Patent ID: 8114285

Claim:
A filter element, comprising a first ring of filtration media having a first end and a second end and circumscribing a central cavity; a second ring of filter media having a first and a second end, nested within said first ring; an annular support frame between the rings and defining a first flow path between the rings; a first end cap including first and second end cap portions sealingly bonded to the first end of both media rings, respectively, the first end cap including a first vent orifice and a central opening to the central cavity, with the first vent orifice being radially outwardly spaced from the first central opening, and a collection chamber between the end cap portions in fluid communication with the first flow path from between the rings, and in fluid communication with the first central opening into the central cavity; a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of both media rings, the second end cap having an annular body portion defining a second central opening; an imperforate support core disposed in the central cavity internal of the second media ring between the first and second end caps and supporting an inner dimension of the second media ring, the support core fluidly separating the second media ring and the central cavity; a fluid drain passage in the support core extending from a first end in fluid communication with the first vent orifice, to a second end, the fluid passage being separate and independent of the first flow path; and an annular resilient sealing device carried by the second end cap and bounding the central opening therein, the sealing device including a first through passage fluidly interconnecting the second end of the fluid drain passage with the second central opening in the second end cap, and a second through-passage fluidly interconnecting an inner media surface of the second media ring with the second central opening in the second end cap.