Abstract:
A multi-component end cap is provided. The multiple components combine to form one or more seal carriers where each seal carrier is formed in part by at least two different ones of the components. Methods of manufacturing an end cap having multiple components are also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/749,028, filed Jan. 4, 2013, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to filter elements and filter assemblies for filtering fluids. This invention also generally relates to methods of making filter elements. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is necessary to remove particulates and impurities from fluids for many devices such as from fuel or air supplied to an engine or hydraulic fluid that is used in a transmission of a vehicle. Accordingly, the many devices will typically include a filter apparatus for removing particulate matter from the fluid before it is supplied to the downstream device or to clean the fluid for recirculation and reuse in the system. 
         [0004]    Such filters typically include a filter element for trapping the particulate matter in a media. The element is configured so that it can be removed and replaced periodically as it becomes plugged with particulate matter. In order to allow for removal and replacement of the element, it is often mounted inside of a filter housing, which is in turn attached to a filter head having an inlet and an outlet port adapted for attachment of fluid lines directing fluid in to and away from the filter system. 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to improvements in filter elements and the manufacture of filter elements. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a new and improved end cap for a filter element as well as a filter element including such an end cap. Embodiments of the invention provide a new and improved method of manufacturing an end cap as well as a filter element incorporating the end cap. 
         [0007]    In a particular embodiment, an end cap for a filter element including a first annular component, a second annular component, an outer seal and an outer seal carrier is provided. The second annular component is secured to the first component. The first and second annular components define a radially directed flow path therebetween when assembled together. The outer seal defines a radially outward directed sealing surface and a secondary sealing surface. The secondary sealing surface can seal with a filter housing. The outer seal carrier is defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the second annular component. The outer seal carrier axially secures the outer seal therein and is configured to expose the radially outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal. The outer seal carrier defines a first sealing surface. The secondary sealing surface of the outer seal sealingly contacting the first sealing surface of the outer seal carrier. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal extends radially outward further than the second annular component. The outward directed sealing surface may provide the radially outermost extremity of the end cap. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the second sealing surface of the outer seal carrier is provided by the first annular component. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the first and second annular components are ultrasonically welded to one another. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the end cap further includes at least one axially extending lock detent extending axially outward from a top side of the first annular component. The end cap further includes, at least one housing key configured to secure the second annular component to a filter housing and prevent angular rotation between the second annular component and the filter housing. The filter element also includes a clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components to angularly locate the at least one axially extending lock detent relative to the at least one housing key. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the end cap further includes at least one radially outward extending ejection tab secured to the first annular component. The clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components angularly locates the at least one radially outward extending ejection tab relative to the at least one housing key during assembly. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the clocking arrangement is positioned radially inward of the outer seal carrier. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the outer seal carrier is a groove that has a mouth that opens in a radially outward directed direction. The groove is formed by an axially extending flange and a radially outward extending flange of the first annular component and a radially outward extending flange of the second annular component. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the radially outward extending flange or the axially extending flange of the first annular component provides the first sealing surface. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component is an annular flange having a first inner diameter. The axially extending flange of the first annular component is axially received within the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the axially extending flange of the first annular component includes a stepped region defining an axial abutment. The radially outward extending flange of the second annular component axially abuts the axial abutment. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the first annular component includes a first central aperture bound or surrounded by an annular disk portion. The second annular component includes a second central aperture bound/surrounded by an annular disk portion. The radially directed flow path being formed between the annular disk portions of the first and second annular components. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the outer seal carrier is formed in part between a radially outward extending flange of the first annular component and a radially outward extending flange of the second annular component. The outer seal carrier has a mouth that opens in a radially outward directed direction. The second annular component defines at least one flow passage between the annular disk portion thereof and the radially outward extending flange. The at least one flow passage is in fluid communication with the radially directed flow path defined between the annular disk portions of the first and second annular components. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the radially outward extending flange of the second annular component is attached to the annular disk portion of the second annular component by a plurality of angularly spaced webs. The webs, the radially outward extending flange, and the annular disk portion define the at least one flow passage. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the outer seal carrier is formed in part between a radially outward extending flange of the first annular component and a radially outward extending flange of the second annular component. The outer seal carrier has a mouth that opens in a radially outward directed direction to allow for insertion of the outer seal. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the end cap further includes an inner seal defining a radially inward directed sealing surface and a secondary sealing surface. A spacer is positioned between the first and second annular components. An inner seal carrier is defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the spacer. The inner seal carrier axially secures the inner seal therein and is configured to expose the radially inward directed sealing surface of the inner seal such that it can engage a radially outward directed sealing surface of a filter head. The inner seal carrier defines a secondary sealing surface. The secondary sealing surface of the inner seal sealingly contacting the second sealing surface of the inner seal carrier. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the spacer includes an annular body and a plurality of angularly spaced apart standoffs that extend radially outward and axially therefrom. The standoffs are axially positioned between the first and second components and separate the first annular component from the second annular component. The first annular component, second annular component and standoffs define at least one flow passage therebetween in fluid communication with the radially directed flow path formed between the first and second annular components. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the inner seal carrier is formed in part between a radially inward extending flange of the first annular component and an axial distal end of the spacer. The inner seal carrier has a mouth that opens in a radially inward directed direction to allow for insertion of the inner seal. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, a filter arrangement is provided. The filter arrangement includes an end cap, filter media and a housing. The end cap includes a first annular component, a second annular component, an outer seal and an outer seal carrier. The second annular component is secured to the first component. The first and second annular components define a radially directed flow path therebetween. The outer seal defines a radially outward directed sealing surface and a secondary sealing surface. The outer seal carrier is defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the second annular component. The outer seal carrier axially secures the outer seal therein and is configured to expose the radially outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal. The outer seal carrier defines a first sealing surface. The secondary sealing surface of the outer seal sealingly contacts the first sealing surface of the outer seal carrier. The filter media is secured to an inner side of the second annular component. The housing has an annular sidewall defining an open end and a central cavity. The sidewall defines a third sealing surface that is radially inwardly directed. The radially outward directed sealing surface of the outer seal sealingly contacting the third sealing surface. The filter media being positioned within the central cavity of the housing. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the housing includes a radially outward extending thread and a key receiving groove formed in a radially inner side of the annular sidewall. The end cap further includes at least one axially extending lock detent extending axially outward from a top side of the first annular component; at least one housing key provided by the second annular component, the at least one housing key configured to engage the key receiving groove and prevent angular rotation between the second annular component and the filter housing; and a clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components to angularly locate the at least one axially extending lock detent relative to the at least one housing key, and prevent rotation of the at least one axially extending lock detent relative to the at least one housing key. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the housing includes a radially outward extending thread and a key receiving groove formed in a radially inner side of the annular sidewall. The end cap further includes at least one radially outward extending ejection tab secured to the first annular component. The end cap further includes at least one housing key provided by the second annular component. The at least one housing key is configured to engage the key receiving groove and prevent angular rotation between the second annular component and the filter housing. The end cap further includes a clocking arrangement between the first and second annular components to angularly locate the at least one radially outward extending ejection tab relative to the at least one housing key during assembly. The clocking arrangement prevents rotation of the at least one radially extending ejection tab relative to the at least one housing key and radially outward extending ejection tab during rotation of the housing. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, a method of forming an end cap for a filter element where the end cap provides a radially directed flow path through the end cap is provided. The method includes forming a first annular component; forming a second annular component that is separate and independent of the first annular component; and securing the second annular component to the first annular component such that the radially directed flow path is formed between the first and second annular components. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the step of securing the second annular component to the first annular component includes forming an outer seal carrier. The outer seal carrier is defined in part by the first annular component and in part by the second annular component. The outer seal carrier defines a first sealing surface configured to cooperate with a seal. 
         [0030]    Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional illustration of a filter element inserted into a filter housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional illustration of the first end cap of the filter element of  FIG. 1  with the seals removed therefrom; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is an exploded top illustration of the end cap of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is an exploded bottom illustration of the end cap of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is an exploded illustration of a filter head, filter element and filter housing formed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is an exploded cross-sectional illustration of the end cap of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective cross-sectional illustration of the end cap of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0039]    While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional illustration of a filter element  100  positioned within a central cavity of filter housing  102  (also referred to as “a filter bowl”). The filter element  100  generally includes a first end cap  104 , a second end cap  106  and filter media  108  extending axially between the first and second end caps  104 ,  106 . 
         [0041]    The filter element  100  is a disposable filter element that is configured to be removed from housing  102  when the filter media  108  of the filter element  100  is spent and needs replacement. The filter housing  102  is a reusable component that axially receives the filter element  100 . The filter element is a unitary component that is removable from filter housing  102  as a complete component. 
         [0042]    The filter housing  102  defines a radially inward directed sealing surface  110  that cooperates with an outer seal  112 . The outer seal  112  provides a radially outward directed seal that cooperates with the radially inward directed sealing surface  110  of the filter housing  102 . 
         [0043]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the outer seal  112  is carried by the first end cap  104  and particularly in an outer seal carrier  114  of the first end cap  104 . The outer seal carrier  114  is a channel formed between a first annular component  116  and a second annular component  118  of the first end cap  104 . The channel forming the outer seal carrier  114  has a radially outwardly directed mouth that receives outer seal  112  radially inward to mount the outer seal  112 . The outer seal carrier  114  is formed in part by the first annular component  116  and in part by the second annular component  118 . More particularly, the first annular component  116  includes a radially outward extending flange  122  and an axially extending flange  124  that form an L- or stepped-shape that form one side and a bottom of the outer seal carrier  114 . The second annular component  118  includes a radially outward extending flange  128  that is axially spaced away from radially outward extending flange  122 . 
         [0044]    The first annular component  116  is axially received into the inner diameter of the radially outward extending flange  128  which is an annular flange. The first annular component  116  includes a stepped region  130  forming an abutment  131  proximate or formed by the axially extending flange  124 . A top surface  132  of the radially outward extending flange  128  of the second annular component  118  axially abuts the abutment  131  of the stepped region when assembled. 
         [0045]    The outer seal carrier  114  defines a seal surface that cooperates with a corresponding sealing surface of outer seal  112  to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. The sealing surface is provided by the first annular component  116  in this embodiment. The sealing surface can be provided by an axially inner surface  134  of flange  122  and/or a radially outward facing surface  136  of flange  124 . In alternative embodiments where the portion of the outer seal carrier  114  provided by the second annular component  118  is fluidly sealed to the portion of the outer seal carrier  114  provided by the first annular component  116 , the sealing surface of the outer seal carrier  114  could be provided by the axially facing abutment surface  132  of flange  128 . 
         [0046]    By providing the two radially outward extending flanges  122 ,  128  by different components, the molding of the end cap  104  can be more easily performed as there are no or reduced undercuts present in the mold of the components. 
         [0047]    The outer seal carrier  114  and the structures that form the outer seal carrier  114  generally define an outer rim portion of the first end cap  104 . 
         [0048]    The axially extending flange  124  is continuous and is not fluid permeable, such as permeable to the fluid that is intended to be filtered by the filter element  100 . The axially extending flange  124  connects the radially extending flange  122  with an impermeable disk portion  138 . 
         [0049]    The end cap  104  is designed to provide a radially directed fluid flow path  140  (illustrated by arrow  142 ) between the first and second annular components  116 ,  118 . The second annular component  118  includes an impermeable disk portion  144  that is axially offset from the impermeable disk portion  138  of the first annular component  116  to define the radially directed fluid flow path  140 . 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , so that the fluid can exit or enter the fluid flow path  140 , the radially outward extending flange  128  is attached to the impermeable disk portion  144  by one or more webs in the form of flanges  146 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of flanges  146  is provided that are angularly spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis of the filter element  100 . These flanges  146 , radially outward extending flange  128  and the impermeable disk portion  144  of the second annular component  118  define flow passage or opening  150  that allows fluid to pass therethrough. Flanges  146  are L-shaped in the instant embodiment. However, they could merely be axially extending or could even be radially extending in other embodiments. 
         [0051]    The first annular component  116  includes a plurality of axially extending standoffs  152  that have distal ends  154  that axially abut a radially extending portion of flange  146 . These standoffs  152  help axially space the impermeable disk portions  138 ,  144  from one another proximate the outer radially perimeters thereof, i.e. proximate the rim portion of the first end cap  104 . 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, the first annular component  116  is secured to the second annular component  118  by ultrasonic welding. To improve the weld between the two components  116 ,  118 , the axially inner surface  163  of impermeable disk portion  138  includes a plurality of weld ribs  164  (see  FIG. 3 ). The axially outer surface  166  of impermeable disk portion  144  includes a plurality of weld ribs  168  (see  FIG. 4 ) that cooperate with weld ribs  164  of the first annular component  116 . The weld ribs  168  are radially spaced forming receiving slots therebetween for receipt of weld ribs  164 . Similarly, weld ribs  164  are radially spaced apart forming receiving slots therebetween for receiving weld ribs  168 . In some embodiments, the standoffs  152  discussed above are not ultrasonically welded to flanges  146  so that they do not melt and maintain the appropriate axial offset between the first and second annular components  116 ,  118  during manufacture. 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an inner seal  170  is also carried by the first end cap  104 . This inner seal  170  defines a radially inward directed sealing surface that will cooperate with a radially outward directed sealing surface of a filter head  171  (see  FIG. 5  for the filter head) to which the filter element  100  and filter housing  102  are attached in operation. The first end cap  104  defines an inner seal carrier  172  (see also  FIG. 2 ) for mounting the inner seal  170 . 
         [0054]    The inner seal carrier  170  is similar to the outer seal carrier  114  in that it is a channel formed axially between two separate components of the first end cap  104  that are formed separate from one another prior to assembly of the first end cap  104 . This channel includes a radially inward directed mouth for receiving the inner seal  170 . 
         [0055]    With primary reference to  FIG. 2 , in the illustrated embodiment, first end cap  104  includes an axial spacer  174  that is formed separately from the first and second annular components  116 ,  118 . The axial spacer  174  is secured axially between the first and second annular components  116 ,  118 . The axial spacer  174  has multiple functions. First, the axial spacer defines part of the inner seal carrier  172 . Additionally, the axial spacer  174  maintains axial spacing between the impermeable disk portions  138 ,  144  proximate the inner peripheries of the first and second annular components  116 ,  118 . 
         [0056]    The first annular component  116  includes a radially inward extending flange  176  and an axially extending flange  178  that form an L- or stepped-shape that form one side and a bottom (in a radially outward direction) of the inner seal carrier  172 . The axial spacer  174  includes a radially inward extending flange  180  that is axially spaced away from radially inward extending flange  176  that forms the other side of the inner seal carrier  172 . The radially inward extending flange  180  extends from an annular body portion  181 . 
         [0057]    The axial spacer  174  is axially received into the inner diameter of the axially extending flange  178 , which is an annular flange. 
         [0058]    The inner seal carrier  172  defines a seal surface that cooperates with a corresponding sealing surface of inner seal  170  to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. The sealing surface is provided by the first annular component  116  in this embodiment. The sealing surface can be provided by an axially inner surface  182  of flange  176  and/or a radially inward facing surface  184  of flange  124 . In alternative embodiments where the portion of the inner seal carrier  172  provided by the axial spacer  174  is fluidly sealed to the portion of the inner seal carrier  172  provided by the first annular component  116 , the sealing surface of the inner seal carrier  172  could be provided by an axially outward facing end surface  186  of flange  180 . 
         [0059]    By providing the two radially outward extending flanges  176 ,  180  by different components, the molding of the end cap  104  can be more easily performed as there are no or reduced undercuts present in the mold of the components. 
         [0060]    The inner seal carrier  172  and the structures that form the inner seal carrier  172  generally define an inner hub portion of the first end cap  104 . 
         [0061]    The axially extending flange  178  is continuous and is not fluid permeable. The axially extending flange  178  connects the radially extending flange  176  with the impermeable disk portion  138 . 
         [0062]    The axial spacer  174  includes a plurality of radially extending standoffs  188  that are angularly spaced apart. The standoffs  188  extend axially away from a bottom end of annular body portion  181  (see e.g.  FIG. 3 ). These standoffs  188  are positioned axially between the disk portions  138 ,  144  to maintain the axial spacing between the first and second annular components  116 ,  118 . These standoffs also provide fluid flow passages  190 , in combination with the first and second annular components  116 ,  118 , that allow fluid to enter or exit the fluid flow path  140  formed between the impermeable disk portions  138 ,  144 . By providing the axial spacer  174  as a separate component, these additional axial undercuts provided by the radially extending flow passages  190 . 
         [0063]    The inner seal  170  is positioned adjacent a central aperture  192  of the first annular component  116 . The central aperture  192  is sized to receive one or more portions of the filter head  171  to which the filter element  100  is configured to be mounted. Central aperture  192  is provided by a radially inner peripheral edge  193  of the first annular component  116  (See e.g.  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), and particularly radially extending flange  176 . The second annular component  118  defines a second central aperture  194  through which a second portion of a filter head  171  will extend. The second central aperture  194  is provided by an inner peripheral edge  196  of impermeable disk portion  144 . A further inner seal  198  may be carried on this inner peripheral edge  196 . The fluid flow path  140  will pass between inner seal  170  and inner seal  198  during operation. 
         [0064]    As mentioned above, the filter element  100  is intended to be mounted within a reusable filter housing  102 . With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 , the filter element  100  includes a plurality of ejection tabs  200  that axially engage a corresponding portion of the filter head  171  to which the filter element  100  and filter housing  102  are mounted during operation. These ejection tabs  200  have a radially outward extending catch portion  202  that will axially abut/engage a corresponding structure, typically a radially inward extending flange/shelf, of the filter head  171  as the filter housing  102  and filter element  100  are being axially disconnected from the filter head  171 . This abutting/engaging action will axially pull the filter element  100  from its sealing engagement with filter housing  102  to make it easier to remove the filter element  100  during maintenance operations. More particularly, outer seal  112  will be disengaged or have reduced engagement with sealing surface  110 . More information regarding such an ejection tab is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/360,181, entitled Filter Apparatus with Ejection Arrangement, filed Jan. 27, 2012 and now published as U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013-0193054-A1 on Aug. 1, 2013, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto. 
         [0065]    For the operation of the ejection tabs  200  to work in some embodiments, the ejection tabs  200  must be properly angularly aligned with mounting threads  204  of the filter housing  102  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0066]    The filter head  171  may also include an axially spring biased torsion lock arrangement  205  that will lockingly engage the filter element  100  to a filter head  171 . This feature is also illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/360, 181, as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/139,734, entitled Filter Element and Filter Assembly Including Locking Mechanism, filed Jun. 16, 2008 and now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,669 on Nov. 15, 2011, assigned to the assignee of the instant application, the teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto. 
         [0067]    The first end cap  104 , and particularly, the first annular component  116 , includes a plurality of axially outward extending torsion lock detents  210  that extend radially between the axially extending flange portions  124 ,  178 . These torsion lock detents  210  are basically axially outward extending ribs that are generally radially elongated. 
         [0068]    For the operation of the torsion lock arrangement  205  to work in some embodiments, the torsion lock detents  210  must be properly angularly aligned with mounting threads  204  of the filter housing  102 . 
         [0069]    The first end cap  104  includes one or more housing keys  220  (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) that cooperate with corresponding key receiving slots  222  formed in a sidewall  224  of housing  102 . These housing keys  220  will rotationally lock the filter element and particularly the first end cap  104  to the filter housing  102 . As such, when the filter housing  102  is rotated to mount the filter housing  102  and filter element  100  to the filter head  171  using threads  204 , the filter element  100  will also be rotated about its longitudinal axis  226 . Thus, engagement between the housing keys  220  and grooves/slots  222  will prevent relative angular rotation between filter element  100  and the filter housing  102 . 
         [0070]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the housing keys  220  are provided by the second annular component  118 . However, the torsion lock detents  210  and the ejection tabs  200  are provided by the first annular component  116 . Therefore, the first end cap  104  includes a clocking feature for properly angularly aligning the first and second annular components  116 ,  118  during assembly. More particularly, the clocking feature angularly aligns the housing keys  220  with the torsion lock detents  210  and the ejection tabs  200 . As such, when the filter element  100  is inserted into the filter housing  102  with housing keys  220  inserted into key receiving slots  222 , the torsion lock detents  210  and ejection tabs  200  are properly angularly aligned with threads  204  of housing  102 . 
         [0071]    In the illustrated embodiment, the clocking feature is provided by a pair of radially inward extending projections  230  that extend radially inward from a flange  146  of the second annular component  118  and a receiving groove or recess  232  formed in standoffs  152  of the first annular component  116 . If the first and second annular components  116 ,  118  are not properly aligned during assembly, the standoffs  152  that do not include grooves  232  will axially abut projections  230  such that the first and second annular components  116 ,  118  will not properly axially nest, indicating that that the components  116 ,  118  are not properly aligned. 
         [0072]    The housing keys  220  are positioned radially inward of the outermost sealing surface of the outer seal  112  so that the housing keys  220  can slide axially past the radially inward directed sealing surface  110  of the filter housing  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer seal  112  provides the radially outer most extremity of the filter element  100 . 
         [0073]    The filter media  108  is sealingly attached to an axially inner side or surface of the impermeable disk portion  144  of the second annular component  118 . The filter media  108  can take many forms and could, for example, be fluted filter media, pleated filter media, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter media  108  is a tube of filter media that surrounds the longitudinal axis  226  of the filter element  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). The terms “axial” and “radial” are based off of this longitudinal axis unless otherwise specified. This longitudinal axis  226  extends between the first and second end caps  104 ,  106  of the filter element  100 . 
         [0074]    The filter media  108  may be adhesively attached to the first end cap  104  or could be embedded into the axially inner side thereof. Other means of securing the filter media to the first end cap  104  can also be used. 
         [0075]    The second end cap  106  is a closed end cap that closes the opposite end of the filter media  108  that is attached to the first end cap  104 . The second end cap  106  can be attached to the filter media  108  in the same way as the first end cap  104 . By closing the filter media  108 , fluid is forced to pass through the filter media  108  so as to be filtered. The filter element  100  could be configured for a radially inward or radially outward directed fluid flow. 
         [0076]    During manufacture of the filter element  100 , the individual components of the first end cap  104  will be formed as separate components. Namely, the first annular component  116 , second annular component  118  and axial spacer  174  will be formed as separate individual components. These components will then subsequently be secured to form a complete end cap. 
         [0077]    The first annular component  116  including its impermeable or imperforate disk portion  138  and its portions of the inner and outer seal carriers  114 ,  172  are all formed as a single piece. As used herein a single piece shall not be construed to be plurality of separate pieces that are subsequently attached to one another. For instance, a single piece would be formed using a single mold or being machined from a continuous piece of material. Similarly, the second annular component  118  including its impermeable or imperforate disk portion  144  and its portions of the inner and outer seal carriers  114 ,  172  are all formed as a single piece. These single pieces are subsequently secured to one another. 
         [0078]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0079]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0080]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.