Full flow/bypass filter assembly

In a multi-media lubricant filter of the type having first annular filter media for providing filtration for one lubricant circuit, second filter media providing filtration for another lubricant circuit, a hollow cylindrical shell closed at one end for receiving the first and second filter media axially adjacent to one another with the first filter media adjacent the closed one end and with annular spaces between the outer periphery of each filter media and the shell for providing a common lubricant path to the outer peripheries of the first and second filter media, a standpipe for providing a central lubricant path from within the first filter media to the end of the cylindrical shell opposite the closed one end, and an annular retainer integral with the shell near the other shell end for engaging the second media and retaining both media axially within the shell, the annular retainer having a plurality of apertures for providing a lubricant inlet to the common lubricant path;

• the improvement comprising a grommet defining an intermediate generally annular lubricant path from within the annulus of the second media to the end of the cylindrical shell opposite the closed one end, the grommet cooperating with a base member when installed thereon to isolate the lubricant inlet, common lubricant path, intermediate lubricant path and central lubricant path each from the other, the grommet including an outer radial portion interposed between the retainer and one end of the second filter media, an outer cylindrical portion having an inner surface for sealingly engaging a full flow circuit fitting on the base member, an inner cylindrical portion having a first inner cylindrical surface sealingly engaging the standpipe and a second inner cylindrical surface for sealingly engaging a bypass circuit fitting on the base member.

In a multi-media lubricant filter of the type having a hollow cylindrical shell closed at one end, a generally columnar stack of flat filter media lamina for providing filtration for one lubricant circuit, means including a helical compression spring for axially compressing the stack of filter media lamina, and other filter media providing filtration for another lubricant circuit the improvement comprising;

• a harness for retaining the filter media lamina in stacked columnar alignment comprising a generally circular lubricant impervious end piece having a diameter somewhat greater than the lateral extent of the filter media lamina, the end piece adapted to engage one end filter media lamina, an annular portion for engaging the opposite end filter media lamina, a plurality of elongated strips integral with and extending from the periphery of the annular portion and terminating at remote free ends, means peripherally disposed about the end piece for receiving and retaining the free ends of the elongated strips, the helical compression spring disposed between the shell closed end and the end piece, and wherein the annular portion and integral elongated strips are formed as a flat sheet of relatively rigid material of generally uniform thickness with a transverse relieved portion along each strip adjacent to the annular portion to form a flexible integral hinge between the annular portion and the corresponding elongated strip.

In a multi-media lubricant filter of the type having first annular filter media for providing filtration for one lubricant circuit, the first filter media comprising a generally cylindrical stack of annular filter media lamina for providing filtration for the one lubricant circuit and means for axially compressing the stack of filter media lamina, second filter media providing filtration for another lubricant circuit, a hollow cylindrical shell closed at one end for receiving the first and second filter media axially adjacent to one another with the first filter media adjacent the closed one end and with annular spaces between the outer periphery of each filter media and the shell for providing a common lubricant path to the outer peripheries of the first and second filter media, a standpipe for providing a central lubricant path from within the first filter media to the end of the cylindrical shell opposite the closed one end, and an annular retainer integral with the shell near the other shell end for engaging the second media and retaining both media axially within the shell, the annular retainer having a plurality of apertures for providing a lubricant inlet to the common lubricant path;

• the improvement comprising:
• a grommet defining an intermediate generally annular lubricant path from within the annulus of the second media to the end of the cylindrical shell opposite the closed one end, the grommet cooperating with a base member when installed thereon to isolate the lubricant inlet, common lubricant path, intermediate lubricant path and central lubricant path each from the other;
• and
• a harness for retaining the filter media lamina in stacked columnar alignment comprising a generally circular lubricant impervious end piece having a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the filter media lamina, the end piece adapted to engage one end filter media lamina, an annular portion for engaging the opposite end filter media disk, a plurality of elongated strips integral with and extending from the periphery of the annular portion and terminating at remote free ends, and means peripherally disposed about the end piece for receiving and retaining the free ends of the elongated strips.