Patent ID: 7407058

Claim:
A filter element for filtering fluids, comprising: outer, middle and inner filter units arranged concentrically about a longitudinal axis; outer, middle and inner support elements arranged concentrically about said longitudinal axis and disposed in an alternating succession with said filter units, said outer, middle and inner support elements supporting and partially engaging said outer, middle and inner filter units, respectively, in directions of fluid streams therethrough; fluid receiving channels on a side of each of said middle and outer support elements facing the respective filter units, said channels being bordered laterally by longitudinal ribs on said support elements, extending along spiral tracks on said outer and middle support elements and having two free ends emerging on opposing ends of said middle and outer support elements, said channels extend continuously without repeated deflections of fluid streams therein and only partially encompassing the respective support elements forming a twisted guide for fluid flow; and conduits convey fluid to be filtered from outside said outer and inner filter units to inner clean sides thereof and from one side of said middle filter unit to an opposite clean side thereof.