Patent ID: 6156198
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A filter element for use in a fluid filter of the type in which the fluid to be filtered is caused to pass radially outwardly through the filter element, said filter element comprisinga web of pleated filtering material that is formed in a circumferentially closed cylindrical filtering body, said filtering body having each of its axial ends embedded in a sealing ring of a flexible elastomeric material;a single perforate rigid tube surrounding a radially outer circumferential surface of said filtering body said filtering body to radially support the latter;a closed, rigid bottom end cap and a rigid top end cap, each of said caps having an annular, axially directed cavity for receiving an axial end of said filtering body, each of said cavities having a bottom and an inner and an outer circumferential wall, whereas said top end cap has a central inlet opening for liquid to be filtered;releasable connecting means disposed on said outer circumferential wall of said top end cap and one end of said rigid tube for releasably connecting said top end cap to said one end of said rigid tube,wherein said cylindrical filtering body, said bottom and top end caps and said perforate rigid tube are axially and removably clamped together, with said sealing rings sealingly engaging the bottom walls of the respective annular cavities and with the perforate rigid tube engaging the outer circumferential walls of the respective annular cavities while functioning to space the two end caps from one another.