Abstract: A method of making a rigid filter. An elongate mandrel is provided. A polymer material is melted. The polymer material is formed into a molten fiber. The molten fiber is moved to the mandrel. Successive layers of fibers are accumulated about the mandrel and along the elongation of the mandrel to form a fiber accumulation. The fiber accumulation has pores extending between the fibers and having an exterior and a hollow interior. The fiber accumulation is solidified so that the fiber accumulation is rigid with the pores, the exterior and the hollow interior being present such that fluid can proceed between the exterior and the hollow interior through the pores and particulate is blocked by the fiber accumulation.

Abstract: A rigid tubular filter for filtering particulate from a flowing fluid. The filter includes a plurality of polymer particles located within the confines of a tube shape having a hollow interior and an exterior. The filter includes a plurality of adhesion points among the plurality of polymer particles. The plurality of adhesion points include melt fusion points and the plurality of adhesion points fix the polymer particles relative to each other to provide the tube shape as a rigid structure. The filter includes a plurality of pores extending between the particles so as to allow fluid flow between the exterior and the hollow interior of the tube shape. The fixed polymer particles blocking particles within the fluid during the flow of the fluid between the exterior and the hollow interior of the tuber shape. An associated method provides the filter.

Abstract: A rigid filter for filtering particulate from a flowing fluid. The rigid filter includes a layer of rigid sintered polymer having a plurality of pores. The layer of rigid sintered polymer blocks particles within the fluid during the flow of the fluid through the filter. The rigid filter includes a layer of microporous membrane having a plurality of pores and secured to the layer of rigid sintered polymer. The layer of microporous membrane blocks particles within the fluid during the flow of the fluid through the filter.

Abstract: A rigid filter for filtering particulate from a flowing fluid. The filter includes sintered polymer particles, with the polymer particles having a melt temperature. The filter includes fibers of material having a melt temperature higher than the melt temperature of the polymer particles. The polymer particles and the fibers are intermixed. A plurality of adhesion points are among the plurality of polymer particles. The plurality of adhesion points include melt fusion points and the plurality of adhesion points fix the polymer particles relative to each other to provide a rigid structure entrapping the fibers. A plurality of pores extends between the particles and fibers so as to allow fluid flow through the rigid filter. The fixed polymer particles block particles within the fluid during the flow of the fluid though the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method for making a pleated filter cartridge by placing a pleated filter on a mold and adding a polymerizable potting compound to the inner cavity of the pleated filter. The potting compound is permitted to cover the portion of the upper surface of the mold that is encompassed by the pleats. The potting compound is selected to form a polyurethane after polymerization is complete.

Abstract: A filter element includes a filtration media formed into a tubular configuration. The filtration media includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pleats. The filter element includes at least one retaining strap extending circumferentially around the filtration media to limit movement of the filtration media The at least one retaining strap has a ratio of flow direction tensile modulus to perpendicular direction tensile modulus of 1.5 or less. A method of fabricating a filter element is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method for making a pleated filter cartridge by placing a pleated filter on a mold and adding a polymerizable potting compound to the inner cavity of the pleated filter. The potting compound is permitted to cover the portion of the upper surface of the mold that is encompassed by the pleats. The potting compound is selected to form a polyurethane after polymerization is complete.

Abstract: A coreless filter cartridge includes a filtration media having a plurality of pleats formed in a tubular configuration. The filtration media includes a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a hollow core. At least one retention device is adhered to the exterior surface of the filtration media. The at least one retention device is configured and disposed to limit radial movement of the filtration media. The filter cartridge is devoid of an internal core support provided within the hollow core thereby establishing a coreless filter cartridge.