Abstract:
One embodiment is a filter element including an outer filter media and an inner filter media. The outer filter media is operable to remove particulates present in a flow of fluid and/or coalesce water contained in the flow of fluid. The inner filter media is operable to remove particulates from the flow of fluid, separate water form the flow of fluid, and remove particulates from the flow of fluid. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods relating to fuel filters and filtration. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/486,465 filed Jun. 17, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/890,816 filed Aug. 8, 2007, which is a Continuation of International Application Number PCT/US2007/014397 the International Filing Date of which is Jun. 20, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Application No. 60/815,118 filed Jun. 20, 2006 and U.S. Application No. 60/880,145 filed Jan. 12, 2007. All of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field related generally to fluid filters and to methods and systems of removing unwanted particulates and/or water from fluid with one or more filters 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines, such as high pressure common rail fuel injection systems for diesel engines are vulnerable to fuel contaminants, including particulates on the order of 4-6 microns and others such as larger and smaller particulates of various phases and compositions which may be present in fuel. There is an unmet need to reduce or eliminate these and other fuel contaminants. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment is a filter element including an outer filter media and an inner filter media. The outer filter media is operable to remove a majority of the particulates present in a flow of fluid. The inner filter element is operable to remove finer particulates from the flow of fluid that pass through the outer filter media. In addition, the outer and inner filter media comprises a multi-layered filter media. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods relating to fuel filters and filtration. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle including an internal combustion engine system having a fueling system. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a representative fueling system. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a representative filter element or cartridge. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a representative filter incorporating the filter cartridge illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a representative filter. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of a filter cartridge. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the filter cartridge illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a representative filter. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of another representative filter cartridge. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of another representative filter cartridge. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the filter cartridge depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an exemplary vehicle  100  including a passenger/operator cabin  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , vehicle  100  is a semi-tractor, but could alternatively be any of a variety of other vehicles, such as a light, medium, or heavy duty truck, bus, car, sport utility vehicle, motor coach, or farm or industrial equipment, for example. In other embodiments, vehicle  100  could be a marine or aircraft vehicle. Vehicle  102  includes a fuel tank  104  and power/propulsion  106  that includes an engine  108 . Additionally, system  106  includes a fueling system  110  coupled to a fuel tank  104  for providing fuel to engine  108 . A fluid conduit, pipe  112 , or other flow passage couples fuel tank  104  to fueling system  110 . Engine  108  is preferably a reciprocating piston type that is configured for compression ignition and direct injection or port-injected diesel fueling. In other embodiments engine  108  could be another type of engine, or power plant. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , fueling system  110  includes a first liquid filtering subsystem  150 , a fluid or fuel pump  152 , and a second liquid filtering subsystem  154 . The first liquid filtering subsystem  150  is positioned on the suction side of the fuel pump  152 , and the second liquid filtering subsystem  154  is positioned on the pressure side of the fuel pump  152 . Filtering subsystems  150 ,  154  provide clean, filtered fuel that prevents pump wear, injector clogging, premature engine wear and can boost fuel efficiency. The first liquid filtering subsystem  150  includes a first set of filter assemblies  156  and the second liquid filtering subsystem  154  includes a second set of filter assemblies  158 . It should be appreciated that system  110 , and subsystems  150 ,  154  are exemplary, and that a variety of other systems and subsystems are contemplated in various embodiments. In some embodiments, only one filter subsystems  150 ,  154  having one filter in filter disclosed herein may be used. 
     The fuel tank  104  is in fluid communication with the first liquid filtering subsystem  150 . A check valve  160  is preferably positioned in the fluid path between the fuel tank  104  and the filter assemblies  156 . Check valve  160  prevents fuel from flowing back into fuel tank  104  once it leaves fuel tank  104  and enters the first liquid filtering subsystem  150 . The first filtering subsystem  150  is positioned on the suction side of the fuel pump  152 . Filter assemblies  156  are capable of removing contaminates from the fuel before they enter pump  152 . The filter assemblies  156  are connected in a parallel fluid flow path configuration. Although illustrated in a parallel fluid flow path configuration, in alternative arrangements, the filter assemblies  156  could be connected in a series flow path configuration. 
     Fuel that is provided to engine  108  by fuel system  110  typically includes some undesirable constituents or contaminants. Such constituents typically include particulate matter, water, microorganisms and/or other types of contaminates. To remove these constituents, liquid filter assemblies  150 ,  154  are included in the fuel system  110 . As set forth in detail below, filter assemblies  156 ,  158  include a housing  200  defining an interior space  202  for receipt of fuel and at least one filter element  250  (See  FIG. 3 ) positioned within interior space  202  for filtering constituents from the fuel. Filter elements  250  disclosed herein may be used in various systems including, but not limited to, that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,464, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     At least one filter assembly  156  may include a water-in-fuel (“WIF”) sensor  162 . WIF sensor  162  is positioned in a lower portion of filter assembly  156  and is used to detect water that is separated from fuel by at least one filter assembly such as assembly  156 . After a predetermined amount of water is collected by filter assembly  156 , WIF sensor  162  generates a signal that is sent to an engine control unit (not illustrated). The engine control unit may then generate a signal, such as lighting a warning lamp in the cab of vehicle  100 , that indicates that filter assembly  156  either needs to be changed, serviced, or drained. In an alternative embodiment, filter assembly  156  automatically drains collected water from filter assembly  156 . 
     The first filtering subassembly  150  also includes an electric priming and starting assist pump  164  in fluid communication with filter assemblies  156 . Priming and starting assist pump  164  is positioned between the input to fuel pump  152  and the output of filter assemblies  156 . Priming and starting assist pump  164  is used to help prime and start engine  108  by supplying fuel during engine startup, A check valve  166  is in fluid communication between the input to priming and starting assist pump  164  and the output of priming and starting assist pump  164  as illustrated. The check valve  166  prevents fuel from re-entering filter assemblies  156  through the output of filter assemblies  156  when engine  108  is not running. 
     Fuel pump  152  is in fluid communication with a first and second check valve  168 ,  170 . First check valve  168  can be used to release fuel back into the suction side of fuel pump  152  if the pressure rises above a predetermined level. Second check valve  170  can be used to prevent fuel from leaving or exiting the second filtering subsystem  154  if engine  108  is not running. Several different types of fuel pumps may be utilized in different embodiments. A pressure sensor  171  is located downstream of the output of fuel pump  152  before the input of the second filtering subassembly  154 . The pressure sensor  171  monitors the pressure of the fuel as it exits fuel pump  152  and generates a signal indicative thereof that is sent to the engine control unit. 
     The output of fuel pump  152 , often referred to as the pressure side, is in fluid communication with an input of the second filtering subassembly  154 . The second filtering subassembly  154  is preferably designed to endure higher pressures than the first filtering subassembly  150 . The first and second filtering subassembly  154  provides particulate filtration and is capable of removing water from the fuel in some embodiments. The second filtering subassembly  154  may include a frame portion  172  that securely holds housings  200  of filter assemblies  158  to vehicle  102 . In one form, second filtering subassembly  154  may be placed in an engine vibration isolation system  174  of the type disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/744,895, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled Vibration Isolated Fuel Filter Head, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As set forth therein, the engine vibration isolation system  174  substantially reduces or eliminates vibrations that may adversely affect operation of the second filtering subassembly  154 . 
     After exiting the second filtering subassembly  154 , the fuel enters a high pressure common rail system  176  which supplies fuel to engine  108 . A temperature sensor  178  is included in fluid communication with the outlet of the second filtering subassembly  154 . Temperature sensor  178  is used to measure the temperature of the fuel before it enters the common rail system  176 . A check valve  180  is included in fluid communication with the outlet of the second filtering subassembly  154 . Check valve  180  is set to release fuel if the pressure in the fuel line rises above a predetermined level. The fuel that is released by the check valve is returned to fuel tank  104 . Although the filters and filter elements disclosed herein are described in connection with filtering fuel, it should be appreciated that other types of fluid, such as lubricants for example, could also be filtered by the filters and filter elements. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a representative replaceable filter element or cartridge  250  that is housed or positioned within housing  200  of the first and/or second filtering subassembly  150 ,  154  set forth in  FIG. 2 . Filter element  250  includes a first or outer filter media stage  252  and a second or inner filter media stage  254  radially spaced apart from outer filter media stage  252 . Outer and inner filter media stages  252 ,  254  extend vertically between an upper end plate  256  and a lower end plate  258 . As illustrated, outer filter media stage  252  has a vertical length longer than that of inner filter media stage  254 . In one form, outer filter media stage  252  and inner filter media stage  254  comprise a multi-layer filter media. Using a multi-layer filter media improves particle filtration efficiency. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, an upper portion  260  of outer filter media stage  252  is fixedly secured to a lower surface  262  of upper end cap  256  and a lower portion  264  of outer filter media stage  252  is fixedly secured to a lower surface  266  of lower end cap  258 . Likewise, an upper portion  268  of inner filter media stage  254  is fixedly secured to a second lower surface  270  of upper end cap  256  and a lower portion  272  of inner filter media stage  254  is fixedly secured to a second lower surface  274  of lower end cap  258 . The length or height of inner filter media stage  254  is smaller than the length or height of outer filter media stage  252 . 
     Outer filter media stage  252 , inner filter media stage  254 , upper end cap  256 , and lower end cap  258  are generally cylindrical in shape, but other shapes are envisioned. Outer and inner filter media stages  252 ,  254  may be fixed to the end caps  256 ,  258  in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, embedding, potting with adhesive, or sonic, or thermal welding. A centertube  276  may be coupled to an inside diameter  278  of inner filter media stage  254 . Centertube  276  runs along the length of inner filter media stage  254 , but could be shorter than the length of inner filter media stage  254 . Centertube  276  includes a plurality of apertures  279  that allow fluid to flow into an inner fluid chamber  281  defined by centertube  276 . An inner surface area of outer filter media stage  252  may also be aligned or connected with a second centertube  277  substantially designed the same as first centertube  276 . In alternative forms, centertube  276  may not be included. 
     Lower end cap  258  includes a lower base portion  280  and an upper base portion  282 . Lower portion  264  of outer filter media stage  252  is secured to lower base portion  280  of lower end cap  258 . A lower portion  272  of inner filter media stage  254  is secured to upper base portion  282  of lower end cap  258 . Lower base portion  280  includes an outer flange  284  that protrudes upwardly from an outer edge  286  of lower end cap  258 . Upper base portion  282  of lower end cap  258  includes a second outer flange  288  that also protrudes upwardly a short distance from an outer edge  290  of upper base portion  282 . Second outer flange  288  keeps inner filter media stage  254  separated from outer filter media stage  252  such that a gap  294  is formed between the two respective filter media stages  252 ,  254 . Lower end cap  258  may be manufactured as one piece or two pieces. 
     In one form, outer and inner filter media stages  252 ,  254  are formed using a material that is selected to remove one or more undesirable constituents or particulates by trapping or containing them relative to filtered fuel downstream of such material. Further, outer and inner filter media stages  252 ,  254  are preferentially formed from multiple layers of particulate trapping material. As such, outer and inner filter media stages  252 ,  254  comprise a multi-layered filter media. In another form, inner and outer filter media stages  252 ,  254  comprise a melt blown media, an air-laid media, a wet-laid media, a woven media, or a non-woven media, a membrane media or a synthetic blend of one or more of the media types. 
     Outer filter media stage  252  is a multi-layered filter media stage that is operable to remove or capture unwanted contaminates or particulates from a flow of fuel. Outer filter media stage  252  may be larger or thicker than inner filter media stage  254  and is designed such that, during operation, it is responsible for capturing a majority of the unwanted particulates. In particular, in one form, outer filter media stage  252  is designed to capture larger particulates contained in the flow of fuel. Inner filter media stage  254  is also operable to remove or capture unwanted contaminates or particulates from the flow of fuel. In one form, inner filter media stage  254  contains multiple layers of filtering media that are designed to remove smaller contaminates or particulates that may not be captured or removed by outer filter media stage  252 . As such, in one form, outer filter media stage  252  removes a majority of the contaminants by capturing the larger sized particles and inner filter media stage  254  removes finer contaminates that may pass through outer filter media stage  252 . 
     In another form, outer filter media stage  252  comprises a coalescing filter media operable to coalesce smaller water droplets into larger water droplets. Outer filter media stage  252  is designed to withstand high pressures and to merge water droplets contained in fluid passing therethrough by using a coalescing medium as the filter media. The coalescing filter media causes free water and emulsified water contained in the fuel to form into larger droplets. Outer filter media stage  252  preferably utilizes the practice of liquid to liquid coalescence to merge any water contained therein into larger water droplets. Fuel tends to rise and water droplets fall, thereby providing clean fuel to engine  108 . The coalescing filter media may be based on cellulose, cellulose/glass composite, meltblown media, airlaid media, wetlaid media, woven media, non-woven media, membrane media or a synthetic blend of one or more of the aforementioned media types. It should be appreciated that outer filter media stage  252  and inner filter media stage  254  also filter particulates from the flow of fuel. 
     Fuel introduced into filtering element  250  passes through an outer surface  253  of outer filter media stage  252 . As fuel travels through outer filter media stage  252  water droplets are combined, preferably by coalescing, to become larger water droplets. In addition, contaminates in the fuel are also captured by outer filter media stage  252 . As the fuel and water droplets exit through an inner surface area  255  of outer filter media stage  252 , the water droplets separate from the fuel and flow downwardly toward the bottom of filter element  250 . Fuel or fluid continues to flow to inner filter media stage  254  and the water settles or flows downwardly to the bottom of gap  294 . 
     In one form, the lower end plate  258  includes apertures or passages that allow the water to flow out of filtering element  250 . A gap  294  exists between outer filter media stage  252  and inner filter media stage  254  that assists in separation of water from the fuel by allowing particles to further coalesce, for example due to inter-particle forces and interactions, and other forces such as gravity and interaction with other surfaces. In one form, the outer coalescing filter media  252  comprises a multi-layer filter media. 
     In another form, inner filter media stage  254  comprises a water adsorbing, a water separating or a water coalescing media that removes, adsorbs or separates any water droplets that may not flow to the lower surface of gap  294  from the flow of fuel. In addition, inner filter media stage  254  comprises a particulate filtering media capable of removing particulates from the flow of fluid or fuel. As fluid passes through inner filter media stage  254 , the water absorbing media captures the water droplets thereby removing them from the flow of fuel, for example by wicking or by surface flow or by a combination or these and/or other modes. In one form, the outer surface of filter media stage  254  may be coated with or contain a water repellant or may be hydrophobic, which further causes water to move through gap  294  toward the bottom of the filtering element  250 . As such, it should be appreciated that outer filter media stage  252  can cause water droplets to be coalesced out of the fuel stream. 
     The water droplets move toward, a lower surface of filter element  250  and the fuel passes on through inner filter media stage  254 . In another form, the separator may have a hydrophobic outer surface of filter media stage  254  with at least one downstream absorbing layer, such as a layer of filter media containing a water absorbent polymer or like material. In this form, water passing through the hydrophobic outer surface of filter media stage  254  will be adsorbed by the water absorbing layer, causing it to swell and increase the restriction across the filter. When the amount of water and corresponding pressure drop becomes to high, flow to the engine is restricted and the engine ceases to run, thus protecting the engine from the detrimental effects of water. In another form, the in filter media  254  comprises a multi-layer filter media that comprises multiple layers of filtering media combined together to form water separating media  254 . In another form, the inner filter media  254  comprises a multi-layer filter media that comprises multiple layers of filtering media combined together to form water separating media  254  to capture water droplets that pass through the outer filter media stage  252  and gap  294  and coalesce them into larger drops that can be removed by settling or downstream separator  254 . In this case, the outer surface of filter media stage  254  may be hydrophobic to further cause large water droplets to move through gap  294  toward the bottom of the filtering element  250  and be followed by subsequent hydrophobic or hydrophilic layers to enhance coalescence. 
     In yet another representative form, inner filter media stage  254  comprises a coalescing filter media operable to coalesce water that may pass through outer filter media stage  252  and gap  294 . As such, in this form, outer filter media stage  252  and inner filter media stage  254  comprise water coalescing stages or in other words, the filter element  250  includes dual coalescing stages. In other forms, outer filter media stage  252  may include particulate removal filter media and inner filter media stage  254  may include coalescing filter media. The coalesced water will travel downwardly and the fluid or fuel will travel upwardly before entering fluid chamber  281 . As such, clean fluid or fuel free of water will enter fluid chamber  281  to be used downstream. As with the previous forms, both inner and outer filter media stages  252 ,  254  also capture particulates in addition to coalescing water. 
     All of the embodiments disclosed herein may include filter media stages that are operable to coalesce, adsorb water, separate water, and/or capture particulate matter. In particular, outer and inner filter media stages  252 ,  254 , since they have multiple filter media layers, may coalesce water, adsorb the coalesced water, separate water, and capture particulates. Each layer of the filter media stages  252 ,  254  may be designed to perform different functions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a filter  300  is depicted which includes filtering element  250 . The filter  300  includes an outer shell or housing  302  that houses filtering element  250 . An upper portion  304  of shell  302  includes an external seal  306 , a nutplate  308 , and an internal seal  310 . Seals  306 ,  310  and nutplate  308  have a generally cylindrical shape. Internal seal  310  is fixedly secured to an upper surface  312  of upper end plate  256 . Internal seal  310  includes an L-shaped segment  314  that mates with an L-shaped segment  316  of upper end plate  256 . 
     Nutplate  308  includes an internal cylindrically threaded segment  318  that protrudes upwardly from a central axis of a base portion  320 . Threaded segment  318  includes an internally threaded portion  322 . An outer wing portion  324  of nutplate  308  extends upwardly and outwardly from base portion  320  to an internal wall  326  of shell  302 . Shell  302  may comprise a permanent or disposable housing manufactured from various compositions. A flange  328  protrudes upwardly from an end of wing portion  324 . An upper portion  330  of shell  302  wraps around an upper portion of flange  328  to secure shell  302  to flange  328  of wing portion  324 . 
     External seal  306  is connected to an outer upper edge  332  of shell  302  and includes a downwardly extending segment  334  connected with an inner edge  336  of nutplate  308 . The external seal  306  seals filter  300  to a respective externally threaded connector (not illustrated) in the fluid path of fueling system  110 . Inner seal  310  provides a fluid tight seal between end cap  256  and nutplate  308 . 
     Wing portion  324  includes a plurality of apertures  338  that run circumferentially around the wing portion  324 . During operation, fuel enters the outer filtering media stage  252  through apertures  338 . Fuel then proceeds through the outer surface of outer filtering media stage  252 . Fuel then exits outer filter media stage  252  and passes into gap  294  where the water droplets created by the coalescing media to move downwardly while fuel moves upwardly. Fuel then enters inner filter media stage  254  where any remaining water is preferably eliminated from the flow of fuel. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , upper end cap  256  of filter element  250  includes an upper surface  340  having an inside diameter  342  and an outside diameter  344 . An outer edge  346  of upper end cap  256  includes a first flange  348  that protrudes downwardly a predetermined distance from outer edge  346 . The flange  348  secures a portion of an outer edge  350  of the outer filter media stage  252  within first flange  348 . An internal segment  352  of upper end cap  256  extends downwardly from an inside edge  354  of upper end cap  256  to a base portion  356 , preferably to form an internal connection chamber  358 . 
     The internal segment  352  also includes a downwardly extending segment  359  that forms a flange that is secured to outer surface  296  of inner filter media stage  254 . A second flange  360  is located at an inner edge  362  of base portion  356  and extends downwardly from inner edge  362 . Second flange  360  holds upper portion  268  of inner filter media stage  254  in place and is connected with an inside edge  364  of inner filter media stage  254 . Second flange  360  defines an aperture or opening that leads to fluid chamber  281 . Outer flange  348 , downwardly extending  359  segment  353 , and internal flange  360  form U-shaped cradles the same as or similar to those illustrated in connection with lower end cap  258 . The U-shaped cradles are fixedly secured to respective ends of filter media  252 ,  254  as illustrated. Although U-shaped cradles are disclosed in the preferred embodiment, the cradles may have other shapes in other embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , in another form, upper end cap  256  includes an outer flange  400  and an upper surface  426 . Flange  400  is secured to outside surface  401  of outer filter media stage  252 . A base cap member  402  having a cylindrical outer wall  404  and a base  406  are connected to an upper surface  408  of inner filter media stage  254 . Base cap member  402  includes an inner flange  410 , and a lower portion  412  of cylindrical outer wall  404  defines an outer flange  414  that is secured to side  416  of inner filter media stage  254 . Inner flange  410  defines an opening  417  to fluid chamber  281 . 
     An upper cap member  418  having a downwardly extending flange  420 , a mid-section  422  and an upwardly extending flange  424  is connected to an upper surface  426  of upper end cap  256 . Downwardly extending flange  420  extends downwardly from an edge of mid-section  422  and is secured to the inside surface of an upper portion of outer wall  404  of base cap member  402 . Inner end cap member  418  may be connected to upper surface  426  and outer wall  404  of base cap member  402  in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, embedding, potting with adhesive, or sonic or thermal welding, A cylindrical seal  428  is fixedly secured to a lower portion  430  of flange  420  that extends downwardly to base  406  of base cap member  402 . 
     A nutplate  308  is connected with upper flange  424  of upper cap member  418 . A lower portion  434  of outer wing  324  and a lower portion  436  of base  320  are fixedly secured to upper cap member  418 . Upwardly extending flange  424  and base  320  may be connected with inner end cap member  418  in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, embedding, potting with adhesive, or thermal or sonic welding. An outer edge  438  of outer wing  324  is connected with an inner surface  441  of shell  302 . The outer edge  438  positions end cap  256  such that a fluid path  440  is formed between flange  400  and shell  302 . As such, during operation, fuel enters through apertures  338  of nutplate  308  and travels into a fluid chamber  442  where it is directed through fluid path  440  to outer filter media stage  252 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , a lower portion  380  of shell  302  includes a spring  382  that is positioned within an interior space  384  of shell  302 . The spring  382  is connected with an interior surface  386  of shell  302  and a lower surface  388  of lower base portion  390 . The spring  382  applies upward force to lower surface  388  of lower base portion  390  to force end plate  256  against upper cap member  418 , upper cap member  418  against nutplate  308 , and nutplate  308  against curved portion of shell  302 . This further helps fixedly secure all of the respective components or elements together. 
     Referring collectively to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a portion of filtering element  250  set forth in  FIG. 5  is illustrated in further detail. Base cap member  402  is connected with upper surface  408  of inner filtering media stage  254 . Base cap member  402  includes opposing flanges  410 ,  414  that extend downwardly from the outer and inner edge of base portion  406  of base cap member  402 . Base cap member  402  also includes an upwardly extending segment  404  that extends vertically upward from an outer edge  412  of base portion  406 . Flange  414  secures the outer edge of inner filtering media stage  254  to base cap member  402 . Base portion  406 , outer flange  414 , and inner flange  410  form a U-shaped cradle that secures base cap member  402  to the upper portion of inner filtering media stage  254 . 
     Upwardly extending segment  404  of base cap member  402  defines a cylindrical upper chamber  443 . Inner flange  410  of base cap member  402  defines a cylindrical lower opening  417 . Base cap member  402  also includes a plurality of oval shaped apertures  445  located near an upper edge  447  of upwardly extending segment  404 . As set forth below, potting material or adhesive may be placed in and around apertures  445  to secure base cap member  402  to the outer edge of outer filter media stage  252 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a portion of filtering element  250  set forth in  FIGS. 6 and 7  is illustrated positioned within a portion of a filter  550 . As illustrated, an interior portion  552  of base cap member  402  has been covered with a layer of potting material  554 . Potting material  554  creates a fluid tight seal between base cap member  402  and upper cap member  418  of filter  550 . A second layer of potting material  556  may be used to seal an inner junction  556  wherein the inner end plate member  418  connects with the lower surface of nutplate  324 . A fluid supply tube  560  is illustrated positioned through opening  417  in base cap member  402  and protruding down into fluid chamber  281 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a filtering element  250  is illustrated. Filtering element  250  includes an inner filtering media stage  600  and an outer filtering media stage  602  radially spaced outwardly from inner filtering media stage  600 . As previously set forth, outer filter media stage  602  is formed from a material that is capable of coalescing free water and emulsified water contained in a flow of fuel or fluid. Inner filter media stage  600  is formed from a water separating media that is capable of separating water from the flow of fuel so that water does not flow downstream where it is utilized. In addition, outer filter media stage  602  and inner filter media stage  600  are capable of removing or capturing unwanted particulates from the flow of fuel or fluid. 
     In other forms, inner filter media stage  600  is formed from a material that is capable of coalescing free water and emulsified water contained in a flow of fuel or fluid. As such, both outer filter media stage  602  and inner filter media stage  600  may comprise coalescing filter media. As such, in this form, filter element  250  has two filter stages operable to coalesce water. In another representative form, outer filter media stage  602  includes particulate filter media and inner filter media stage  600  includes coalescing filter media. Inner filter media stage  600  and outer filter media stage  602  also capture unwanted particulates from the flow of fluid or fuel. 
     Inner filter media stage  600  extends between a first lower end cap  604  and an upper end plate  606 . First lower end cap  604  includes a pair of opposing flanges  608  that extend upwardly from a base portion  610  of first lower end cap  604 . Flanges  608  and base portion  610  form a U-shaped engagement member  612  that is secured to a lower portion  614  of inner filter media stage  600 . Inner filter media stage  600  may be secured in U-shaped engagement member  612  and to a lower surface  616  of upper end plate  606  by several attachment methods including, but not limited to, embedding, potting with adhesive, and sonic or thermal welding. Although U-shaped engagement members  612  are disclosed herein, it is envisioned that engagement members  612  may have other shapes in other embodiments. 
     Outer filter media stage  602  extends between a second lower end cap  618  and upper end cap  606 . Second lower end cap  618  includes a pair of opposing flanges  620  that extend upwardly from a base portion  622  of second lower end cap  618 . Flanges  620  and base portion  622  form a U-shaped engagement member  624  that is secured to a lower portion  626  of outer filter media stage  602 . Outer filter media stage  602  may be secured in U-shaped engagement member  624  and to lower surface  616  of upper end plate  606  by several attachment methods including, but not limited to, embedding, potting with adhesive, and welding. 
     Outer filter media stage  602  has a length greater than that of inner filter media stage  600 . The difference in lengths forms a gap  605  between a lower surface  601  of inner filter media stage  600  and a lower surface  603  of the outer filter media stage  602 . Horizontal or radial gap  652  is present between outer edge  650  of inner filter media stage  600  and an inner edge  654  of outer filter media stage  602 . Horizontal gap  652  allows water that has coalesced in outer filter media stage  602  to travel downwardly once the water droplets formed by outer filter media stage  602  exits outer filter media stage  602 . 
     Although not illustrated, filtering element  250  can be positioned in a shell  302  that includes a nutplate  324  similar to that disclosed in previous embodiments. Lower end plate  606  includes a flange  628  that extends upwardly from a base portion  630  of lower end plate  606 . A portion of an outer edge  632  of outer filter media stage  602  is connected with flange  628  of lower end plate  606 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a cross-sectional view of another representative filter element  700  is illustrated. As in the previous embodiments, filter element  700  includes an inner filter media stage  702  and an outer filter media stage  704 . Outer filter media stage  704  coalesces water so that the water forms larger water droplets and inner filter media stage  702  separates out any water that remains after leaving outer filter media stage  704 . As previously set forth, water droplets that exit filter media stage  704  travel downwardly toward a lower surface  706  of filter element  700 . Any water droplets that do not make it to lower surface area  706  of filter element  700  enter inner filter media stage  702  which removes them from the flow of fuel. In addition, inner filter media stage  702  and outer filter media stage  704  remove unwanted particulates from the flow of fluid. 
     Filter element  700  includes an upper end plate or cap  708  and a lower end plate or cap  710 . Upper end plate  708  comprises an upper cap segment  712  and a lower cap segment  714 . Upper cap segment  712  is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a circular shaped male connection member  716  that protrudes downwardly from a lower surface  718  of upper cap segment  712 . Lower cap segment  714  is also generally cylindrical in shape and has a smaller diameter than upper cap segment  712 . Lower cap segment  714  includes a circular shaped female connection member  720  that protrudes downwardly from a lower surface  722  of lower cap segment  714 . Male connection member  716  of upper cap segment  712  is fixedly secured within female connection member  720  of lower cap segment  714 . 
     Upper portion  724  of inner filter media stage  702  is connected with lower surface  718  of upper cap segment  712 . An upper portion  726  of outer filter media stage  704  is connected with lower surface  722  of lower cap segment  714 . Filter media stages  702 ,  704  may be connected with upper and lower cap segments  712 ,  714  in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, embedding, potting with adhesive, or sonic or thermal welding. 
     Lower end plate  710  may comprise a unitary piece that includes a first U-shaped cradle  728  and a second U-shaped cradle  730 . First U-shaped cradle  728  is used to secure a lower portion  732  of outer filter media stage  704  to lower end plate  710 . Second U-shaped cradle  728  is used to secure a lower portion  734  of inner filter media stage  702  to lower end plate  710 . First U-shaped cradle  728  includes an outer flange  736  that protrudes upwardly from a base portion  738  of lower end plate  710 . A second flange  740  protrudes upwardly from approximately the mid-section of lower end plate  710 . The first and second U-shaped cradles  728 ,  730  share second flange  740 . Although U-shaped cradles are disclosed herein, other shaped cradles are envisioned. 
     Third flange  742  protrudes upwardly from a second base portion  744  of second U-shaped cradle  730 . Third flange  742  forms an opening  746  in lower end plate  710  such that a fluid transfer tube  560  (for example as shown in  FIG. 8 ) may be inserted into an interior space  748  defined by inner filter media stage  702 . Seal  750  is fixedly secured to an outside portion of third flange  742  and a lower portion  752  of second base portion  744 . Seal  750  provides a fluid tight seal between filter segment  700  and fluid transfer tube  560 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , to assist in water separation in fluid applications, inner filter media stage  702  has a first length (“L 1 ”) and outer filter media stage  704  has a second length (“L 2 ”) which is longer than first length L 1 . The difference between the first length L 1  and the second length L 2  forms a vertical gap  754  between the bottom of inner filter media stage  702  and the bottom of outer filter media stage  704 . A variety of different gap sizes are contemplated. A horizontal space or gap  756  is provided between inner filter media stage  702  and outer filter media stage  704 . The second flange  740  of lower end plate  710  may include a plurality of openings  758  that allow water to flow out of the bottom surface of filtering element  700  through lower end plate  710 . 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.