Fuel filter

A fuel filter cartridge comprising:

• cover means for forming a cover having an exterior an interior mounting surface and an exterior peripheral retaining shoulder;
• first filter means comprising a first filter element having a first end and an axially spaced second end and defining a central inner region, said filter element being mounted to said mounting surface at said first end;
• medial endcap means mounted to said filter element second end, said medial endcap means defining a medial central opening, medial sealing means received in said medial opening for fluidly sealing a conduit received through said medial opening;
• second filter means comprising a second filter element having axially spaced first and second ends and defining a central inner region, said filter element being mounted to said medial endcap at said first end;
• second endcap means mounted to said second filter element at said second end, said second endcap means enclosing an axial end of said second filter means, said second endcap means defining a second central opening coaxial with said medial opening, and a second sealing means received in said second opening for fluidly sealing a second conduit received through said second opening.

A fuel comprising:

• base means comprising a base having a fuel inlet passage, a fuel outlet passage, central first conduit means for interiorly defining a first axial passage communicable with said inlet passage and second conduit means surrounding said first conduit means for defining a second axial passage communicating with said outlet passage, said base means comprising a cannister and a lip projecting from said cannister;
• filter cartridge means mountable on said base means for filtering fuel, said cartridge means comprising:
• cover means comprising a cover and a retaining shoulder;
• first filter means mounted to said cover means comprising a first filter element enclosed by said cannister and defining a first chamber communicating with said first axial passage and a first endcap defining first opening means for receiving said first conduit means in fluid tight relationship;
• second filter means comprising a second endcap defining second opening means for receiving said second conduit means in fluid tight relationship and comprising a second filter element generally impervious to the passage of water enclosed by said cannister and extending between said first and second endcaps;
• sealing means for fluidly sealing said cartridge means to said base means comprising a sealing ring compressively sealable between said lip and said cover means;
• and
• retainer means comprising a collar threadably engageable with said base means and axially engageable against said shoulder for securing said cartridge to said base means.

A fuel filter assembly comprising:

• base means comprising a base forming a cannister having an open end, said base means having a fuel inlet passage, a fuel outlet passage, central first conduit means for interiorly defining a first axial passage communicable with said inlet passage and second conduit means surrounding said first conduit means for defining a second axial passage communicating with said outlet passage;
• filter cartridge means receivable in said cannister and mountable to said base means for removing particulate matter and water from fuel, said cartridge means comprising:
• cover means comprising a cover and a first endcap connected to said cover along a circumferential seam forming a retaining shoulder;
• filter means mounted to said cover means, said filter means defining a first chamber communicating with said first axial passage and defining a second chamber communicating with said second axial passage;
• and
• retainer means comprising a collar threadably engageable with said base means and axially engageable against said retaining shoulder for securing said cartridge means to said base means.