Abstract: A filter apparatus and filter element therefore are provided. The filter apparatus includes a filter head including an inlet port, a main flow outlet port and a drain flow outlet port. The filter element includes a ring of filter media defining an internal cavity. The filter element defines a main flow passage and a drain flow passage through the internal cavity. Each flow passage has an inlet on a clean side of the filter media directly fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. The main flow passage is fluidly coupled to the main flow outlet port. The drain flow passage (or air bleed passage) is fluidly coupled to the drain flow outlet port and includes (i) a restriction 154 sized large enough to allow air flow and small enough to prevent substantial liquid flow and (ii) a check valve 912 limiting flow to a single direction. The filter media separates the inlet port from the main flow and drain flow outlet ports.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a filter media pack as well as a reinforced media pack is provided. The method includes forming a media pack to have an inlet face and an outlet face. The method includes applying a reinforcing agent to the media pack. The reinforcing agent is applied in a flowable state. The method also includes hardening the reinforcing agent to form a reinforcing structure to reinforce the media pack. Filter element having such a reinforcing structure is also provided.

Abstract: A filter element and multi-component holding assembly for a filter element is provided. The filter element includes first and second media panels, a support frame, a base frame and first and second end cap structures. Each filter media panel defines first, second, third and fourth sides. The first and second sides extend between the third and fourth sides. The support frame maintains the first and second filter media panels in a spaced orientation forming a cavity therebetween. The base frame defines a first opening in fluid communication with the cavity. The first end cap structure seals the third side of the first and second filter media panels and the second end cap structure seals the fourth side of the first and second filter media panels. The base frame has a first portion captured in the first end cap structure and a second portion captured in the second end cap structure.

Abstract: A filter element including a winding core, a sheet of fluted filter media, a relief notch, and an adhesive. The winding core has a pair of ends spaced apart from each other and extending laterally between a pair of opposed sides. The sheet of fluted filter media is wound around the sides of the winding core. The relief notch is formed in one of the sides of the winding core. The adhesive is received at least partially in the relief notch and secures the fluted filter media to the winding core. A method of making a filter element with a winding core having relief notches is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid filtering apparatus and method may include keyed components to ensure that a correct filter element is being installed into a filter base, and to automatically actuate a fluid valve as the filter element is rotated into place on the base. Tool-less replacement of the element is provided. An embodiment of the element may include inner and outer substantially tubular-shaped media packs disposed about an axis, with one end of each of the inner and outer media packs being attached to an end cap of the element in a manner defining a fluid flow space between the inner and outer media packs for receiving a flow of fluid directed in parallel through the inner and outer media packs. A housing of the filter apparatus may include a flow tube configured to fit into the space between the inner and outer media packs.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for processing a baseplate assembly and more specifically to a transfer mechanism and a parts washer for processing baseplate assemblies. The transfer mechanism has a pivot arm that is mounted to a transfer and/or lift mechanism. The pivot arm holds a carrier unit having an abutment plate and a finger. The finger having an extended state and a retracted state relative to the abutment plate. The finger engaging and securing the baseplate assemblies to the carrier unit during the transport of the baseplate assemblies from a welder or tapper to a parts washer. The transfer mechanism picks the baseplate assemblies from the welder or tapper in a horizontally extending alignment and deposits the baseplate assembly in the parts washer in a vertically extending alignment. The parts washer then washes the baseplate assemblies, while the baseplate assemblies remain in a vertically extending alignment.

Abstract: A filter element is provided. The filter element is removably engaged with a filter head having an inlet and an outlet. The filter element includes an outer housing, a filter cartridge, and a baseplate. The filter element further includes a plurality of seals adapted to seal between the baseplate and the filter head, and between the baseplate and the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A coalescing filter assembly including a coalescing filter element is provided. The coalescing filter assembly includes a base housing and a cover housing that together form a coalescing chamber. Disposed within the coalescing chamber is the coalescing filter element. The coalescing filter element includes a frame with a partition that separates an unfiltered side from a filtered side of the coalescing filter assembly. A port connects the unfiltered side to the filtered side through the partition. A coalescing tube including coalescing filter media is connected to the port. Unfiltered fluid that enters the coalescing filter assembly is passed through the coalescing filter media such that the contaminants are removed to create a filtered fluid. The filtered fluid exits the coalescing filter assembly at an outlet of the coalescing filter assembly.

Abstract: A filter element, and filter apparatus, include a filter pack, a seal member, and a seal support frame operatively connecting the seal member to the filter pack. The seal support frame includes an annular extension, which is preferably canted at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis, for supporting the seal member. The seal support frame also preferably includes a first end thereof including the annular extension, and a second end thereof spaced from the first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, with the first and second ends of the seal support frame joined by a hub of the outer peripheral sidewall of the seal support frame to define a cavity within the seal support frame for receiving the filter pack. The first and second ends of the seal support frame, and the filter pack are preferably joined and sealed to one another by a single bead of adhesive.

Abstract: A collapsible winding core for a filter element is provided. A fluted filter media is wound about the collapsible winding core having a cylindrical shape. Subsequently, the collapsible winding core is collapsed into a generally flat shape to from the filter element having a racetrack shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a liquid utilize a filter apparatus including a bypass filter, a full flow filter, and a flow balancing element for dividing a total inlet flow of fluid to the filter apparatus into a bypass portion, passing through the bypass filter, and a full flow portion, passing through the full flow filter. The bypass filter has a lower filtering efficiency than the full flow filter element, so that a venturi tube is not required for causing the bypass portion to pass through the bypass filter. The flow balancing element divides the flow into a desired bypass portion and a desired full flow portion, at a predetermined operating temperature. Below the operating temperature, the bypass portion increases and the full flow portion decreases, the bypass portion becoming greater that the full flow portion at a second predetermined temperature below the operating temperature.

Abstract: A coalescing filter assembly including a coalescing filter element is provided. The coalescing filter assembly includes a base housing and a cover housing that together form a coalescing chamber. Disposed within the coalescing chamber is the coalescing filter element. The coalescing filter element includes a frame with a partition that separates an unfiltered side from a filtered side of the coalescing filter assembly. A port connects the unfiltered side to the filtered side through the partition. A coalescing tube including coalescing filter media is connected to the port. Unfiltered fluid that enters the coalescing filter assembly is passed through the coalescing filter media such that the contaminants are removed to create a filtered fluid. The filtered fluid exits the coalescing filter assembly at an outlet of the coalescing filter assembly.

Abstract: A filter element is provided with a snorkel that facilitates bleeding of air along the outside periphery of a tubular filter media pack to a bleed chamber contained within the filter element. This may be employed in fuel filtration applications during installation and removal of filter elements whereby air can be temporarily trapped in a housing containing the filter element. The snorkel thus vents the air along the outside of the filter element and then into a bleed chamber where it can be communicated to a standpipe having an isolated bleed passage.

Abstract: A filter assembly and filter element are provided. The filter assembly includes a housing with a filter element disposed therein. The filter assembly also includes a separate and removable inlet tube which projects from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing through an opening in a lid of the housing. The filter element includes a ring of filter media with upper and lower end cap constructions attached to opposed ends of the ring of filter media. The upper end cap construction includes a base portion and an axial seal portion extending axially from the base portion. The lower end cap construction includes a support ring and a resilient portion.

Abstract: A filter assembly, a filter cartridge and method of filter fluid are provided. The filter assembly includes a filter base, a filter housing and a filter cartridge within the housing. The filter cartridge strips water from the dirty fluid flowing through the assembly. The filter cartridge defines a pair of fluid flow paths extending through a central cavity thereof. The fluid flow paths carry and keep separated a flow of cleaned fluid after it passes through filter media of the cartridge as well as the water that has been stripped from the dirty fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a liquid utilize a filter apparatus including a bypass filter, a full flow filter, and a flow balancing element for dividing a total inlet flow of fluid to the filter apparatus into a bypass portion, passing through the bypass filter, and a full flow portion, passing through the full flow filter. The bypass filter has a lower filtering efficiency than the full flow filter element, so that a venturi tube is not required for causing the bypass portion to pass through the bypass filter. The flow balancing element divides the flow into a desired bypass portion and a desired full flow portion, at a predetermined operating temperature. Below the operating temperature, the bypass portion increases and the full flow portion decreases, the bypass portion becoming greater than the full flow portion at a second predetermined temperature below the operating temperature.

Abstract: A filter element is provided with a snorkel that facilitates bleeding of air along the outside periphery of a tubular filter media pack to a bleed chamber contained within the filter element. This may be employed in fuel filtration applications during installation and removal of filter elements whereby air can be temporarily trapped in a housing containing the filter element. The snorkel thus vents the air along the outside of the filter element and then into a bleed chamber where it can be communicated to a standpipe having an isolated bleed passage.