Patent ID: 6959819

Claim:
A filter assembly comprising: a head including a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, and a first annular wall unitary with said head and extending axially and concentric with the center/longitudinal axis of the filter assembly, wherein a lower end surface of the first annular wall includes a knife-edge that matingly engages an upper end cap of a filter element to form a fluid-tight seal; a bowl having an open end defining a hollow interior and a semi-closed base opposite to said open end, said bowl further including a second annular wall unitary with said bowl and extending axially into the hollow interior from said semi-closed base toward said open end, said second annular wall defining an opening in the semi-closed base and having an upper end surface that matingly engages a lower end cap of the filter element to form a fluid-tight seal; and a center tube assembly (CTA) having a base in opposing relation to a threaded top portion, said CTA including a central flow passage and a plurality of fluid flow perforations, and a radial seal for defining a friction interfit that sealingly engages a radially outer surface of said CTA and a radially inner surface of said second annular wall when said CTA is inserted through said opening in the semi-closed base of said bowl, wherein said CTA extends through a hollow center portion of the filtering element and threadedly attaches to the head forming a fluid-tight connection with the fluid outlet, to secure the CTA, the filtering element, and the bowl to the head.