Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough, a bypass opening at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap and through which the standpipe is adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the center tube.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough, a bypass opening at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap and through which the standpipe is adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the center tube.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing that includes a standpipe extending therewithin and provided with a flow control valve. The filter element comprises a tubular filter media, a first end cap, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has a substantially cylindrical body extending between opposite first and second ends of the center tube. The center tube has at least one inlet opening formed on the cylindrical body and a standpipe opening at the second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap through which the standpipe may be inserted longitudinally into the center tube. The center tube further has at least one actuator key provided to open the flow control valve of the standpipe.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.

Abstract: A fuel/water separator threadingly engaging a base at a first open end and a drain valve at a second open end. The fuel/water separator is constructed of a translucent plastic material enabling a viewer to evaluate the presence of contaminants without having to loosen the filter or open a drain valve.

Abstract: An end cap of a filter element has canted fins in an annular space between a filter element and filter housing for imparting a rotary motion to a fluid prior to the fluid passing through the filter element. The end cap includes a plurality of axially extending legs upstream of the fins, which legs engage a nutplate. Spaces between the legs provide an inlet allowing dirty fluid to flow to the outside surfaces of the filter element. The fins remove large particles from the fluid by centrifugal force so that large particles do not add to the contaminant load in the filter elements.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a first element for trapping small particles and a second filter element for trapping sludge, the second filter element being stacked on the first filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the first filter element and second filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the second filter element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the first filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the second filter element with the oil filtered by the first element. A centrifugal separator is disposed in an annular space between the filter elements and filter housing for imparting a rotary motion to the fluid prior to the fluid passing through the filter elements. This removes large particles from the fluid by centrifugal force so that large particles do not add to the contaminant load in the filter elements.

Abstract: A high strength filter element housing suitable for high pressure hydraulic applications which require a minimum burst rating in the range of about 1,000 psi is comprised on an externally threaded tubular portion formed with a dome as a unitary piece having an open end closed by an internally threaded base. The base has a central opening which is threaded so that the filter element housing mounted as a spin-on housing for use with annular filter elements, the base further having spaced central openings around the threaded central opening. In a preferred embodiment, the base is permanently fixed to the tubular portion by adhesive sealing material disposed between the threads attaching the base and cap to the tubular portion.

Abstract: A high strength filter element housing suitable for high pressure hydraulic applications which require a minimum burst rating in the range of about 1,000 psi is comprised on an internally threaded tubular portion having its ends closed by an externally threaded base and externally threaded cap. The base has a central opening which is threaded so that the filter element housing mounted as a spin-on housing for use with annular filter elements, the base further having spaced central openings around the threaded central opening. In a preferred embodiment, if the base and end cap are permanently fixed to the tubular portion by adhesive sealing material disposed between the threads attaching the base and cap to the tubular portion.

Abstract: A spin-on filter assembly is comprised of a plastic can and a plastic base wherein the plastic base is threaded into the can and secured in place by a rib on the base which seats within a V-shaped slot in the can. In order to have the base separable from the can so the filter may be rebuilt upon removing and replacing the filter element containing the filter media, the rib on the base has both a leading and trailing frustoconical surface. The trailing frustoconical surface on the base enables the base to cam the open end of the housing apart when the base is unscrewed from the can so as to allow the base to be separable from the can. In an alternative configuration, the base has a rib with a flat trailing surface that extends perpendicular to the base. Consequently, there is no base surface provided for caming the open end of the can apart by engaging complimentary frustoconical portion of the groove in the can.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a full flow filter element and a bypass filter element stacked on the full flow filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the full flow filter element and bypass filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the bypass element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the full flow filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the bypass filter element with the oil filtered by the full filter element. During operation of the engine this arrangement tends to provide cleaner lubricating oil and therefore reduces engine wear while increasing the time interval between scheduled maintenance.

Abstract: A flow inverter element is configured as a molded component having both axial passages and radial passages, which passages are physically isolated from one another. The axial passages communicate with an annular chamber which opens to a series of inlet ports in the end plate of the housing while the radially extending passages communicate with a cylindrical chamber aligned with a central output port in the end of the housing.

Abstract: A filter assembly having a replaceable coalescing filter in which contaminants are separated from fuel, oil, or the like. The filter assembly has an outer housing that may be constructed from a cylindrical metal container and a top metal plate. A filter element is attached in a cantilever manner to the metal plate, by chemical bonding and/or mechanical locking, solely by way of an support member. The filter element is thus suspended from the plate leaving a clearance space between the bottom filter cap and the bottom of the filter container. No elements are disposed in the clearance space, thus maximizing the efficiency of the filter. The support member may be made of rubber or similar material suitable for sealing the inner and outer fuel chambers and for chemically bonding to the metal housing. The upper end cap of the filter element also may be chemically bonded to the element support.

Abstract: Flow inverter arrangements are provided for utilization in spin-on, liquid filter cartridges, such as lubricating oil filter cartridges and the like, wherein the filter cartridge structure normally used for "inside-out" flow is reversed to accommodate "outside-in" flow. Each embodiment of the invention utilizes a cylindrical wall disposed within the hollow core of a filter media, in spaced relation thereto, so as to define an annular space which is aligned with the input ports in the end plate of the housing. A filter media has a first end cap within an opening aligned with the central core so that liquid which is passed from the annular space and through the filter media can pass through the opening in the end cap and to the central port which is aligned with the hollow core of the filter media, but isolated from the filter media by the interior wall.