Abstract: A fluid filter is provided for separating entrained particulate matter from a moving fluid stream. The fluid filter includes a filter structure for mounting the filter on a supporting surface, a plurality of nested filter frames, and a filtration medium carried by each of the filter frames. The filter structure has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for conveying the fluid stream therethrough. The nested filter frames are located within the filter structure in spaced-apart relation to each other. The filtration media are interposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outer of the filter structure, and define on one side thereof an upstream filter surface and on the other side thereof a downstream filter surface.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid filter and method of separating entrained particulate matter from a moving fluid stream. The fluid filter includes a filter structure for mounting the filter on a supporting surface, a plurality of nested filter frames, and a filtration medium carried by each of the filter frames. The filter structure has a fluid inlet zone and a fluid outlet zone for conveying the fluid stream therethrough. The nested filter frames are located within the filter structure in spaced-apart relation to each other. The filtration media are interposed between the fluid inlet zone and the fluid outlet zone of the filter structure, and define on one side thereof an upstream filter surface and on the other side thereof a downstream filter surface.