End cap for filter element

Abstract

An end cap for a filter element may include an element receiver configured to be coupled to a tubular member, and a base passage receiver in flow communication with the element receiver. The end cap may further include an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base. The end cap may also include end cap flow passages configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, and including a passage opening spaced a first distance from the first side. The end cap may further include a barrier edge and a peripheral seal, wherein an uppermost surface of the peripheral seal terminates a second distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An end cap for a filter element, the end cap comprising:
 an element receiver having a longitudinal axis and being configured to be coupled to a tubular member;   a base passage receiver, the element receiver and the base passage receiver being in flow communication with one another;   an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base and a second side configured to face filter media;   end cap flow passages around the base passage receiver and configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, the end cap flow passages extending from the second side of the end cap barrier to the first side of the end cap barrier in a direction along the longitudinal axis, wherein the end cap flow passages each include a passage opening spaced a first distance from the first side of the end cap barrier; and   a barrier edge associated with the end cap barrier and a peripheral seal coupled to the barrier edge and configured to provide a fluid seal with at least one of a filter base and a canister of a filter assembly,   wherein an uppermost surface of the peripheral seal terminates a second distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, and   wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.   
     
     
         2 . The end cap of  claim 1 , wherein the passage openings face outward away from the base passage receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The end cap of  claim 1 , wherein the base passage receiver terminates at a third distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, and wherein the first distance is greater than the third distance. 
     
     
         4 . The end cap of  claim 1 , wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit extending from the first side of the end cap barrier, and wherein at least some of the tubular passage conduits are spaced from one another such that fluid is able to flow between the at least some of the tubular passage conduits and into the base passage receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The end cap of  claim 1 , wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit extending from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the passage openings face transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The end cap of  claim 5 , wherein the tubular passage conduits include an end barrier extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and define an end of the passage openings remote from the end cap barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The end cap of  claim 1 , wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit, and at least some of the tubular passage conduits extend from the second side of the end cap barrier. 
     
     
         8 . The end cap of  claim 1 , further including a peripheral lip extending from the first side of the end cap barrier in a direction transverse to the end cap barrier and terminating a fourth distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, wherein the first distance is greater than the fourth distance. 
     
     
         9 . The end cap of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier edge includes a plurality of holes, and portions of the peripheral seal extend through the holes. 
     
     
         10 . The end cap of  claim 1 , further including a locator flange extending from the second side of the end cap barrier, wherein the locator flange is configured to fit around filter media and inside an end of a canister of a filter assembly. 
     
     
         11 . An end cap for a filter element, the end cap comprising:
 an element receiver having a longitudinal axis and being configured to be coupled to a tubular member;   a base passage receiver, the element receiver and the base passage receiver being in flow communication with one another;   an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base and a second side configured to face filter media; and   end cap flow passages around the base passage receiver and configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, the end cap flow passages extending from the second side of the end cap barrier to the first side of the end cap barrier in a direction along the longitudinal axis, wherein the end cap flow passages each include a passage opening spaced a first distance from the first side of the end cap barrier,   wherein the base passage receiver terminates at a second distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, and   wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.   
     
     
         12 . The end cap of  claim 11 , wherein the passage openings face outward away from the base passage receiver. 
     
     
         13 . The end cap of  claim 11 , wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit extending from the first side of the end cap barrier, and wherein at least some of the tubular passage conduits are spaced from one another such that fluid is able to flow between the at least some of the tubular passage conduits and into the base passage receiver. 
     
     
         14 . The end cap of  claim 11 , wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit extending from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the passage openings face transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The end cap of  claim 14 , wherein the tubular passage conduits include an end barrier extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and define an end of the passage openings remote from the end cap barrier. 
     
     
         16 . The end cap of  claim 11 , wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit, and at least some of the tubular passage conduits extend from the second side of the end cap barrier. 
     
     
         17 . The end cap of  claim 11 , further including a barrier edge associated with the end cap barrier and a peripheral seal coupled to the barrier edge and configured to provide a fluid seal with at least one of a filter base and a canister of a filter assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The end cap of  claim 17 , wherein the barrier edge includes a plurality of holes, and portions of the peripheral seal extend through the holes. 
     
     
         19 . The end cap of  claim 11 , further including a locator flange extending from the second side of the end cap barrier, wherein the locator flange is configured to fit around filter media and inside an end of a canister of a filter assembly. 
     
     
         20 . An end cap for a filter element, the end cap comprising:
 an element receiver having a longitudinal axis and being configured to be coupled to a tubular member;   a base passage receiver, the element receiver and the base passage receiver being in flow communication with one another;   an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base and a second side configured to face filter media; and   end cap flow passages around the base passage receiver and configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, the end cap flow passages extending from the second side of the end cap barrier to the first side of the end cap barrier in a direction along the longitudinal axis,   wherein each of the end cap flow passages is defined by a tubular passage conduit extending from the first side of the end cap barrier, and the passage openings face outward and transverse relative to the longitudinal axis.