Patent ID: 8715493

Claim:
A filter arrangement for filtering liquids, the filter arrangement comprising: a filter housing; an elongated central tube arranged in said housing; a first filter element disposed onto said central tube within said housing, wherein said central tube extends into an open interior of said first filter element, wherein said first filter element is flowed through in radial direction outwardly wherein said first filter element is moveable along and slideable along said central tube so as to be movable from a basic position on said central tube into a different extended position on said central tube; a second filter element disposed on said central tube with said housing, said central tube extending through an open interior of said second filter element and extending through opposing end caps of said second filter element, wherein said second filter element is arranged downstream of said first filter element, wherein said second filter element is flowed through in radial direction inwardly; an inlet line supplying a liquid to be filtered to an interior of said first filter element; a spring element applying a force acting on said first filter element; wherein when said first filter element is in said basic position, said liquid is confined to flow from said inlet line through said first filter element to a clean side of said first filter element, wherein when said first filter element moves along said central tube to said extended position, said movement to said extended position opens a liquid bypass defined by and extending between said central tube and said first filter element, said bypass enabling liquid to flow from said inlet line and through said bypass to said clean side of said first filter element, wherein said spring element applies a restoring force in a direction of extension of said central tube, and wherein said spring element is arranged on a side of said first filter element that is facing away from said second filter element.