of the plate (12).

Abstract: A filter cartridge endplate (12) is described herein that has an integrated flow structure. For example, the integrated flow structure has concentric flow portions disposed at a center of the endplate (12), where a separator (10) is built into the endplate (12) that separates fluid flow. The endplate (12) includes a plate with a major surface, a separator (10) that protrudes axially away from the major surface. The separator (10) includes a first flow portion (14) and a second flow portion (16), where the first flow portion (14) is disposed radially inward relative to the second flow portion (16). The first flow portion (14) includes a channel (22) and the second flow portion includes a channel (24). The respective channels (22,24) are configured to allow axial fluid flow relative to the plate, and configured to allow fluid flow that is localized toward the center of the plate (12).

Abstract: Fuel filtration systems having an automatic drain assembly for water that accumulates in the filter housing are described. The filtration system includes a filter media that is configured to remove particulate matter and dispersed water contained within the fuel. The water is drained to a drain reservoir within the filter housing where the water collects. When the water reaches a threshold level, a controller initiates a warning to the engine operator, such as a dashboard light, that instructs the operator to shut the engine off. When the engine is shut off, the collected water is drained through a valve of the automatic drain assembly. In some arrangements, the automatic drain assembly can be retrofitted to existing fuel filtration systems thereby reducing the cost of fitting the automatic drain assembly to existing internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A filter including a shell with at least one viewing region, a translucent bowl that fits and is installable within the shell, and an attachment mechanism. The bowl is positionable within the shell such that at least a portion of the bowl is visible through the viewing region. The attachment mechanism securely attaches the bowl the shell together and prevents at least one of vertical and rotational movement between the bowl and the shell. The shell and the bowl are not threaded to each other.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is described that has a torque limiting device, which may be a clutch mechanism, and which provides a protective function for a filter, so as to protect a filter from being over tightened and to thereby prevent damage to filter components. The clutch mechanism can also eliminate or reduce the need for torque measurement of certain filter components. The clutch mechanism can be located on one of the fluid filter, a filter head which engages the fluid filter, or a combination of both the fluid filter and the filter head.

Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing. A composite filter head is described that has integrally molded inlet and outlet fittings.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is described that has a torque limiting device, which may be a clutch mechanism, and which provides a protective function for a filter, so as to protect a filter from being over tightened and to thereby prevent damage to filter components. The clutch mechanism can also eliminate or reduce the need for torque measurement of certain filter components. The clutch mechanism can be located on one of the fluid filter, a filter head which engages the fluid filter, or a combination of both the fluid filter and the filter head.

Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing.

Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly and a replaceable fluid filter cartridge are described where the fluid filter cartridge has an endplate that acts as a lid for the housing in which the fluid filter cartridge is installed. The endplate also includes a fluid flow passage formed therein through which filtered fluid exits or fluid to be filtered enters.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is provided. The filter cartridge includes a first end plate connected to a first end of a filter media, a second end plate connected to a second end of the filter media and a centering device. The centering device is located towards the second end of the filter media for aligning a pin of the first end plate into a hole of a filter housing. The centering device also includes first ribs at first opposing ends of the centering device and second ribs at second opposing ends of the centering device, the first and second ribs protruding inwardly toward the center of a centering device hole. The length of the first ribs towards the center of the centering device hole and the length of the second ribs towards the center of the centering device hole are designed to align with a cross-sectional shape of the standpipe hole.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is described that has an interface designed to increase the stress margin of at least the module side of the assembly, for example in a liquid filtration module, and to increase ease of assembling its mounting components. The interface reduces the failure of the mounting assembly at least on the module side, so that if failure of the mounting assembly occurs, such an occurrence is less likely to be at the interface and on the module side, thereby reducing the need to replace more complex and expensive components that may be on the module side. Generally, the mounting assembly includes a mounting interface and a mounting bracket connectable to the mounting interface. A retention component is configured to maintain connection of the mounting interface to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A filter cartridge endplate (12) is described herein that has an integrated flow structure. For example, the integrated flow structure has concentric flow portions disposed at a center of the endplate (12), where a separator (10) is built into the endplate (12) that separates fluid flow. The endplate (12) includes a plate with a major surface, a separator (10) that protrudes axially away from the major surface. The separator (10) includes a first flow portion (14) and a second flow portion (16), where the first flow portion (14) is disposed radially inward relative to the second flow portion (16). The first flow portion (14) includes a channel (22) and the second flow portion includes a channel (24). The respective channels (22,24) are configured to allow axial fluid flow relative to the plate, and configured to allow fluid flow that is localized toward the center of the plate (12).

Abstract: Improvements to “no filter, no run” fluid filtration systems are described. In one example, a filter includes a movable pin cage that has a first pre-installation position adjacent the bottom end plate and is temporarily connected thereto by a snap connection system, and a second position adjacent the upper end plate where it performs a valve interaction function. In another example, a filter includes non-centered valve pins that are rotatable relative to an upper end plate of the filter.

Abstract: A filter within a filter cartridge design is described that includes a sealing structure on an endplate of an outer filter element. Generally, the sealing structure includes an annular flange on the endplate that can directly seal against an interior surface of a housing when the filter cartridge is assembled for use. During filtration, the annular flange prevents a working fluid from bypassing the outer filter element. The sealing flange can seal with the housing in a press fit engagement.

Abstract: Improvements to “no filter, no run” fluid filtration systems are described. In one example, a filter includes a movable pin cage that has a first pre-installation position adjacent the bottom end plate and is temporarily connected thereto by a snap connection system, and a second position adjacent the upper end plate where it performs a valve interaction function. In another example, a filter includes non-centered valve pins that are rotatable relative to an upper end plate of the filter.