Patent ID: 6908545
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: B01D,F15B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A filter module assembly for removing particles from a fluid, the filter module assembly comprising: a manifold housing having an inlet for receiving the fluid to be filtered, an outlet for expelling the fluid, and fluid flow paths therebetween, said manifold housing being attached atop a filter bowl; a parallel combination of a first filtering element contained within said filter bowl and a second filtering element completely contained within said manifold housing, each having a porous filter medium; and a fluid flow rate responsive valve arranged in communication with the inlet, the first filtering element, and the second filtering element, said valve being activated when a fluid flow rate through the inlet increases above a predetermined threshold value, the amount of fluid above said threshold value being diverted away from said first filtering element and through said second filtering element while the amount of fluid at and below said threshold value continues to pass through said valve to said first filtering element, said valve being contained completely within the manifold housing and not in direct communication with the outlet or a downstream side of the first filtering element, wherein fluid filtered in said first filtering element and fluid filtered in said second filtering element is expelled through said outlet.