Periodic radial symmetry for filter pleating

A filter assembly comprising:

• a cylindrical filter element comprising:
• a central longitudinal axis;
• filter media comprising a plurality of radially extending pleats arranged in a pattern that repeats around the central longitudinal axis, wherein:
• an outer cylindrical periphery of the filter media is defined by an outer pleat tip of each of the plurality of radially extending pleats;
• and
• each pattern of radially extending pleats comprises:
• a major pleat comprising two arms having a first length and extending radially from outer pleat tips in line with the central longitudinal axis and to an inner pleat tip;
• a minor pleat spaced from the major pleat, the minor pleat comprising two arms extending radially from outer pleat tips in line with the central longitudinal axis and to an inner pleat tip, wherein the arms of the minor pleat comprise a second length that is less than the first length of the arms of the major pleat;
• a first series of intermediate pleats positioned between the major pleat and the minor pleat;
• and
• a second series of intermediate pleats positioned between the minor pleat and the major pleat of an adjacent pattern of pleats;
• a plurality of flow channels extending along a height of the filter element, each of which is defined by the inner pleat tip of the minor pleat, an inner tip of each of the first and second series of intermediate pleats, and a portion of two adjacent major pleats;
• a first end cap positioned at a first end of the filter assembly, the first end cap comprising at least one opening;
• and
• a second end cap positioned at a second end of the filter assembly.