Fluid filtration apparatuses, systems, and methods

A filter comprising:

• a top flow face extending along a length and a width of the filter, wherein the top flow face comprises at least one contaminant retention layer top edge and at least one flow defining layer top edge;
• a bottom flow face spaced in an axial direction from the top flow face, wherein the bottom flow face extends along the length and the width of the filter and comprises a at least one contaminant retention layer bottom edge and at least one flow defining layer bottom edge;
• at least one contaminant retention layer extending from the top flow face to the bottom flow face;
• at least one flow defining layer adjacent to at least one of the contaminant retention layers, the at least one flow defining layer extending from the top flow face to the bottom flow face;
• wherein the at least one contaminant retention layer and the at least one flow defining layer are planar, non-fluted members arranged as a stack of layers, with planar surfaces of adjacent contaminant retention layers and flow defining layers in contact with each other;
• wherein the stack of layers is compressed within a housing;
• and
• wherein the at least one flow defining layer causes a material flow in the axial direction as fluid moves from the top flow face toward the bottom flow face.

A method of filtering fluid, comprising the steps of:

• positioning a filter in a fluid flow path, the filter comprising:
• a first flow face extending along a length and a width of the filter, wherein the first flow face comprises at least one contaminant retention layer first edge and at least one flow defining layer first edge;
• a second flow face spaced in an axial direction from the first flow face, wherein the second flow face extends along the length and the width of the filter and comprises at least one contaminant retention layer second edge and at least one flow defining layer second edge;
• at least one contaminant retention layer extending from the contaminant retention layer first edge to the contaminant retention layer second edge;
• at least one flow defining layer adjacent to at least one of the contaminant retention layers, the at least one flow defining layer extending from the flow defining layer first edge to the flow defining layer second edge;
• a depth extending from the first flow face to the second flow face;
• first and second sides spaced from each other across the width of the filter and extending along the length and the depth of the filter;
• first and second ends spaced from each other along the length of the filter and extending along the width and depth of the filter;
• wherein the at least one contaminant retention layer and the at least one flow defining layer are planar, non-fluted members arranged as a stack of layers, with planar surfaces of adjacent contaminant retention layers and flow defining layers in contact with each other,
• wherein the stack of layers is compressed within a housing;
• and
• wherein the filter is sealed along the first and second ends so that fluid may only flow axially through the filter in a single fluid flow path direction that extends axially at from the first flow face toward the second flow face;
• and
• moving fluid along the fluid flow path, wherein the fluid flow path extends in the axial direction from the first flow face toward the second flow face.