Multistage filter with hydrophobic screen

Abstract

A filter element includes a filter media tube having a first layer structured to coalesce water and having a first axial length and a second layer structured to strip water and having a second axial length. The second layer is positioned downstream of the first layer. The first and second layers are coupled at coupling points along the first and second lengths. The second layer is pillowed relative to the first layer between the coupling points. A method of forming a filter element includes layering a top filter media layer over a bottom media layer. Vertical points along a length of the top filter media layer and the bottom filter media layers are coupled to form a filter media, and the filter media is rolled into a filter media tube so as to cause pillowing on an inner surface or an outer surface of the filter media tube.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.