Filter system

A filter element comprising:

• a filter element upper end and a filter element lower end separated by a filter wall, the filter element configured for connection within a chamber of a liquid filter system under a flow spreader at the filter element upper end, the flow spreader having an inclined surface forming an apex configured to receive a columnar liquid flow from an inlet at an upper end of the chamber and to provide an annular liquid flow past the filter element upper end into an annular gap between the filter wall and a lateral wall of the chamber;
• and
• a hollow interior volume defined by the filter element upper and lower ends and the filter wall, the filter element configured to filter a liquid flow by passage through the filter wall into the hollow interior volume, the filter element configured to connect to an outlet at a lower end of the chamber to receive a filtered liquid flow from the hollow interior volume.

(canceled)

A flow spreader comprising:

• an inclined surface forming an apex, the flow spreader configured for connection within a chamber at a filter element upper end to receive a columnar liquid flow at the apex of the inclined surface from an inlet at an upper end of the chamber, and to provide an annular liquid flow past the filter element upper end into an annular gap between a filter wall of the filter element and a lateral wall of the chamber, the filter wall extending from the filter element upper end to a filter element lower end.

(canceled)

23-25. (canceled)