Patent ID: 6217755
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A liquid filter assembly comprising:(a) a filter head;(b) a filter housing comprising an elongate, generally cylindrical wall having housing first and second, opposite ends;(i) said housing first end being secured to said filter head;(ii) said housing second end being positioned remote to said filter head and including said second liquid flow outlet therein; said filter head and filter housing in combination defining:(A) a liquid flow inlet path;(B) a first liquid flow outlet path; and,(C) a second liquid flow outlet path;(c) a filter media construction positioned within said housing;(i) said filter media construction comprising:(A) a cylindrical extension of media defining a filter media internal volume;(B) first and second end caps with said cylindrical extension of media extending therebetween;(1) said first end cap having an open central aperture in fluid flow communication with said filter media internal volume and said first liquid outlet flow path;(2) said second end cap having an open central aperture with a first valve assembly positioned therein;(C) said filter media internal volume comprising a filtered liquid volume;(ii) said filter media construction, in combination with said housing, defining:(A) an unfiltered liquid volume; and,(B) said filtered liquid volume;(d) a liquid flow inlet in said filter head;(i) said liquid flow inlet path being constructed and arranged to direct liquid from said liquid flow inlet to said unfiltered liquid volume;(e) a first liquid flow outlet in said filter head;(i) said first liquid flow outlet path being constructed and arranged to direct liquid flow from said filtered liquid volume to said first liquid flow outlet;(f) a second liquid flow outlet in said housing;(i) said second liquid flow outlet path being constructed and arranged to direct liquid flow from said filtered liquid volume to said second liquid flow outlet;(g) a first valve assembly constructed and arranged to selectively open said second liquid flow outlet path to passage of liquid therethrough to said second outlet in response to a first selected liquid pressure level within said filtered liquid volume; and,(h) a second valve assembly; said second valve assembly comprising a first by-pass valve assembly constructed and arranged to selectively direct fluid flow from said unfiltered liquid volume to said second liquid flow outlet, in response to a second selected liquid pressure level within said unfiltered liquid volume.