Patent ID: 8727134

Claim:
A sealing arrangement of a filter system for filtering fluids, comprising: a filter element ( 14 ); an end plate ( 20 ) having a flange-sided end plate opening ( 18 ), said end plate ( 20 ) arranged on an axial end of said filter element ( 14 ), said end plate ( 20 ) further including a central tube ( 16 ) extending through said flange-sided end plate opening ( 18 ); a seal ring ( 26 ) including a central section ( 58 ) connected to said tubular receiving collar ( 56 ) of end plate ( 20 ); elastic sealing sections ( 60 , 62 ) extending axially outwards at opposing sides of said central section ( 58 ), said elastic sealing sections elastically defect in a radial direction relative to said central tube ( 16 ), said elastic sealing sections causing a reduction each of an inner diameter of said sealing ring ( 26 ) compared with said central section ( 58 ) of said seal ring ( 26 ); wherein said elastic sealing sections ( 60 , 62 ) are freely flexible and bend away from said central section ( 58 ); wherein said elastic sealing sections ( 60 , 62 ) sealably press in a radial direction against an exterior wall of said central tube ( 16 ), sealing radially between said central tube ( 16 ) and said end plate ( 20 ); wherein a sealing force pressing said elastic sealing sections against said central tube ( 16 ) is augmented by prevailing fluid pressures acting on said elastic sealing sections a recess ( 36 ) formed between, surrounded and enclosed by said exterior wall of said central tube ( 16 ) and said seal ring ( 26 ), said recess ( 36 ) extending on said exterior wall of said central tube ( 16 ) in a circumferential direction, said recess arranged axially between said elastic sealing sections ( 60 , 62 ) of said seal ring ( 26 ); a fluid return duct ( 32 ) arranged radially within said central tube ( 16 ) and extending axially within said central tube ( 16 ); a drain channel ( 34 ) arranged within said central tube ( 16 ) and extending traversely relative to the axially extending fluid return duct ( 32 ) of the central tube ( 16 ); said drain channel ( 34 ) having a first end opening through the exterior wall of said central tube ( 16 ) into said recess ( 36 ); said drain channel ( 34 ) connected within said central tube ( 16 ) to said fluid return duct ( 32 ) to drain fluid from said recess ( 36 ) to said fluid return duct ( 32 ) within said central tube; wherein said first end of said drain channel opens through said exterior wall of said central tube ( 16 ) at a position radially under said seal ring ( 26 ) and sealably closed by said seal ring ( 26 ).