Patent ID: 7543711

Claim:
A component of a filter element that engages a head and projects through one or more openings of a locking member of a flow control valve, comprising: a center tube defined by a substantially cylindrical side portion, wherein the substantially cylindrical side portion defines an inner axial fluid flow passage, and a plurality of radial fluid passages, an end wall formed integrally with said substantially cylindrical side portion, wherein said end wall defines an axial bypass opening, a circumferential flange extending axially from said end wall within said inner axial fluid flow passage, and at least one flow control valve actuator pin extending axially from said end wall within said inner axial fluid flow passage, wherein said at least one flow control valve actuator pin engages said head and projects through said one or more openings of said locking member of said flow control valve, wherein said circumferential flange extends axially into said inner axial fluid flow passage to a distance axially beyond the axial distance that the at least one flow control valve actuator pin extends.