Patent ID: 6936162
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: B01D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A combination valve support and sealing element for use in a filter cartridge wherein the filter cartridge includes an annular filter element having a hollow core and an end cap and is disposed in a housing closed by an end plate having a central opening surrounded by an array of radial openings spaced a fixed radial distance from the central opening, the combination valve support and sealing element comprising: a unitary body of flexible resilient material; the unitary body having a central opening of a constant diameter, which central opening is coaxial with the central opening of the end plate, the diameter of the central opening being less than the diameter of the area circumscribed by the radial openings; the unitary body having a first annular section which projects into the hollow core of the filter element for sealing with the filter element and a second section coextensive with the first section, the first annular section having an annular sealing ring thereon for sealing with the end cap and, the second section sealing only with the end plate around the central opening through the end plate; the unitary body having a radially projecting flange which is axially spaced from the second section and projects radially beyond the spaced radial openings in the end plate for sealing around the spaced radial openings to provide an anti-drainback valve; a plurality of radially extending ribs on the radially extending flange, the radially extending ribs having rib portions projecting axially on the first annular section of the unitary body and being axially spaced from the annular sealing ring on the first annular section of the unitary body, which annular sealing ring deflects inwardly when the filter element is clogged in order to provide a bypass for fluid when fluid is unable to flow through the filter element, and a clean side valve unitary with the unitary body for preventing pre-filling of the cartridge.