Abstract: A filter cartridge in a filter-in-filter design with an inner filter and an outer filter. A mechanism, for example crush ribs, connects an upper end plate of the outer filter and an upper end plate of the inner filter to prevent relative axial and radial movement therebetween when assembled. Relative axial or radial motion can create a rattling noise which is sometimes perceived as a low quality filter. The crush ribs are, for example, formed on an interior surface of the upper end plate of the outer filter, and the ribs engage an outer perimeter of the upper end plate of the inner filter. One or more of the ribs crush when the inner filter is installed into the outer filter to ensure tight axial and radial engagement between the filters.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use in filtering fluids, for example fuel, lubrication, hydraulic and other liquids, as well as air. The filter cartridge is a filter-in-filter design with an inner filter and an outer filter. The inner filter and the outer filter, for example the bottom end plates thereof, are connected to each other via a snap fit connection mechanism. During manufacture, the inner filter can be inserted into the outer filter, with the snap fit connection mechanism retaining the inner filter in the outer filter.

Abstract: A “no filter, no run” filtration system that is designed to verify that a filter cartridge is present to safe-guard against damage to fuel injectors, associated fuel components, etc. and engine malfunctions. Fuel flow to the engine is prevented altogether or permitted in an amount insufficient to allow engine operation if a filter cartridge is not installed, and an appropriately designed filter cartridge is required to be used in order to permit sufficient fuel flow for engine operation. In one embodiment, a flow restriction valve is provided that includes a ball.

Abstract: A fuel filtration apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an interrupter valve in a flow path from an inlet port of a filter head to a compliant filter. The interrupter valve has an open state and a closed state. In the open state a protruding member of the filter depresses a bottom end of the valve and opens the flow path when the compliant filter is connected to the filter head. The interrupter valve also has a closed state wherein the flow path is closed in the absence of the protruding member of the filter (as with a non-compliant filter).

Abstract: A fuel filtration apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an interrupter valve in a flow path from an inlet port of a filter head to a compliant filter. The interrupter valve has an open state and a closed state. In the open state a protruding member of the filter depresses a bottom end of the valve and opens the flow path when the compliant filter is connected to the filter head. The interrupter valve also has a closed state wherein the flow path is closed in the absence of the protruding member of the filter (as with a non-compliant filter).

Abstract: A combined filter apparatus includes a first filter element, a second filter element disposed in stacking arrangement to the first filter element, a housing enclosing the filter elements, a seal sealing the dirty side of the first filter element from the dirty side of the second filter element, a first inlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow to the first filter element, a second inlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow to the second filter element, and an outlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow from at least one of the filter elements.

Abstract: One embodiment is a filter element including an outer filter media and an inner filter media. The outer filter media is operable to remove particulates present in a flow of fluid and/or coalesce water contained in the flow of fluid. The inner filter media is operable to remove particulates from the flow of fluid, separate water form the flow of fluid, and remove particulates from the flow of fluid. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods relating to fuel filters and filtration. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multistage water separation. A first separation layer separates water droplets from a fuel flow by repelling the first water droplets. A coalescing layer may coalesce fine water droplets in the fuel flow. In one embodiment, a centrifugal separator directs the fuel flow tangentially to a filter wall and the centrifugal force of the fuel flow directed tangentially along the filter wall biases water droplets from the fuel flow. A second separation layer separates second water droplets from the fuel flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter assembly containing a filter element and a container as a depot for a liquid additive. The container can include an inlet and an outlet, which are configured to allow a liquid to flow into the container mix with the contained additive and then flow out into the system. It has been observed that a liquid flowing through a filter assembly exhibits a pressure gradient within the filter. Consequently, the inlets and outlets to the container can be positioned to take advantage of the pressure gradient to enhance the addition of the additive to the liquid in the filter assembly.

Abstract: A bidirectional long distance driver for Ethernet, named Ethernet Booster, is disclosed that comprises a forward transmission circuit and a backward transmission circuit, wherein each of the circuits includes Ethernet interface socket RJ45, an impedance matching circuit, power amplifying circuit and frequency compensation circuit. The booster is characterized in that the differential signals received from the Ethernet interface socket RJ45 in the forward/backward transmission circuits are sent to twisted-pair lines through the first impedance matching circuit, power amplifying circuit, the frequency compensation circuit and the second impedance matching circuit in turn. The advantage of the driver is that the booster can greatly enhance the transmission power of 10BASE-T by lengthening network segment distance to 350–500 m, and can decrease the cost greatly by dispensing with in-building switches and making full use of the resources of switches without any or with very few switch ports being wasted.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing and an inner post with a fluid inlet passage extending in the housing. An outer post surrounds the inner post to define a fluid outlet passage. A filter cartridge is received around the inner post and the outer post. The filter cartridge includes a filter element. A first endplate, which defines a first opening, is attached to a first end of the filter element. A first seal is received in the first opening to seal between the inner post and the first endplate. A second endplate, which defines a second opening, is attached to a second end of the filter element. A seal is received in the second opening to seal the outer post with the second endplate. The housing and the filter cartridge define an outer cavity. The fluid inlet passage opens into the outer cavity to minimize back flushing of contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter assembly containing a filter element and a container as a depot for a liquid additive. The container can include an inlet and an outlet, which are configured to allow a liquid to flow into the container mix with the contained additive and then flow out into the system. It has been observed that a liquid flowing through a filter assembly exhibits a pressure gradient within the filter. Consequently, the inlets and outlets to the container can be positioned to take advantage of the pressure gradient to enhance the addition of the additive to the liquid in the filter assembly.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a filter element that is adapted to filter fluid. The filter element defines a center post cavity constructed and arranged to receive a center post. The filter element has a first end and a second end. A first end plate is attached to the first end of the filter element. The first end plate defines a first end plate opening. A second end plate is attached to the second end of the filter element. The second end plate defines a second end plate opening. A seal is positioned in the second end plate opening to seal around the center post. A floating seal assembly is received in the first end plate opening to seal around the center post. The floating seal assembly includes a gasket and a gasket retainer. The gasket retainer retains the gasket against the first end plate to seal around the center post.

Abstract: A fluid filter centerpost assembly in combination with a fluid filter cartridge for creating a “no filter-no run” design according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an oval-shaped design for the centerpost assembly and an oval-shaped design for a seal that is positioned between the centerpost assembly and the fluid filter cartridge. The centerpost assembly includes a main body having an oval shape in lateral cross section in unitary construction with a radial flange and interior shelf. The interior shelf defines a flow opening and a movable valve ball is positioned on the interior shelf and is able to move in the direction of the flow opening due to incoming fluid pressure. The fluid filter cartridge includes a closed endcap with a blocking pin such that when the fluid filter cartridge is installed, the blocking pin is positioned to prevent the valve ball from closing off the flow opening.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space or inlet chamber (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the inlet chamber the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator (102), preferably part of the filter element, is provided by a gas trap and pressure responsive release mechanism (104) trapping gas in the upper section (23) of the inlet chamber until a designated release pressure is reached, corresponding to a desired terminal pressure, to prevent premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by rising liquid level in the inlet chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtration function and the plugging indication function.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space or inlet chamber (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the inlet chamber the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator (102), preferably part of the filter element, is provided by a gas trap and pressure responsive release mechanism (104) trapping gas in the upper section (23) of the inlet chamber until a designated release pressure is reached, corresponding to a desired terminal pressure, to prevent premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by rising liquid level in the inlet chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtration function and the plugging indication function.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a filter element that is adapted to filter fluid. The filter element defines a center post cavity constructed and arranged to receive a center post. The filter element has a first end and a second end. A first end plate is attached to the first end of the filter element. The first end plate defines a first end plate opening. A second end plate is attached to the second end of the filter element. The second end plate defines a second end plate opening. A seal is positioned in the second end plate opening to seal around the center post. A floating seal assembly is received in the first end plate opening to seal around the center post. The floating seal assembly includes a gasket and a gasket retainer. The gasket retainer retains the gasket against the first end plate to seal around the center post.

Abstract: An annular space or inlet chamber 24 between the filter element 16 and housing of a liquid filter is viewable such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element: the higher the liquid level, the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator includes a porous outer wrap 50 that traps gas in an upper section 23 of the inlet chamber below a designated release pressure and releases trapped gas upon attainment of the release pressure causing a rapid rise in liquid level within the housing and corresponding to a desired terminal pressure. The indicator prevents premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by a slowly rising liquid in the chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtering and indicating functions.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the annular space as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the annular space the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. The rise in liquid level in the annular space is delayed for applications where the filter element is otherwise changed prematurely and has a longer life than otherwise indicated by the rising liquid level in the annular space. The delay is provided by a liquid and vapor impermeable sleeve (50) trapping vapor. In a further aspect, the sleeve is provided with apertures (70, 72, 74, 90, 92) filled by liquid-soluble buttons (76, 78, 80, 94, 96) providing filter element change interval indication, including advance sequential indication.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space or inlet chamber (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the inlet chamber the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator (102), preferably part of the filter element, is provided by a gas trap and pressure responsive release mechanism (104) trapping gas in the upper section (23) of the inlet chamber until a designated release pressure is reached, corresponding to a desired terminal pressure, to prevent premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by rising liquid level in the inlet chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtration function and the plugging indication function.