Filter element assembly

A filter element assembly comprising:

• a. a filter element for location in a housing of a filter, the filter element comprising a wall of a filtration medium which defines a hollow space, for a gas stream to flow from the hollow space through the wall to be filtered, the filtration medium including a filtration layer, and a drainage layer located outside the filtration layer in which liquid separated from the gas stream can collect, and first and second end caps at opposite ends of the wall, the first end cap including a port for the gas stream which communicates with the hollow space within the wall;
• and
• b. a drainage promoter comprising a plurality of fins, in which the plurality of fins are each configured to be fitted to the filter element so that, in use, the plurality of fins extend at least part way along the filter element and compress the drainage layer along the lengths of the plurality of fins to promote drainage of liquid which has collected in the drainage layer;
• in which the drainage promoter comprises a support, the plurality of fins being coupled to the support via a hinge so that the plurality of fins are pivotable between a disengaged position, and an engaged position in which the plurality of fins are configured to engage the filter element, wherein the plurality of fins are extending, in use, in a direction along the filter element when the drainage promoter is connected to the filter element, the plurality of fins being at least partially resiliently deformable to pass over one of the end caps for fitting the plurality of fins to the filter element, and the plurality of fins comprising a latch feature for engaging the filter element.

A filter element for location in a housing of a filter, the filter element comprising:

• a wall of a filtration medium which defines a hollow space, for a fluid stream to flow from the hollow space through the wall to be filtered, the filtration medium including a filtration layer, and a drainage layer located outside the filtration layer in which fluid separated from the fluid stream can collect;
• first and second end caps at opposite ends of the wall, one of the end caps including a port for the fluid stream which communicates with the hollow space within the wall;
• and
• at least one engaging feature on one of the end caps which is configured to cooperate with an engaging feature on a drainage promoter, to compress the drainage layer along its length to promote drainage of fluid which has collected in the drainage layer.

A filter element assembly, comprising:

• a filter element for location in a housing of a filter, the filter element comprising a wall of a filtration medium which defines a hollow space, for a gas stream to flow from the hollow space through the wall to be filtered, the filtration medium including a filtration layer, and a drainage layer located outside the filtration layer in which liquid separated from the gas stream can collect, and first and second end caps at opposite ends of the wall, the first end cap including a port for the gas stream which communicates with the hollow space within the wall;
• and
• a drainage promoter comprising at least one fin fitted to the filter element so that it extends at least part way along the filter element, and which the at least one fin compresses the drainage layer along its length to promote drainage of liquid which has collected in the drainage layer during use;
• in which the drainage promoter further comprises a support, the at least one fin being coupled to the support via a hinge so that the at least one fin is pivotable between a disengaged position, and an engaged position in which the at least one fin is configured to engage the filter element, the at least one fin comprising a latch feature engaging the filter element.