Fuel filter assembly with element having dual media

Abstract

A fuel filter includes a housing ( 412 ) with a removable element ( 424 ) mounted therein. The housing has an inlet port ( 414 ) in direct fluid communication with a chamber ( 418 ). A first outlet port ( 416 ) is in direct fluid communication with a central standpipe ( 422 ). The standpipe has a flow element ( 442 ) movable therein for controlling the condition of flow openings ( 436 ) in the standpipe. The cover further includes a cover projection ( 482 ) for supporting a projection ( 478 ) on the end cap ( 460 ) of the filter element, which opens flow into the standpipe only when the element is installed. The removable element can include first and second filter media rings ( 426, 716 ) where fluid is introduced between the rings and flows radially inward through the first media to the first outlet port ( 416 ), and radially outward through the second media ring to a second outlet port ( 710 ). The second filter media ring ( 716 ) includes a distal end ( 728 ) freely supported with respect to the second end cap and defining a continuous annular passage ( 732 ) into the annular cavity ( 726 ) between the media rings ( 426, 716 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A filter element, comprising: 
 a continuous inner ring of filter media, said inner ring having an interior surface bounding an interior cavity;    a continuous outer ring of filter media outwardly bounding said inner ring, said outer ring having an interior surface spaced radially outward from said inner ring and defining an intermediate cavity therewith;    first and second circular end caps, said inner ring having first and second ends, with the first end adhesively bonded to the first end cap and the second end adhesively bonded to said second end cap, said outer ring also having first end second ends, with the first end of the outer ring adhesively bonded to the first end cap and the second end of the outer ring freely supported with respect to the second end cap and defining a continuous annular passage therewith fluidly communicating with said intermediate cavity; and    a projection within said interior cavity sealingly connected to said first end cap and extending longitudinally from a central area of said first end cap toward said second end cap;    said second end cap having a central opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which an external device can be inserted longitudinally into said interior cavity;    wherein said projection is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface of said inner filter media ring, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said central opening and is longer than it is wide, such that said projection can engage or actuate a valve flow element associated with the external device when the external device is inserted longitudinally through said central opening.    
     
     
         2 . The filter element as in    claim 1   , wherein a frame supports the outer ring.  
     
     
         3 . The filter element as in    claim 2   , wherein the frame is external to the outer ring.  
     
     
         4 . The filter element as in    claim 2   , wherein the frame is unitary with said first end cap.  
     
     
         5 . The filter element as in    claim 2   , wherein the frame includes cut-out window portions dividing the outer ring into discrete segments which i) allow fluid to pass through the outer ring, and ii) provide support for the outer ring.  
     
     
         6 . The filter element as in    claim 1   , wherein said projection is unitary with said first end cap.  
     
     
         7 . The filter element as in    claim 1   , wherein said outer ring includes a resilient seal at the second end of the outer ring, the resilient seal radially bounding the second end of the outer ring and projecting radially outward therefrom.  
     
     
         8 . The filter element as in    claim 1   , wherein the outer ring extends longitudinally from the first end cap toward the second end cap, and terminates at a free end prior to the second end cap such that an annular flow gap is provided between the second end cap and the second end of the outer ring.  
     
     
         9 . The filter element as in    claim 8   , wherein said outer ring includes a resilient seal at the second, free end of the outer ring, the resilient seal radially bounding the second end of the outer ring and projecting radially outward therefrom.  
     
     
         10 . A filter assembly, comprising: 
 a filter housing including a pair of housing portions defining a filter cavity, one of said housing portions comprising a cylindrical body with a closed end, an open end, a first inlet and a second outlet spaced separately along the length of the body, and a cylindrical standpipe extending longitudinally into the filter cavity from the closed end of the body toward the open end, said standpipe having a distal free end with a valve flow element and a connected end fluidly communicating with a first outlet, and the other of the housing portions comprising a cover for the open end of the cylindrical body, and    a filter element disposed between the housing portions, the filter element including a continuous inner ring of filter media, said inner ring having an interior surface bounding an interior cavity;    a continuous outer ring of filter media outwardly bounding said inner ring, said outer ring having an interior surface spaced radially outward from said inner ring and defining an intermediate cavity therewith;    first and second circular end caps, said inner ring having first and second ends, with the first end adhesively bonded to the first end cap and the second end adhesively bonded to said second end cap, said outer ring also having first end second ends, with the first end of the outer ring adhesively bonded to the first end cap and the second end of the outer ring freely supported with respect to the second end cap and defining a continuous annular passage therewith fluidly communicating with said intermediate cavity; and    a projection connected to one of said cover or said first end cap and extending longitudinally within said interior cavity from a central area of said first end cap toward said second end cap;    said second end cap having a central opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which the standpipe extends longitudinally into said interior cavity, and an annular seal providing a fluid tight seal between said second end cap and said standpipe;    wherein said projection is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface of said inner filter media ring, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said central opening and is longer than it is wide.    
     
     
         11 . The filter assembly as in    claim 10   , wherein a frame supports the outer ring.  
     
     
         12 . The filter assembly as in    claim 11   , wherein the frame is external to the outer ring.  
     
     
         13 . The filter assembly as in    claim 11   , wherein the frame is unitary with said first end cap.  
     
     
         14 . The filter assembly as in    claim 11   , wherein the frame includes cut-out window portions dividing the outer ring into discrete segments which i) allow fluid to pass through the outer ring, and ii) provide support for the outer ring.  
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly as in    claim 10   , wherein said projection is unitary with said first end cap.  
     
     
         16 . The filter assembly as in    claim 10   , wherein said projection is unitary with said cover.  
     
     
         17 . The filter assembly as in    claim 10   , wherein said outer ring includes a resilient seal at the second end of the outer ring, the resilient seal radially bounding the second end of the outer ring and projecting radially outward therefrom into sealing relation with said one housing portion such that said inlet is isolated from direct fluid communication with said second outlet.  
     
     
         18 . The filter assembly as in    claim 10   , wherein the outer ring extends longitudinally from the first end cap toward the second end cap, and terminates at a free end prior to the second end cap such that an annular flow gap is provided between the second end cap and the second end of the outer ring, said annular flow gap being in direct fluid communication with said inlet.  
     
     
         19 . The filter assembly as in    claim 18   , wherein said outer ring includes a resilient seal at the second, free end of the outer ring, the resilient seal radially bounding the second end of the outer ring and projecting radially outward therefrom into sealing relation with the one housing portion such that said inlet is isolated from direct fluid communication with said second outlet.  
     
     
         20 . The filter assembly as in    claim 10   , wherein said cover is attached in rotationally fixed relation to said filter element.  
     
     
         21 . A filter subassembly, comprising: 
 a cover including a central projection extending longitudinally from an inside surface of the cover, and    a filter element connected to said cover, said filter element including: 
 a continuous inner ring of filter media, said inner ring having an interior surface bounding an interior cavity;  
 a continuous outer ring of filter media outwardly bounding said inner media ring, said outer ring having an interior surface spaced radially outward from said inner ring and defining an intermediate cavity;  
 first and second circular end caps, said inner ring having first and second ends, with the first end adhesively bonded to the first end cap and the second end adhesively bonded to said second end cap, said outer ring also having first end second ends, with the first end of the outer ring adhesively bonded to the first end cap and the second end of the outer ring freely supported with respect to the second end cap and defining a continuous annular passage therewith fluidly communicating with said intermediate cavity, said projection extending longitudinally in said interior cavity cap toward said second end cap;  
 said second end cap having a central opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which an external device can be inserted longitudinally into said interior cavity;  
 wherein said projection is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface of said inner filter media ring, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said central opening and is longer than it is wide.  
   
     
     
         22 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 21   , wherein a frame supports the outer ring.  
     
     
         23 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 22   , wherein the frame is external to the outer ring.  
     
     
         24 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 22   , wherein the frame is unitary with said first end cap.  
     
     
         25 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 22   , wherein the frame includes cut-out window portions dividing the outer ring into discrete segments which i) allow fluid to pass through the outer ring, and ii) provide support for the outer media ring.  
     
     
         26 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 21   , wherein said projection is unitary with said cover.  
     
     
         27 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 21   , wherein said outer ring includes a resilient seal at the second end of the outer ring, the resilient seal radially bounding the second end of the outer ring and projecting radially outward therefrom.  
     
     
         28 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 21   , wherein the outer ring extends longitudinally from the first end cap toward the second end cap, and terminates at a free end prior to the second end cap such that an annular flow gap is provided between the second end cap and the second end of the outer ring.  
     
     
         29 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 28   , wherein said outer ring includes a resilient seal at the second, free end of the outer ring, the resilient seal radially bounding the second end of the outer ring and projecting radially outward therefrom.  
     
     
         30 . The filter subassembly as in    claim 29   , wherein said cover is attached in rotationally fixed relation to said filter element.  
     
     
         31 . A filter element, comprising: 
 a continuous inner ring of filter media, said inner ring having an interior surface bounding an interior cavity;    a continuous outer ring of filter media outwardly bounding said inner ring, said outer ring having an interior surface spaced radially outward from said inner ring and defining an intermediate cavity therewith, a frame supporting the outer ring, said frame including cut-out window portions dividing the outer ring into discrete segments which i) allow fluid to pass through the outer ring, and ii) provide support for the outer ring;    first and second circular end caps supporting the inner and outer rings of media; and    a projection within said interior cavity sealingly connected to said first end cap and extending longitudinally from a central area of said first end cap toward said second end cap;    said second end cap having a central opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which an external device can be inserted longitudinally into said interior cavity;    wherein said projection is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface of said inner filter media ring, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said central opening and is longer than it is wide, such that said projection can engage or actuate a valve flow element associated with the external device when the external device is inserted longitudinally through said central opening.    
     
     
         32 . The filter element as in    claim 31   , wherein the frame is external to the outer ring.  
     
     
         33 . The filter element as in    claim 31   , wherein the frame is unitary with said first end cap.  
     
     
         34 . The filter element as in    claim 31   , wherein the outer media is supported at only one end by the end caps.  
     
     
         35 . The filter element as in    claim 31   , wherein said projection is unitary with said first end cap.