In-line single outlet filter with automatic clogged filter element bypass

A fluid filter comprising:

• a base having an outlet opening;
• an elongated filter element comprising filter material surrounding and defining a passageway, the filter element having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• the outlet end of the filter element being attached to the base with the outlet opening of the base being in fluid communication with the passageway of the filter element;
• a seat attached to the inlet end of the filter element, the seat having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the passageway of the filter element;
• a spring disposed within the passageway of the filter element, the spring having a first end portion adjacent the seat and a second end portion adjacent the base;
• a valve member located within the passageway of the filter element between the first end of the spring and the seat, the valve member being shaped and sized to close communication through the inlet opening in the seat when urged into contact with the seat;
• the spring having a spring constant adequate to hold the valve member in yieldable contact with the seat to seal the inlet opening of the seat and yield to allow the valve member to be displaced away from the seat to open up communication through the inlet opening in response to a predetermined pressure exerted on the valve member;
• the filter element being made of a magnetically susceptible material;
• the valve member and the seat being constructed of a material that is not magnetically susceptible;
• and
• a magnet incorporated into the fluid filter in such a way that the filter element becomes at least partially magnetized through proximity to the magnet to capture metal particles within a fluid moving through the filter element;
• the valve member and the seat not becoming magnetized through proximity to the magnet or the filter element so that the valve member and the seat do not capture metal particles within a fluid moving through the filter element;
• the fluid filter being sized and configured to be disposed within a fluid conduit to filter fluid flowing through the filter element;
• such that when the filter element is not clogged, the pressure of the fluid is less than the predetermined pressure and fluid flows around the seat, through the filter material into the passageway of the filter element, and out the outlet opening in the base;
• and
• when the filter element is clogged, the pressure of the fluid is greater than the predetermined pressure and thereby displaces the valve member from the seat so that fluid flows through the inlet of the seat, into the passageway of the filter element, and out the outlet opening in the base.

A fluid filter comprising:

• a base having an outlet opening;
• an elongated filter element comprising filter material surrounding and defining a passageway, the filter element having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• the outlet end of the filter element being attached to the base with the outlet opening of the base being in fluid communication with the passageway of the filter element;
• a seat attached to the inlet end of the filter element, the seat having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the passageway of the filter element;
• a spring disposed within the passageway of the filter element, the spring having a first end portion adjacent the seat and a second end portion adjacent the base;
• a valve member located within the passageway of the filter element between the first end of the spring and the seat, the valve member being shaped and sized to close communication through the inlet opening in the seat when urged into contact with the seat;
• the spring having a spring constant adequate to hold the valve member in yieldable contact with the seat to seal the inlet opening of the seat and yield to allow the valve member to be displaced away from the seat to open up communication through the inlet opening in response to a predetermined pressure exerted on the valve member;
• the base being made of a magnetically susceptible material;
• the valve member and the seat being constructed of a material that is not magnetically susceptible;
• and
• a magnet incorporated into the fluid filter in such a way that the base becomes at least partially magnetized through proximity to the magnet to capture metal particles within a fluid moving through the outlet opening;
• the valve member and the seat not becoming magnetized through proximity to the magnet or the base so that the valve member and the seat do not capture metal particles within a fluid moving through the inlet opening and past the valve member;
• the fluid filter being sized and configured to be disposed within a fluid conduit to filter fluid flowing through the conduit;
• when the filter element is not clogged, the pressure of the flowing fluid is less than the predetermined pressure and fluid flows around the seat, through the filter material into the passageway of the filter element, and out the outlet opening in the base;
• and
• when the filter element is clogged, the pressure of the fluid becomes greater than the predetermined pressure and thereby displaces the valve member from the seat so that fluid flows through the inlet of the seat, into the passageway of the filter element, and out the outlet opening in the base.