Patent ID: 7481863

Claim:
An axial flow filter element for a fluid stream comprising alternating flat and pleated layers of fluid-permeable filter media which form parallel channels with an open cross section extending from one axial end face of the filter element to the other, a first group of said channels being sealed at one end and a second group of said channels surrounding the individual channels of the first group being sealed at the other end such that a fluid to be filtered entering the filter element through one axial end face must pass though a layer of the filter media to traverse the filter element and exit through the other axial end face; a peripheral seal for sealing an inflow side of the filter element from a discharge side in a filter housing, and a support body arranged in the filter element surrounded by the channels and extending axially to at least one end face of the filter element, wherein at least one end face of the filter element is provided with at least one spacer for maintaining the end face of the filter element spaced a distance from a support surface such that direct contact between the end face and the support surface is prevented.