# US 2014/0197090 A1 · Multistage high capacity and depth coalescing media system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197090 A1 - Document ID: US20140197090A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/155,784 - Filed: 2014-01-15 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15 - Assignees: Parker-Hannifin Corporation - Applicants: Parker-Hannifin Corporation - Inventors: Peter Popoff; Walter Stone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197090A1 ## CPC - B01D 36/003: {Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids (B01D35/185 takes precedence)} - B01D 27/07: having a coaxial stream through the filtering element - B01D 36/02: Combinations of filters of different kinds (B01D29/50, B01D33/35 take precedence) - B01D 36/04: Combinations of filters with settling tanks - F02M 37/26: with water detection means - F02M 37/32: characterised by filters or filter arrangements - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF ## Abstract A filter assembly having a first stage filter that filters particulates from fluid flowing through the filter and a second stage filter downstream of the first stage filter that coalesces water from the fluid. By providing the first stage filter upstream of the second stage filter, particulate filtration capacity and efficiency may be provided while protecting the second stage filter from particulates. Protecting the second stage filter from particulates allows for the life of the second stage filter to be extended while providing efficient emulsion removal in the filter assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filter assembly configured to be coupled to a filter head, the filter assembly including: a housing circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends and an internal chamber defined therebetween; and a filter element disposed within the internal chamber of the housing, the filter element including: a first stage filter circumscribing the central axis and defining a central cavity; a second stage filter downstream of the first stage filter, the second stage filter circumscribing the central axis and defining a central cavity; and a center tube disposed in the central cavity of the first and second stage filters, whereby fluid flows from the first end of the housing axially towards the second end into the first stage filter where particulates are filtered from the fluid, from the first stage filter axially into the second stage filter where water is coalesced from the fluid, and then from the second stage filter through the center tube towards the first end of the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the filter element further includes a third stage filter disposed to receive fluid from the second stage filter and discharge the fluid into the center tube while allowing coalesced water droplets to move downward. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The filter assembly according to claim 2, wherein the third stage filter is disposed at a lower end of the center tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The filter assembly according to claim 3, wherein the third stage filter extends downwardly from the center tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The filter assembly according to any claim 2, wherein the third stage filter is disposed radially inwardly of the second stage filter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The filter assembly according to claim 1, further including a cover coupled to the first end of the housing, wherein the cover includes at least one inlet passage for directing fluid to the first stage filter and at least one outlet passage for expelling fluid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The filter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the at least one inlet passage is radially outwardly spaced from the at least one outlet passage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The filter assembly according to claim 6, further including a gasket coupled to an upper end of the center tube to isolate the flow entering the first stage filter from the flow exiting the center tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second stage filters each have an outer surface coupled to an inner surface of the housing to fluidly seal the first and second stage filters to the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second stage filters are fluidly sealed to the center tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first stage filter is disposed in the internal chamber proximate the first end for removing particulates from fluid flowing through the filter element and the second stage filter is disposed in the internal chamber proximate the second end for coalescing water in the fluid flowing through the filter element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The filter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second stage filters are annular rolled filter elements. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The filter assembly according to claim 2, wherein the third stage filter is a hydrophobic barrier. ### Claim 14 A filter assembly configured to be coupled to a filter head, the filter assembly including: a housing having upper and lower ends and a chamber defined therebetween; and a filter element disposed within the internal chamber of the housing, the filter element including: a first stage filter defining a central cavity and having an outer surface coupled to an inner surface of the housing; a second stage filter downstream of the first stage filter, the second stage filter defining a central cavity and having an outer surface coupled to an inner surface of the housing; a center tube disposed in the central cavity of the first and second stage filters and being coupled thereto, the center tube having upper and lower ends and defining a fluid flow path therethrough; and a third stage filter disposed at the lower end of the center tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The filter assembly according to claim 14, wherein fluid flows from the first end of the housing through the first stage filter, the second stage filter, the third stage filter, and then along the fluid flow path in the center tube. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The filter assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first stage filter is disposed in the internal chamber proximate the upper end for removing particulates from fluid flowing through the filter element and the second stage filter is disposed in the internal chamber proximate the lower end for coalescing water in the fluid flowing through the filter element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The filter assembly according to claim 14, wherein the third stage filter is disposed at a lower end of the center tube radially inwardly of the second stage filter. ### Claim 18 A filter assembly configured to be coupled to a filter head, the filter assembly including: a housing having first and second ends and a chamber defined therebetween; and a filter element disposed within the internal chamber of the housing, the filter element including: a first stage filter defining a central cavity and being disposed in the internal chamber proximate the first end for removing particulates from fluid flowing through the filter element; a second stage filter defining a central cavity and being disposed in the internal chamber proximate the second end for coalescing water in the fluid flowing through the filter element; and a third stage filter disposed to receive fluid from the second stage filter and discharge the fluid towards the first end while allowing coalesced water droplets to move downward. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The filter assembly according to claim 18, further including a center tube disposed in the central cavity of the first and second stage filters, wherein the third stage filter is disposed to receive fluid from the second stage filter and discharge the fluid into the center tube. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The filter assembly according to claim 19, wherein fluid flows from the first end of the housing through the first stage filter, the second stage filter, the third stage filter, and then along a fluid flow path in the center tube.