Abstract: A filter housing that includes a bowl formed with a single thread that is stamped directly into the housing around a port. The thread is used to connect an auxiliary element, such as a drain valve or a WIF sensor, to the filter housing. An elevated ridge is formed around the bowl during the stamping process which increases the structural integrity of the housing around the port, and provides a surface for mating with the inserted auxiliary element.

Abstract: A combination full flow media and bypass media filter cartridge for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a venturi filter having a full flow media attached to and extending between a first endplate and a second endplate. The second endplate includes an orifice. The apparatus further includes a stack of disks extending between a compression end and a venturi end. The stack of disks has a flow path defined by a plurality of openings wherein each disk includes at least one opening. The flow path extends between the compression end and the venturi end. The venturi end is substantially adjacent the second endplate of the venturi filter. The apparatus further comprises resilient compression member connected to the venturi filter for maintaining a minimum sealing force on the stack of disks.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine, the filter apparatus including annular full flow filter media extending axially between a first end and a second end. The full flow filter media surrounds a reinforcing member which extends axially between the first end and the second end and includes a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferential connecting segments. The circumferential connecting segments extend between a plurality of substantially axially extending ribs which connect the reinforcing member to a radially inwardly spaced bypass tube. The reinforcing member also includes a plurality of flow apertures defined by the connecting segments and the ribs.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a rotor with one or more drive jet openings for rotating the rotor to separate particulate matter from a fluid. A filter element is disposed inside the rotor, and the filter element includes depth filter medium for removing from the fluid sticky contaminants having the same general density as the fluid, such as sludge or varnish compounds. The rotor has a split flow configuration in which a portion of the fluid is routed to the filter element and the rest of the fluid bypasses the filter element to maintain fluid pressure of the fluid discharged from the drive jet openings. In one form, the depth filter medium is impregnated with a chemical that changes a property of the fluid, like acidity. In another form, the depth filter material is contained in a capsule for easy disposal.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine, the filter apparatus including annular full flow filter media extending axially between a first end and a second end. The full flow filter media surrounds a reinforcing member which extends axially between the first end and the second end and includes a plurality of axially spaced apart circumferential connecting segments. The circumferential connecting segments extend between a plurality of substantially axially extending ribs which connect the reinforcing member to a radially inwardly spaced bypass tube. The reinforcing member also includes a plurality of flow apertures defined by the connecting segments and the ribs.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that includes an immobilized base material in combination with a slow release mechanism for introducing an additive base material into a lubrication fluid flowing through the filter assembly. The introduced base material is a weaker base material than the base material of the immobilized base material. The combination of the immobilized base material and the additive base material provides a system that would work to neutralize acids for all lube formulations commonly used in the field. As a result, oil drain intervals can be extended.

Abstract: A combination full flow media and bypass media filter cartridge for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a venturi filter having a full flow media attached to and extending between a first endplate and a second endplate. The second endplate includes an orifice. The apparatus further includes a stack of disks extending between a compression end and a venturi end. The stack of disks has a flow path defined by a plurality of openings wherein each disk includes at least one opening. The flow path extends between the compression end and the venturi end. The venturi end is substantially adjacent the second endplate of the venturi filter. The apparatus further comprises means connected to the venturi filter for maintaining a minimum sealing force on the stack of disks.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that includes an immobilized base material in combination with a slow release mechanism for introducing an additive base material into a lubrication fluid flowing through the filter assembly. The introduced base material is a weaker base material than the base material of the immobilized base material. The combination of the immobilized base material and the additive base material provides a system that would work to neutralize acids for all lube formulations commonly used in the field. As a result, oil drain intervals can be extended.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the pleatability of a meltblown web uses ultrasonic bonding wheels to create bond lines in the machine direction as the web is being produced. In addition to, or in place of, the bond lines, ribbons made of the web material, a thermoplastic polymer, string saturated with a phenolic or ultraviolet curing resin, or beads of an ultraviolet curing resin may be ultrasonically bonded to the web to enhance its stiffness. A heated scoring bar or ultrasonic horn forms pleats in the web by heating the web above its glass transition temperature and deforming the web into the pleated configuration. Cooling of the web locks the pleats into position.

Abstract: A filter is composed of filter media having the following characteristics in combination: a) the filter media has a greater affinity for the filtered fluid than for contaminants in the fluid, and wherein the work of adhesion between the filter media and the contaminants is less than the work of adhesion between the filter media and fluid, and wherein the filter media is preferentially wetted by the fluid relative to the contaminants; b) the filter media is composed of fibers having a defined surface area ratio facilitating fewer attachment sites for contaminants, and, in the case of cleanable reusable filters, facilitating cleansing backwash of the cleanable reusable filter by cleansing fluid along a reverse flow backflush path; c) the filter media has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.075 inch, 0.7 to 2.