Patent ID: 6027640
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
In a lubricating oil filter cartridge, a housing with an annular filter element therein; the annular filter element having a hollow core, the housing including an end plate having a central outlet therethrough surrounded by a plurality of inlet openings for allowing lubricating oil to enter the housing through the inlet openings in the end plate, to flow through the filter element to the hollow core thereof and to flow out of the filter element through the central outlet, the improvement comprising:an annular valve support disposed between the end plate and the filter element, the annular valve support having an inner sleeve bearing against the end plate proximate the outlet and an outer sleeve spaced from the inner sleeve to define an annular space therebetween, the outer sleeve including a plurality of openings therethrough communicating with the annular space and including louvers adjacent to the openings, the louvers extending into the annular space and directing the lubricating oil to flow through the openings, the outer sleeve having a radially extending flange extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the annular filter element; andan annular valve member having a radially extending skirt overlying the inlet openings in the end plate, the radially extending skirt functioning as an anti-drain back valve by preventing oil from flowing out of the filter through the inlet openings while allowing oil under pressure to deflect the flaps and to flow pass the annular valve member and through the annular filter element when the annular filter element is not clogged, the valve member further including an expandable collar fitting around the outer sleeve and covering the openings, the expandable collar spreading to uncover the openings as the liquid flows over the louvers and between the collar and the outer sleeve when the filter element becomes clogged so as to bypass the clogged filter.