Filter assembly

A filter assembly comprising:

• a fluid inlet;
• a fluid outlet;
• and
• a filter medium for receipt of fluid from the fluid inlet and for supplying filtered fluid to the fluid outlet, the filter medium being located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet,
• the filter assembly further comprising:
• a pressure-limiting means located between the fluid inlet and the filter medium, wherein the pressure-limiting means comprises a pressure relief valve having:
• a valve closure member comprising a piston displaceable within a bore, the valve closure member releasably engageable with a valve seat connected to the fluid inlet, wherein the piston comprises an aperture for allowing the fluid to flow from an upstream side of the piston to a downstream side of the piston, wherein the piston comprises an effective downstream surface that is larger than an effective upstream surface;
• and
• a spring means engaged with the piston for urging the valve closure member away from engagement with the valve seat
• wherein the valve closure member is urged towards the engagement with the valve seat when a force exerted from fluid pressure applied to the effective downstream surface of the piston exceeds a net force from the fluid pressure applied to the effective upstream surface of the piston and a force exerted by the spring means.